Istanbul Private Tour With Skip Line Tickets Included

Well informed, friendly guide. Very happy with slower pace for 80 year old whilst visiting everything included, and more.

Belgin was our guide and she gave my husband and i a very informative tour of Hagia Sofia, Topkapi palace, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar with many historical details. we very much enjoyed her tour.

Guide was very knowledgeable and thoughtful. She was open to the pace we wanted to maintain, and sites we wanted to learn about. Would highly recommend her .

We enjoyed our tour and feel it was worth it. Everything was great including the restaurant she took us to. However one thing I would recommend not doing is taking tourists to a carpet store and pressuring them to buy expensive carpet they don't need. We were cornered into buying a carpet and I feel it was also a waste of time ; where we could have spent that time doing something else. We did not even do the pottery making which was listed as part of our tour because of this. Beware of this scam. Besides this our guide, the food, and her knowledge and courtesy were above and beyond.

Songül, our guide was very efficient and well informed. She was able to tailor our tour to what we wanted to see and helped avoid some of the crazy long lines we experienced (though not all). Even though this tour was marked “skip the line” we were not actually able to skip any lines to enter, we just avoided the lines to purchase tickets. The line for the Hagia Sophia was so long, we actually ended up not going since it would entail waiting for more than half and hour in the rain and cold. Our guide was able to redeem those tickets for ones to the interesting but lesser known and less crowded Cistern of Theodisius instead. We also went to the Blue Mosque and the Topkaki Palace, the latter of which was essential to get a guide for since the complex is overwhelming without one. Songül found a great place for us to have lunch (you end up paying for the guide’s meal which we were not aware of) and then took us to a ceramics store where we purchased some nice handmade pieces after being given a demonstration by the owner. This seems to be the thing in Istanbul - everyone is trying to sell you something and it’s hard to walk away, especially in the Grand Bazaar which we could barely stand to spend 15 minutes in, the crowds were so dense and the pressure from salespeople so intense. A good tour, but unfortunately bad weather and way too many other tourists made it difficult to fully enjoy.

Our guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, her energy was contagious. She took us to a wonderful restaurant where we could try some traditional foods. We got to experience the Grand Bazaar and meet with local vendors. By far one of the best experiences we’ve had on our trip to Istanbul, Turkey

This private tour was personalized to our liking and we enjoyed every moment! Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, that amazing palace complete with an amazing kebab lunch that was absolutely delicious! If you are looking for a custom experience tailored to you, this is the right tour for you. Your tour, your way…

This experience consisted of an all-day walking tour (~7 hours) with a private guide for the 3 of us traveling as a family. We visited the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, The Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Turkish rug making, and the Grand Bazaar. Our guide was very informative, flexible and efficient in managing long queues. She spoke excellent English. We also stopped for a delicious lunch to experience a feast of Turkish foods (note lunch not included). Depending on individual interests, one could tailor their experience to focus on what you want to see. For example, the Turkish rug making could probably be skipped unless this is something you’re really intent on seeing or want to purchase a rug. There was not excessive pressure to buy a rug. It was interesting to experience their hospitality and the sales demonstration where they roll out bunch of different types of rugs for you to view. In my opinion, the Grand Bazaar is worth at least a cursory visit. Yes there is something you are particularly interested in purchasing at the Grand Bazaar, let you guide know and he or she can direct you to an appropriate or preferred vendor. Keep in mind that information you provide about yourself (ie occupation, nationality, family, personal interests) could be potentially used to inform chosen vendors ahead of your visit with them to your benefit or otherwise.

It’s a lot of walking, so make sure you are wearing comfortable walking shoes. Your guide was very informative.

We were lucky enough to have Billur as our guide and had a wonderful tour. Her knowledge and caring, friendly nature made for the most enjoyable tour imaginable. Lucky are those who get to share a day with Billur, learning about the history of Istanbul and experiencing life in Istanbul today! Billur was able to tailor the day perfectly considering the fitness and interests of her clients. We can highly recommend this tour.

Excellent day touring old town isthanbul .TaHa our guide was knowledgeable and was very good at tailoring the tour to what we wanted to see. Wear good walking shoes! We saw the highlights of the city and it was a thoroughly enjoyable day.TaHa explained the history of the city and easily navigated us around the sights

We had a wonderful day with our lovely guide Belgin She was very friendly, professional and very informative and was more than willing to go that extra mile. We learnt so much from her about the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Mosque and the Topkapi Palace …amongst other experiences …I would thoroughly recommend her and this particular tour . Thank you for an unforgettable experience!

