Private Istanbul Layover Tours & Activities
5
Private Istanbul Layover Tours & Activities
By Istanbul Layover Tours
Recommended by 99% of travelers
This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher
from per adult (price varies by group size)
$160.00
from per adult (price varies by group size)
$160.00
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-99
Duration: 4–8 hours
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
English
- Proffesional Guide
- Private Tour
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Round-Trip Private Airport Transfer
- Public Transportation tickets - Ferry & Tram
- Entry/Admission - Bosphorus Strait
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
- Entry/Admission - Basilica Cistern
- Entry/Admission - Topkapi Palace
- Departure details
- Traveler pickup is offered.
- Meet & Greet Service MEET& GREET (M44) will be waiting you with a board sign M44 in front of Exit Gate #14 Arrivals Terminal and accompany you to your vehicle. We would like to inform you that Meet & Greet service is provided by a third-party firm (M44) merely to assist you to reach your driver & vehicle at the airport and they are not able to answer to the questions regarding the scope of the tour services and itineraries to be provided by Istanbul Layover Tours. Please first store your luggage at the left luggage before exiting through Gate 13. The detailed directions for Meet & Greet and Left Luggage with a map, picture and video footage will be provided upon receiving booking confirmation. We expect to meet our travelers in 1 (one) hour after landing with earliest 06.00 am for weekdays and 06.30 am for weekends. We will be tracking the flight and adjust the pick-up time accordingly. In case of any issue with navigating at the airport, failing to spot the meeter, delayed pick-up or any issue can be occurred that day regarding pick-up, please contact to Mr. Latif at this number +90 544 585 98 51 immediately. Please do NOT send email or messages as it may take time to be seen. Preferably, please add the number to your contacts (WhatsApp available) prior to the day in case of that you may not have internet connection. The airport transfer takes roughly 45 - 60 minutes to city center and then you will be meeting your guide. Following the tour, you will be dropped off at the airport 2 hours prior to departing flight time at the latest. PLEASE GO THROUGH PASSPORT CONTROL AFTER LANDING. FOLLOW THE SIGN EXIT AFTER PASSPORT CONTROL PLEASE STORE YOUR BAGS AT THE LEFT LUGGAGE BEFORE EXITING THROUGH GATE 13 KEEP EYE ON THE SIGN GATE #14 AND YOU WILL SEE THE MEETERS WAITING FOR THEIR GUESTS ON THE LEFT, OUTSIDE OF THE GATE #14 EXIT
- Airports:
- Istanbul Airport, TayakadIn Terminal Street No. 1, Istanbul 34283 Turkiye
- Sabiha Gokcen, Istanbul Turkiye
- Ports:
- Galataport Istanbul, Kılıçali Paşa Mah. Meclis-i Mebusan Cad. No: 8 İç Kapı No: 102, Kılıçali Paşa, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
Return details- Returns to original departure point
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Infant seats available
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 27009P3- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are closed until 2.30 pm on Fridays.
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- 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
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- What you can expect during your visit
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Face masks provided for travelers
Community- Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
- Which attractions will I visit with Private Istanbul Layover Tours & Activities?
- During this experience, places you will visit include:Discover and book Private Istanbul Layover Tours & Activities on Tripadvisor
- How much is Private Istanbul Layover Tours & Activities?
- Private Istanbul Layover Tours & Activities price starts from $160.00. Discover and book Private Istanbul Layover Tours & Activities on Tripadvisor
- What is the Private Istanbul Layover Tours & Activities cancellation policy?
- Private Istanbul Layover Tours & Activities cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Discover and book Private Istanbul Layover Tours & Activities on Tripadvisor
- Which company provides Private Istanbul Layover Tours & Activities?
