Private Istanbul Layover Tours & Activities
Overview
Istanbul Layover Tours is mainly specialized on layover tours from Istanbul Airports.
Meet and Greet: It is easier to find your driver at the airport now. You will be met and accompanied to the vehicle by a welcome host at a spesific spot / time.
Timely & Safe Logistic; Enjoy comfortable round-trip transfer from/to airport with private and spacious van. .
Fast Track Entry: Be VIP and save precious time at the museums ticket desks thanks to the accredited tour guides from Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Professional and Enthusiastic Guides: Our guides are not only a good historian but also your travel companion. Learn about culture, politics & religion through personal stories and anecdotes.
Eat like a local: Taste delicious, reasonable non-touristy local food at the eatiers where the only locals eat. Various food restrictions are welcomed
Meet and Greet: It is easier to find your driver at the airport now. You will be met and accompanied to the vehicle by a welcome host at a spesific spot / time.
Timely & Safe Logistic; Enjoy comfortable round-trip transfer from/to airport with private and spacious van. .
Fast Track Entry: Be VIP and save precious time at the museums ticket desks thanks to the accredited tour guides from Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Professional and Enthusiastic Guides: Our guides are not only a good historian but also your travel companion. Learn about culture, politics & religion through personal stories and anecdotes.
Eat like a local: Taste delicious, reasonable non-touristy local food at the eatiers where the only locals eat. Various food restrictions are welcomed
Inclusions
- Proffesional Guide
- Private Tour
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Round-Trip Private Airport Transfer
- Public Transportation tickets - Ferry & Tram
- Entry/Admission - Bosphorus Strait
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Istanbul, Istanbul
All listed attractions below are not meant to be visited on every tour scenario due to the time limitations and the tour itinerary can be shortened and altered by the guide's suggestion or traveler's instructions with traveler's consent due to the crowds or restoration work at the sites /museums, personal interests & fitness level, weather conditions & closure times of the places, public gatherings, political rallies, religious/public holidays, marathons, traffic situation and flight arrival times. A tentative itinerary will be communicated prior to the day.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Hippodrome, Binbirdirek, Sultan Ahmet ParkI No:2, Istanbul Turkiye
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
Stop At: Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Mah At Meydani Cad No 7, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
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 until 14.00 pm on Fridays due to Friday noon prayer service.
Attention; There is ongoing restoration and the view is blocked by scaffolding.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Hagia Sophia Mosque, Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya MeydanI No:1, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
Admire Hagia Sophia Mosque with our licensed tour guide and explore the 9th wonder of world from the aspects of architecture, religion and politics. Hagia Sophia opens at 10.00 am and is closed on Fridays till 14.00 pm. It can be visited till 22.00 pm.
Please note that due to long lines on day time, it is up to the traveler's decision to wait on the line and go inside.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Basilica Cistern, Alemdar Mahallesi, Yerebatan Caddesi, No:1/3, Istanbul 34410 Turkiye
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. Now it waits to be rediscovered.
Admision fee is 190 TL or 10 USD
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Grand Bazaar Jewelers, Alemdar Mah. Bab-I Ali Cad. Guran Han No:34 D. 4, Istanbul 34110 Turkiye
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: 30 minutes
Stop At: Suleymaniye Mosque, Prof. SIddIk Sami Onar Cd. No:1 Süleymaniye Mah, Istanbul 34116 Turkiye
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
Stop At: Misir Carsisi (Spice Market), Rustem Pasa Mahallesi, Erzak Ambari Sok. No:92 Eminonu - Fatih, Istanbul 34116 Turkiye
Taste delicious Turkish Delights, nuts and dried fruits while passing through a 400 year old stracture, Spice Market will help you to understand the origin of spices and Turkish Food.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
Hop on a public ferry and make the fastest intercontinental trip to Asian Side of Istanbul. See Istanbul from old to new while passing by Bosphorus Bridge in distance.
