We have Wed. noon through Friday night in Istanbul in September. We know what we want to see. Would a private guide be worth it? If so, recommendations? Thanks.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2823 posts
That depends on what you want to see. Many of the main sites are easy to access independently, just requires some research on your part. Are you on your way to/from somewhere? Will you be jet lagged? Where are you staying? All of those would factor in to my personal decision about a hiring a guide. SRM Travel is the company that provides RS his Turkey guides and are often recommended. Take a quick glance through the Turkey portion of the forum and you'll see several others mentioned as well.
Posted by
1 posts
Hello -
I want to follow this discussion. I will have 3 days in Istanbul mid-NOV (solo female from US). I am not concerned by cool or potentially rainy weather conditions.
Researching local guides with hope of finding small walking tours or an affordable private guide.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
After sending out 5 inquiries we signed up with Istanbul Tour Studio for 2 days. They seemed the most responsive and accommodating. No guarantee, of course, but we have every reason to expect the same on our tours in late September.
Posted by
127 posts
Following this. We have the same layover in May 2025 - Arrive at 2pm in Instanbul on Wednesday May 14 and leave at 7:00am on Friday morning.
We are willing to get to our hotel, check in and immediately go to any suggested sights on Wednesday evening. Also we are willing to go sun up to sun down on my one full day, Thursday, to see the best sites . This may be our one and only visit to Istanbul in our lifetime.
Posted by
USA
197 posts
I highly recommend tour guide Metin Koca. He has hundreds of excellent reviews on TripAdvisor. Metin’s email: [email protected]
Posted by
1 posts
Hi, I have a 21 hour layover at Istanbul airport in Jan 2025 so thought I’d do a tour for a few hours to break it up. They all seem to be walking tours but I’m worried about being too tired. I thought I might get a motorbike or similar to pick me up and take me on a private tour of the highlights. Are there any experienced tourists who can comment on the wisdom of my plan and how I might organise this? Thanks.
Posted by
Washington DC
28479 posts
Street traffic in the historic center of Istanbul is some of the worst in the world. Although a motorcycle could weave and out among the other vehicles and the pedestrians, I wouldn't want to be a passenger on one. And feeling as if you're about to fall asleep on the back of a motorcycle would be miserable as well as dangerous.
I'd try a walking tour myself.