Evening/Night Layover Tour including Airport Transfers and Private Guide

4.9 (9 Reviews)
IST / SAW
From: $220.00
4.9
(9 reviews)
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Duration

5 - 6 Hours

Tour Type

Private Tour

Group Size

Flexible

Languages

English

About this tour

Night Layover Tour including Airport Transfers and Private Guide

Istanbul Night Tour is one of the best options for travelers who arrive in Istanbul late afternoon or evening and want to see major tourist attractions of Istanbul with some leisure activities during an overnight layover in Istanbul. If you have 7 hour or any longer stopover duration between two flights, it is possible to experience Istanbul by night.


Perfect for Late Afternoon – Evening Arrivals & After Midnight or Next Day Early Morning Departures

Flight Window: Arrive at IST- SAW between 15:00 –19:00 PM | 
Tour Duration: 5–6 hours including transfers


How It Works

Your flight arriving late afternoon/evening? Well, now you may think that it is a missed chance to see major museums inside. Maybe you won’t have the opportunity to visit all famous sites of Istanbul, but you will definitely see a few of them and experience a different aspect of the city at night. Istanbul is a city that never sleeps and it is alive even after dark.

In this private walking night tour with built-in airport transfers, you will be accompanied by a professional tour guide following your airport pick-up and it will be fully customized for your likes. You will experience busy atmosphere of historical markets Grand Bazaar or Spice Market before closing its doors; Walk through vibrant spice stalls at Spice Market where locals searching the best deals and freshest staples from local suppliers; Watch fishermen waiting for their catch on Galata Bridge and as the sun goes down, hop on ferry for a ride crossing between continents while city lights turn on; Witness Istanbul on a different continent!

Kadıkoy Neighborhood is a heaven for foodies. Sample some interesting food or may want to sit for a proper dinner for exploring Turkish Cuisine in depth; Catching ferry back to European side of Istanbul and see Bosphorus bridge decorated in colorful lights; Continue for a walk on Istiklal Street strolling down to Galata Tower; Catch public tram to old city to walk around of famous attractions; Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Roman Hippodrome. If time permits, you can treat yourself with Turkish Bath before heading back to Airport.

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


Istanbul Night Tour Pricing (Per Group)

  • 1 Person: $220 USD

  • 2 People: $120 pp ($240 total)

  • 3 People: $87 pp ($260 total)

  • 4 People: $70 pp ($280 total)

  • 5 People: $60 pp ($300 total)

  • 6 People: $53 pp ($320 total)


Optional Full-Time Vehicle Upgrades (Exclusively Designed)

If you require more than the standard airport/hotel transfer and prefer to keep a private vehicle and driver at your disposal throughout the entire tour, you may choose one of the following options according to your group size.

  • Mercedes Vito Minivan (up to 6 passengers): + $100 USD per group

  • Mercedes Sprinter Large Van (up to 14 passengers): + $150 USD per group

  • Minibus (up to 27 passengers): + $250 USD per group


 

Highlights

  • Round-Trip Tour from Istanbul Airports (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) including pick-up and drop-off with a private van.
  • Visit the Grand Bazaar, Spice Market, and a local food market.
  • Cross the Bosphorus with a public ferry ride and admire the spectacular view of the Bosphorus.
  • Explore the vibrant Kadıkoy neighborhood on the Asian Side of Istanbul, visit Kadıkoy Food Market, sample local street food, and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
  • Stroll from Istiklal Street to Galata Tower.
  • Enjoy interior visits to Hagia Sophia (open until 18:30) and the Blue Mosque (open until 17:00), with extended hours until 19:00 during the summer schedule, subject to seasonal changes..
  • With a Flexible Cancellation Policy: Pay no penalty fee for cancellations made up to 24 hours prior to the starting time due to delayed or canceled flights.

