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Istanbul Private Tour Designed for Layover Flight, Transfer incl.

171 Reviews 4.98 out of 5 stars Based on 171 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | Istanbul, Turkey
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 25 (0) days in advance.

3 to 8 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

Enjoy the private layover tour with a pick up service from airport with your licensed English speaking guide who knows the city very well. See and experience a lot of Istanbul during your layover instead wasting for time at the airport. Enjoy ferry ride and the breeze of the Bosporus and experience how easy to go from Europe to Asia. Taste the baklava and kebabs in their homeland. Visit the famous Blue mosque, Hagia Sofia and Basilica Cistern. Relax at a Turkish bath with a scrub and a foam massage. Get lost in the street of the Grand bazaar with four thousand shops and learn how to bargain with the local shopkeepers.

What's Included

  • Private tour
  • Round-trip private transfer
  • Fuel surcharge
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Visa expenses. Please note that you might need a visa to leave the airport. Please apply online
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

Please note that, pick up time is 1 ( one) hour after the landing of your flight.We will be monitoring your flight from the flight number you share with us during the booking and we will be aware of early landing and delays so no panic.To meet our Meet&Greet staff at the airport, please read the below instructions carefully and note them with you for the airport as you might not have the internet connection once you land in Istanbul.After you get off of the plane and pass through the passport controls and custom checks, then please walk to the exit GATE 13 ( outside the airport ) where it is Meet & Greet point for the transfer organizations. Right after the exit you will see many signs boards hanging. Please keep your eyes for the board sign as SW 39. There will be a guy standing next to the board sign, tell them your name to the Wellcome & Greeting staff and they will accompany you to the driver. Please note that, the Meet&Greeters are the third party and their english is limited. If you have any issue make them call or WhatsApp Salih. + 90 534 200 55 65The next step is that they will accompany you to the driver and driver who will bring you to the center where you will meet your guide to start the tour. Driving duration to the center is approximately one hour. Please note that, once you arrive to the center the tour will be walking and using public transportations as tram and ferry depend of your itinerary. The car will be used only for pick up and drop off from and to airport. We will not be touring with the car which is not necessary for Istanbul and can be time wasting in Istanbul traffic jam. Walking is the best way to explore Istanbul and it is easy walk. For those who have walking issues please contact us for the private car which will apply an extra fee.P.S. if you have any luggage with you, we suggest you to store them at the airport while on tour. If that can’t happen for any reason then we will store your luggage at an establishment we work together. Luggage will be stored there while touring and will be picked them up at the end of the tour.For those who require drop off at airport, we will schedule your tour to end three hours before your flight departure time and you will be dropped off at airport two hours prior to your flight departure time. This time is enough for those who have already checked in and have the boarding passes. We look forward to meeting you in Istanbul.

What To Expect

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Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

For the morning arrivals, Hagia sofia is an option to visit from inside with paying an admission fee of 60 tl ( 10 USD). This is one of the most visited attraction in Istanbul. Built as a church in 6 c AD, converted to a mosque in 1453 and to museum in 1935. It is a unique building in the wold which embrace Islam and Christianity inside one single building.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Basilica Cistern

The most impressive water reservoir you can ever see. Built in 6th Century AD to preserve drinking water for the city. It was supplied from rain and aqueducts. 336 column, each column 8 m tall, 100.000 ton water capacity. The legendary Medusa heads are here located at the end of the cistern in the far blind corner.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Blue Mosque

The biggest and most visited mosque in Istanbul. This was built in 1609 by Ottoman sultan Ahmet and still host prayers five times a day. After the praying is conclude it is open to visitors.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Hippodrome

This is the hippodrome where the chariots races were held here from 4th century until 15 century. It has been pull down by the Ottoman and its materials been recycled to built mosques and palaces by the Ottoman. There are monuments survived and can be visited. Four live size horse statues in St Mark Basilica are taken from here. One of the head from the serpent column is the British museum.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise

These ferries carry the locals between Europe and Asia in 20-30 minutes.It is the best way to see Istanbul from the water.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Cemberlitas HamamI

If you feel tired and need a massage then it is time to go to a Hamam ( Turkish bath). You don't need to take anything with you ( towels, shampoo etc. ) as they all provided for you. Here you will be washed with a scrubbed, soap massaged and relax at the lobby of a historic building covered with towels and sip your apple tea.
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2 hours Admission Ticket Free

Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)

This is the places where the aromas from the world meet. Spice bazaar was built in 1664 as a part of the New mosque next to it. The complex is built by a lady Turhan Sultan.In this market you can find and taste the best spices, Turkish delights, nuts, herbal teas,dried fruits and vegetables.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

KadIkoy CarsIsI

This is a non touristy local market where local shop for the daily needs, greengrocers, butchers, fish mongers, restaurants an more..
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Grand Bazaar Jewelers

This a bazaar built in 1461 by Ottomans with 4000 thousands indoor shops. It is an up market offers anything you need but mainly carpets, antiques, jewelries,leader products, textile products.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)

Enjoy the historic Spice market where spices come from all over the county and the world. Taste the best of Turkish delights, herbal teas, nuts and dried fruits.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Dress code is smart casual

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Istanbul Private Tour Designed for Layover Flight, Transfer incl.?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-68538P21

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.98
171 reviews

Average 4.98 out of 5 stars based on 171 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
168
4 stars
3
3 stars
0
2 stars
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1 star
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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 25 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Private tour
  • Round-trip private transfer
  • Fuel surcharge
  • Local taxes
  • Professional guide
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Visa expenses. Please note that you might need a visa to leave the airport. Please apply online
  • Entry/Admisión fees for sights ( if you choose to enter ).Can be paid by cards or cash in TL
  • Hagia Sophia ( optional)

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Dress code is smart casual

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