Istanbul Private Guided Tour for Layover Flight

Experience Istanbul like a local during your layover with Istanbul Layover Tours. Enjoy private tours, fast track entry, and authentic local food experiences.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Istanbul - The attractions listed below are not intended to be visited on every tour due to time constraints. The itinerary can be adjusted or shortened based on the guide’s suggestions or the traveler’s preferences, with the traveler’s consent. Factors such as crowds, restoration work, personal interests, fitness levels, weather conditions, closure times, public gatherings, political rallies, holidays, marathons, traffic, and flight arrival times may influence the itinerary. A tentative schedule will be provided before the tour day.
  • Hippodrome - Similar to the Maximus Circus in Rome, the Byzantine Hippodrome in the new capital of the Roman Empire was a grand arena. Hear tales of chariot racers and marvel at monuments like the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpent Column, and Column of Constantine, erected by ambitious Roman engineers.
  • Blue Mosque - As an active mosque, your guide will take you inside the mosque complex between prayer times and provide a scarf or skirt if needed. It is closed until 2:00 PM on Fridays due to the noon prayer service.

Please note: Ongoing restoration work may obstruct the view with scaffolding.

  • Hagia Sophia Mosque - Discover the architectural wonder of Hagia Sophia Mosque with our licensed tour guide, exploring its significance in architecture, religion, and politics. Hagia Sophia opens at 10:00 AM, closes on Fridays until 2:00 PM, and is open to visitors until 10:00 PM.

Hagia Sophia functions both as an active mosque for Muslim worshippers and a museum for international visitors. The admission fee is 850 TL or 28 USD, and the tour lasts approximately 45 minutes. Admission is not included.

  • Basilica Cistern - Descend the stairs to find a palace-like underground water system built by the Romans in the 6th century. Its vast size allowed it to store enough water for the Roman Palace and nearby areas until it was forgotten. Today, it awaits rediscovery.

The admission fee is 600 TL or 20 USD.

  • Grand Bazaar Jewelers - Built in the 1460s by Ottoman Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror to generate income for maintaining a newly converted mosque, the Grand Bazaar is the world’s oldest shopping mall. Located at the crossroads of oriental trade routes, it became grand and famous. Today, it houses 3,000 shops offering a wide range of items, from simple souvenirs to expensive jewelry, carpets, mosaic lamps, magnets, and leather goods.

The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.

  • Suleymaniye Mosque - Active since 1556, this mosque is named after its commissioner, Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. Located on the 3rd hill of the old city, it is a short walk from the Grand Bazaar along the Istanbul University wall. Enjoy the stunning view of the Asian side and the new city from the terrace.
  • Misir Carsisi (Spice Market) - Taste delicious Turkish delights, nuts, and dried fruits while exploring this 400-year-old structure. The Spice Market offers insights into the origins of spices and Turkish cuisine.
  • Bosphorus Strait - Take a public ferry for a quick intercontinental trip to the Asian side of Istanbul. See the city from old to new as you pass by the Bosphorus Bridge in the distance.
  • Kadikoy Carsisi - Explore the trendy neighborhood of Kadıkoy and indulge in the Kadıkoy Food Market. Sample Turkish food from local suppliers and perhaps try home-cooked dishes at Ciya Sofrası, recently featured on Netflix.
  • Topkapi Palace - Visit the iconic Topkapi Palace to learn about Ottoman history and view impressive collections, from the treasury to medieval weapons, in this vast museum. The museum is closed on Tuesdays. Admission is 1500 TL or 50 USD.
  • Galata Tower - Enjoy a panoramic view of the city from this iconic tower, built in the late 13th century by the Genoese Colony as a defense and watchtower.
  • Yeni Camii - The New Mosque, later renamed the New Valide Sultan Mosque after partial reconstruction and completion between 1660 and 1665, is an Ottoman imperial mosque located in the Eminönü quarter of Istanbul.
What's Included
  • Public Transportation tickets - Ferry & Tram
  • Round-Trip Private Airport Transfers (not dedicated full time)
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Private Tour
  • Professional Guide
What's Not Included
  • Food & Drinks
  • Entry/Admission - Basilica Cistern and Topkapı Palace
  • Cabin Bags and Carry-ons should be stored at the Left Lugagge.
  • Visa Requirements; Please check evisa.gov.tr/en
  • Full Time Driving Tour with Dedicated Driver & Van
Additional Information

Istanbul Layover Tours primarily offers tour services during layovers at Istanbul Airports.

Meet and Greet: Locating your driver at the airport has been simplified. A welcome host will meet you and escort you to your vehicle at a designated location and time.

Prompt & Secure Transportation: Experience a stress-free round-trip transfer to and from the airport in our private, spacious vans.

Quick Access: Enjoy the VIP experience and save time at museum ticket kiosks, thanks to our tour guides accredited by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Professional and Passionate Guides: Our guides are not only well-versed in history, but also serve as your travel companions. Gain insights on culture, politics, and religion through personal stories and insights.

