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Istanbul Layover Day Tour

Full Day
Excellent
Duration

6 to 8 Hours

Tour Type

Specific Tour

Group Size

Unlimited

Languages

English

Overview

Private layover day tour in Istanbul; In this ultimate Istanbul city tour, the itinerary has been prepared for you to cover the major iconic  attractions and try some local experiences in 6 – 8 hours in Istanbul.

Upon meeting welcome host in airport, you will be directed to your private driver & van parked outside. Following meeting your driver and getting on private vehicle, you will be transferred to your guide’s location in old city, where major attractions are situated in same vicinity. After getting off the transport and meeting your guide, your vehicle will leave and you will begin tour with your guide on foot thereafter. At some point, public tram and ferry can be used in order to save time.

Tour introduction & itinerary will be explained in front of the area map by Roman Hippodrome. Agreeing with your guide on the tour plan & activities, in turn, you will visit Roman Hippodrome and famous monuments; Serpent Column, Walled Column, Egyptian Obelisk, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace, Grand Bazaar or Arasta Bazaar.

Depending your interests, your guide will arrange optional additions of traditional Turkish breakfast or /and lunch, Turkish Bath Experience or Bosphorus Ferry Ride, as time permits.

Once tour has been concluded, you will be transferred back by private van and dropped off at international departure’s gate.

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Highlights

  • Round-Trip Tour from Istanbul Airports (IST) including pick up and drop off with private van.
  • Take advantage of SKIP-THE LINE TOUR with private guide having priority at the museum ticket desks.
  • Visit the most famous iconic monuments of Istanbul; Byzantine Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace, Grand Bazaar
  • Taste rich Turkish Cuisine; Find the best Turkish food in local eateries.
  • Enjoy optional Turkish Bath experience and relax at 500 year old Turkish Bath ahead of long flight.
  • With Relax Cancellation Policy; Pay no penalty fee for the cancellations made before 24 Hours prior to the starting time due to the delayed or canceled flights.

Itinerary

Airport Pick-up & Private Transfer
Airport Pick-up &  Private Transfer

After clearing passport control and customs, our Meet & Greet partner M44 will be ready to meet you at the exit gate No: 13, International arrival terminal. Once you have spotted sign of M44 and shared your booking information, You will be accompanied to your driver and vehicle. Following meeting your driver and getting on private vehicle, you will be transferred to your guide's location in old city, where major attractions are grouped in same vicinity.
Duration: 45-60 minutes depending on traffic or whether it is a working day or not.

Byzantine Hippodrome
Byzantine Hippodrome

Stop At: Hippodrome The equivalent of Maxiumus Circus, city of Rome was immitated in new capital of Roman Empire as we call Byzantine Hippodrome; Hear the stories of glory chariot riders and amazed with monuments erected by the ambitios Roman engineers; Egpytian Obelisk, Serpent Colomn and Colomn of Constantine.
Duration: 30 minutes
Admission Ticket Free

Blue Mosque
Blue Mosque

Stop At: Blue Mosque As an operating mosque, your guide will take you inside of mosque complex in between praying times and help you to barrow a scarf or skirt if needed. it is closed untill noon on Fridays due to Friday noon prayer service. Attention; There is ongoing restoration and the dome view is blocked by scaffolding.

Duration: 30 minutes
Admission Ticket Free

Hagia Sophia Mosque
Hagia Sophia Mosque

Stop At Hagia Sophia. Walk through with our licensed tour guide and explore the 8th wonder of the world (possibly) from the aspects of architecture, religion and politics. Hagia Sophia is not a museum any more and visiting hours changes based on praying times. It is open all weekdays 24/7

Duration: 45 minutes

Basilica Cistern
Basilica Cistern

Stop At: Basilica Cistern As you walk down the stairs, you will see a palace looking underground water system built in 6th C. by Romans. Its massive size could store enough water to provide for Roman Palace and surrending neighborhood untill it was forgotten.

Admision fee is 190 TL or 11 USD

Duration: 30 minutes Admission Ticket Not Included

Topkapı Palace
Topkapı Palace

Learn about one of the longest ruled empire in the world history during the visit of Topkapı Palace with our licensed guides. The palace is situated on the tip of the historical peninsula with vast open space consisting of 4 courtyards, palace departments; Harem, Kitchens, Armory, Audince Hall, Council Hall, tens of artifacts halls, Kiosks and amazing view overlooking Bosphours and Golden Horn. the Palace is closed on Tuesdays. Admision fee is 100 TL or 15 USD.

Duration: 120 minutes Admission Ticket Not Included

Lunch Break
Lunch Break

Get the taste of rich Turkish Cusine in local resturants; Starter, Kebaps, Turkish Pizza (Lahmacun), Vegeterian Optians and more..

Grand Bazaar & Spice Market
Grand Bazaar & Spice Market

The world's oldest shopping mall was buit in 1460s by the order of Ottoman Sultan Mehmet the Conqurer, in order to generate income for maintaining their newly converted mosque. The city, being in the meeting point of oriental trade routes made the bazaar Grand and Famous. Today, with 3000 thousand shops offer huge range of colourful item from simple souviners to expensive items such as jewelery, carpets, mosaic lamps, magnets, leather. Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.

