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Hiring a guide for Istanbul

What is the best approach to hire a guide for a day Istanbul? Is there a list Rick recommends? What are typical prices?

Posted by
146 posts

We were in Istanbul and Selcuk in early Dec. 2014...You can easily get a guide in the Old City (Sultanhamet) by the mosques any time . I feel you can get someone with character and negotiate a good rate with them by not booking a guide in advance.. Also outside Ephesus there are lots of men waiting to be hired as guides or taxi drivers that double as guides...Also, if you stay at a pansiyon they can easily arrange a guide for you for whenever. My advice is to wait till you are in Turkey to get a guide.
There are lots of young men in Istanbul around the mosques that offer to guide you and do NOT think of them as a nuisance. It is really pretty cool how they approach you...

Posted by
106 posts

I hired an English speaking guide who approached me in the ticket line at Aya Sophia. I hired him for a tour of Aya Sophia. The next day we went to the Big Island, the largest of the Princess Islands in the Sea of Marmara. He was a licensed guide and I had a wonderful day. I am sure your hotel could provide you with a guide as well.