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: Kadikoy Carsisi, Caferaga Mahallesi Kadikoy, Istanbul Turkiye
Explore hip neigborhood of Kadıkoy and eat your way through Kadıkoy Food Market. Sample Turkish food sourced from local suppliers. Maybe you would like to try some home cooked style in Ciya Sofrası, which has been recently featured in Netflix.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Topkapi Palace, Cankurtaran Mahallesi Gulhane Park, Near Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
Visit Iconic Topkapi Palace; Learn about Ottoman History and see impressive collections of pieces from treasury to medieval weapons in this massive museum. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Duration: 3 hours
Pass By: Taksim Square, Gumussuyu Mh., Istanbul 34435 Turkiye
Explore famous Taksim Square and scroll down the Street of Istiklal, which is heart of modern Istanbul.
Stop At: Galata Tower, Buyuk Hendek Cad. 2, Istanbul Turkiye
Get a panaromic view of city form this iconic tower, built late 13th Century by Genoise Colony as a part of defence and watch tower.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Yeni Camii, Rustem Pasa, Yeni Cami Cd. No:3 Eminonu, Istanbul 34116 Turkiye
The New Mosque and later New Valide Sultan Mosque after its partial reconstruction and completion between 1660 and 1665, is an Ottoman imperial mosque located in the Eminönü quarter of Istanbul
Duration: 30 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Istanbul, Istanbul
All listed attractions below are not meant to be visited on every tour scenario due to the time limitations and the tour itinerary can be shortened and altered by the guide's suggestion or traveler's instructions with traveler's consent due to the crowds or restoration work at the sites /museums, personal interests & fitness level, weather conditions & closure times of the places, public gatherings, political rallies, religious/public holidays, marathons, traffic situation and flight arrival times. A tentative itinerary will be communicated prior to the day.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Hippodrome, Binbirdirek, Sultan Ahmet ParkI No:2, Istanbul Turkiye
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
Stop At: Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Mah At Meydani Cad No 7, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
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 until 14.00 pm on Fridays due to Friday noon prayer service.
Attention; There is ongoing restoration and the view is blocked by scaffolding.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Hagia Sophia Mosque, Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya MeydanI No:1, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
Admire Hagia Sophia Mosque with our licensed tour guide and explore the 9th wonder of world from the aspects of architecture, religion and politics. Hagia Sophia opens at 10.00 am and is closed on Fridays till 14.00 pm. It can be visited till 22.00 pm.
Please note that due to long lines on day time, it is up to the traveler's decision to wait on the line and go inside.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Basilica Cistern, Alemdar Mahallesi, Yerebatan Caddesi, No:1/3, Istanbul 34410 Turkiye
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. Now it waits to be rediscovered.
Admision fee is 190 TL or 10 USD
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Grand Bazaar Jewelers, Alemdar Mah. Bab-I Ali Cad. Guran Han No:34 D. 4, Istanbul 34110 Turkiye
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: 30 minutes
Stop At: Suleymaniye Mosque, Prof. SIddIk Sami Onar Cd. No:1 Süleymaniye Mah, Istanbul 34116 Turkiye
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
Stop At: Misir Carsisi (Spice Market), Rustem Pasa Mahallesi, Erzak Ambari Sok. No:92 Eminonu - Fatih, Istanbul 34116 Turkiye
Taste delicious Turkish Delights, nuts and dried fruits while passing through a 400 year old stracture, Spice Market will help you to understand the origin of spices and Turkish Food.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
Hop on a public ferry and make the fastest intercontinental trip to Asian Side of Istanbul. See Istanbul from old to new while passing by Bosphorus Bridge in distance.
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: Kadikoy Carsisi, Caferaga Mahallesi Kadikoy, Istanbul Turkiye
Explore hip neigborhood of Kadıkoy and eat your way through Kadıkoy Food Market. Sample Turkish food sourced from local suppliers. Maybe you would like to try some home cooked style in Ciya Sofrası, which has been recently featured in Netflix.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Topkapi Palace, Cankurtaran Mahallesi Gulhane Park, Near Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul 34122 Turkiye
Visit Iconic Topkapi Palace; Learn about Ottoman History and see impressive collections of pieces from treasury to medieval weapons in this massive museum. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Duration: 3 hours
Pass By: Taksim Square, Gumussuyu Mh., Istanbul 34435 Turkiye
Explore famous Taksim Square and scroll down the Street of Istiklal, which is heart of modern Istanbul.