Duration: 60 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Suleymaniye Mosque
Suleymaniye Mosque

The mosque is active since 1556 and named after its commissioner, the famous sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. It is located on the 3rd hill of the old city. In a short walk from Grand Bazaar along the wall of Istanbul University, you will be guided through and rest by the amazing view of Asian side and new city from the terrace.

Duration: 30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Bosphorus Ferry Ride
Bosphorus Ferry Ride

Hop on Bopshorus sightseeing ferry ride and admire the spectecular view of the city from a completely different perspective while sipping on a glass of Turkish tea and enjoying the beautiful views of the Old and the New at the same time.

Duration: 90 minutes Admission Ticket Not Included

Return Private Transfer and Drop Off at Istanbul Airport or Layover Hotel
Return Private Transfer and Drop Off at Istanbul Airport or Layover Hotel

Duration 45 - 60 minutes

Included/Excluded

  • Private Tour by Licensed Tour Guide
  • Private Round Airport Transport
  • Public Transportation Fees (Tram and Cable)
  • Fast Track Entry at Museums
  • Additional Services
  • Food & Beverages
  • Tickets (can be purchased in advance)

Tour's Location

Full Day

FAQs

Can I leave Istanbul airport during layover?
Yes, you are allowed to leave airport during layover as long as you will have a valid visa obtained.
Can I get visa online ?
It is very simple process for certain country passport holders including US and Canada to get their e-visa in few clicks online; In order to see requirements and get it online, you can visit official website of Turkish Republic https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
What is the minimum layover duration to leave airport for the tour ?
Recommended minimum layover duration is 7 hours layover for international connected flight and 6 hours layover for domestic flights from Istanbul International Airport. We can accommodate business travelers with shorter layover duration.
How early should we back at the airport?
For international flights, if the luggages are checked through to final destination, and already have your boarding pass, you will be dropped off 2 hours prior to departing flight. For domestic flights, 1 hours is suffice.
Where should I keep my cabin luggage ?
You can use attended baggage storage or baggage storage lockers that are available 24 hours a day in Istanbul Airport.
How early can I be picked up at airport ?
We can provide pick as early as 06.00 for week days and 07.00 am for weekends.

Reviews

5/5
Excellent
Based on 4 reviews
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Bruce Moore
02/06/2022
We had the private day tour. Our tour guide was Sinan Yazgi. An excellent tour guide. He was very kind, knowledgeable and helpful. Our flight was late and he adjusted our tour. We saw all the sights and Sinan was great in the local markets. He is probably the best tour guide we've ever had. It was a very enjoyable experience. Because of this experience, we plan on returning to Istanbul for a longer time frame.
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DanJ
24/03/2021

A lot of sites in jus a bit of time

Latif was a great tour guide, very professional, friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. He provided a lot of interesting information at each stop we made, and he took me to see many of the most iconic Istanbul sites: the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace. He helped get good photos at each, and when I couldn’t get to a mailbox to mail my postcards, I left them with him, and he mailed them for me. This is a great tour if you want to see a lot of Istanbul with just a little bit of time!
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Acberkley
17/03/2021

8 hour layover tour

It would be an understatement to say that Latif is great tour guide. He is—without a doubt—easily the best tour guide in Istanbul and probably one of the best in the world. I've traveled to nearly 40 countries and have gone on tours whilst visiting nearly all of them and Latif's experience, expertise, knowledge, attention to detail, and concern that you are having an enjoyable time as a tourist is second to none. I had an eight hour layover in Istanbul and after going back and forth on taking the free Turkish Airlines tour, I decided to book a private tour with Istanbul layover tours. Latif met me at the airport and had a driver waiting for us to take us into the city. On each stop of the tour, whether exploring the Hagia Sophia, drinking traditional turkish coffee, wandering into the Basilica Cistern, taking the ferry to Asia, or eating Turkish Delights in the spice market, Latif never made me feel as though we were in a rush, always answered my questions with depth and breadth, and introduced me to the real Istanbul away from all the tourist traps. More importantly, he's a genuinely good guy that cares about his clients and truly wants them to experience all that Istanbul has to offer. If you have any doubt in your mind as to whether or not you should do this tour, I guarantee you that it is money well spent and you will not regret it.
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Plachta
09/03/2021

Nine Hour Layover in Istanbul

My wife and I had a nine hour layover in Istanbul. Since neither of us had ever been to the city we really wanted to use the time to see at least some of the sites. I found Istanbul Layover Tours by searching for one of the highest recommended layover tour provider and could not have been happier with our decision. Instructions on how to find meeting point were easy to follow and the private van was great service. We were able to see Byzantine hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Spice Market, Eat a delicious  late breakfast next to the water, and take a quick ferry ride to Asian side and back all with enough time to get back to the airport with plenty of time to catch our next flight. I highly recommend booking with Istanbul Layover Tours.
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