I am most excited when I get to explore a new city during long airport layovers. Read my blogs on exploring Doha and Amsterdam in a similar fashion. I usually prefer the free airport / airlines provided city tours or a DIY tour. For this time however I booked a local tour operator for one of their ‘layover tours’. This itinerary is suitable for atleast a 6 hour Istanbul layover.
Istanbul Airport, along with Turkish Airlines provides a free ‘Tour Istanbul‘ service for passengers with a 6 hour Istanbul layover. But do note that the visa needs to be self arranged for these tours. I had an 8 hour layover but the tour timing was such that I would have lost about an hour. Instead I booked a private guided tour with My Local Guide Istanbul.
Getting a Turkish visa
Turkey has introduced e-visa for most nationalities. For Indians holding a valid Schengen, UK or US visa or holding a residency permit from any of these regions, there is also a e-visa option. Click here to get your Turkish e-visa.
Trip details
The itinerary included Hagia Sofia, Basilica Cistern, Blue mosque, Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar from the inside. You would pass by the Roman hippodrome, Galata bridge, Galata tower, Maidens Tower and Bosporus bridge. I also had a ferry ride included to the Asian side, visiting either Kadikoy or Üsküdar neighborhoods. The tour included a private pick up and drop from and to the airport.
Pro Tip: Simit Sarayi, right before the exit gate, is good option to eat at. They serve really good tea and wraps which should fuel you up for the tour.
Unfortunately, the weather was quite rough so we missed out on the ferry ride and the Asian side visits. But that’s something you cannot quite control. I decided to make the most of it anyways and returned to the airport completely drenched from head to toe.
I later read in the news that a plane had crash-landed at SAW the same day due to strong winds.
In front of the Blue Mosque Beautiful mosaics of the Blue Mosque In front of Hagia Sofia Inside the Hagia Sofia
Basilica Cistern The head of Medusa in Basilica Cistern
The Spice Market
Overall, it was a good orientation trip to the city. We had a thorough tour of its two most important sights – Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque. I would highly recommend exploring the city on your next layover although I would discourage doing it DIY. Mostly because of the long and traffic riddled commute to the city (unless ofcourse you have a luxury of time). You can use the Tour Istanbul free tour or book one of these private tours.
See you with my next destination, till then Happy Travels!!