Peri was great. Friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to adapt to move at the pace we wanted. We wanted to add a stop to visit the Roman cistern (it’s a must-see) and she was able to organize this for us. She is also a delightful person to hang with for the day,

Amazing! A must do! Our guide Belgin was so knowledgeable and kind. We loved our time in old Istanbul.

Got to cover a lot of sites in a short amount of time. Our guide, Umit was very knowledgeable. It was a great experience. When we went to the grand Bazaar, it was refreshing that he took us to places where there was no hard selling which is common in Istanbul. Fun time.

Great full day tour of all the mainIstanbul landmarks. Our guide Bil was great company and very knowledgable.

Our guide met us at the cruise terminal. The tour was so informative. Be prepared for lots of walking. The area is very large. A wonderful day!

Incredible tour with Eylem. Her deep knowledge of istanbul and Turkish history made the tour so much more enjoyable by explaining the history and significance of every place we visited in a way that was easy to understand. She shared so many interesting details that we would have completely missed on our own. Her experience in doing tours ensured we stayed ahead of the crowds and missed the congestion I've read about in other tour reviews. While the tour was fast-paced at times, we never felt rushed and she was always happy to answer questions. Before booking I was able to add a fourth site, the Basilica Cistern (for additional $), to our tour and she easily added it to our itinerary. She also went above and beyond by taking beautiful photos of us and the things we saw at every stop, making sure we had wonderful memories to take home. After the tour she was nice enough to send me a few recommendations for restaurants near our hotel. An added benefit was we were able to arrange pick up/drop off at our hotel, even though it was outside of the standard pick up/drop off zone. Lastly, since the tour includes the tickets for the sites, we were able to jump to the head of the entrance line without having to queue up. If you’re lucky enough to have Eylem as your guide, you’re in great hands. I would highly recommend her to anyone visiting Istanbul. Thank you, Eylem, for making our trip so memorable!

Peri was an excellent private guide and had an excellent knowledge of history. We had a lot of questions all of which she was able to answer.

Özge Ozan was our guide for the day. She was a superb guide. She messaged on the morning to confirm our preferred start time and then discussed with us the proposed itinerary emphasising that it was totally flexible to suit us. We then set off and spent time at the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Topkapi Palace. We learned a lot about them all and spent enough time in each. As well as her evident knowledge of Turkish history, Özge also talked to us about many modern aspects of Turkey and the world in general which was very interesting. Her English skills were excellent We also visited a ceramic shop and rug shop but felt no sales pressure. The long day finished when we were ready. We very much enjoyed our day with Özge and would use her again if we came back to Istanbul and would strongly recommend her services.

We had the most incredible private customized tour of Istanbul with Perihan. She was knowledgeable about each site and was able to answer every question we had. She was also patient, kind, and felt like a true friend by the end of the tour. I would specifically request her for your tour experience. Thank you so much for showing us everything Istanbul has to offer!

Great tour with Belgin a very knowledgeable guide. She had planned the tour in a good order to avoid the outdoor heat. Flexible in allowing to change the itinerary a little to see sites we wanted to visit which were not on the original list. She knew her history and also took us to a great restaurant for lunch which we returned to for dinner a couple of days later.

Got to see some amazing highlights! Skipped many ticket lines which was appreciated. Guide was very knowledgeable.

Being on a private tour and being able to select the places that we wanted to focus on and then decide to spend more or less time at each made the experience all the more enjoyable for us. Having a very knowledgeable local guide was invaluable.

It was an excellent tour. Our personal guild was brilliant. She was very informative, friendly and spoke very good English. It was a relaxing walk, not too strenuous.

Our tour guide was very knowledgable. Pick up and drop off very smooth. Skip the line tickets is a QR code so you do still have to wait In a queue to get in the palace. Lots of walking around the mosques and sites (definitely quicker than what driving would be with traffic)

Kenan excelled as our guide. He was very thorough explaining the history of Istanbuls sights, as well as pointing out the unique details. It was a very enjoyable day, and ensured we took time for a relaxing breaks. The place he selected for our lunch was also very good. I would highly recommend Kenan and this tour if you ever visit Istanbul!

We had an amazing time on this tour in Istanbul! Everything was well organized, and we got to see so many incredible historical and cultural landmarks. Our tour guide, Shaban, was outstanding- friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about sharing the history and culture of Turkey.

