Private & Mini Group Istanbul 7 hours Tour with TRAM. Save time

Recommended by 97% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Istanbul, Turkey

7 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

This tour takes visitors across Istanbul by tram, which is the fastest form of transportation from Istanbul Port to the Old City and avoids the heavy traffic of Istanbul, allowing for more time to explore the sites. Visitors will be taken to five highlights: Blue Mosque; Hagia Sophia; Topkapi Palace; Hippodrome Square; and the Grand Bazaar.

Small group tour with a maximum of ten people for a personal experience.
Enjoy the expert knowledge of a professional licensed tour guide.
Local transportation tickets included.
A worry-free shore excursion guarantee.

What's Included

Professional Licenced Tour guide
SMALL GROUP ( MAX 10 PAX )
Worry-Free Shore Excursion Guarantee
Local Transportation tickets.
GUARANTEED On Time Return to PORT

Lunch and Drinks
Gratuities
Entrance Fees (Our guide will have pre-paid tickets to skip lines)

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

The best and the easiest way to visit Istanbul is LOCAL TRANSPORTATION Pick up Istanbul Cruise Terminal for cruise guests only Suggested pick up time will be given on your confirmation message. Small Group tour ( max. 10 guests ) Tram is the fastest way of transportation to Old city from Istanbul port to escape from Istanbul Heavy Traffic. PRIVATE Full Day tour includes 5 highlights (Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome Square, Grand Bazaar) in Istanbul.

Arranged start time

Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.

Select your preferred tour option to see hours.

Itinerary

Galataport Istanbul

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Hippodrome

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Blue Mosque

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

TopkapI Palace

2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Grand Bazaar

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Galataport

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
At time of booking, Hotels guests must provide hotel name

Visit to holy places of worship such as churches, monasteries, mosques, synagogues bare shoulders are not permitted, nor shoes in mosques.
Blue Mosque is open from 14.30 to 16.30 on Fridays
In the event of any museum closures, an alternative similar museum will be visited. On Tuesdays : Topkapi Palace replaced by Underground Cistern, On Sundays: Grand Bazaar will be replaced by Spice Market. Grand Bazaar on religious holidays will be replaced by Arasta Bazaar. On Fridays: Blue Mosque is open from 14.30 to 16.30
At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Debby_S

Necmi, our guide, took us on an informative and interesting tour of Istanbul! He met us right outside the terminal and discussed the itinerary for the day. We were able to select places of most interest to us. It was a beautiful day and ideal to see the wonder of Istanbul by foot! We used the tram to access sites a little further away. This was ideal as trams arrive every few minutes and avoids the traffic congestion. The best part of our tour was the individualized attention given through a small group tour as it was only our group of three! Thank you Necmi for your expert guidance on our day in Istanbul!

Reviews

4.8

based on 37 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Too long

John_R, Oct 2025

WAY TOO LONG especially without tram transportation. Much too crowded. Unable to often times hear the leader.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Dear John I am sorry but we did not undestand your review Just 2 of you were in the tour with our guide. Travel from port to old city is with local transport TRAM. The name of the tour is with TRAM. there are local people in the TRAM too. when drive takes around 40 minutes, TRAM takes 20 minutes and you walk less because of TRAM station If you email us some more info about your review, we can talk to your guide and we can ask his report about yoour tour Best Regards

Istanbul Tram Ride

Michelle_I, Oct 2025

Our guide was amazing and showed us all the sites and kept the small group together. She explained everything to us and we made a new friend. The tram was fast and crowded.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Dear Michelle, Once again, we deeply appreciate your long-standing loyalty and the detailed feedback you’ve provided. We look forward to welcoming you back soon. 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

Had a great day in Istanbul!!!

Sophia_J, Aug 2025

Ended up having a private tour because no one else besides our party of 3 had booked, which made it even better!! Right away our guide, Mustafa, made us feel safe and comfortable. We laughed the entire day!! What a great way to explore the city at your own pace with someone familiar with it. The Turkish people were very hospitable and offered us tea and Turkish delights. ***you will be brought to a few shops I think are contracted to help you spend more money… no obligation.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Dear Sophia, 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 him. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderful country again. Curio Travel Team

Great introduction to Istanbul

Claire_G, Jul 2025

Our tour guide Ada was brilliant and managed to avoid all the queues and lines making for a relaxing day. She recommended a great lunch spot and other things to see on our visit. Using the tram was excellent- quick and easy. Much better than sitting in traffic. Thanks Ada for all your fantastic knowledge. Highly recommended!

