Top Istanbul How to Get Around in 2026

See Istanbul's must-see sights without wasting time waiting in line on this efficient tour of its historical highlights. Enjoy seamless, prebooked entry to Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophie and the Basilica Cistern, and learn about the history and culture as you explore. Plus, there's the option for round-trip transportation from Galata Port for cruise passengers.

Explore the highlights of Istanbul in a day with this small group tour. Delve right into the history and culture of the city with a guide. Start your tour with a visit to the old Hippodrome, then continue to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Museum and the Grand Bazaar amongst other places. Enjoy some delicious Turkish food during your included lunch.

Tick off Turkey’s most must-see sights during this multi-day, small-group guided tour. Skip the hassle of booking hotels and flights with all-inclusive accommodation, domestic transportation, and admission tickets to all attractions visited. Highlights include a swim in Pamukkale’s thermal springs, guided walks through historic quarters of Antalya and Istanbul, a visit to ancient Ephesus, and a peek at the fairy tale chimneys of Cappadocia.

The 2-day all-inclusive Cappadocia tour from Istanbul with optional balloon flight is the perfect way to explore this stunning region without the stress of planning. This small-group tour simplifies everything by arranging flights, ground transportation, and guided activities so you can focus on enjoying the incredible scenery. To make your trip even more memorable, you’ll stay in a boutique cave hotel that truly captures the essence of Cappadocia.

Combine two of Turkey’s best known historic sites on this overnight tour to the Gallipoli battlefields and the ancient city of Troy, including overnight accommodation with lunch and breakfast. Walk the notorious WWI battleground at Gallipoli, including Brighton Beach, Anzac Cove, and the Johnston's Jolly trenches, then discover the legends of Troy at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, complete with its Trojan horse.

Get a stress-free overview of Istanbul’s main attractions on a private full-day shore excursion from Galataport. With a personal guide at your side, you’ll explore the city’s vibrant culture and rich history through attractions such as the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Hagia Sophia. Discover the art of Turkish carpet making and try traditional Turkish cuisine (own expense). The flexible itinerary can be customized to suit your tastes and interests.

Tick through Istanbul’s highlights without hassles or getting lost, and with a guide to reveal their history on this private tour, direct from your cruise ship or central Istanbul accommodation. Admire and hear tales of the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar: Entrance fees are at your own expense but Hagia Sophia tickets are prebooked to avoid wasting time in line.

Travelers who need to stick to a budget but who also want to benefit from the convenience of a private airport transfer will enjoy this service. You’ll be picked up from either of Istanbul’s airports and transported to your accommodation in the central city. Avoid the hassle of public transport while still opting for an economical option.

Spanning two continents, it's tough to figure out where to start your sightseeing in Istanbul, especially if you're short on time. This half-day tour helps you tick off the city’s famous historical landmarks and cultural sights without worrying about wasting time navigating or getting lost. See Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar. Entrance fees are included, as is hotel pickup and drop-off for your convenience.

Maximize your time in Turkey—and get up close with one of its most famous UNESCO World Heritage sites—on this full-day small-group tour to Izmir and Ephesus. This comprehensive tour includes plane tickets, hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, and a guide. Visit ancient Ephesus, The Virgin Mary's House, The Temple of Artemis, and more (entrance fees excluded).

Enjoy stunning evening views along Istanbul’s waterfront during this half-day Bosphorus dinner cruise. Settle back on a comfortable and spacious boat where a high-energy entertainment program awaits with folk dancing, belly dancing, and a live DJ set. Dinner cruises include hotel pickup and drop-off from the European side of the city and unlimited soft drinks.

Set sail along the Bosphorus, the meeting point of Europe and Asia, on this evening cruise. Experience Istanbul at its most atmospheric as you cruise past the illuminated city skyline and admire landmarks including Dolmabahce Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge, and the Maiden's Tower. While on-board, tuck into a 3-course dinner and enjoy a variety of entertainment including whirling dervishes, belly dancing, and DJs.

Visit the ancient city of Troy with ease on this full-day tour, with round-trip transfers from many Istanbul hotels. Stop at the Trojan Horse, a replica of the mythical device that toppled Troy, the ancient city walls, and more, and learn about the history and myths of Troy from your guide. Pause midday for a local lunch.