Included/Excluded

  • Professional Guide: Enjoy insights from a licensed expert guide.
  • Private Tour: Experience a fully personalized itinerary tailored to your preferences.
  • Private Round-Trip Transfers: Seamless airport pick-up and drop-off service for your convenience
  • Waiting Time: Our airport pick-up service includes a maximum 2-hour waiting time following your flight's landing.
  • Entry/Admission - Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia,Topkapı Palace
  • A dedicated driver and van are not included unless booked as part of the option.
  • Cabin bags and carry-ons should be stored at the Left Luggage facility inside the airport for convenience, unless the dedicated van option is selected or overnight staying is booked
  • Additional Waiting beyond 2 hours is not included unless a dedicated vehicle option is booked

Itinerary

Airport Pick-up &  Transfer to City Center

After clearing passport control and customs, please store your bags in the Left Luggage area near Exit Gate No: 14 in the International Arrival Terminal. Once you've completed bag storage, proceed to meet our Meet & Greet partner outside of Exit Gate No: 13. Look for the sign name provided in confirmation voucher and share your booking information with the representative, who will escort you to your private vehicle and driver. From there, you’ll be transferred to meet your guide in the Old City, where key attractions are located close to each other. This transfer typically takes 45–60 minutes, depending on traffic and day of the week.

Grand Bazaar or Spice Market

The world's oldest shopping mall was built in the 1460s by order of Ottoman Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, with the purpose of generating income for maintaining their newly converted mosque. The city, being a meeting point of oriental trade routes, made the Grand Bazaar both grand and famous. Today, with 3,000 shops offering a huge range of colorful items, from simple souvenirs to expensive items such as jewelry, carpets, mosaic lamps, magnets, and leather, the Grand Bazaar is a vibrant marketplace. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays, but the Spice Market is open seven days a week. Duration: 60 minutes, Admission Ticket: Free.

Galata Bridge

Watch fishermen waiting for their catch on Galata Bridge and as the sun goes down.

Ferry Ride to Asian Side

Take a ferry ride crossing between continents while the city lights up; Witness Istanbul from a different continent!

Kadıkoy Food Market & Optional Dinner

Kadıkoy Food Market & Optional Dinner: Kadıkoy Neighborhood is a food heaven for foodies. You can sample some interesting dishes or choose to sit down for a proper dinner to explore Turkish cuisine in depth.

Istiklal Street and Galata Tower

Istiklal Street and Galata Tower: Istiklal Street is a vibrant one-and-a-half-kilometer-long pedestrian zone that has been home to elegant buildings, consulates, local businesses, and upmarket restaurants since the 18th century. At the end is Tunel, an inviting neighborhood brimming with boutiques, music stores, and cafes. It's also home to the 14th-century Galata Tower, a stone medieval structure that was used by the Genoans, known as Galatians, to keep an eye on their goods being delivered to the docks below. Duration: 1 hour, Admission Ticket: Free.

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 surrounding neighborhood until it was forgotten. Admission fee for daytime visits is approximately 36 USD). For visits after 18:30, the night fee applies, costing approximately 56 USD). Duration: 30 minutes.

Outer or Interior Visit: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque. Byzantine Hippodrome.

In the evening, you can still enjoy the beautifully illuminated exteriors of both landmarks and explore the surrounding courtyards. Your licensed guide will provide a detailed panoramic explanation from outside during the night tour. Hagia Sophia’s upper gallery is open only during the day and typically closes around 19:00. After this time, interior visits are not allowed since it is an active mosque. The Blue Mosque also closes early — around 19:00 in summer and 17:30 in winter.

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

You will be transferred back to the airport at least 2 hours prior to the departure flight. Please note that travelers can use the departure transfer at any set time, as the tour already includes 2-way airport/hotel transfer regardless of when it's needed. Feel free to ask the tour operator to adjust the requested departure transfer in the itinerary.

Note

All listed attractions are subject to change and may not be included in every tour scenario due to time limitations. Tour itineraries can be modified based on the guide's recommendations or the traveler's preferences, with traveler consent. Adjustments may be necessary due to factors such as crowd levels, restoration work, personal interests, fitness levels, weather conditions, site closure times, public gatherings, political rallies, religious and public holidays, marathons, traffic, and flight schedules. A tentative itinerary will be provided before the tour day for planning convenience.

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Central areas of Istanbul are generally safe at night, especially around major landmarks and well-lit streets. Our night tours follow secure, busy routes.

Yes. With 8–9 hours, this half-day tour fits well — giving you about 5–6 hours including an hour ride per way. It allows for comfortable transportation, a brief but meaningful tour, and a timely return for your next flight

US, Eu and Canadian passport holders are exempted from visa requirements. To check the requirements and apply online, you can visit the official website of the Turkish Republic at Republic of Türkiye e-Visa Services.

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.

