Private Guided Highlights of Istanbul 1.5 Day Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 12 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Guided Highlights of Istanbul 1.5 Day Tour worth booking?
Private Guided Highlights of Istanbul 1.5 Day Tour is a 48-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $279 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 12 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (12)
- Duration
- 48 hours
- From
- $279 per person
Our Private 1,5 day tour includes Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia (Guiding inside of St. Sophia is not allowed any more. Thats why free time will be given in front of St. Sophia after brief information outside of St. Sophia
What you get
About this experience
Our Private 1,5 day tour includes Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia (Guiding inside of St. Sophia is not allowed any more. Thats why free time will be given in front of St. Sophia after brief information outside of St. Sophia. If you want to visit the inside, you should pay entrance fee 28-USD + audio guide fee which is 4-USD . You can visit inside by yourself which takes 20 to 30 min.), Hippodrome Square, Blue Mosque, Underground Cistern, Spice Market, Grand Bazaar, Suleymaniye Mosque. • Private Tour for your family and friends • You will decide on departure time • Our tour guide will meet you at the Port/Hotel with your name sign, • Our professional tour guide will be with you from arrival till departure, • You will have flexibilty to spend how much time you want in each site and customize the itinerary, • You do not have to wait for other group members • You may stop to have pictures during your tour. • You may stop for lunch in a local restaurant to taste famous Turkish Kebaps.
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 12 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Small groups
5 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
12 verified traveler reviews for Private Guided Highlights of Istanbul 1.5 Day Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great guide in Istanbul
We recently had an excellent 2 day tour with Leyla, our private guide in Istanbul while on a cruise. She's incredibly knowledgeable about the history of the city and Turkey and imparted a lot of information during our time together. Personally, she's charming and interacted with us throughout, attentive to the schedule and sites we visited. She skillfully guided us through crowded places. Istanbul is city unlike any other we have visited, a combination of Europe/Asia and Leyla helped us appreciate its unique and distinctive qualities. Overall, we highly recommend her as well as Ephesus Shuttle, who allowed us to customize our tour and was incredibly fast in responding to any and all emails.
Response from the operator: Hello, Please rest assured that your kind words have been passed on to the entire Team. We look forward to welcoming you back for more memorable moments. We will share your kind message and opinions with your guide. Thank you on behalf of her. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderfull country again. Curio Travel Team
via Tripadvisor
Great Tour by Ephesus Shuttle In Istanbul
We booked directly with Ephesus Shuttle Private and Small Group Tours for a one and a half day private tour of Istanbul. It was excellent. We covered everything we wanted to see, and our driver was always there when it was time to change locations. It was convenient, comfortable, and a better price than anything else I found. They picked us up at the airport, took us on the first half day tour, took us to our cruise ship for an in port overnight, picked us up the next morning, and took us for a full day. Our guide, Tayfun, was fun and knowledgeable. I highly recommend Ephesus Shuttle and Tayfun. In fact, we used Ephesus Shuttle in Ephesus, also.
Response from the operator: Dear Robert, We don't know how to thank you enough for your comment. Your feedback is precious and has been proudly share with the entire team. Our colleagues' dedication to our guests is fully rewarded when we received such wonderful comments. We will share your kind message and opinions with your guide. Thank you on behalf of him. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderful country again. Curio Travel Team
via Tripadvisor
Great one and a half day tour of Istanbul.
We had a very nice time while visiting Istanbul with our guide Leyla. We spent a day and a half with her and she took us to all of the major sites and to several out of the way treasures. Met us at our ship and had a clean van and driver to move us from site to site quickly and efficiently. Would recommend this service.
Response from the operator: Dear Ken, Thank you very much for taking the time to share your kind words. We are delighted to hear that your experience with us exceeded your expectations, and your compliments have been shared with our team with great pleasure. We will share your kind message and opinions with your guide. Thank you on behalf of her. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderful country again. Curio Travel Team
via Tripadvisor
Amazing 2 day tour
Istanbul is an amazing city. Our tour with Tayfun was incredible. We were picked up right at the port and immediately went to see the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, the underground cistern and tour of the city. We went to the Grand Bazaar. We were dropped off at the hotel. Day 2 were were picked up at our hotel and took a boat ride on the Bosphorus which separates Europe and Asia, the spice market and the Dolmabahce Palace, which is a must see. I would highly recommend this tour company and Tayfun our guide.
Response from the operator: Dear Nancy, Thank you again for your loyalty and thoughtful insights. We look forward to welcoming you back on your next trip to Ephesus and will do everything we can to ensure another wonderful travel. We will share your kind message and opinions with your guide. Thank you on behalf of him. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderfull country again. Curio Travel Team
via Tripadvisor
Family Fun
Yasim was very knowledgeabe. He provided a a lot of excellent information. He was understanding of our individual needs; he was very flexible. Yasim was patient with the impatient 6 year old. All of us from the 6 year old to the 80 year old found this tour enjoyable. Yasim was excellent at getting us into places quickly and smoothly.
Response from the operator: Dear Irene, Your kind words will be shared with our entire team, who will be thrilled to know they helped create this memorable experience. We will share your kind message and opinions with your guide. Thank you on behalf of her. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderfull country again. Curio Travel Team
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 48 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Guided Highlights of Istanbul 1.5 Day Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Private Guided Highlights of Istanbul 1.5 Day Tour cost?
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Prices start at $279 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 Highlights of Istanbul 1.5 Day Tour take?
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Plan for about 48 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 Highlights of Istanbul 1.5 Day Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 12 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable family friendly in Istanbul, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Guided Highlights of Istanbul 1.5 Day Tour?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Private Guided Highlights of Istanbul 1.5 Day Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 48-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Guided Highlights of Istanbul 1.5 Day Tour?
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Around 4 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 48-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Guided Highlights of Istanbul 1.5 Day 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 Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour, Istanbul Luxury Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Asian Side Stop, ISTANBUL BEST: Iconic Landmarks Full Day PRIVATE Guided City 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.
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