Touristanbul | Fly Different | Turkish Airlines ®

Distinctive İstanbul experiences, a complimentary service from Turkish Airlines

Touristanbul helps you make the most of your time in İstanbul!

*Two new tours (Balat Tour and Shopping Tour ) started as of 1st of December 2022.

About Touristanbul

If you have a connecting international flight in İstanbul, and a layover between six and 24 hours, you can take advantage of our complimentary Touristanbul service to discover İstanbul.

You can select one of the eight tours offered by Touristanbul according to the time frame best suited to your flight arrival and departure schedule. During the tours, you can visit İstanbul’s most notable historical sites and enjoy authentic Turkish cuisine. In the city that never sleeps, Touristanbul offers an unforgettable experience.

After landing at İstanbul Airport, you will be picked up by a vehicle and driven back to the airport at the end of the tour.

Although the tour times are carefully arranged and planned, if a guest is unable to make their flight in cases that are our responsibility, we will ensure that the passenger reaches their destination smoothly via the next flight.

How to book Touristanbul

If you are on an international flight that connects through İstanbul with a layover between six and 24 hours, you can enjoy the Touristanbul. After your Turkish Airlines connecting international flight lands in İstanbul, you can sign up for Touristanbul at the Hotel Desk in the International Arrivals Terminal of İstanbul Airport or from our Touristanbul Desk Office in the Transfer desk area.

Passengers can take advantage of free tour using their ticket number only ıf issued by Turkish Airlines stock number starting 235. Touristanbul is available for Turkish Airlines’ flights including codeshare flights.

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.

If you are eligible for an e-visa you may obtain it from the Turkish Airlines Sales / Ticket Desks before or on the day of your departure.

Tour schedules & details

T01 08:00-11:30 Sightseeing Tour
T02 08:00-12:00 Balat Tour
T03 08:30-15:00 Half day tour
T04 08:30-18:00 Full day tour
T05 12:00-18:00 Afternoon tour
T06 16:00-21:30 Evening tour
T07 18:30-23:00 Bosphorous tour
T08 18:30-23:00 Shopping tour

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Departure from Istanbul Airport

Following the Coastal Road

Sightseeing tour*

Yedikule Fortress

Old Samatya Armenian District

Yenikapı Harbour

Walls of Constantine

Eminonu District

Photo break on Galata Bridge for 10 mins

*Outer visit & Sightseeing tour

Dolmabahçe Palace

Free time at Dolmabahçe Palace for 20 mins

Departure from Dolmabahçe Palace

Taksim Square

Galata Tower

Golden Horn

Aqueduct of Valens

Yenikapı Harbour

Return to Istanbul Airport

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Departure from Istanbul Airport

Bulgarian St. Stephen Church

Patriarchate of Istanbul

Fener Greek Orthodox College*

Church of St. Mary

Balat**

Return to Istanbul Airport

*Information is provided about its historical and cultural importance without entering the building.

**a walk through the streets with ancient houses

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Departure from Istanbul Airport

Breakfast

Blue Mosque*

Hippodrome: German Fountain

Serpentine Column

*The Blue Mosque complex is closed to visitors between 2 January and 21 April 2023.

Obelisk of Thedosius

Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts

Topkapı Palace

Lunch

Grand Covered Bazaar

Return to Istanbul Airport

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Departure from Istanbul Airport

Lunch

Pierre Loti Hill & Coffee House

Eyüp Sultan Mosque & Square

Byzantine City Walls

Ayvansaray Sahaba Tombs

Church of St. Mary (Panagia - Blachernae)

Balat**

Bulgarian St. Stephen Church*

Ahrida Synagogue*

Fener Greek Orthodox College*

Patriarchate of Istanbul

Return to Istanbul Airport

*Information is provided about its historical and cultural importance without entering the building.

*a walk through the streets with ancient houses

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Departure from Istanbul Airport

Following the Coastal Road

Yenikapı Harbour

Beyazit Square

Istanbul University*

Beyazit Tower

Old Book Market

*Information is provided about its historical and cultural importance without entering the building.

Çorlulu Ali Pasha Mosque

Tomb of Mahmud the 2nd

Column of Constantine

Hippodrome Square

German Fountain

Egyptian Obelisk

Serpentine Column

Obelisk of Theodosius

Blue Mosque*

Hagia Sophia*

Dinner

Return to Istanbul Airport

*Information is provided about its historical and cultural importance without entering the building.

Welcome to İstanbul

To take advantage of Touristanbul during your layover, simply proceed through the passport and customs control points after you arrive at İstanbul Airport. You can book a tour at the Touristanbul Desk, located in the International Arrivals Terminal or from the Touristanbul Desk office. Touristanbul is the opposite of the arrival hall of the Turkish Airlines and opposite the passport control at the Transfer Desk area. After you book your tour, a guide will pick you up.

Discover İstanbul

Touristanbul takes you to İstanbul’s most iconic sites and monuments. You’ll see some of the world’s most prominent structures and experience a taste of the city, as well as a fabulous view of the legendary Bosphorus!

Enjoy your meal

During your tour, you will have the opportunity to sample traditional Turkish and Ottoman cuisine at an elegant restaurant.

See you soon

Thank you for joining our tour. We hope you enjoyed your time in İstanbul and we look forward to seeing you on another Turkish Airlines flight!