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Frequently asked questions

The answers to all of your questions regarding Touristanbul is here. You can learn whether your travel is concurrent with the tours or not, and access all other details of the tour. Check the frequently asked questions and learn everything about Touristanbul!

JOIN TOURISTANBUL

To sign up for Touristanbul, please go to our Touristanbul Desk office after passing through passport and customs controls. Ticketed passengers who are eligible for the tour can make their reservations via the Touristanbul web page. To participate in the tour, passengers who have already booked are requested to be at the Touristanbul desk at least 30 minutes before the tour time. For further information or questions, please contact us via touristanbul@thy.com.

When is the last time to participate for the tours? Learn more

We kindly remind you that we cannot accept any participation after 08:00 am for the 08:30 am tour and after 11:30 am for the 12:00 noon tour.

May all passengers attend Touristanbul? Learn more

All passengers with an international transfer flight through İstanbul with Turkish Airlines with a layover between six and 24 hours can enjoy the tours offered by Touristanbul according to the time best suited to their layover. Both flights of the passenger should be operated by Turkish Airlines and the ticket number should start with 235.

Passengers may not get both accommodation service and Touristanbul on the same journey. If you prefer accommodation, you may contact our Hotel Desk for terms and conditions or by clicking here. They will inform you that your booking is eligible or not.

Before visiting Türkiye, you can obtain an e-visa at www.evisa.gov.tr/ website. Please check your country’s requirements to see if it is necessary to obtain a visa to enter Türkiye.

How do I decide my flight is eligible for Touristanbul? Learn more

You must be an international transfer passenger of Turkish Airlines. Your connection should not be longer than 24 hours. (Who arrives from an international destination and travels to another international destination within 6hrs - 24hrs)

Our scheduled tours are every day from 8:00 to 11:30, from 08:30 to 15:00, from 08:30 to 18:00, from 12:00 to 18:00, from 18:30 to 23:00 and from 16:00 to 21:30. Thus, your departure and arrival time of your flight should be compatible with our scheduled tours.

Your arrival time should be enough to be ready at the Touristanbul Desk half hour before the tour starts. For instance, for our 08:30 tour, we kindly ask you to be ready in front of the Touristanbul Desk at 08:00 am. For the 12:00 tour, this is 11:30 am.

Secondly, we expect our passengers to be ready for boarding and pass the passport and custom control minimum 1 hour 25 minutes before their scheduled departure time. For instance, if we assume that your departure is at 16:25, we may only suggest tours ending at 15:00.

May I get hotel stay and Touristanbul on the same journey? Learn more

Passengers may not get both free accommodation service and Touristanbul on the same journey.

Where can I get information about free accommodation service and related questions? Learn more

If you prefer accommodation, you may contact our Hotel Desk for terms and conditions or by clicking here. They will inform you that your booking is eligible or not.

Should we pay to join Touristanbul? Learn more

No, you are our guest and Touristanbul is definitely free for Turkish Airlines international transfer passengers.

Tour includes:

  • Transportation services by shuttle bus (from / to airport)
  • Guidance service by a professional tour guide in English
  • Meal servings (breakfast and / or lunch)
  • All the museum fees included

Do we need booking or listing for Touristanbul? Learn more

Ticketed passengers who are eligible for the tour can make their reservations via the Touristanbul web page. To participate in the tour, passengers who have already made reservations are requested to be at the Touristanbul counter 30 minutes before the tour time.

Do you have special tour different from Touristanbul? Learn more

We are sorry to inform you that Touristanbul does not provide services except scheduled tours.

Where is the Touristanbul desk? Learn more

The Touristanbul Desk is located opposite the meeting point 4 in the arrival hall and also in the Transfer desk area, opposite the passport control.

Is there any age limitation to join in Touristanbul? Can children or infants join the tours? Learn more

There is no age limitation. Children, infants and young Passengers (till 18 years old) will be asked for parental accompany. Unaccompanied minors cannot be accepted.

How will we be transferred from/to the airport? Learn more

The transportation will be done by free tour shuttles.

Will we pay for the meals in the Touristanbul program? Learn more

No, you are our guest. The food service is for free. We will introduce you with Ottoman cuisine and Turkish hospitality. On lunch menus we have a vegetarian choice. We kindly remind you that there is no selection for medical or religious meals.

Will we have a tour guide? Learn more

You will be accompanied by a professional tour guide during Touristanbul.

Which language will be used in Touristanbul? Learn more

Touristanbul is being guided only in English

How many participants you need to start up the tour? Learn more

Even one single proceeding is sufficient for starting our scheduled tour.

Is there a baggage room for our belongings while we are in Touristanbul? Learn more

There is baggage custody office next to Hotel Desk with a service fee. You may check the conditions and prices by clicking here. If requested, Touristanbul participants can leave their baggage (unless they are electronics or precious items) to the assigned tour shuttles at their own risk. In this case Turkish Airlines is not responsible for any lost and damaged items.

