Who We Are

ILT | Eseler Travel Agency (operating as ILT Istanbul Layover Tours) was founded in 2019 by Latif Eseler, a licensed professional tour guide and long-time member of the Chamber of Istanbul Tourist Guides since 2007. The agency is fully registered with the Association of Turkish Travel Agents (TÜRSAB) under License No: 12152.

With extensive experience in guiding and tourism operations, Latif established ILT to meet a growing need for private city tours tailored specifically to travelers with limited time during layovers in Istanbul. 

With over 1,000 stellar 5-star reviews verified across Tripadvisor, Viator, Airbnb Experiences, and Google Business, ILT | Istanbul Layover Tours is proud to be a trusted name in personalized travel experiences. Our guests consistently praise our attention to detail, seamless logistics, and the warm hospitality of our guides — making us a top-rated choice for layover and cruise port tours in Istanbul.

What We Offer

At ILT | Istanbul Layover Tours, we specialize in private, time-efficient experiences for travelers arriving via Istanbul’s airports or cruise ports. Our services are designed to provide a seamless and enriching visit, even on a tight schedule.

We provide:

  • Private Guided Tours – Explore Istanbul with a licensed professional guide who brings the city’s history and culture to life.

  • Airport Transfers – Comfortable, timely pick-up and drop-off from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW).

  • Private Van with Chauffeur – Available for full-tour comfort, luggage storage, or flexible transport throughout your stay.

  • Custom Layover Day Tours – Tailored itineraries for travelers with 3–12 hour layovers, combining top landmarks with local insights.

  • Multi Day Stopover Packages –  Crafted for extended stay with overnight itineraries, combining private touring, hotel options, and seamless airport transfers.

  • Cruise Port Services – Meet & greet at Galata Cruise Port, guided sightseeing, baggage support, and transfer to the airport or hotel.

  • Pre- & Post-Cruise Extensions – Ideal for cruise passengers looking to explore Istanbul before embarkation or after disembarkation.

  • Brief Turkey Layover Tours – 1–2 day getaways from Istanbul to Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale, or Göbekli Tepe with flights, private transfers, and expert guides—perfect for turning a short stay into a big adventure.
 

 IN-HOUSE TOUR GUIDES


Our tours are led by a team of licensed professional guides with strong backgrounds in tourism, history, and cultural heritage. Each guide is handpicked for their expertise in Istanbul’s rich history, local cuisine, photography-friendly routes, and efficient layover tour planning — ensuring every experience is insightful, enjoyable, and perfectly timed for travelers on the go.

 

 

Booking With ILT Istanbul Layover Tours

Our website — www.istanbullayovertours.com — showcases the most popular services tailored specifically for transit travelers.

Each service page provides:

A clear service overview

What’s included and excluded

Tour Duration and Price breakdowns

No hidden costs, No guesswork.

When you’re ready, you can book online through our secure payment system, powered by Türkiye İş Bank — the country’s largest national bank. All payments go through a protected gateway that follows the strictest anti-fraud and data security standards. Our company and domain istanbullayovertours.com are officially registered with the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB) and the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade — giving you peace of mind that you’re booking with a fully licensed, trusted tour operator.