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Dear Claire, 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

Our guide was very good. ...

Diane_P, Jun 2025

Our guide was very good. She took us to all the highlights. Her explanation of everything was very clear. I feel bad I can’t remember or spell her name..

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Dear Diane, 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 her. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderful country again. Curio Travel Team

Wonder of Istanbul Experience!

Debby_S, Jun 2025

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Dear Debby, 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 him. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderfull country again. Curio Travel Team

Group size was perfect...

Elaine_G, May 2025

Group size was perfect and we got to experience all of the major sites in Istanbul. We had a very knowledgeable guide, but it was a very long day in a crazy crowded city.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Dear Elaine, 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. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderfull country again. Curio Travel Team

confirm pricing in advance!!!

Karen_P, May 2025

the guide was good- informative and friendly however, Istanbul was extremely crowded and there were long waits- we did not get into the Blue Mosque. it was not clear at all that the entrance fees added up to the same price as the tour itself! with inadvertnely buying our guide his lunch, it was a very expensive day

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Dear Karen, 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. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderfull country again. Curio Travel Team

Very efficient! Great!

Christie_W, May 2025

This was a great way to get around Istanbul to beat the traffic from the cruise port. We were able to see Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, the underground cistern, the Grand Bazaar and the Hippodrome. There was the option to see the Palace, but most of us decided not to. The itinerary could be tailored to different interests. Be aware that the tram mainly takes you to and from the cruise port and you are walking between sites the rest of the way. We easily walked 14,000 steps on this tour. Of course, your experience may vary depending on what you choose to see. Our guide was great and very knowledgeable! I wish there was a little more direction concerning where to eat when we had free time because a few in our group did not eat lunch. Otherwise, a great tour if you are prepared to walk some, too.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

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. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderfull country again. Curio Travel Team

Our tour guide Erikan was...

William_M, Mar 2025

Our tour guide Erikan was very knowledgeable and spoke excellent English. He kept us away from the larger crowds so he could explain everything. He took us to the places we wanted to see and adjusted to our slower pace. We had a great tour.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Dear William, 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 him. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderfull country again. Curio Travel Team

Wonderful private tour of old Istanbul

Harry_F, May 2024

We thoroughly enjoyed our private tour of old Instanbul with our guide Leyla. Transportation via the tram was quick and easy. Leyla helped us skip the lines and navigate the sites without any concerns. Her detailed commentary and insights were helpful and she was a very gracious host.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Dear Harry, I 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 her. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderfull country again. Curio Travel Team

Very good and flexible

Shailesh_M, Oct 2023

Very good . Traveling on tram was fast and we got more time at historical places to observe and take photos. also Orkun was flexible to change itinerary to cover more places . He was very knowledgeable and guided very well. Thanks for wonderful tour

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Hello, I 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 wonderfull country again. Curio Travel Team

Dont book the cruise excursion

spencer_l, Aug 2023

This tour was one of thebhighlights of our holiday. Extremely well organised. Our guide was the best, extremely knowledgable. We were a group of 5 and we had her all to ourselves. We adapted the tour to our needs. Excellent museum experience. Excellent food recomendation. You need to be able to walk but Istanbull is easiy walkable. Taking the tram was great and meant we could do much more. Other tours spent along time in traffic in the city

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Hello, Once again, we deeply appreciate your long-standing loyalty and the detailed feedback you’ve provided. We look forward to welcoming you back soon. We will share your kind message and opinions with your guide. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderfull country again. Curio Travel Team

Istanbul in one day

adrian31253, Jul 2023

Pickup by the tour guide went smoothly, boarded the TRAM, which was a great way to get to the center of everything from the cruise port. We saw everything as offered, guide was well informed, and offered us a lunch break in a restaurant she knew as good. It was a long day, and we got to see all the highlights of Istanbul.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Dear Adrian, 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. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderfull country again. Curio Travel Team

Loved Istanbul

Jane_H, Apr 2023

Although we a had a horrible rainy, windy, and cold day, the tour was very good and Ceran was a remarkable guide!

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Dear Jane, 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

Great experience

GraceCalope_A, Mar 2023

Laila was very sweet and very knowledgeable. She gave us a clear picture of the history of Turkey and we learned a lot. It was a great experience and we all enjoyed it!

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Dear Grace, 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 her. We would be delighted to see you in our wonderfull country again. Curio Travel Team