- Private Istanbul Layover Tours & Activities is hosted by Istanbul Layover Tours. Read reviews, discover additonal experiences or contact Istanbul Layover Tours on Tripadvisor. Discover and book Private Istanbul Layover Tours & Activities on Tripadvisor
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 27009P3
Reserve your spot
from $160.00
Itinerary
- You'll get picked upSee departure details
- 1IstanbulStop: 30 minutesSee details
- 2HippodromeStop: 30 minutesSee details
- 3Blue MosqueStop: 30 minutesSee details
- 4Hagia Sophia MosqueStop: 45 minutesSee details
- 5Basilica CisternStop: 30 minutes - Admission excludedSee details
- 6Grand Bazaar JewelersStop: 30 minutesSee details
- 7Suleymaniye MosqueStop: 30 minutesSee details
- 8Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)Stop: 30 minutesSee details
- 9Bosphorus StraitStop: 40 minutes - Admission includedSee details
- 10Kadikoy CarsisiStop: 60 minutesSee details
See 1 more stop
+
–
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator.
Amelia O
00Best Tour of Istanbul
This tour was so wonderful!! As a single woman, I had no idea what to expect. This is the best tour!
zelalemiel
00Great trip!
Would highly recommend. Great communication. Pick up car from airport was very spacious and our tour guide Israfil …
Marlaree
00The Best Layover
We had a 4 hour tour with Latif and highly recommend his services! Meeting directions were perfect and we had a de…
817josha
00Best Way to See Istanbul in 12 Hours!
On our way to Egypt we decided to plan our travel in order to see Istanbul in only 12 hours. Thanks to our amazing …
nyny22
007 hour layover in Istanbul new airport - excellent tour of the city
Stopped in Istanbul many times & always enjoyed the airport. But never took opportunity to see sights of city itsel…
smfaller
00Evening Couple Private Tour
My wife and I had a private evening tour with Ali while on a 13 hour layover for our honeymoon. He was extremely kn…
talitabuys1
00Istanbul Layover - Great Guide
Our guide, Israfil, WhatsApped us as soon as we landed with the transport details, which was extremely helpful. It'…
Jean N
00Fun, Knowledgeable Tour Guide
Our group had an excellent experience with our tour guide, Latif. He planned an excellent itinerary that gave us a…
Brook A
00Istanbul Layover Tours is Exceptional!!!
While returning to the United States after a whirlwind 12 day trip to Israel, my sister and I had a 7 hour layover …
642ainsleyg
00Perfect way to spend time between flights
We had a 6 hour layover at Istanbul and I reached out to Istanbul Layover tours to see if we could fit anything in …
Val H
00Awesome Tour Guide!!
Latif was a wonderful tour guide. Everything went smooth & the directions from getting off the plane to putting bag…
LadyDi3
00Perfect Tour for our Layover
Since we three friends didn’t want to spend our 7 hour layover in the airport, we booked this tour. We were picked …
islam705
007 hour layover means really 3 hours of touring
Our guide was Israfil. He was just the best! I wish I had known though that a 7 hour layover means you only have ab…
tanjas123662
00Awesome Istanbul and very helpful guide Israfil
We had 9 hours Layover and we are very glad to take Istanbul Layover Tours to spend time in Istanbul. The driver pi…
jebake12
00We learned so much in 3 hours!
We spent our layover in Istanbul with Istanbul Layover Tours, and it was great! Our flight got in over an hour late…
More to explore in Istanbul
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
117 reviews
Excellent
111
Very good
5
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Kieley H
3 contributions
Nov 2022 • Solo
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!
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!
Written November 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlThurman
Cape Town Central, South Africa5 contributions
Feb 2023 • Business
I had an 18hr layover, so a city tour was the obvious choice. My airport pick up was perfect and it’s definitely worth leaving your hand luggage at the airport because we walked a lot and did some shopping as the day progressed.
I was met as promised by my guide Meve and I couldn’t have hoped to meet such a lovely person away from home. She was so friendly and relaxed. We chatted like good friends do and she is very knowledgable not only about Istanbul, but Turkey and general knowledge, so there was plenty to talk about.
I arrived only a few days after the horrendous earthquake and the shock and emotion in the city was palpable. We shared our thoughts and even shed a tear or two over our traditional breakfast at a lovely rooftop restaurant where we had great views over the Bosphorous, Asia and Europe.
