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Offered languages
- English
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
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Arrival & Meet-Up: Upon landing at Istanbul Airport, proceed through passport control and follow signs to the Exit. Pleade Do NOT go to the Transit Area, unless you are arriving significantly earlier than the earliest starting time (which varies seasonally and by weekday, typically 06:00 AM or 06:30 AM on weekends) or heading to Business Lounge. If you are not going directly to your accommodation for an overnight stay, it is highly recommended to store your luggage at the airport's left luggage facility next to the Turkish Airlines Hotel Desk before exiting. Exit through Door #14 in the Arrivals Terminal. Look for an SBL MEET&GREET representative holding an “SBL” sign outside the terminal, just beyond the exit of door #14. They will be waiting for you there, not inside the terminal. Please approach and check-in for transfer. Expect to meet your representative approximately 1 hour after your flight lands. The SBL service is a 3rd party service to help direct you to your driver. They have no information on your tour. For any issues or if you cannot find the team, contact Mr. Latif immediately at +90 544 585 98 51 (WhatsApp available). Tour Commencement & Transfer Details: The standard tour service includes two-way airport transfers. Vehicles provided are not dedicated and reserved for the full day. After meeting the SBL representative, you will be transferred to the city center (45-60 minutes). There, you will meet your tour guide for your personalized Istanbul tour. After the tour, you will be returned to the airport at least 2 hours prior to your departure. If you require the van to be dedicated and reserved for the full day, or if you request a detour for hotels located outside of the standard touring area, additional fees will apply. For Cruise Travelers or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) Arrivals, pickup point info will be provided separately. Wish you a great Istanbul Experience on your layover!
Itinerary
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Istanbul (Pass by)
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.
Admission ticket free -
1Hippodrome
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.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Blue Mosque
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.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Explore the architectural marvel of Hagia Sophia Mosque with our licensed tour guide, delving into its significance in terms of architecture, religion, and politics. Note that Hagia Sophia opens at 10:00 am, closes on Fridays until 14:00 pm, and welcomes visitors until 22:00 pm. Hagia Sophia serves a dual purpose today, operating as an active mosque for Muslim worshippers and a museum for international visitors. Please be aware that the admission fee is 850 TL or 28 USD, and the duration of this enlightening experience is approximately 45 minutes. Admission ticket is not included.
45 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
4Basilica Cistern
Descending the stairs, you'll encounter a palace-like underground water system, crafted by the Romans in the 6th century. Its colossal dimensions allowed it to store ample water, catering to the needs of the Roman Palace and the surrounding neighborhood until it faded into obscurity. Today, it patiently awaits rediscovery. The admission fee for this historical site is 1500 TL or 35 USD.
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
5Grand Bazaar Jewelers
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.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Suleymaniye Mosque
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.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)
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.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8Bosphorus Strait
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. 2 USD Per Person
20 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
9KadIkoy CarsIsI
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.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
10TopkapI Palace
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. Admission Fee is 2400 TL or 60 USD.
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
Galata Tower (Pass by)
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.
Admission ticket free -
Yeni Camii (Pass by)
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
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
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Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are closed until 2.30 pm on Fridays.
- Topkapı Palace and Hagia Irene is closed on Tuesdays
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Show more
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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