INCREDIBLE day with our new friend, Peri. Peri met us at the cruise port and walked us to an air conditioned van for a ride to the Old City. From there, we spent 3-4 hours exploring Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Hagia Sophia. Peru was incredibly knowledge, made sure we didn’t wait in unnecessary lines, and was the best photographer. After the historic part of our tour, we enjoyed lunch and birthday cake for Peri’s birthday. Following lunch, we visited a ceramic shop and the Spice Market where we tried different teas and left with a heavy bag of souvenirs. If you’re going to Istanbul, a private guide is a must and Peri is the best!

Songul (Rose) was a knowledgeable and flexible guide who provided us with all the information we needed and tailored the day to our wishes.

Our group of 4 were fortunate to have “OJ” as our private tour guide seeing the highlights of Istanbul. She was attentive to our needs and wishes. Took us to the Cistern which was not on our itinerary but something we wanted to see. Knowledgable, articulate, pleasant and fun best describe this guide and experience.

Erkut was an amazing tour guide! He made our experience so much more enjoyable by explaining the history and significance of every place we visited in a way that was easy to understand. He shared so many interesting details that we would have completely missed on our own. What really made him stand out was how patient and thoughtful he was. He never rushed us and was always happy to answer questions. He also went above and beyond by taking beautiful photos of us at every stop, making sure we had wonderful memories to take home. If you’re lucky enough to have Erkut as your guide, you’re in great hands. I would highly recommend him to anyone visiting. Thank you, Erkut, for making our trip so memorable!

Our tour guide - Dillsad- was very friendly and quite knowledgeable. Enjoyed all the history. Some parts seemed a bit long and drawn out, however our guide was very accommodating and allowed for bathroom breaks, refreshments, shopping and photos.

The tour was amazing. Our guide Mel was knowledgeable and attentive. The sights are breathtaking. I highly recommend

Saban was wonderful. He has a wealth of knowledge and delivered a fantastic experience at all the sites. We had a delicious lunch and a great time at the ceramic and rug stores with very instructive demonstrations. A terrific experience!!

Wonderful experience with a kind and knowledgeable guide! Kenan was an excellent guide. We saw Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Spice Bazaar!

Everything was taken care of so we could just experience and enjoy the city. Our guide was so knowledgeable and mindful of how to make it the best day of adventure

There is more to see than you possibly could in a day. She was very knowledgeable and judged very well what we would find of interest. This tour was very worth the price.

Great tour with a dedicated guide. Timely pickup at our hotel. Having the tickets ready for us was a big reason we went with this tour. Our guide, Maksut was very knowledgeable and tailored our tour to fit our needs.

I thoroughly enjoyed this private tour with Serkan. His knowledge of the history of the mosques and the Harem was exceptional and made the experience truly worthwhile. Having a private tour created a much more personal and intimate atmosphere. I never had to worry about other tourists interrupting, and Serkan was able to take the time to explain each location we visited in great detail. For me, the best tours are the ones where it's just you and the guide, allowing for a more engaging and customized experience. Serkan exceeded my expectations in every way. Excellent, excellent, excellent! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Taha Tahir was an incredibly knowledgeable and likeable tour guide. His love for his home city is evident in every aspect of the tour and he brought the history and culture of the city alive for us. He also seems to be famous among the community...nice to have been with such a well liked celebrity!

We just finished our private Istanbul tour with Songül and it was the highlight of our trip. From the very start, she made the day feel personal—taking the time to learn what we loved and tailoring everything to our interests. Her knowledge of Istanbul is incredible, and the insights she shared brought the city’s history and culture to life in a way no guidebook ever could. What truly set Songül apart was how genuine and thoughtful she was. She turned what could have been an ordinary tour into a magical, unforgettable experience. We never felt rushed, every question was welcomed, and she had a wonderful way of making us feel like old friends seeing the city together. If you’re visiting Istanbul, do yourself a favor and book a private tour with Songül. You won’t regret it. Teşekkürler, Songül—we’ll treasure this day forever!

