How to Spend a Layover in Istanbul ?
Since every airport is different, it is not easy to tell when your layover is short or long enough. If the layover is of only a few hours, it is bearable. But if your next flight is more than three hours away, waiting at the airport can be utterly boring.
If this is the kind of scenario you face on a layover in Istanbul, don’t worry then! Istanbul Layover Tours is here and we have assembled some fun and exciting things you can do to make the most of your time there.
1. Go Shopping at the Grand Bazaar
It’s hard to fathom that you visit a foreign country/city and not buy a few souvenirs. Shopping in a foreign city gives you an opportunity to collect memorable items. When you are on transit tour through Istanbul before catching your connecting flight, make sure that you visit the Grand Bazaar. As the name suggests, it literally is grand!
The bazaar is one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, and it is full of some amazing Turkish goods. It features maze-like streets that are lined with a variety of stalls. You can find everything from handcrafts to antiques to jewelry and lots more!
2. Visit the Blue Mosque
During your short tour of Istanbul, don’t forget to make a visit to the Blue Mosque. Also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Blue Mosque is the most impressive mosque in entire Turkey. The majestic walls of the mosque are beautifully adorned with breathtaking blue tiles. Trust us, it is worth a visit!
Despite its magnificent beauty, the mosque is closed to visitors during prayer times and Friday morning due to Friday Service. So we will make sure that your express stopover tour doesn’t clash with the prayer timings.
3. Spend Some Time in the Hagia Sophia
One of the greatest landmarks in Istanbul, Hagia Sophia once used to be a church. But when Mehmed II ascended the throne in 1451 and captured Constantinople, Roman City in 1453, he turned the church into a mosque. Now, the supremely stunning place has been converted into a splendid museum.
Often called as the eighth wonder of the world, Hagia Sophia showcases the finest art pieces of Byzantine and Ottoman Empire. You can make your short tour quite knowledgeable by visiting the Hagia Sophia.
4. Explore Spice Bazaar
For all grocery shoppers and food lovers, the spice bazaar is definitely a must visit during a layover in Istanbul. Here you can find all kinds of fresh produces ranging from local spices, cheeses, teas, dry fruits, Turkish delights, and many more.
If you are craving for some real Turkish food, stop by Galata Bridge and enjoy the most popular local food fish sandwich ever!
Istanbul Layover Tours provides amazing layover services. Book with us during your Istanbul layover, and avail the chance to check out Turkey’s greatest monuments, cultural centers, tourist attractions, and historical landmarks just in few hours.
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We have an 8 hour layover in Istanbul 10/2. Our flight arrives at 5:45pm and departs Istanbul at 1:40am on Wednesday.
On the way back, on October 11 we arrive in Istanbul at 4:40am and depart at 1:15pm.
What would you recommend?
Dear Gloria,
Thank you for reaching out to Istanbul Layover Tours. We prepared some tour ideas and sent to your email accordingly.
Hi Latif,
I will have a long layover of 22 hours and 40 minutes (from 11:15 A.M. on 7th September to 09:55 A.M. on 8th September), which I booked on purpose because I wanted to explore the city by availing the Touristanbul offer. I’m 99% sure that I’ll be eligible for it but I wanted to have a plan B for that 1%. It would be great if you could share the itinerary for the given layover time and the charges alongside other important information, if there is any.
Hi Tanvi, Thank you for reaching out. Based on your arrival flight time and your plan to join the touristanbul, we have checked the schedules of free tours and noticed that you may have missed the noon tour of the ‘Turkish History TV Series Tour’ departing from the airport at 12:00 pm. The next available free tour is the Evening Tour departing at 4:00 pm from the airport. However, if you don’t want to wait another 4 hours at the airport, we have communicated a private tour plan to your email, starting as soon as you are out of the airport
Hello Dear Latif, I hope you are doing well. I have a layover at Sabiha Geckon airport, the expected landing at the airport is around 6:50 am, and the next flight is in the evening at 8:20 pm (20:10) so like 12 hours. Please let me know your available tours to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Grand Bazaar, also mention the charges and if any route is available via ferry. Thanks.
Hello! Me and my husband are not qualified for free layover four from Turkish airlines, and we have 8 hours layover in Istanbul on may 14 from 4:45pm to may 15 12:55 am. Is any chance to get a tour with you, guys? My husband speaks Russian, do you have any Russian speaking guides?
Thank you for choosing us for your layover experience in Istanbul. Your tour booking with a Russian-speaking guide has been confirmed. We are excited to show you and your husband our beautiful city on May 14th!
Hello, I have a layover of 8 hours and 30 mins at Istanbul airport, and would like to see some parts of the city. I land at the airport at 4:40am. Next flight to London is 13:10pm. Could u please provide some information, if it would be possible for me to get a quick tour. Please help me out
Dear Maisa,
Thank you for reaching out Istanbul Layover Tours. We have replied to our your email with a draft itinerary suiting to your available time during your layover in Istanbul.
HI LATIF,
I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT ISTANBUL. TWO WOMEN WILL HAVE A LAYOVER IN ISTANBUL AIRPORT FROM 12:30p TO 6:45p DEPARTURE. CAN WE ARRANGE A SHORT TOUR OF THE CITY SITES DURING THAT TIME AND BE BACK AT AIRPORT IN TIME FOR 6:45 DEPARTURE?
Dear Regina,
Thank you for your interest in our services. Kindly be informed that we need 7 hours layover in Istanbul at the shortest, in order to provide a proper experience. In a 6 hour layover, 1 hour to go through passport control upon landing, 1 hour drive an hour each way and need to be dropped off 2 hours to the departurw flight. You will have only 1 hour for the city, if there will be no flight delay. So we believe that it would be too ambitous. Hope to host you another layover in Istanbul.