
Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 32 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise worth booking?
Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise is a 7-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $200 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 32 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (32)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $200 per person
Explore Istanbul’s Old City before cruising the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia. Visit Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, then sail past Ottoman palaces. You'll see the Hagia Sophia or Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and Spice Market, and take a cruise along the Bosphorus Strait where Europe meets Asia, either by public ferry or your own private yacht. Our family-friendly tour service will make it more charming for families with young kids. Skip the line service is available for Hagia Sophia. On Fridays, Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque will be visited from outside because of the worship.
What you get
About this experience
Explore Istanbul’s Old City before cruising the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia. Visit Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, then sail past Ottoman palaces. You'll see the Hagia Sophia or Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and Spice Market, and take a cruise along the Bosphorus Strait where Europe meets Asia, either by public ferry or your own private yacht. Our family-friendly tour service will make it more charming for families with young kids. Skip the line service is available for Hagia Sophia. On Fridays, Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque will be visited from outside because of the worship.
What's included
Included
- Professional Local Guide
- Private Tour
Not included
- Admission fees, ferry tickets
- Transportation
What you'll see and do
Sultanahmet District
Sultanahmet District
10 minutes here
Hippodrome
Hippodrome
15 minutes here
Blue Mosque
(TEMPORARILY CLOSED BETWEEN JANUARY 1 - APRIL 1 ON 2023) Built in the early 1600s for Sultan Ahmet I, Blue Mosque is truly a magnificent masterpiece of architecture with amazingly delicate proportions for a building of such massive scale. The blue shade of the 27.000 pieces of Iznik quart tiles give the mosque it’s popular name and 6 towering minarets give its uniquely recognizable structure.
30 minutes here
Sultanahmet Square
Sultanahmet Square
15 minutes here
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Hagia Sophia Musuem
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Grand Bazaar
Grand Bazaar
30 minutes here
Misir Carsisi
Spice Market
30 minutes here
Bosphorus Strait
Bosphorus Cruise by Public Ferry or Private Yacht ( If option is chosen)
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Istanbul
Your guide will contact you in advance to ensure a smooth start, and on the day of the tour will be waiting just outside the cruise terminal, directly in front of the main EXIT GATE, holding a name board with your name for easy recognition.
Meeting point
Istanbul
Your guide will get in touch with you in advance to introduce themselves and ensure a smooth and easy meeting on the day of the tour.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Your guide will contact you in advance to ensure a smooth start, and on the day of the tour will be waiting just outside the cruise terminal, directly in front of the main EXIT GATE, holding a name board with your name for easy recognition.
Ends at
Your guide will get in touch with you in advance to introduce themselves and ensure a smooth and easy meeting on the day of the tour.
Options you can book
Combo Tour with Private Yacht
Enjoy seeing the basics of Istanbul and then cruise on the Bosphorus Strait in the company of just you and your group on board a private yacht. Pickup included
Private Tour Guide
Combo Tour with Public Ferry: Enjoy seeing the basics of Istanbul and then cruise on the Bosphorus Strait with a public-shared ferry. (Ferry tickets excluded) Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Guided Istanbul Tours
Know before you go
- 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
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia are closed until 2pm on Fridays, will be visited in the afternoon. Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays
- Guests located in Sultanahmet will be near the museums so if you book van service, it will not be used effectively
- Informative, kid-friendly and professional guide
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 32 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
32 verified traveler reviews for Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great Tour; Best of Istanbul!
Ceren was an excellent guide; she gave us all kinds of interesting anecdotes about the history of the places we visited as well as what life is like for locals in Turkey and Istanbul. The tour was well paced, had a lot of interesting stops, and we even found time to visit people making rugs which was an unexpected but really neat highlight of the trip. I highly recommend this tour and Ceren as a guide!
via Tripadvisor
Day tour of Istanbul with Songul
My wife and did a walking tour with Songul. She was very knowledgeable and upbeat. We enjoyed the entire day with her in Istanbul. We saw Hagia Sophia, the Istanbul Spice Market, the Blue Mosque, and other sites. The tour was informative, the lunch was great, and the ride to the airport was flawless.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing Istanbul tour
We had an amazing time with Ekrem , he used his excellent local know-how, brilliant historical knowledge and charismatic personality to guide us around the city. If you book this, you will not be disappointed. He was flexible to change to our needs if necessary but we relied on his wealth of experience to see an authentic Istanbul. Thank you so much for making our stay special!
via Tripadvisor
Well worth the time!
Şebne was a great tour guide who was extremely knowledgeable about the major sites and the best ways to get around Istanbul. She was also very flexible in her approach to the tour and the order in which we visited the sites to ensure we maximised our time with her.
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful Experience
We would highly recommend this tour and, in particular, our tour guide Songul. She was extremely knowledgeable and personable. Due to her experience she was able to maximize our time at each site while helping us avoid long lines and wait times. She answered all our questions and provided great insight into the life and culture of Istanbul beyond the sites of interest we visited.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $200 to $1,115
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 11
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Guided Istanbul Tours, who run 16 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.3 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Guided Istanbul Tours runsWhy this scores 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise cost?
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Prices start at $200 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Istanbul usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Istanbul is not rushed.
Is Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 32 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Istanbul, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise?
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Around 11 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Istanbul can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Istanbul and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Istanbul within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Istanbul?
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On Outty we rank every Istanbul experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Princes Islands Blue Journey from Old City Istanbul, Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience, Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Istanbul?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Istanbul?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise?
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Included: Professional Local Guide; and Private Tour. Not included: Admission fees, ferry tickets; and Transportation. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 3715 listed pickup locations in and around Istanbul. Be ready about 5 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise offered in?
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It is offered in German, English, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Istanbul. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise?
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Across 32 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, food and drink. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
What booking options are available for Istanbul Combo Tour: Private Old City & Bosphorus Cruise?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Combo Tour with Private Yacht, Private Tour Guide. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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