Yes. If your flight is canceled, delayed, or rescheduled, you may cancel the tour and receive a refund of your deposit, as long as you notify us before your flight’s original take-off time.

We recommend traveling light and storing your bags at the airport, especially if you are not staying overnight or have not booked a dedicated driver and van. You can store your luggage in the Left Bag area located inside the Arrival Terminal near Exit Door No: 14. For guidance on the Left Luggage location: Left Bag Counter

Our tours generally run until close to midnight. For reference, our guided night tours typically conclude around 10:30 PM, with airport drop-off scheduled by 11:30 PM. However, specific tour schedules may vary, so please check with us for the exact timing of your preferred tour. Night Layover Tours from Istanbul Airport are led by licensed guides. For tours extending beyond midnight, we offer a driving sightseeing tour with a dedicated driver and private van for an additional fee.

Yes, absolutely. Simply mention it in the booking form or inform your guide, and we’ll arrange a hotel drop-off for you.

No — the driver and guide are separate. Our Meet & Greet host welcomes you outside Exit Door 13 after passport control and escorts you to your private vehicle. After the transfer, your guide meets you in the city center to begin the tour.

This is a private tour, and yes! your private guide can fully customize the itinerary according to your pace and preferences.

Not necessarily. Most places accept credit cards, but having a small amount of Turkish Lira is helpful for small purchases, tips, or markets. ATMs are widely available throughout Istanbul.

Tour's Location

IST / SAW

Bulk discount (by Amount)

Bulk discount adult
# Discount group From adult To adult Value
1 2 2 2 $200.00
2 3 adults 3 3 $400.00
3 4 adults 4 4 $600.00
4 5 5 5 $800.00
5 6 6 6 $1,000.00
6 7 7 7 $1,200.00
7 8 8 8 $1,400.00
8 9 9 9 $1,600.00
9 11 11 15 $2,000.00
10 12 12 20 $2,200.00
11 13 13 13 $2,400.00
12 14 14 14 $2,600.00
13 15 15 15 $2,800.00
14 10 10 10 $1,800.00
Bulk discount children
# Discount group From children To children Value
1 1 1 2 $20.00

Reviews

4.9/5
Excellent
(9 Reviews)
Excellent
7
Very Good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
9 reviews on this Tour - Showing 1 to 9
Martin D
25/09/2024

Mr

Travelling from Sydney we had a long stopover in Istanbul. At short notice (48hours) we decided we would book a short Istanbul tour. There was a certain amount of anxiety, leaving the airport with nothing but our passports, and then not knowing how difficult it was going to be getting back to the departure lounge on time! Our anxiety was quickly put to rest. Very good instructions were received on where to leave our luggage and where to find our transport. The only comment about this process was we should have been reminded to carry a bottle of water. This would have been useful as we had a half hour wait for our vehicle to leave. It was also a very long drive to our tour guide meeting place as we got stuck in a traffic jam due to a major accident. We were met by our tour guide Alp who explained what we would be doing and that he was also flexible enough to meet any requests we might have. He was excellent with his planning schedule making sure we didn't miss any sights due to closing time (we had a 6 evening tour). As we had booked this tour at short notice we had no thoughts on anything specific, other than going to a typical local coffee house for Turkish coffee and baclava! The beauty of the evening tour was that as it got dark all of the buildings were lit up, making for some great photographs. I could go on, but will sum up by saying it was well worth the effort booking the tour; Alp was a very good guide and very knowledgeable and stayed with us until we were safely back in our transport back to the airport.
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John van Deinse
16/04/2024

A Journey Through Time: Exploring Old Town Istanbul at Night

My family of five recently had the pleasure of joining the Istanbul Layover Night Tour in the Old Town of Istanbul, and it was an experience that left me utterly captivated and enthralled. Led by our extremely knowledgeable guide, this excursion offered a fascinating glimpse into the rich history and vibrant culture of one of the world's most iconic cities. From the moment we set foot in Sultanahmet Square, the heart of Old Town, I knew this tour would be something special. Our guide expertly navigated us through narrow alleys, each step steeped in centuries of history. As we wandered past the majestic Hagia Sophia and the awe-inspiring Blue Mosque, I couldn't help but feel humbled by the grandeur of these architectural marvels. Of course, no visit to Old Town Istanbul would be complete without indulging in its culinary delights. Our guide took us to hidden gems and a local eatery, where we savored traditional Turkish delicacies such as kebabs, mezze, Turkish delight and baklava. Each bite was a symphony of flavors, a testament to the culinary heritage of this vibrant city and I can't forget to mention the delicious teas. But what truly set this tour apart was the passion and expertise of our guide. His deep knowledge of Istanbul's history and culture was evident at every turn, and his enthusiasm was infectious. He went above and beyond to ensure that our kids had a memorable experience, answering questions, sharing anecdotes, and making us feel like welcome guests in his city. This tour was exactly what we needed to get a taste of Istanbul. I wholeheartedly recommend this night tour, especially if you have a long layover like ours was.
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Baillet family
23/07/2023

