Istanbul Tours
Private Istanbul Tours
From Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar to Bosphorus cruises and hidden food alleys — every Istanbul tour is private, paced to you, and led by a licensed local guide.
All tours are operated by Turkey Travel Agency, a TURSAB-licensed turkey tour operator and incoming DMC since 2014.
Planning your route? Read the Istanbul travel guide for stay length, best months and things to do — then book private tours below.
Private Istanbul tours — how we design your days
Every Istanbul tour we sell is private: your group, your licensed guide, your vehicle. We do not put you on a 40-seat bus or rush through Hagia Sophia on a fixed clock. Typical first-time routes cover Sultanahmet — Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Topkapi Palace — with timed entry where possible. Second days add Dolmabahce Palace, the Asian side (Kadikoy and Uskudar) or a Bosphorus cruise at sunset. Food-focused travelers swap one museum block for a Kadikoy market walk with tastings.
Old City vs Bosphorus vs Asian side
The Old City concentrates Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks within walkable distance — ideal for day one. The Bosphorus connects Europe and Asia; a private yacht or shared charter shows palaces, fortresses and waterfront mansions from the water. The Asian side delivers local life: Moda cafes, Kadikoy fish market and quieter mosque visits. Trying to do all three in one day creates fatigue; we recommend two to three full days in Istanbul minimum.
Entrance fees, tickets and skip-the-line
Hagia Sophia, Topkapi and Dolmabahce require tickets — we clarify inclusions in your quote. Museum Pass Istanbul can save money for independent travelers; on private tours we often buy individual tickets to match your exact route. Friday prayer times affect mosque visits; guides reschedule Blue Mosque entries accordingly.
Istanbul tour prices and what's included
Half-day private tours start around $85–120 per person depending on group size; full-day Old City tours with vehicle and guide typically run $120–180 per person. Includes licensed guide, private transport and hotel pickup in central districts. Entrance fees may be listed separately for transparency. Request a free quote for your dates and group size — no obligation.
Combining Istanbul tours with Cappadocia or Ephesus
Most travelers pair Istanbul with Cappadocia (fly IST→Kayseri in 75 minutes) or Ephesus via Izmir. We book domestic flights, airport transfers and guides in each city so you never re-explain preferences. See our /packages/istanbul-cappadocia or the /blog/istanbul-3-day-itinerary for proven routes. For hotels, read /blog/where-to-stay-in-istanbul; for sights, /blog/best-things-to-do-in-istanbul.
Available Tours
A full-day private tour of Sultanahmet, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar with a licensed local guide.
Time-boxed private layover sightseeing between flights — 6, 8 or 12-hour windows with airport pickup, luggage-in-vehicle options and buffer for check-in.
Private day trip to the car-free Princes’ Islands — ferry or private boat coordination, Büyükada horse-carriage or e-bike pacing, hotel pickup in Istanbul.
Sunset Bosphorus cruise between Europe and Asia, with stops at Ortakoy, Uskudar, and panoramic viewpoints.
Evening private Bosphorus dinner cruise with seated meal, soft drinks and illuminated skyline views — hotel pickup. Not the daytime sightseeing cruise.
Taste baklava, kebap, meze and street food across the Spice Bazaar, Kadikoy and hidden local eateries with a culinary guide.
Visit Dolmabahce Palace, Ortakoy Mosque and Bosphorus viewpoints on a private half-day tour of Istanbul's European shore.
Explore Uskudar, Kuzguncuk, Camlica Hill and Kadikoy markets on a private tour of Istanbul's less-touristed Asian neighborhoods.