Private Layover Tour from Istanbul Airport & Hotels

We arrived in Istanbul at 5PM and took a private tour ( scheduled in advance) for 7PM as we had a 9.5 hour layover. Little did we know that it would be RAINING!! After some moderate anxiety on my part about connecting with the tour guide, we found our driver who picked us up at the airport in a very comfortable VAN and deftly delivered us to OUR MAGNIFICENT tour guide. Despite the steady, falling rain, our indefatigable guide showed us SO MUCH that we practically had to beg him to let us return to the airport! We went to a small spice market as the larger ones were closed for the day! The shop keeper was delightful and gave us wonderful samples of tea and other delicacies. From there in the RAIN we boarded a water taxi and went to the Asian side of Istanbul—just because. We returned and walked and learned and saw the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. We could not enter as everyone as closed. Our evening ended with a DELICIOUS local meal where we ate among Turkish families. The food was SO GOOD! There is nothing comparable to hot lentil soup to warm your damp bones. Afterwards, our guide delivered us to our return driver who drove us safely back to the airport for our continued journey! I will return to Istanbul for an extended visit as our guide shared such wonderful history that I must thoroughly see things I could only glimpse because of the hour. I pray that I can find his card as I will request that we work with him again!! This was a wonderful way to spend a long evening layover.

Salih was an amazing guide. He is knowledgeable and personable. I had a great tour and only wished I had more time. Istanbul is a great city!

Pick up at 8a from airport and return by 5p. Ride very prompt and nice new vehicle. Salih Batkin was excellent. Lots of knowledge, friendly and paced sites effectively. Definitely a great time, I highly reccommend to others.

We were able to schedule our tour between 1 of our 3 layovers in Istanbul. The first 2 were less than 4 hours so we shopped at the airport but during our return flight we had an 8 hour layover. Don't forget to get your VISA. CASH ONLY but I think you can do it online, we just forgot! We wasted an hour getting out of the airport. I also think the 7am pick up time is the earliest you can start your tour. None of this impacted our tour. Once we were escorted to our driver, we met up with our tour guide & the time we wasted was a thing of the past. Our guide was AMAZING and very accommodating. We had no idea what to expect to see in Istanbul but this pit stop fit in well with our primary trip to Israel and Egypt. Don't ask why...LoL

Had an excellent tour with Mr Salih. Everything was smooth sailing from airport pick up to drop off. Mr Salih was attentive to my requests and constant need for caffeine. He has a great sense of humor and is very worldly. He kept me entertained throughout even though I was severely jetlagged. I really appreciated that there is none of those detours to random tourist gift shops, so the hours are spent solely on important things.

I spent about 4 hours walking around with Salih enjoying the architecture and history behind the buildings. We went into the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, the Bazaar, and saw the Bosphorus from afar. He's hilarious by the way...excellent guide. Istanbul itself was absolutely beautiful and I felt safe the entire time that I was there. I highly recommend spending some time here on a quick layover like what I had.

We were returning home and had a nearly 10 hour layover. This was our first layover tour and it was absolutely worth it. Our only hangup was confusion regarding my visa requirements which meant showing up a little late for the driver; otherwise, everything went smoothly and they transported us from the airport to our tour guide, Salih, who was awaiting us. A few words about Salih. He is a wonderful guide and a very knowledgeable individual -- not only about Istanbul, Turkey, and the history of the tour sites, but also about the larger picture and scope that influences the current culture and trends in Istanbul and beyond. For our next trip, which will likely be more food-tour oriented, we'll definitely be reaching out to him. My tip to anyone considering or planning a layover tour, or any tour in Istanbul for that matter, is to book it. It's absolutely worth it. Also, my suggestion is, before your tour, use the online messaging app to contact Salih or your guide, and ask whatever questions you have before hand. He is very responsive and will get you setup so that your tour runs smoothly. 5 of 5 stars!

This was a perfect solution to a long layover in Istanbul. The guide met us at our hotel and took us by tram and walking to 4 major sights as requested. He was knowledgeable and friendly and we saw the city from the street level up. It was beautiful and we can't wait to go back and spend more time there. Back at our hotel, a driver took us to the airport for our flight. We highly recommend this tour.

Great way to spend your extra time in the beautiful city of Istanbul instead of hanging around at the airport

I had a layover in Istanbul and fortunately I found a layover tour with Viator. My guide was amazing, knowledgeable, worldly, and I had a great time visiting historical sites. I was picked up from new airport and brought back on time. Highly recommended.