The city has a great energy and I particularly enjoyed the bazaars, coffee and talking to the shop keepers who were so friendly. The highlight of my day was my visit to the Turkish baths followed by a drink or two with dinner before my onward flight. If you have time to do this, I highly recommend it so you’re revitalised after your flight and ready for the next one.
I’m very discerning so you should read this review with that understanding so you realise my sincerity in saying Meve was awesome and the tour was amazing. Do not hesitate to book this tour if you have sufficient time to do it justice, noting the airport transfer can take anything from 40mins to an hour each way.
In summary, a truly great day out and the best layover ever!
I was met as promised by my guide Meve and I couldn’t have hoped to meet such a lovely person away from home. She was so friendly and relaxed. We chatted like good friends do and she is very knowledgable not only about Istanbul, but Turkey and general knowledge, so there was plenty to talk about.
I arrived only a few days after the horrendous earthquake and the shock and emotion in the city was palpable. We shared our thoughts and even shed a tear or two over our traditional breakfast at a lovely rooftop restaurant where we had great views over the Bosphorous, Asia and Europe.
The city has a great energy and I particularly enjoyed the bazaars, coffee and talking to the shop keepers who were so friendly. The highlight of my day was my visit to the Turkish baths followed by a drink or two with dinner before my onward flight. If you have time to do this, I highly recommend it so you’re revitalised after your flight and ready for the next one.
I’m very discerning so you should read this review with that understanding so you realise my sincerity in saying Meve was awesome and the tour was amazing. Do not hesitate to book this tour if you have sufficient time to do it justice, noting the airport transfer can take anything from 40mins to an hour each way.
In summary, a truly great day out and the best layover ever!
Written February 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaime
Johor Bahru, Malaysia19 contributions
Jul 2022 • Solo
Since I had a 8 hr transit at Istanbul Airport, I googled to see if I could look around Istanbul and came across Istanbul Layover Tours which provided transport to and from airport. I wrote to enquire and Latif replied. On signing up, I was given a very detailed guideline to exit the airport complete with pictures! That certainly helped to get me quickly to the meeting point for me to be picked up by the driver who then sent me to the city centre.
Ozgur was my guide for the city tour. He was very knowledgeable with the history of the sites that we visited. I was very impressed that his historical knowledge even extended beyond the shores of Istanbul when I mentioned another site in another country in comparison. I was able to enjoy some Turkish coffee the way the locals would drink complete with some Turkish delight & some local fast food. Spice market was very colourful and interesting. I got to see Hagia Sophia which I read so much about in story books as well as in movies. Ozgur knew about that too other than the usual history about it! I got to enjoy a ferry ride across to the Asian side of Istanbul and took the metro back to save time. We finished with the Hippodrome before I was picked up by the driver to be sent back to the airport in good time for my flight.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my tour of Istanbul and am only disappointed that my layover wasn't long enough for me to walk the galata bridge and to visit the cisterns. However, this taste of Istanbul has certainly fanned my love for this beautiful country and I would highly recommend Istanbul Layover Tours to anyone who would like to visit this city. My utmost thanks to both Latif and Ozgur for making my trip to Istanbul such an memorable one!
Ozgur was my guide for the city tour. He was very knowledgeable with the history of the sites that we visited. I was very impressed that his historical knowledge even extended beyond the shores of Istanbul when I mentioned another site in another country in comparison. I was able to enjoy some Turkish coffee the way the locals would drink complete with some Turkish delight & some local fast food. Spice market was very colourful and interesting. I got to see Hagia Sophia which I read so much about in story books as well as in movies. Ozgur knew about that too other than the usual history about it! I got to enjoy a ferry ride across to the Asian side of Istanbul and took the metro back to save time. We finished with the Hippodrome before I was picked up by the driver to be sent back to the airport in good time for my flight.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my tour of Istanbul and am only disappointed that my layover wasn't long enough for me to walk the galata bridge and to visit the cisterns. However, this taste of Istanbul has certainly fanned my love for this beautiful country and I would highly recommend Istanbul Layover Tours to anyone who would like to visit this city. My utmost thanks to both Latif and Ozgur for making my trip to Istanbul such an memorable one!
