
Private Guided "Energy of Istanbul-Skip the Ticket Line" Tour
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 108 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Guided "Energy of Istanbul-Skip the Ticket Line" Tour worth booking?
Private Guided "Energy of Istanbul-Skip the Ticket Line" Tour is a 5-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $39 per person. It scores 83 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 108 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 83 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (108)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $39 per person
I provide private customized tours for your needs in my city. I will be delighted to share my knowledge and experience with you in a private tour, special to you through the streets of Istanbul in which you can adjust the pace and see or to do more or less. You will skip the ticket lines since I will provide the pre purchased tickets.You can enjoy history, culture, gastronomy and shopping of the city in the best customized way with me. As a local Istanbul born and raised professional tour guide, I will do my best to comfort you and enjoy the city's life, history, food and shopping.
What you get
About this experience
I provide private customized tours for your needs in my city. I will be delighted to share my knowledge and experience with you in a private tour, special to you through the streets of Istanbul in which you can adjust the pace and see or to do more or less. You will skip the ticket lines since I will provide the pre purchased tickets.You can enjoy history, culture, gastronomy and shopping of the city in the best customized way with me. As a local Istanbul born and raised professional tour guide, I will do my best to comfort you and enjoy the city's life, history, food and shopping.
What's included
Included
- Professional licensed guide
Not included
- All Fees and Taxes
- Lunch
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Basilica Cistern Entrance Fee
- Hagia Sophia Entrance Fee
- Gratuity
- Topkapi Palace Entrance Fee
What you'll see and do
Blue Mosque
We visit the one of the most beautiful Ottoman mosques decorated with 4 centuries old blue Iznik tiles.
40 minutes here
Hippodrome
We visit the surviving monuments of the Hippodrome of Constantinople where the Roman chariots used to race, a stadium of the time which was bigger than any soccer stadium of today. It's capacity was a 100000 people at the time that the city's population was 400000.
15 minutes here
TopkapI Palace
THIS IS AN OPTION. IN MOST DAYS VISITING THE TOPKAPI PALACE IS SKIPPED. A valuable visit to understand the Ottoman history, to their 4 century serving, traditional palace which consist of the exhibition halls of the Ottoman jewels, ceremonial weapons, clocks, kitchen ware etc. A highlight in the old town.
90 minutes here · Admission not included
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia), one of the oldest and the greatest houses of worship. We visit the visiting part of the church/mosque of the Romans and the Ottomans. 6th century built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian. A marvel of architecture.
50 minutes here · Admission not included
Basilica Cistern
We visit the 6th century built spectacular water reservoir of the Romans. A real proof of the advanced Roman architecture with its 336 ancient columns which looks like a sunken palace.
50 minutes here · Admission not included
Grand Bazaar
You experience the oriental way of shopping in the oldest and the biggest indoor shopping mall of Europe with an age of nearly 6 centuries, shops of 4000 and entrance/exit gates of 21. The famous bizarre bazaar!
60 minutes here
In a convenient time of the day, we have a lunch break and it will be the time to experience the great Turkish cuisine in either of the two great restaurants; Deraliye or Galeyan or simple cafeteria lunch at the Pudding Shop.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Istanbul
German Fountain, Hippodrome, Sultanahmet area, old city. In the pick up point I will hold a sign with the travelers' name.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Ends at
German Fountain, Hippodrome, Sultanahmet area, old city. In the pick up point I will hold a sign with the travelers' name.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Private Istanbul Tours with Sel (Selcuk Sebilcioglu)
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Not recommended for travelers with wheel chair or serious walking difficulties
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 106 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
106 verified traveler reviews for Private Guided "Energy of Istanbul-Skip the Ticket Line" Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great day in Istanbul!
Very good tour today! Our guide Sel was very knowledgeable and friendly, he also adapted the sights to our requests. Let him know if you are interested in good shopping, he knows all of the quality places to go.
via Tripadvisor
Highly recommended!
We absolutely loved our tour of Istanbul’s old city with Selcuk! He is incredibly knowledgeable about both Istanbul’s fascinating history and the vibrant city it is today. Selcuk tells his stories with so much energy and enthusiasm, making the tour engaging and fun from start to finish. He also did a fantastic job adapting the tour to our group and our interests. We had a wonderful time and would highly recommend Selcuk to anyone visiting Istanbul!
via Tripadvisor
Amazing experience in Istanbul!
We had a wonderful 2 day tour with Selçuk. He was so knowledgeable about the local and regional history and we loved the skip the line aspect because our time was limited.
via Tripadvisor
Excellent Istanbul Walking Tour
We had an excellent walking day tour with Selcuk! He was very knowledgeable about the entire area and we walked around Old Istanbul. Went into multiple sites and everything was seamless. By the time we walked up to the gate, he already had our tickets and was explaining where we’re going. He was able to cater the day to us and would definitely go on tour when we return!
via Tripadvisor
Exceptional experience
Selcuk Senilcioglu was caring, attentive and very well versed in all places we visited. Seeing Istanbul with our guide was a highlight.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $39 to $209
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 38
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 83
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Guided "Energy of Istanbul-Skip the Ticket Line" Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Private Guided "Energy of Istanbul-Skip the Ticket Line" Tour cost?
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Prices start at $39 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 Private Guided "Energy of Istanbul-Skip the Ticket Line" Tour take?
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Plan for about 5 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 Private Guided "Energy of Istanbul-Skip the Ticket Line" Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 83 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 108 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 Private Guided "Energy of Istanbul-Skip the Ticket Line" Tour?
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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 Private Guided "Energy of Istanbul-Skip the Ticket Line" Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Guided "Energy of Istanbul-Skip the Ticket Line" Tour?
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Around 38 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 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Guided "Energy of Istanbul-Skip the Ticket Line" Tour 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 Private Guided "Energy of Istanbul-Skip the Ticket Line" Tour?
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Included: Professional licensed guide. Not included: All Fees and Taxes; Lunch; In-vehicle air conditioning; and Basilica Cistern Entrance Fee. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Guided "Energy of Istanbul-Skip the Ticket Line" Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 1316 listed pickup locations in and around Istanbul. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Private Guided "Energy of Istanbul-Skip the Ticket Line" Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. 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 Private Guided "Energy of Istanbul-Skip the Ticket Line" Tour?
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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 Private Guided "Energy of Istanbul-Skip the Ticket Line" Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Private Guided "Energy of Istanbul-Skip the Ticket Line" Tour if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Private Guided "Energy of Istanbul-Skip the Ticket Line" Tour?
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Across 108 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, small groups. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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