Private Tour
Private & Mini Group 7-8 Hours Guided Istanbul Tour / Cruise Port
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Why Private Tours with Us?
Special discounts. You will decide on departure time. Our tour guide will meet you at the port with your name sign, Our professional tour guide and A/C vehicle will be with you from arrival till departure, Our professional guide will be with you in the sites. Our guide will have pre-paid tickets to skip the lines. Fees can be paid to our guide after the tour. You will have flexibilty to spend how much time you want in each site and make small changes on the itinerary, You do not have to wait for other group members. You will have a chance to make stops to have pictues during the tour. Our Private tour rates are more reasonable than cruise shore tours, You will have several alternatives to taste famous Turkish Delicious foods, if you want to have lunch during your trip
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Dress Code Men : Knees MUST be covered. Long shorts and/or pants Women : Head, shoulders and legs must be covered. Covers will ve sold in front of St. Sophia and will be given for use in fron of blue mosque Shoes are not to be worn in mosques. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.
In the event of any museum closures, an alternative similar museum will be visited. On Tuesdays : Topkapi Palace replaced by Underground Cistern, On Sundays: Grand Bazaar will be replaced by Spice Market. Grand Bazaar and Spice Market are closed on religious holidays. Arasta Bazaar will be visited. On Fridays: Blue Mosque is open from 15.00 to 17.30
Private tour for your family and friends
There will be around 2,5-3 miles walk in this tour. Traffic is not allowed in Sultanahmet Square where all the highlights are . If you have walking problem, you have to book private option and have a slow tour with stops to relax in the cafees in old city
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Your private guide will meet you at Istanbul port Terminal Building with a sign written “Your Name“ on it at pre-arranged time ( mostly 30 minutes after your cruise doct into port ) or from the listed hotel receptions with room numbers. - Every cruise lines has different dock in times. Pick up times are different for each cruise. Thats why pick up time for your tour will be emailed with in 24 hours after your reservation. Please check your emails and note pick up time and all details you will need during the tour.
Hippodrome
After Greeting, walk to our A/C van and start to visit Istanbul the only city in the world located on two continents is Istanbul, which has been the capital of three great empires – Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman – for more than 2000 years. Our first stop is Hippodrome Square where used to take place for chariot races and the Byzantine riots during Roman & Byzantine period.
What‘s Included
GUARANTEED On Time Return to PORT
Cruise port / hotel pick up and drop off
Professional Licenced English speaking Tour guide
Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Food and drinks
Tips
Entry fees (payable to guide via cash or card)
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Private Option
Private Option: Private option for your family and friends.Meeting time will be emailed by our reservation in 24 hours after your reservation Pickup included
Small Group Option
Small Group Tour (max 10 pax) : Meeting time will be given by our reservation department in 24 hours by email after your reservation Pickup included
Reviews
282 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great tour!
christie c,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Engi was a fantastic guide. She guided us through all the main sites in Istanbul to include the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Basilica Cistern, Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar! She was very knowledgeable and it was amazing to see and learn about all these sites in one day. She picked us up right at the port and dropped us off there following our tour.
Best Tour Guide Ever - Leyla
K875VHgailm,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Note to all you English speakers heading to or in Istanbul: Leyla is an exceptionally good tour guide. My husband and I - a travel group of 2 - just spent 3 days (April 6-9 2026) with Leyla as our guide. She is thoroughly knowledgeable about Turkish history,, art, culture, and what tourists need to know to feel comfortable. She is excellent at giving background information leading up to events and famous sites you will visit. She also anticipates what you’ll need to know to feel comfortable on your own in Istanbul. My husband and I have traveled around the world. Leyla is probably the best tour guide we have ever worked with. Many shared laughs and smiles, many memorable moments, and much learning. Many thanks Leyla!
Ceren did a wonderful job guiding us around Istanbul!
John C,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Ceren provided excellent commentary about the places we visited. She was on time for our tour, was very personable, knowledgeable, and made us feel welcome in her city of Istanbul. Highly recommended.
Ask for Leyla
Don T,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Leyla was an absolute delight to have spend this tour with . She guided us in a way that we were ahead of the crowds . Her knowledge of Istanbul and its history was just amazing . She shared so much insight as we walked through the city . Where we went for lunch was such good food.She also was prompt in getting us back to the cruise ship terminal in time . Sorry it took me a while to write this review
Highly recommend Ephesus Shuttle!
ivylE765IP,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We have a private shore excursion with Ephesus Shuttle when our cruise stopped in Istanbul. We highly recommend their service. The service provided by Ephesus Shuttle and our tour guide Özge are excellent and professional. From the initial planning stage to the day of tour, everything was perfect.
Private & Mini Group 7-8 Hours Guided Excursion from Cruise Port
292glenni,Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00In June 2025 my family of five tour took a private tour with Ephesus Private tour company . Their website was excellent and easy to pick the tour we wanted. We did the Ancient Hippodrome – Blue Mosque – Topkapi Palace – Hagia Sophia – Grand Bazaar Tour 3a. The shuttle met us at the cruise port. We had a private driver and tour guide Leyla. Leyla was very knowledgeable and provided a lot of information we would never have gotten on our own. We were able customize the tour to our needs. The driver was excellent at maneuvering through the busy streets. I would highly recommend this tour for anybody who wants to get the most out a full day, safe tour, in Istanbul. Communications were excellent. They answered many questions I had before we even started our tour.
A brilliant guide!
Ann R,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The guide was superb. Friendly, knowledgeable, patient and kind. My friend was not very mobile (or interested!) and only came to keep me company. The guide was very understanding about this and went out of his way to help. He took us where we wanted to go, and not to anywhere I did not want to go to. He really was brilliant and I was very pleased. In terms of the booking there were 2 issues. This trip was more than twice the price of another (equally good) in Turkey, which covered more car milage. I took Turkish lire thinking that as I was in Turkey, it would be courteous to use lire. As I am English I use pounds, not euros or dollars. However, you need EUROS!
Istanbul
Maria B,Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00This tour provides you with must see attractions in Istanbul albeit for a limited time. Agia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar as well as a sweet shop, jewellery store and ceramics shop.
Great personal tour.
Jane D,Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Ezgi was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and personable. We had a wonderful day and were happy to not have to wait in line for our tickets.
Thoroughly Pleased!!!
N6021RLrons,Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were thoroughly pleased with the Day in Athens tour with George's Taxi. Our driver and guide, Ali, was courteous, knowledgeable, and fun to be with. He made our experience meaningful and a pleasurable delight. Ali knew the best timing of events around the city, like the changing of the guards at the presidents home. He also took us to a restaurant away from the tourist crowds, where the cuisine was exquisite, needless to say, beyond delicious and affordable! My wife and i would not hesitate recommending George's Taxi. Thank you, GT!!!
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