Written July 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
margarethesmith99
Orange County, CA5 contributions
Jul 2022
We had a 19-hour layover in Istanbul and had the most amazing experience with our private guide, Mev (Mevhibe Cekirdek). After a private, luxurious transfer from IST to downtown Istanbul, we met Mev for a walking/eating/sightseeing tour. She provided a behind the scenes look at Istanbul with stops at an authentic (locals only) coffee and tea cafe as well as dinner at a locals favorite for Turkish Kebobs. We saw the Hippodrome, Sofia Hagia, Grand Bazaar, Spice Market and a traditional rug maker as well. We felt like we were friends after our time together. At the end of our long day, the transfer back to the airport hotel was provided. I would not hesitate to recommend Istanbul Layover Tours if you have more than 8 hours to spend.
Written July 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
praiseGodalways
Mount Laurel, NJ136 contributions
May 2021
The whole experience with Istanbul tours was great from start to finish. It was one of the rare times when you see something advertised online and it was exactly as stated. There were no additional surprise fees. They tell what is included and what is not. I reached out via email with questions before purchasing and received an email back in less than 24 hours. They allow you to customize what you want based on time or follow their general standard tour. Latif will also answer the phone on the WhatsApp.
We went just a few days into a Covid shutdown in May but they still allowed tours for visitors. Even though we (4 adults) landed much earlier than expected, when we walked to the assigned door, the person was there with the sign just as instructed on the email. The driver took us to meet up with our guide Latif. Latif was very knowledgeable about Istanbul. He wore his mask and was Covid conscious. He was able to share a large amount of information about the history and the culture. We got there very early, and wanted to try some local bread. Latif found a great spot that was open and helped translate the offerings. We tried one filled with beef, another with cheese and one with chocolate. They were all yummy but we raved about the beef one for many days after. He took us to all the sites that were open that we were interested in including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi palace, with terrific commentary on all. Because the big main bazaar was closed due to the latest shutdown, he took us to another smaller one. We got great tea and Turkish delights. One in the group had tried the square ones typically seen in the store before and didn’t like it, but when we tasted the fresh ones, she was completely won over. They seal it in air tight bags so that it will survive the travel. We arrived in Turkey after an overnight flight, so at one point we were all tired from the walking, so he took us to an area where we sat and relaxed (napped) for a bit. We took the ferry ride over to the Asian side. Just be sure to fill in the information sent in your confirmation email before you leave to be able to get the ferry tickets.
Latif’s English was terrific and easy to understand. We felt like friends by the end of the tour.
When it was all done, we were transported back to the airport with plenty of time for our flight. If you have 4 or more hours in Istanbul, instead of doing a big impersonal tour, I would highly recommend that you get a tour from Istanbul layover tours. I would heartily do another one as there were several other things we still would like to see. It made me fall in
We went just a few days into a Covid shutdown in May but they still allowed tours for visitors. Even though we (4 adults) landed much earlier than expected, when we walked to the assigned door, the person was there with the sign just as instructed on the email. The driver took us to meet up with our guide Latif. Latif was very knowledgeable about Istanbul. He wore his mask and was Covid conscious. He was able to share a large amount of information about the history and the culture. We got there very early, and wanted to try some local bread. Latif found a great spot that was open and helped translate the offerings. We tried one filled with beef, another with cheese and one with chocolate. They were all yummy but we raved about the beef one for many days after. He took us to all the sites that were open that we were interested in including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi palace, with terrific commentary on all. Because the big main bazaar was closed due to the latest shutdown, he took us to another smaller one. We got great tea and Turkish delights. One in the group had tried the square ones typically seen in the store before and didn’t like it, but when we tasted the fresh ones, she was completely won over. They seal it in air tight bags so that it will survive the travel. We arrived in Turkey after an overnight flight, so at one point we were all tired from the walking, so he took us to an area where we sat and relaxed (napped) for a bit. We took the ferry ride over to the Asian side. Just be sure to fill in the information sent in your confirmation email before you leave to be able to get the ferry tickets.