How about museum and entrance fees? Who will pay for them? Learn more

You are our guest. All museum entrances within the tour service are free.

May passengers join the tour after the tour starts or is there any pick-up service? Learn more

Sorry, joining the tours afterwards is not possible. All the participants should have proceeded to Touristanbul Desk half an hour before the tour starts.

Is there any wheelchair access? Learn more

Unfortunately, not. Infrastructure is not available. Passengers using a wheelchair can participate with a companion (not in a wheelchair).

How much physical activity does Touristanbul require? Learn more

We have a tour based on low but whole-day physical activity includes walking, using stairs and standing.

Do you have a special service or restriction for disabled passengers? Learn more

We do not have any special or accompany service. We have a tour based on low but whole-day physical activity includes walking, using stairs and standing. Only restriction in the tour is the personal mobility and this is a personal decision, only can be given by passenger herself/himself.

May I get information about ticket, ticket rules and related questions? Learn more

You should contact your local sales office or call our call center: 0090 850 333 0 849

Thanks for choosing Turkish Airlines. Hope you will enjoy your flight and your connection in Istanbul. For inquiries and reviews please email to touristanbul@thy.com

Can my pet accompany me on the tour? Learn more

We only accept pets to our 08:00 - 11:30 sightseeing tour within a cage (Max weight: 8 kg max, dimensions: 23x40x55 cm or a standart cage)

Because of the museums' restrictions, we cannot accept pets to the other scheduled tours.

Can I join multiple tours on the same day? Learn more

Unfortunately, you can join only one scheduled tour during your connection.

Is there any tour operating from Sabiha Gokcen airport? Learn more

Unfortunately, there is no city tour operating from Sabiha Gokcen Airport.

Touristanbul daily tours start and end only at Istanbul Airport. International Transfer Passengers who want to join the free tour must be ready at the Istanbul Airport’s international arrival terminal (Hotel Desk) 30 mins before the tour starts. The transportation between airports is passenger’s responsibility. Touristanbul does not provide transportation service between airports.

May Turkish Airlines change the tour program? Learn more

Turkish Airlines reserves the right to make changes to the tour program.

If we miss the tour bus how I get back? Learn more

We are sorry to inform you that if you miss the tour bus you have to be your own responsible. In order to receive more information about the bus charge and schedule you may check the link: https://hava.ist/?lang=en

Do I have to shop while I’m on the shopping tour? Learn more

No, you don’t have to shop. You can relax and observe the historical texture of Istanbul while enjoying the open air.

Are there any places of worship? Learn more

There is a masjid (mosque) in the F block, on Floor -1.

Is Galataport Istanbul an indoor or outdoor location? Learn more

Galataport Istanbul offers visitors an open-air, healthy and safe environment in which to enjoy arts & culture, shopping and dining. While shops are indoors, there are indoor and open-air cafes and restaurants that follow the rules of social distancing.

Do I have a shopping limit on the shopping tour? Learn more

Customs allowances may vary from country to country and depending on the passenger’s ticket rules. Passengers are individually responsible for staying updated on the limits specified by their countries of destination. To avoid any problems on your journey, you can review all notifications regarding checked baggage on the restrictions page.

What is the Liquid Restriction Application in my hand luggage? If I buy a liquid product while shopping, can I carry it in my hand luggage? Learn more

In your cabin baggage, you are permitted to bring liquids, gels and aerosols in containers of a maximum 100 ml each in a 1-liter sealed bag. Containers larger than 100ml will not be permitted through the security point even if they are not full.

Can I take more than one bag with me in the cabin? Learn more

In Economy Class, you can take one piece of cabin baggage with maximum dimensions of 23x40x55 cm and maximum weight of 8 kg. In Business Class, you are allowed to take two pieces of cabin baggage, each with maximum dimensions of 23x40x55 cm and maximum weight of 8 kg. Please note that an extra baggage fee will be requested if you exceed the cabin baggage allowance. For detailed information, you can visit the cabin baggage page.

What can I do if I exceed my free baggage limit? Learn more

When the free baggage allowance limit is exceeded, baggage is considered to be extra baggage. You can purchase extra baggage allowance via our online channels and sales offices.

Click here to for more information on the general excess baggage conditions.

Can passengers with N and R class (free ticket) tickets participate in the tours? Learn more

Passengers with N and R class tickets provided by Turkish Airlines can participate in the tours. However, Turkish Airlines staff with N and R class tickets may not participate in the tours.

What about clicking the link below and be a member of Miles&Smiles to get priority on the tour? Learn more

Should you be already a member of Miles&Smiles, you can enroll for the tour at the last moment and join it.

https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-us/miles-and-smiles/sign-up-form/index.html

Can I participate in Touristanbul on both of my round trip flights? Learn more

If the tours offered by Touristanbul suit to your layover time, you can participate in one of the Touristanbul tours for both your departure and return flights.