Istanbul Layover Tour‘s;

Duration: 7 to 8 Hours
Starting Point: Pick-up from Istanbul Airport (IST) / Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) / Galataport Cruise Port
Ending Point: Drop-off at Istanbul Airport (IST) / Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) / Galataport Cruise Port
Type: Private Guided Tour with Airport Transfers Or Chauffeured Vehicle (* Depending on Request Chauffeured Vehicle will accompany during the tour)
Language: English, Spanish, Italian, speaking local licensed guide (other languages upon request)

• Airport Pick-up by private vehicle and meet with your licensed guide at Sultanahmet.

• Sultanahmet Square

• Blue Mosque

• Hagia Sophia

•  Hippodrome

• Topkapi Palace (optional, depending on your flight time)

• Grand Bazaar or Spice Bazaar visit (if open, depending on tour hour/day)

• Optional Turkish lunch or dinner in a local restaurant

• Airport Drop-off 2–2.5 hours before your next flight

One of our most preferred tours is Galata Port Layover Tour ( from Cruise Port ).

It can be arranged without a vehicle. Your local guide will meet you at Cruise Port and guide you to T1 Tramway which will take you to Sultanahmet in less than 15-20 minutes.

In this case price will reduce since there won’t be any private vehicle or airport transfer is needed for transportation.

This option is especially popular among cruise passengers looking for a smooth and efficient private guided tour in Istanbul without the need for a vehicle.

One of the biggest advantages of booking a private Istanbul layover tour is skip-the-line access at major museums. While others wait in long queues at Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, or the Basilica Cistern, your licensed guide ensures fast entry—saving valuable time during a short layover.

Your private guide also provides detailed historical insight, cultural context, and local stories, turning a limited stopover into a meaningful Istanbul experience, in this Old city highlights tour.

Arranging private Oldcity Highlights Tour comes in handy. For example, you will realize in situ that in front of every major museum, there are long queues. But, there is no need to panic; when you are under the umbrella of your private tour guide, you do not have to wait in long queues.

During the tour, it is suggested that you shall visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Obelisks, Topkapı Palace, Grand Bazaar and Basilica’s Cistern If time permits..

There will be a lunch break any time you want. You will also be given free time at Grand Bazaar for shopping, if you wish to.

Your guide will assist you with some bargaining games which are part of the shopping in Turkey. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to the Airport or Cruise port.

Our local guide will tell you all the history and importance of the monuments in detail.

Designed specifically for travelers with limited time

Flexible start times based on your flight schedule

Private Istanbul Tours vehicle or walking option (Galataport)

Licensed local guide in your language

Customizable route and pace

• Tour is customizable depending on your layover duration.

• Museum Tickets are not included. ( If requested we can buy in advance )
• Lunch is not included but your local guide will take you to most popular local restaurants.

• Available 24/7 with advance booking.

• All transportation is in a private, air-conditioned vehicle.

• Istanbulkart will be required for Galataport Starting Point tour. Our loca guide will assist you in understanding/buying tickets/cards for public transport.

Altogether, this will be a cultural tour of “Sultanahmet Old City” from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled.

You will be mesmerized by the grandeur of those empires that left their traces in Istanbul.

At the end of the tour, you will have a great collection of pictures and videos. Having your own private tour guide in your own language will make all the difference. Since it is a private tour, you set your own agenda, you can start from whichever monument you want!