Istanbul Private Shore Excursions, City Tours & Cruise Port Transfers

Cruise ships dock at Galataport, a modern terminal in the Karakoy district on the European side of Istanbul. The terminal is built underground, so the waterfront above remains open as a public promenade. There is no tendering, you walk straight off the ship. Your licensed guide and private driver meet you at the terminal exit with a name sign.

For first-time visitors, Highlights of Historic Istanbul is the strongest 4-hour option, it covers the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar in the Old City. Best of Istanbul extends that to a full 8-hour day with more time at Topkapi Palace, plus a Turkish meal. For a different pace, the Private Bosphorus Cruise combines a visit to the Spice Bazaar with a relaxing cruise along the strait, and our flexible-itinerary tours let you build the day with your guide on arrival.

Yes - Istanbul is a major embarkation and disembarkation port for Eastern Mediterranean and Greek Islands cruises. We offer private transfers between Istanbul Airport and Galataport, as well as full-day or half-day private city tours for pre- and post-cruise guests staying at hotels in the city.

No entry visa is required if you are visiting Istanbul as part of a shore excursion from your cruise ship. A visa is only required if your cruise itinerary begins or ends in Istanbul. In that case, Turkish e-Visas are issued online in advance at evisa.gov.tr, and the cost varies by nationality.

Turkish law requires a licensed guide at major historical sites. All of our Istanbul guides hold credentials issued by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which ensures expert commentary and priority access at monuments. Your guide accompanies you throughout the day, handling entrance tickets and logistics.

Yes - private Istanbul day tours and transfers can begin from any hotel in the city. Your driver-guide meets you at your hotel address at the agreed time, useful for pre- and post-cruise guests staying in Istanbul before embarkation or after disembarkation. All seven Istanbul tour itineraries are available from hotel pickup as well as from the cruise terminal.

Our back-to-ship guarantee means that if an unforeseen delay during your private Istanbul shore excursion prevents you from returning to the cruise terminal before your ship departs, we will arrange and cover the cost of transportation to your next port of call. This guarantee applies to all private Istanbul shore excursions and day tours booked through us. Your tour must be scheduled to return 1.5 hours before the ship departs.