Latif’s English was terrific and easy to understand. We felt like friends by the end of the tour.
When it was all done, we were transported back to the airport with plenty of time for our flight. If you have 4 or more hours in Istanbul, instead of doing a big impersonal tour, I would highly recommend that you get a tour from Istanbul layover tours. I would heartily do another one as there were several other things we still would like to see. It made me fall in
Written June 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DJV
Chicago, IL45 contributions
Dec 2022
We used Istanbul Layover Tours during layovers in both directions of our recent holiday.
The booking process was painless and seamless. The fees were appropriate for what we requested, and Latif was an excellent guide.
On our outbound trip, we had a 7 hour layover in the evening and we requested an evening tour of the main tourist sites. We did make a slight change to our tour request upon arrival and it was accommodated without any difficulty. Latif used WhatsApp to contact us, he was obviously tracking our flight and knew when we had arrived. This was very thoughtful and helpful. Although we've been to Istanbul before, we had never been there in the evening and were interested in seeing the way things were lit up at night. We were met at the airport, had a private car that dropped us near the square, and spent the rest of our time walking with Latif. Touring these sites in the evening allowed us to skip the crowds and entering the Hagia Sofia was a breeze. At the end of the tour, we picked up a private car back to the airport.
On our return trip, due to a flight change, we wound up with an unplanned overnight stay. Turkish Airways transported us to their hotel and handled the room, dinner, and breakfast. This meant that we had to ask Latif to make major changes to our originally planned tour. He now had to pick us up a an unexpected location and the time shifted due to the change in our connecting flight. He had his car pick us up at our hotel and then provided precisely the tour requested for our homebound trip. This included some of the smaller mosques not normally on the tourist agenda, a trip to a football shop, and some time in the markets. Latif took care to ensure that the car transported us back to the airport with plenty of time before our flight.
We highly recommend Istanbul Layover Tours and Latif. His knowledge and expertise are second to none.
The booking process was painless and seamless. The fees were appropriate for what we requested, and Latif was an excellent guide.
On our outbound trip, we had a 7 hour layover in the evening and we requested an evening tour of the main tourist sites. We did make a slight change to our tour request upon arrival and it was accommodated without any difficulty. Latif used WhatsApp to contact us, he was obviously tracking our flight and knew when we had arrived. This was very thoughtful and helpful. Although we've been to Istanbul before, we had never been there in the evening and were interested in seeing the way things were lit up at night. We were met at the airport, had a private car that dropped us near the square, and spent the rest of our time walking with Latif. Touring these sites in the evening allowed us to skip the crowds and entering the Hagia Sofia was a breeze. At the end of the tour, we picked up a private car back to the airport.
On our return trip, due to a flight change, we wound up with an unplanned overnight stay. Turkish Airways transported us to their hotel and handled the room, dinner, and breakfast. This meant that we had to ask Latif to make major changes to our originally planned tour. He now had to pick us up a an unexpected location and the time shifted due to the change in our connecting flight. He had his car pick us up at our hotel and then provided precisely the tour requested for our homebound trip. This included some of the smaller mosques not normally on the tourist agenda, a trip to a football shop, and some time in the markets. Latif took care to ensure that the car transported us back to the airport with plenty of time before our flight.
We highly recommend Istanbul Layover Tours and Latif. His knowledge and expertise are second to none.
Written December 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C Cooper
Oakland, CA7 contributions
May 2023
I highly recommend my tour guide, Alp. He was knowledgeable, charming, and very funny. He has a wealth of knowledge about the fascinating history of Istanbul as well as great anecdotes, stories, and interesting details for each site we visited. Alp is extremely thoughtful, even bringing an extra jacket in case I got cold on the sunset ferry. I'm so glad I didn't miss seeing a city so full of beauty and history and could not have asked for a better guide. As a young woman traveling alone, safety is always a consideration and I felt very safe throughout the tour. I am looking forward to booking another trip to Istanbul in the future and will absolutely request Alp as a guide when I return.