Dining like a local: Savor delicious, affordably-priced, non-tourist local cuisine at eateries frequented by locals. We cater to a variety of food restrictions.

  • Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are closed until 2.30 pm on Fridays.
  • Topkapı Palace and Hagia Irene is closed on Tuesdays
Location
Istanbul
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(221 Ratings)
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Mayrelisc2018
Aug 20, 2024
A must do when stopping in Istanbul ! - My friend and I had a wonderful experience from beginning to end . Registration was easy , they answered all my questions in a timely manner. It was truly a private experience . Our tour guide Alp was simple the BEST! He was knowledgeable and kind , we bonded quickly . He also takes the best pictures !! We had such a good time , we scheduled a second tour with him on our way back home . We felt safe the entire time and learned so much . This tour / company / tour guide is highly recommended !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bonnie_g
Aug 17, 2024
The BEST tour to see Istanbul in a few hours layover! - We had an outstanding experience during our layover in Istanbul. From where to leave our luggage to a delectable rooftop dinner - we had a true quick trip through Instanbul. We took the ferry over to the “Asia” side, took the local tram up to the Blue Mosque. Our guide was super knowledgeable, personable and was so easy to adapt the tour to our deleted flight schedule while being diligent that we returned to the airport on time for our departure. We’re definitely booking again as soon as we’re back through Turkey!
Review provided by Viator
Khanh_v
Aug 14, 2024
istanbul layover 11 hrs - most amazing tour I never had, Mev gave us the best tour guide while we layover in Istanbul for 11hs .. thank you very much.
Review provided by Viator
Stephanie_s
Aug 7, 2024
Great day with Barack! - Such a great way to see the city in a short amount of time! Our guide Barack had so much knowledge to share with us. He made sure we got to do everything we wanted in the few hours we had here! Barack was awesome and we had the best time with him. Highly recommend this tour! Ask for Barack as a guide if you can!
Review provided by Viator
807rosalindh
Jul 17, 2024
Fantastic experience - Great tour, ran seamlessly. Guide Burak was wonderful, knowledgeable and friendly and I felt completely comfortable with him as a solo female traveller. Got very thorough instructions emailed beforehand on where to meet so no problems there and luxurious car transport. Saw an amazing amount in the time available without ever feeling rushed. I wanted to go to a Turkish bath and the guide booked a fantastic place for me, found me some great Turkish delight in the market, and saw all the sights I wanted to see and more I’d never heard of. Burak was a great guide and made everything so easy. Could not recommend this more highly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Travelfiendmom
Jul 11, 2024
Mev is the best!! - Mev was so wonderful to tour with! So patient with us since we’re jet lagged and with children! We saw such a neat part of the city and she gave us a great overview!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mark_l
Jul 11, 2024
A Great, Action Packed Private Tour - We did this as an afternoon tour rather than the Turkish Airlines group tour. Burak was a great and accommodating guide. We were able to drop off our luggage at our hotel near the airport with the driver, and then proceed to downtown Istanbul to see the sights: Burak was able to get us in to the Basilica Cistern, Aya Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace gardens all before closing time! We ended up skipping the ferry ride and walk on the Asian side of the city, but it was an option - Burak helped find us a cafe for dinner before our return taxi ride to the hotel. The tour was great for our family and very flexible. A few things to be aware of: connecting with the taxi at the airport can be complicated: Istanbul Layover Tours provides detailed instructions, but the person who meets you and finds your transport is a third party, so be sure to communicate directly with Latif/Istanbul Layover Tours before hand if there are any questions. Also note that most of the tour is in a pedestrian zone, so be prepared for walking. Lastly, depending on your layover, double check with Latif/ILT as to what will be possible, because “actual” open hours for many Istanbul sights might not match what you see online (but that’s more of an Istanbul thing than a tour thing). Happy touring!
Review provided by Viator
Melissa_l
Jun 9, 2024
Mev is the BEST! - Mev made our trip to Istanbul one that we will always treasure. She made us feel safe and knew all the details about the area. Mev is the best guide!
Review provided by Viator
Teresamy3297tg
Jun 1, 2024
Wonderful layover tour - We recently had an evening layover tour with Latif. He was wonderful, pickup and drop off was easy and he showed us so much in a few hours. We were on our way to Greece for a week but the meal we had with Latif in Istanbul was the best of our whole trip. My kids can’t wait to go back to Istanbul and explore more of Turkey and we will definitely use Latif again. Thank you so much.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michaelko1284my
May 29, 2024
See Instanbul with Burak! - Absolutely amazing tour with Burak. We did the extended layover with Turkish airlines and hopes to see Istanbul. So glad we booked. Burak was one of, if not the, best guides we have ever had. Incredibly knowledgeable and personable, amazing English and knowledge of history and culture, as well as helping us experience the food and culture. Make sure you have Burak for your tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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1 Adult
September 2024
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