
Private Guiding Service in Istanbul
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 206 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Guiding Service in Istanbul worth booking?
Private Guiding Service in Istanbul is a 9-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $350 per person. It scores 79 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 206 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 79 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (206)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $350 per person
As Turkland Tours we offer best tours with high caliber tour guides. We will be taking you top must see sights in Istanbul and make sure you will have excellent time all the day.
What you get
About this experience
As Turkland Tours we offer best tours with high caliber tour guides. We will be taking you top must see sights in Istanbul and make sure you will have excellent time all the day.
What's included
Included
- Only Guiding Service included
Not included
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
Now a museum, Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century by the Emperor Justinian, and was one of the largest basilicas in the Christian world. After the Ottoman conquest, it was converted to a mosque and is today one of the most magnificent museums in the world. Take a moment to linger here to admire the fine Byzantine mosaics
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Blue Mosque
One of the most famous monuments in both the Turkish and Islamic worlds, the Sultan Ahmet Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque) is a superb creation in the classical Ottoman style. The mosque has six towering minarets and 260 windows illuminating its vast main chamber, which is decorated with more than 20,000 Iznik tiles.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
TopkapI Palace
The largest and oldest palace in the world, Topkapi is the crown jewel of the Ottoman Empire. With its treasury and exotic buildings overlooking the Golden Horn, your visit to Topkapi promises to be a truly fascinating experience. (closed on Tuesday)
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Hippodrome
The Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium, held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire. Of these, an Egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from Delphi survive.
30 minutes here
Grand Bazaar Jewelers
In operation since the 14th century, the Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s largest covered markets, with 58 streets and over 4,000 shops. The bazaar is specially known for its jewelry, leather, pottery, spices and carpets. (closed on Sunday additional time will be spent at the other locations)
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Istanbul
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- pt, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Turkland Travel Agency
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos


What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 206 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
206 verified traveler reviews for Private Guiding Service in Istanbul. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Tour of Istanbul
Onur was an extremely professional and knowledgeable local guide who expertly showed us around Istanbul. He knew the best spots to visit and when, maximising our time. He also was very flexible as he included a visit to the underground cistern when we asked to include it in the sites we wished to visit. A terrific experience overall.
via Tripadvisor
Excellent overview of Istanbul
Excellent overview of Istanbul. Our guide, Ozden, knew the city and its history very well. We saw the major sites and many others off the beaten track. Traveling by tram car was much easier than trying to navigate traffic. Introduced to the local foods and markets. Pickup and return to the airport was a big positive
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful review.
via Tripadvisor
Perfect introduction to Istanbul
My first two days in Istanbul were fantastic thanks to my guide Onur. Day one was a tour of the old town, with his inside knowledge we skipped all the queues, and apart from the wonderful sights, I learnt so much about the history of Istanbul. Day two was a cruise on the Bosphorus, followed by a food tour. Onur is passionate and knowledgeable about food and I tasted so many fantastic things.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review Mary Ellen.
via Tripadvisor
Best guide in Turkey
We had the best experiences with Onur T as our tour guide in Istanbul! We were 2 women traveling and had limited time in the city, so we decided to hire a private guide for 2 days. BEST decision we could have made. Onur meticulously planned out not just the sights we wanted to see, but also the best times of day to see them to minimize crowds and waiting. We never waited in line because he’d gotten our tickets ahead of time so we just walked on in. As we were walking around the Old City and visiting sights, Onur would tell us in detail about what we were seeing. We learned so much about Turkish history, culture, religion and architecture from him…..as a history nerd, this was amazing! Spending our time with him was like hanging out with a guide, a professor and an old friend all rolled into one person. He even mapped out the day we had on our own in detail for us and said we could reach out to him if we needed anything. I can’t say enough good things about Onur and our time spent with him in Istanbul; his knowledge, expertise, and obvious love for his city was a true gift to us.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review Kristine.
via Tripadvisor
Great Guide/Guiding service
We had a great experience for 2 days in Istanbul with Turkland Travel. Our contact - Ibrahim was very easy to work with/was extremely responsive, even late at night and early mornings. Our guide - Onus Tuntas was 5*++. We were a group of 4 and it seemed like the perfect size for our guided trip. Right from the pick up at the airport to the final drop-off at the airport and the many sightseeing trips, Onur was always on time/ready to go and full of energy. Really enjoyed his narration of some of the key historical moments in Istanbul. Onur is very knowledgeable about Istanbul and Turkey and takes great pride in explaining/detailing all the facts. We got to know Onur quite well in the 2-3 days we spent with him - lovely person and he is very proud of his family/daughter. His restaurant recommendations were spot-on as well. What I thought took the cake was his caring messages enquiring how we were doing as we moved to Cappadocia and Greece - very, very impressed. We also requested Ibrahim to provide us some guiding service in Cappadocia and Umut in Cappadocia was excellent as well. Definitely recommend him and the travel agency wholeheartedly.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review Umesh.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 72
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Turkland Travel Agency, who run 6 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 46.7.
See everything Turkland Travel Agency runsWhy this scores 79
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Guiding Service in Istanbul: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Private Guiding Service in Istanbul cost?
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Prices start at $350 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 Guiding Service in Istanbul take?
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Plan for about 9 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 Guiding Service in Istanbul worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 79 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 206 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 Guiding Service in Istanbul?
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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 Guiding Service in Istanbul suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Guiding Service in Istanbul?
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Around 72 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 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Guiding Service in Istanbul 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 Guiding Service in Istanbul?
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Included: Only Guiding Service included. Not included: Lunch. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
What languages is Private Guiding Service in Istanbul offered in?
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It is offered in Portuguese, English, Italian, 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 Private Guiding Service in Istanbul?
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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 Guiding Service in Istanbul 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 Guiding Service in Istanbul 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 Private Guiding Service in Istanbul?
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Across 206 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
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