Written May 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dionis J
1 contribution
Sep 2021
I contacted Latif less than 24 hours before my arrival at Istanbul Airport and he was still able to organize a 7 hour private walking tour of the city, complete with airport pickup and drop-off. (I'm generally nervous about missing my flights, so when I asked to return earlier than the proposed time on the itinerary, Latif was more than willing to accommodate.
Latif is knowledgeable about the extensive history of his home city and incredibly personable. He answered every question I had and told me things I couldn't read on a brochure.
We toured the Blue Mosque (only the outside, as it was under renovation), the Hagia Sophia (an incredible sight, both inside and out), the Egyptian Obelisk in Sultanahmet Square (the oldest thing in a very old city, dating back to the 18th Dynasty, circa 15th century BCE!), Topkapi Palace (where the Sultan resided during the Ottoman Era, now a museum with incredible national relics, including some of such religious significance that you won't be allowed to photograph them), the Süleymaniye Mosque (built by the legendary architect Mimar Siman, Latif informed me), and the Grand Bazaar (where Latif helped me haggle for a bracelet).
Latif was also happy to accommodate when I asked to buy some coffee to take back home. He took me to the main packaging/distribution center for Mehmet Efendi coffee, where I was able to buy 500g of freshly ground Turkish coffee that I'm still working through.
We also took a brief ride on the ferry to the Anatolian or Asian side of the city where we walked through unending corridors of restaurants selling all manner of delicious food. The ride itself was pleasant, the waters of the Bosphorus looking especially blue and refreshing on the way back, though the powerful winds knocked Latif's glasses over the edge!
Overall, it was an incredible, intimate experience. Latif is a great conversationalist and an interesting person, so even the brief periods of inaction (while we waited for the ferry, for instance) were fun and engaging.
Next time I'm in the area, I fully intend to book Latif again for one of his food tours. This was, without a doubt, the best layover of my life.
Latif is knowledgeable about the extensive history of his home city and incredibly personable. He answered every question I had and told me things I couldn't read on a brochure.
We toured the Blue Mosque (only the outside, as it was under renovation), the Hagia Sophia (an incredible sight, both inside and out), the Egyptian Obelisk in Sultanahmet Square (the oldest thing in a very old city, dating back to the 18th Dynasty, circa 15th century BCE!), Topkapi Palace (where the Sultan resided during the Ottoman Era, now a museum with incredible national relics, including some of such religious significance that you won't be allowed to photograph them), the Süleymaniye Mosque (built by the legendary architect Mimar Siman, Latif informed me), and the Grand Bazaar (where Latif helped me haggle for a bracelet).
Latif was also happy to accommodate when I asked to buy some coffee to take back home. He took me to the main packaging/distribution center for Mehmet Efendi coffee, where I was able to buy 500g of freshly ground Turkish coffee that I'm still working through.
We also took a brief ride on the ferry to the Anatolian or Asian side of the city where we walked through unending corridors of restaurants selling all manner of delicious food. The ride itself was pleasant, the waters of the Bosphorus looking especially blue and refreshing on the way back, though the powerful winds knocked Latif's glasses over the edge!
Overall, it was an incredible, intimate experience. Latif is a great conversationalist and an interesting person, so even the brief periods of inaction (while we waited for the ferry, for instance) were fun and engaging.
Next time I'm in the area, I fully intend to book Latif again for one of his food tours. This was, without a doubt, the best layover of my life.
Written September 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Timothy W
1 contribution
Oct 2022
Istanbul Layover Tours provided a safe and educational experience during my short twelve hour visit to Istanbul. My private guide, Bahadir Faruk Bodur, was absolutely fantastic, and he made sure that we were able to hit all of the sites on my wishlist. Not only was he able to tell me about the history of the city, but also he was more than open to educate on modern Turkey and the lives of locals.
