Istanbul layover with a private driver: see the city between flights
With a long enough connection, you can leave the airport, see the heart of Istanbul and be back in time for your next flight.
Your own driver meets you in the arrivals hall, takes you to the historic peninsula and the Bosphorus shore, waits at each stop and drives you back to the airport. The price is fixed for the whole car: €180 from Istanbul Airport (IST) and €190 from Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) in a Mercedes Vito for up to 6 passengers.
How long a layover do you need?
Count the time you lose before you even reach the city. Turkish Airlines’ own layover tours, for example, accept connections of 6 to 24 hours and allow about 45 minutes from the arrival gate through passport control. On the way back, leave a comfortable margin for check-in and security before your next flight; your airline’s check-in deadline is the time that counts.
If your connection is short, a quick drive along the Bosphorus may be all that fits. With a longer one, you can walk around Sultanahmet and stop for a meal.
Visa and passport control
To leave the airport you must pass passport control and enter Turkey, so check whether your passport needs a visa before you book. Visa rules are each traveller’s responsibility; the official place to check and apply is the Turkish e-Visa website (evisa.gov.tr).
When you book, tell us how many suitcases you have. The Vito takes up to 6 passengers and up to 6 large suitcases.
How it works with your driver
- Send both flight numbers (arrival and departure), the date, the number of passengers and suitcases, and the places you would like to see.
- We confirm the car, the meeting point and the plan on WhatsApp.
- After passport control, go to the meeting point we sent you. Your driver, or our airport representative, waits with a sign showing your name. Because we follow your flight number, we plan around your real landing time, and the driver waits up to 30 minutes after landing at no extra cost.
- Your driver drops you close to each landmark and waits while you visit, then takes you back to the airport for your next flight.
Fuel, bridge and motorway tolls and parking are included. You pay the driver in cash: no deposit and no online payment.
A route that fits your time
The tour part is our Istanbul European-side private tour: the historic peninsula, Galata, Taksim and the Bosphorus shore. Tell us what matters most to you, and we suggest an order that fits the traffic and the opening hours. Entrance tickets, meals and boat trips are not included.
Price
| From the airport | Layover total (Vito, up to 6) | Airport transfer | Istanbul tour (European side) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Istanbul Airport (IST) | €180 | €50 | €130 |
| Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) | €190 | €60 | €130 |
The price is per car, not per person. Each extra hour beyond the booked time is €20. For 7 or more passengers, ask us for a VIP Sprinter or a larger vehicle.
Free cancellation up to 12 hours before pickup.
Questions
Can I leave Istanbul Airport during a layover?
Yes, if you pass passport control and meet Turkey’s entry rules. Check your visa on evisa.gov.tr before you book.
How much does a layover tour with a private driver cost?
€180 per car from IST and €190 from SAW, for up to 6 passengers. Each extra hour is €20.
Where will the driver meet me?
At a meeting point in the arrivals hall that we send you before your flight, with a sign showing your name.
What if my first flight is late?
Send us your flight number. We follow it, and the driver waits up to 30 minutes after landing at no extra cost.
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68 Google reviews
Osmanli Travel on Google Maps, our licensed partner agency
- SycoGoogle review · Oct 20265 out of 5 stars
Very quick and professional service. Super friendly and efficient in communication, highly recommend.
- ReemaGoogle review · Oct 20265 out of 5 stars
شكرا للاخ عبدالله جدا متعاون وخدمتهم سريعه جربت توصيل عندهم وعند غيرهم افضل سيارات وسعر الله يبارك لهم
- MeryamGoogle review · Nov 20265 out of 5 stars
Une excellente journée Une très belle expérience bien animée avec le meilleur guide Mr. Karim . Merci pour tous.
- Adel A.Google review · Nov 20265 out of 5 stars
طلعنا جوله ممتعه الى صبنجه ومعشوقيه ترتيب والتزام بالوقت سياره مريحه والمرشدمحمدتعامله راقي
- Francesco C.Google review · Oct 20265 out of 5 stars
Ho trascorso una bellissima giornata con mia moglie grazie al tour di kerim. Abbiamo fatto il giro con il quad , giro sulla funivia e anche la zipline , giro all'acquario e lo zoo dei felini. Ci ha portati a fare una bellissima esperienza che consiglio a tutti! Grazie davvero di cuore Kerim
- Mohammed A.Google review · Oct 20265 out of 5 stars
من افضل الشركات السياحيه بتركيا ، اتعامل مع عبدالله من ٢٠١٧ الى اليوم تعامله راقي وموظفينه راقيين واسعاره بالمنتناول وارخص من كثييييير شركات ، شهاده ويسألني الله عنها . شكرا عبدالله وشكراً لموظفينك ولحسن استقبالك
- Sonia F.Google review · Oct 20265 out of 5 stars
Abbiamo trascorso una piacevole giornata facendo tante attività diverse . La più bella in assoluto la funivia! Con un bellissimo panorama della città dopo il tramonto . Ma soprattutto kerim è stato eccezionale ! Visto il nostro inglese un po' scarso,lui pazientemente ha tradotto sul suo telefono ogni spiegazione in italiano per noi e ci ha aiutati in ogni attività ! Anche se abbiamo pranzato un po' tardi , la carne era buonissima ( pranzo incluso nel biglietto ) . Ogni altra attività è a pagamento . Ma ne vale la pena .
- Mohammed D.Google review · Nov 20265 out of 5 stars
من اروع التجارب ومن افضل الشركات السياحية وخاصتن اسعارهم ورحلاتهم ومرشدهم السياحي والله كل شي 10 علي 10 انصح الجميع فيهم
- Fawaz A.Google review · Oct 20265 out of 5 stars
خدمة جيدة جدا، شرح وفير ، كريم انسان رائع، صبور ، صاحب خدمة رائعة انبسطنا بمرافقته لنا ، يستحق أكثر من خمس نجوم
- Licensed agencyTÜRSAB licence 17384, partner of Osmanli Travel since 2016
- Fixed price per vehicleFuel, bridge tolls and parking included
- Meet and greetName sign at arrivals, up to 30 min waiting
- Free cancellationUp to 12 hours before pickup. No deposit, pay the driver in cash