Istanbul Layover Tours

Tailoring each experience to your wishes by locals who love their city

Top 10 layover tours & experiences around the world

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

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The best private layover tours & experiences with locals

If you’re on a layover in the Turkish capital, the last thing you want to do is mull around the airport. After all, there’s a fascinating city waiting to be explored just a few miles away. Worried you won’t get back in time for your next flight? Book Istanbul layover tours with City Unscripted for a stress-free, seamless sightseeing experience in whatever time you have. On layover tours of Istanbul, a local host will pick you up from the airport and whiz you into the heart of the city, where countless attractions await. When we say you won’t waste a minute, we mean it: your Istanbul layover tours will be expertly tailored to suit your passions and personality.

Meet some of our local hosts around Istanbul

Feruza

Istanbul

An enthusiastic Istanbul local, unveils the city's historical wonders and culinary delights, guiding you through a captivating journey of culture and flavor.

Devanshu

Dublin

Discover Istanbul on your layover

When you only have limited time to explore the city, every minute has to be perfectly planned. On Istanbul airport layover tours, you won’t have to struggle with maps and a GPS while trying to plan some sightseeing. A local host will pick you up directly from the airport and make sure you get back safely (and on time!). Grab the opportunity to experience the city in whatever time you have. From the iconic Grand Bazaar and traditional Turkish taverns to mosaic-adorned mosques and frescoed churches, there’s so much to see on Istanbul layover tours – why not take full advantage of it?

A tour tailored to you

You couldn’t love layover tours of Istanbul more if you had planned them yourself! That’s because our Istanbul layover tours are 100 percent tailored to you. Tell us what interests you most about this stunning city, and trust us to plan an experience that crams in all the things you’ll love. Whether you want to wind your way through breathtaking architecture, explore history and heritage spanning centuries, or spend a few hours eating Şiş Kebap and jewel-toned Turkish delight, we’ll give you what you want out of the Turkish capital. Best of all? You don’t have to lift a finger.

See the city like a local

Seeing the city with a local gives you an authentic travel experience it wouldn’t be possible to recreate alone. When you have someone by your side who speaks the language and knows all the ins and outs, nothing in the city is off-limits. Book Istanbul layover tours with us for the invaluable opportunity to see the city through a local lens. Rest assured, you’re not just getting the visitors-only version of the city on our layover tours of Istanbul. You’ll uncover the holes-in-the-wall and hidden gems adored by locals – the places that show you the spirit of the Turkish capital.

Istanbul travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find the best things to do, places to eat, must eat foods and lots of travel tips in Istanbul and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

My son and I had a wonderful time learning about Istanbul with Feruza. We booked our walking tour for the first day of our stay in Istanbul and visited the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, several places along Istiklal Street, and the Galata Tower area. We also took a ferry together to the Asian side of the city. Feruza was a wealth of information, answered all of our questions, and gave us ideas on what to do with the remaining days that we were going to be in Istanbul. Feruza showed us a city that is vibrant, beautiful, and very well run, and I highly recommend her if you are looking for a personalized tour of Istanbul with a local!

February 2025

Cordelia C
We had an incredible day touring Istanbul with Ipek. She brought places like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar to life with her stories and insights. Her passion, friendliness, and attention to detail made the day unforgettable. Highly recommend her to anyone visiting Istanbul!

January 2025

Krystyna M
Burak was fantastic! He understood our pace for the tour and gave great information on the popular sites in the Sultanahmet area. We liked him so much we asked for a second day with him and he took us to Chora, the aqueduct, Suleymaniye Mosque (which is better and less crowded than the Blue Mosque), and some local neighborhoods. His explanation of the mosaics at Chora were awesome. He definitely made our experience in Istanbul more enjoyable and we definitely recommend him.

January 2025

David T
We had an amazing tour of Istanbul today with our guide, Ipek. She was incredibly knowledgeable and made the city’s rich history and culture come alive with her storytelling. We visited iconic spots like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, and even enjoyed breathtaking views from the Bosphorus. Ipek’s passion for Istanbul is contagious, and she tailored the experience perfectly to our interests. Her warm and professional approach made the day so special, and she gave us great local tips for the rest of our trip. If you want to truly experience Istanbul, Ipek is the guide you need!

January 2025

Krystyna M