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

Burak was a fabulous guide who shared the history with through storytelling which made the experience so much more rich. He was flexible and was very attentive. I would highly recommend him.

Sep 2025

Laurie J
Tolga was an amazing guide full of knowledge. Very personable and friendly. Able to answer any questions we had and extend on it. Obviously passionate about his work. Thank you

Aug 2025

Eileen T
We booked a half-day “Explore Istanbul with a Local” tour with Tugba, and she was absolutely outstanding. We told her we wanted to see as much as possible without wasting time in long lines — even if that meant skipping the Blue Mosque — and she delivered exactly what we hoped for. She guided us through hidden gems, the spice shops, the Grand Bazaar, and even introduced us to simple but wonderful street foods like roasted corn and chestnuts. Her knowledge and passion for the city made every stop meaningful. By the end of the day, Tugba was even calling to make us breakfast reservations at her favorite local spot for the next morning — such a thoughtful touch! Spending the afternoon with her felt like exploring Istanbul with a close friend who knows all the city’s secrets. If we’re ever lucky enough to return to this remarkable city, Tugba will be the first person we contact. Highly recommend!

Aug 2025

Philip W
We booked a half-day “Explore Istanbul with a Local” tour with Tugba, and she was simply outstanding. We explained that we wanted to see as much as possible without waiting in long lines — even if it meant skipping the Blue Mosque — and she delivered exactly what we hoped for. She guided us through hidden gems and lively neighborhoods, sharing insights and stories that made the city come alive, all while keeping us away from the crowds. By the end of the tour, Tugba was even making breakfast reservations for us at her favorite local spot — such a thoughtful touch! Spending the afternoon with her felt like exploring the city with a close friend or family member who knows all the best tips, tricks, and secrets. If we’re ever fortunate enough to return to Istanbul, Tugba will be the first person we contact. Highly recommended!

Jun 2025

Philip W