Bahadir also took great care for my comfort and safety. On the private drives to and from the city, he was in constant contact with my driver. Even in the most crowded parts of the city, he made sure that I, and my belongings, were accounted for. Don't forget to ask him for food recommendations!
Bahadir also took great care for my comfort and safety. On the private drives to and from the city, he was in constant contact with my driver. Even in the most crowded parts of the city, he made sure that I, and my belongings, were accounted for. Don't forget to ask him for food recommendations!
Written October 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Syed Amir Hussain
11 contributions
Jun 2021 • Solo
We booked private tours for both of our 10 hour layovers in Turkey. First one was a Night Tour and second one was a Day Tour so we got to see different things both times. Before I booked these tours I spoke with Latif on the phone and he was very nice and polite and extremely friendly so I felt very comfortable and trusted him right away. He explains the full process on how to get from the Airport to the Meeting spot for the tours and within one hour of emailing him, He had already sent me the entire itinerary and confirmed the booking.
During the tours, Latif was very informative and guided us around all over the most important sites in Istanbul. Many of these things we would not have been able to do if we did not have a tour guide and a private shuttle to take us around, especially since it is a layover and you are already short on time. I truly do recommend booking this tour because Latif has a lot of knowledge to share and will include an authentic Turkish experience within the tours by taking you to different places for food and tea.
Overall it was an amazing experience and a much better option than sitting at the airport for 10+ hours. I would recommend these private tours to anyone!
During the tours, Latif was very informative and guided us around all over the most important sites in Istanbul. Many of these things we would not have been able to do if we did not have a tour guide and a private shuttle to take us around, especially since it is a layover and you are already short on time. I truly do recommend booking this tour because Latif has a lot of knowledge to share and will include an authentic Turkish experience within the tours by taking you to different places for food and tea.
Overall it was an amazing experience and a much better option than sitting at the airport for 10+ hours. I would recommend these private tours to anyone!
Written June 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am interested in this tour. I am arriving at 215 pm at IST airport. Our connection is the next morning. Can you arrange a private tour of Istanbul highlights including dinner stop returning us to Yotel hotel at airport by 10 ?
Joyce A
6 contributions
I’m wondering if you have anything available this afternoon with a private tour guide must sees
Joyce A
6 contributions
We are staying at The raffles hotel today wondering if you have any availability today
sumeryl
NJ9 contributions
Must I get a Visa to take the day tour in March? If yes, can you supply me with a link to the visa application and tell me when I should do it. Thanks.
LightPacker719135
Atlanta, GA12 contributions
I have 20 hours layover in Istanbul Airport. I am a US citizen. Do I need visa to leave the airport.
Thank you.
Mukoy
Ithaca, MI96 contributions
Yes you do. You can get an e-visa very easily. Or I believe you can get one at the airport.
ArubaP
Marco Island, FL
Hi,
I only have a 5 hr. layover in Istanbul. from 4 to 9 pm. Is that enough time for a short tour?
TY!
Dionis J
1 contribution
Almost certainly enough time, though it does take some time to travel back and forth to the airport. I would recommend emailing Latif using the email on the website. He’s very quick to respond and can cater the experience to your schedule and preference.
Gaddiel Q
Accra, Ghana
I am from Ghana and will be travelling from south Africa to Georgia with a connecting flight at Turkey. My layover in Turkey is 8hrs, will I need a visa to be able to go on this trip from the airport?
Dionis J
1 contribution
Some googling tells me that Ghana is not one of the 78 visa-exempt countries, so you will need a visa to exit the airport. Furthermore, Ghana appears to be conditional e-visa country, meaning you can apply for an electronic visa at evisa DOT gov.tr/en/apply/ but you will need to meet certain criteria. I recommend you research this fully before committing to or paying anything.
Latif, who runs the tours, may be able to assist in getting you a visa once you arrive in Istanbul, but in my opinion it’s better to obtain an e-visa beforehand if possible. That way you don’t have to spend time getting your visa upon arrival and can go directly into the tour.