Stop At: Galata Tower, Buyuk Hendek Cad. 2, Istanbul Turkiye
Get a panaromic view of city form this iconic tower, built late 13th Century by Genoise Colony as a part of defence and watch tower.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Yeni Camii, Rustem Pasa, Yeni Cami Cd. No:3 Eminonu, Istanbul 34116 Turkiye
The New Mosque and later New Valide Sultan Mosque after its partial reconstruction and completion between 1660 and 1665, is an Ottoman imperial mosque located in the Eminönü quarter of Istanbul
Duration: 30 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Infant seats available
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are closed until 2.30 pm on Fridays.
- Topkapı Palace and Hagia Irene is closed on Tuesdays
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Maria_B
November 2022
We had a completely different itinerary as the one we booked and paid for, we were expecting to went into all the mosques that the tour is offering and we just saw them from outside because of the ´´hudge lines´´. Also we were expecting to use the ferry throw Asia and Europe but they never took u...
We had a completely different itinerary as the one we booked and paid for, we were expecting to went into all the mosques that the tour is offering and we just saw them from outside because of the ´´hudge lines´´. Also we were expecting to use the ferry throw Asia and Europe but they never took us there. It´s a lot of money for just walking outside the buldings and wasting time on a Rugs exhibition that took us almost 2 hours that were not on the itinerary and they were expecting we were going to buy a 6 thousand dolars turkish rug. Is not what they promise on the tour and it is so expensive for what it is. In that case is cheaper if you take a taxi from the airport to the City and walk by yourself all around the Mosques, Baazars, etc.Norsksolo
November 2022
As a single woman traveler, I am so grateful for this layover tour allowing me to see Istanbul in the most organized and safest way possible. Latif was very flexible in letting me craft an itinerary that included all the experiences most important to me, and sent incredibly helpful diagrams of ho...
As a single woman traveler, I am so grateful for this layover tour allowing me to see Istanbul in the most organized and safest way possible. Latif was very flexible in letting me craft an itinerary that included all the experiences most important to me, and sent incredibly helpful diagrams of how to navigate the airport. My tour guide Mevhibe was the highlight of my trip — Our time together felt live visiting an old friend or family member. She was very welcoming, knowledgeable, and made my short visit so memorable. She did a great job presenting and balancing historical details with fun facts and good jokes. Mevhibe recommended the best dishes at dinner, the best spot for authentic and well priced souvenirs, and most importantly, she was wonderful company! After my small taste of Istanbul I know I have to come back - and I’ll be sure to book a longer tour with this organization!Safari431087
November 2022
The best part of the tour was Mev. If you book, ask for her as your tour guide! You won’t regret it!
The best part of the tour was Mev. If you book, ask for her as your tour guide! You won’t regret it!Muhammad_N
January 2022
Very fascinating experience with a nice tour guide! We're really enjoy the tour. Thank you! I'll recomend this tour to my friends and families.
Very fascinating experience with a nice tour guide! We're really enjoy the tour. Thank you! I'll recomend this tour to my friends and families.Y7621ZUlisas
May 2022
My experience was amazing! Because of the Ramadan holiday some of the sites were closed, but we managed to fill up the day with some amazing activities. The best part was the Turkish bath! Such a treat! My guide was amazing, we had a lovely dinner at a traditional Turkish restaurant, the food was...
My experience was amazing! Because of the Ramadan holiday some of the sites were closed, but we managed to fill up the day with some amazing activities. The best part was the Turkish bath! Such a treat! My guide was amazing, we had a lovely dinner at a traditional Turkish restaurant, the food was delightful!lws238
May 2022
My husband and I booked the tour with Istanbul Layover Tour the last min after our flight was canceled. Latif responded to us promptly with details of the tour that he could offer. We were an hour late due to delays at immigration, he waited for us patiently. He spoke very fluent English with m...
My husband and I booked the tour with Istanbul Layover Tour the last min after our flight was canceled. Latif responded to us promptly with details of the tour that he could offer. We were an hour late due to delays at immigration, he waited for us patiently. He spoke very fluent English with much knowledge of Istanbul. I told him briefly what we expected, he spent 10 hours with us fulfilling all that we had asked for. On top of the sightseeing and visits to popular places, we managed to shop at the bazaar, rode on public transportation, ate street foods and tried traditional Turkish foods in a family restaurant. Latif made this customized day tour so personal, unique and memorable.