Will you get an extremely knowledgeable tour guide that will have answers for all your history questions? Yes. Will you get a local that will give you a realistic perspective into their thoughts and culture? No. Why this is, is complex. The first half of the tour was exactly what we were expecting - historical sites and facts. Lots to see and learn. The entire second half, however, was one sales pitch after another. Like every single one. Rug store to see a rug being made? Cool. Rug store upstairs demonstration with high pressure sales tactics? Not cool. Pottery store to see how certain pottery is made? Cool. Tour of the entire store being constantly reminded that things can be shipped home included in the price? Not cool. The kicker was the Grand Bazzar, a place known to be tourist focused, high (relative to other markets) priced, and a place where you as a consumer have limited knowledge since prices are not marked. This is the definition of the type of place you can barter. So I asked our guide, how barter and pricing works. He acted indignent and firmly said you never barter and the price is the price. This is when I knew this individual was not someone that had my interest in mind. At the VERY LEAST you could give the straightforward advice to 'ask multiple vendors selling the same item how much, and if you don't want it, just walk away. This will start to give you an idea of how much these things should cost.'. That's such basic advice, and instead I got "pay the price they say *angry face*", which in our case was for a blanket that cost anywhere from $150 - $450 (!!) depending on who you asked. I should have seen this coming though. For lunch, he asked where we wanted to eat. We said street food. Then he took us to the most touristy priced sit down next to the landmarks. He acted cagey for a bit saying its up to us if we wanted to eat alone or not. Basically making 100% sure it was us who invited him to lunch, which then the expectation was on us to pay. The thing is, I WANTED to pay for his meal already, and was going to offer, but instead it became this weird game of "well only if you want to", very strange. Was $100 for 3 people's basic lunch, which on the street would have been half that. So this is to say you are going to get a tour guide that has relationships with lots of locals, and these locals want you to buy their stuff. But as a result, you can't trust anything your PRIVATE tour guide says because you are always second guessing if you're the mark or if their recommendations are trustworthy. At this point, I cannot recommend this expensive service. Do a big group tour, save the money, and have an even better experience because you're not going to be put in awkward situations multiple times throughout your private tour where you don't have anyone else to back you up in these high pressure sales tactic positions. At the end of the day I gave him a tip (which is not standard in their culture) just to get him to go away. Sour taste for what should have been a great experience.

This was a private, guided tour of the major tourist sites of Istanbul. We were picked up at the hotel and returned when it was over. Our guide, Peri, was very friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable. She got us into the Blue Mosque 15 minutes before it closed for prayers. Of all the sites, this was the most rushed. At the end of the tour, she took us to a great lunch spot. Our biggest criticisms are that our tour was in the middle of a major Turkish holiday. Most stores and the Grand Bazaar were closed, so no visitors. Wall to wall people everywhere, expected in a city of 18 million. Worst was the traffic going back to the hotel. It took the driver 2 1/2 hours to pick us up, and another 30 minutes to get back to the hotel. The sites were of great historic interest, and the guide did a great job in her explanations. We probably will not return to Istanbul.

we had an Exceptional walking tour of Istanbul with our guide Saban Sezer,his depth of knowledge as amazing, his Love of Istanbul incredible, thank you Topkapi palace,Ayasofya,Blue mosque,Grand bazaar,

Kenan, with 26 years of experience, was a wealth of knowledge regarding the history of Istanbul. Our tour ran smoothly and was strategically planned so that we walked through major sites with ease. Kenan was courteous and would inquire if we were going at a pace that we were comfortable with throughout our tour. Starting in the morning, we entered the Hagia Sophia with few tourists. By doing this, we got a great feel for the expanse of the mosque. The blue mosque and the Cisterns were great attractions where Kenan was happy to take our photos frequently. We also saw rug making and a pottery artist which drew us in to the culture even more. We are so glad that we booked this private tour. It made our day go smoothly without any stress. Thank you Kenan for a great tour.

Our guide Peri did an excellent job and I would recommend her for this tour of Istanbul. From the very beginning she communicated the logistics of the tour so we knew what to expect. She has an incredible level of knowledge about the history of Istanbul and the historical sites on the tour. Her personality fit the role perfectly because she was able to mix history with anecdotes that made the tour fun. Peri also timed the visits to each historic site so that crowd sizes were minimal (which is relative given the sizes of the crowds in Instanbul). Just a FYI, the tour is a walking tour so be ready to walk.

What a day in Istanbul! Eylem arrived on time at our hotel and took us on a tram to the Blue Mosque, providing narrative of the sights all along the way. Next was Hagia Sophia with several more stops along the way 8ncluding the Grand Market. After a break for coffee and baklava, she took us to a local shop so my wife could buy some Turkish towels. Then we saw a very informative ceramics demonstration. The day was capped off at the Topkapi Palace. Eylem's wonderful narrative made the experience enriching and fun. Don't go to Istanbul without booking with Eylem!

We had an outstanding experience touring the historic heart of Istanbul with Billur. She guided us through iconic sites including Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapı Palace with exceptional knowledge and insight. What truly distinguished her was her flexibility and personalized approach. She adapted the pace, timing, and content to our interests rather than following a rigid script. Billur consistently went above and beyond to make the experience engaging, comfortable, and tailored specifically to us. Professional, warm, and highly informed, she made the history of Istanbul come alive. We would recommend her without hesitation.