Fantastic experience!

Our Istanbul layover tour guided by Latif was an amazing experience. Each of us, including two teenagers, really enjoyed the visit, from Mosques discoveries to Bosphorus ferry rides, kebab dinner, historical and cultural heritage information, spice market tour, under the expert guidance of Latif. Four full hours within Istanbul, with easy convenient transfers to/from the airport, during a 9h stopover. Highly recommend!
Justin Melnick
09/07/2023
Ty was a wonderful tour guide of Istanbul! We had a 10 hour layover and were able to get to see and do everything we had hoped for. We felt safe and well taken care of the entire time. It was clear that our tour was well planned while also being open to our specific desires and improvisation. Thank you Latif and Ty for an awesome Istanbul layover!
Mercedes
29/05/2023

Safe & worth it for solo females

Had a 16 hour layover in Istanbul during the evening time and wanted to squeeze some sight seeing in. So glad I went with this option! Latif was truly so kind and I instantly felt totally safe around him. He is incredibly knowledgeable of his country while also being down to earth and personable. He was more than happy to cater the tour last minute to any requests that I had (i.e, I really wanted to see the Blue Mosque and go on the boat before sunset, so he switched everything up and made it happen!) Plus, the transportation was so nice!! I couldn’t believe it lol. The instructions and communication were also extremely precise and timely. All in all, not only will you feel like it was money well spent, but you’ll also be happy you’ve been given the opportunity to meet Latif! Book now, you won’t find a better tour guide!
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Andy Christensen
18/04/2023

Exceeding One's Expectations

I was having 9 hour layover in Istanbul on my way to Seoul. I was quite hesitant at first but i'm glad i took the tour. Instructions were easy, communication was superb, the guide Alp was more than helpful and kind. The city, food, everything was beyond my expectations. Definitely will return for a longer tour. 10/10 would recommend.
Jordan Fontenot
08/04/2023

Highly recommend!

I had a 16 hour layover and luckily found this online. I was worried about being a solo young female at night in Istanbul. The team changed that immediately. Very responsive via email and phone, accommodating when I was running late once I landed, made sure I was comfortable every step of the way! Taylan was an amazing tour guide! He was more than willing to adjust the tour to what your interests were. He was so helpful, kind, and beyond knowledgable! You can tell he really has a passion for history and teaching it to others. He went out of his way to make sure I was interested and comfortable the whole time. Can not recommend enough this tour if you have a long layover in Istanbul!!
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jeback
19/03/2023

6 hour Istanbul Layover Tour

I just came back from a 1 night stopover in Istanbul and did a 6 hour tour with Istanbul Layover Tours - all I can say is WOW and how perfect everything was from start to finish.....impeccable tour with a phenomenal guide and worth every dollar and then some!! I could not be any more impressed and grateful - they take care of every detail and do it with superb customer service.....do a tour with them and you will not be sorry - I have done tons of tours on my travels and this rates at the top!!! Highly recommend and absolutely first rate all the way!!! Thank you Istanbul Layover Tours for making my brief time in Turkey so memorable and without question, worth it’s weight in gold!!!! A++++++
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Laylaf
17/03/2021

Night layover in Istanbul

I was traveling alone to Egypt and had a seven hour nighttime layover in Istanbul. Latif met me in the airport and had his driver promptly pick us up. We took a wonderful odyssey through Sultanahmet and Taksim before going to a 500-year old hammam where I had a wonderful body scrub and steam before heading back to the airport. All in all, I learned a ton, felt very safe and paid a totally reasonable price for a very engaging, one-on-one tour. A must-do addition to any trip if you have the opportunity.
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From: $220.00
4.9 (9 Reviews)

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