Roll through Sultanahmet, the heart of historic Istanbul, atop a Segway on this fun morning tour that gets you through the sights at a pace walking can’t match. After spending a minute or two mastering your machine, don your headset and helmet to see the signatures: the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome, and more. You’ll travel in a small group for a safer and more intimate experience.

Make the most of your visit to the Hagia Sophia Mosque by booking an official group tour, where you’ll learn much more about the site than if you were on your own. Note that entrance tickets are not included and must be paid in cash at the start. After, enter the mosque with your guide for your tour.

Istanbul’s magical skyline looks dazzling in the golden light before sunset—and glitters after dark as well. See it from a very special vantage point, the water, when you book these Bosphorus cruises. The golden hour option features iconic landmarks bathed in golden light, including the Galata Tower, Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, and Rumeli Fortress; the night cruise lets you see the lights exclusively from the water.

Istanbul is a city set on the water and to fully experience its beauty and diversity you need to get out onto the Bosphorus Strait. On this ninety-minute cruise you’ll see both the European and Asian halves of Istanbul, enjoy views of many picturesque mosques and palaces, and learn more about Istanbul’s centuries-long history through an audio guide app available in ten languages.

Istanbul’s most famous landmarks line the Bosphorus, but seeing them all from land can mean crowds and limited views. This sunset cruise offers a relaxed way to admire the city’s skyline from the water aboard a luxury yacht. Glide along the Bosphorus while enjoying a drink and traditional Turkish snacks, with clear views of landmarks such as Topkapı Palace, Blue Mosque, and Dolmabahçe Palace as the sun sets over the city.

From stuffed mussels to freshly baked baklava, Istanbul is known for its savory and sweet treats. But without a guide leading the way, it can be difficult to avoid disappointing tourist traps. Ideal for foodies looking to chow down without the guesswork, this evening food tour explores bustling Taksim, the backstreets of Beyoglu, and waterfront Karakoy, taking in 10 handpicked tastings along the way.

Taste your way around two continents during this small-group, half-day food and drink tour in Istanbul. Enjoy a mix of classic recipes, including doner kebab, meatballs, pide flatbreads, and the iconic baklava desert, passing by city landmarks along the way. Tours include all snacks and refreshments, plus ferry tickets to Kadıköy and back.

Set sail on a leisurely afternoon cruise along Istanbul’s iconic Bosphorus Strait and into the Black Sea, offering spectacular views of historic landmarks and stunning landscapes. Enjoy a delightful lunch featuring traditional Turkish meze, grilled chicken, and fresh fish. Cruise past significant sights such as Galata Tower and the Bosphorus Bridge before venturing into the Black Sea. Stop at the charming village of Anadolu Kavağı, where you can explore the medieval ruins of Yaros Castle, offering breathtaking views, or simply soak in the scenery before returning to Istanbul.

This is a private walking tour. No vehicle or hotel transfer is included. Explore Istanbul’s Old City with a private licensed guide dedicated to your group. Discover the stories behind its iconic landmarks at a pace that suits you, with time for questions, photos, and breaks. Shape your route with your guide around the places that interest you most. Suggested highlights include the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, and Grand Bazaar. Your interests and the available time help determine the final itinerary. Choose which ticketed attractions, if any, you would like to enter. Admission tickets are not included and are paid separately only for the attractions you choose to enter. From Byzantine monuments to Ottoman architecture, your guide connects the sights with the people and events that shaped Istanbul, making your walk a personal and engaging introduction to the city.

Recognized with UNESCO World Heritage status, Bursa was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, while Yalova offers outstanding natural beauty. This full-day tour includes hotel pickup and round-trip transfers from Istanbul, saving you time. See historic mosques, shop souvenirs, explore the forest, and enjoy views from the cable car and chairlift (entrance fees excluded).

See more of Istanbul's Old City in less time with this convenient Segway tour where you whisk through the streets on an easy-to-ride personal transporter. After a quick review of how to handle your Segway, you glide through Istanbul at night, and follow your guide through Sultanahmet to see the area's top sights. Highlights include stops at Constantine’s column, the Blue Mosque, and the Hippodrome.