Private Tour
Private Istanbul Layover Tour From Airport
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
This layover tour of Istanbul covers all the highlights of the city. Visit the monuments from the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, go to the Hagia Sophia, shop for all kinds of souvenirs in the world's oldest covered market, Grand Bazaar, and see the imperial residence of the Ottoman sultans, Topkapi Palace and admire the blue Iznik tiles of the Blue Mosque. Accompany of your local tour guide will be useful for your family and young kids.
Skip the line service is not available for Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque - there is a queue for the entrance).
If one of the mosques is not visited, Basilica Cistern will be visited as a replacement.
On Fridays, Hagia Sophia or Blue Mosque will be visited from outside because of the worship.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Topkapı Palace and Hagia Irene is closed on Tuesdays
Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are closed until 2pm on Fridays.
Kid-Friendly tour guide will be accompanying your family on this tour.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Sultanahmet District
Sultanahmet District
Blue Mosque
Blue Mosque (TEMPORARILY CLOSED BETWEEN JANUARY 1 - APRIL 1 ON 2023)
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Professional local guide
Private tour
Roundtrip transfers from/to Airport
Museum/Attraction Tickets
Lunch
Pickup points
Istanbul Port
Istanbul International Airport
Istanbul Turkiye
Sabiha Gokcen
Istanbul Turkiye
Options
Istanbul Layover Tour
Private guided tour including pick up/drop off to Ataturk Airport with a private van.
Pickup included
Reviews
38 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great tour experience on our Istanbul layover
leefV8124EO,,Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fantastic layover tour of Istanbul old town with my 8 year old daughter. We were all a bit tired, the weather was not great, but Ozan really helped us keep our energy up so we could make the most of our short time in the city! He was super helpful by text message before the tour, a huge plus when traveling internationally and not wanting to worry, and a ton of fun to hang out with. Definitely recommend!
Flawlessly Organized and Executed Tour
K3833WZmichaels,,Sep 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a fantastic layover tour of Istanbul! Communication with the tour company was flawless from beginning to end. They made sure that we found them easily at the airport and took care of our transportation to and from dinner and back to the airport. Our guide Dilek was an absolute delight. She quickly got us through all of the main highlights in the old city with the limited time we had for the tour. She was extremely knowledgeable and was a pleasure to talk to and spend the day with. We had high expectations based on the reviews, but even these were exceeded.
Layover in Istanbul
Explorer24081432488,,Sep 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a day of layover in Istanbul coming from Egypt which gave us the chance to have time for a guided visit. Excellent experience from when we landed and went pick us up until they left us at the hotel. Our guide Emre very attentive and always careful in adapting to our pace given that we had travelled early in the morning , having a child of 9 years and giving us space to rest and not go running. No doubt advice.
Customized personal tour
Dylan L,,Feb 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide was experienced and full of facts about the city. We covered all the big sites in a very short time.
Excellent tour in Istanbul
ArielleL38,,Aug 31, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This trip is a must. We were only in Istanbul for 22 hours and this tour allowed us to see many of the highlights! Ozlem, our incredible guide, was so knowledgeable and congenial. She was able to explain many of the important details, as well as historical and little known facts. We preferred to spend the extra money for the driver, but a walking tour only is also an option. The driver allowed us to learn more in the transitional times, and allowed a brief rest due to our jet lag.
Quick stop in Istanbul
Mark S,,Aug 26, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide (Gurkan) was on time to meet us, knowledgeable, friendly, and interesting. He listened to our needs and got us back on time. A great tour of Istanbul on our long layover.
Great one day tour!
posysilas,,Jul 16, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour! Ahmed was kind, knowledgeable, and experienced. I fully enjoyed the experience and will highly recommend his services!
Unforgettable and wonderful
Jabraham3,,Jul 15, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was worth every penny, the Istanbul Guided tour was a wonderful Unforgettable experience for my family Mr. Volkan was very knowledgeable and helped us not only learn the history, but also experience the great food and shopping. He is very knowledgeable about history and gave us up-to-date information about what we saw in the city. It was a delight to be in his company and learn about the city and also taste local food, which was an awesome experience. My family had a great time. Thank you.
Awesome unforgettable
Jabraham3,,Jul 15, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful Istanbul experience. Our guide Mr. Valkan is very knowledgeable and ensured that we were immersed in the history . We would not have had this unforgettable experience without our guide. He is also knowledgeable about the best local shops and food as well. Thanks very much for Guided Istanbul tours and our Guide Mr. Valkan
Quick sightseeing tour during layover.
briannac479,,Jul 3, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great layover tour. Short time but learned a lot! Highly recommend. Your guide was very knowledgeable and was conscious of our short time frame.
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Operated by Guided Istanbul Tours