Your Istanbul,
privately arranged.
Private airport transfers, licensed guided tours, layover experiences and chauffeured vehicles — personally arranged by our Istanbul-based team.
Our Most Popular Private Services
Start with the service that fits your day. Each booking is private for your party and arranged directly by our Istanbul operations team.
Old City Highlights – Half Day
A focused private introduction to Sultanahmet and Istanbul's essential historical highlights.
Istanbul Airport Private Transfer
Direct IST airport transfer with meeting assistance and fixed group pricing.
Sabiha Gökçen Private Transfer
Private SAW transfer to or from your Istanbul hotel with clear fixed pricing.
Private Car & Driver in Istanbul
A comfortable private VIP vehicle for flexible city transportation on your own schedule.
Private Old City & Historical Tour
Explore Istanbul's historical heart privately with a licensed professional guide.
Private Bosphorus Yacht Experience
See Istanbul between Europe and Asia aboard a private yacht for your own group.
See Istanbul Well, Even When Time Is Short
Private half-day programs start from €135. Choose a classic historical route, an easier-paced introduction or a local neighborhoods experience.
History
Old City Highlights – Half Day
A focused Sultanahmet program with a licensed private guide. Final route follows opening and prayer hours.
View details →
Easy Pace
Easy-Paced Istanbul Highlights – Half Day
A relaxed historical introduction designed for guests who prefer less walking and a comfortable pace.
View details →
Local Istanbul
Galata, Karaköy & Local Istanbul – Half Day
A relaxed private walk through Galata, Karaköy and Istanbul's local street atmosphere.
View details →Explore Istanbul Your Way
Find the right type of private service quickly without searching through a long list.
Private Tours
Half-day, full-day, historical, layover and cruise programs.
ExperiencesSpecial Experiences
Bosphorus, food, crafts, shopping and hidden Istanbul.
Beyond IstanbulDay Trips
Bursa, İznik/Nicaea, Sapanca and Söğüt–Bilecik.
ComfortAccessible Travel
Easy-paced planning and hydraulic wheelchair-lift vehicle options.
Signature & Local Experiences
Go beyond a standard sightseeing list with private experiences shaped around history, food, the Bosphorus, crafts, comfort and your schedule.
Private Bosphorus Yacht
Private two-hour yacht experience between Europe and Asia.
View experience → Food & CultureOttoman Cuisine & Local Street Food
Private food and neighborhood experience with a licensed guide. Food is paid directly as you taste.
View experience → Crafts & CultureShopping & Turkish Crafts
Live demonstrations of handmade rugs, tiles and embroidery, connected to Istanbul’s monuments—with no obligation to purchase.
View experience → ComfortEasy-Paced & Accessible Istanbul
Reduced walking with private guide and vehicle; hydraulic wheelchair-lift option available.
View options → Signature HistoryConstantinople: Walls, Chora & Hidden Byzantine Istanbul
Theodosian Walls, Chora and lesser-seen Byzantine heritage with guide and vehicle.
Discover the tour → Hidden IstanbulShadows & Secrets of Istanbul
A tailor-made route into lesser-known stories, streets and hidden layers of Istanbul.
Request experience →Private IST & SAW Airport Transfers
Fixed private transfer pricing based on group size. Flight monitoring, standard road costs and airport meeting assistance are included for the agreed service.
IST Private Transfer
1–4: €45 • 5–7: €55 • 8–14: €79
Airport → Hotel, Hotel → Airport or round trip. 15+ guests receive a custom quote.
Book IST transfer → Sabiha Gökçen • SAWSAW Private Transfer
1–4: €55 • 5–7: €65 • 8–14: €89
Airport → Hotel, Hotel → Airport or round trip. 15+ guests receive a custom quote.
Book SAW transfer → Meeting InstructionsKnow Where to Meet Us
Clear arrival instructions for Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
See airport meeting guide →Private Car & Driver in Istanbul
Flexible chauffeured transportation for sightseeing, meetings, shopping or your own route. Professional driver service; licensed historical guiding is not included unless separately requested.
Private Old City & Historical Tour
Explore Istanbul's historical heart privately with a licensed official tour guide. The itinerary can be adjusted around your interests, pace and opening hours.
Suggested itinerary
Meet your private guide in Sultanahmet and explore Istanbul's most important historical monuments, courtyards, streets and bazaars at a comfortable pace.
Your guide can help organize the order of visits according to opening hours, prayer times, queues and your personal interests.
Included
- Licensed official private tour guide
- Private tour for your party only
- Flexible itinerary and local recommendations
- Priority ticket and entry assistance at Topkapı Palace and Basilica Cistern where the official guide/group procedure applies. Hagia Sophia priority assistance is available when its official on-site cash-payment or guide channel is operating. Mandatory security checks remain.
Not included
- Entrance tickets
- Meals and drinks
- Personal expenses
Private Istanbul Layover Tour
Turn your Istanbul connection into a private city experience. We arrange your airport pickup, private vehicle, licensed official tour guide and return to the airport according to your flight schedule.
Suggested layover experience
After meeting you at the airport, your private driver will take you toward Istanbul's historical center, where you can explore selected highlights with your licensed private guide.
The exact itinerary is adjusted according to your arrival time, departure time, traffic, opening hours and the amount of time safely available between flights.
Included
- Private airport pickup and return
- Private vehicle with professional driver
- Licensed official private tour guide
- Flight monitoring and timing coordination
- Flexible itinerary according to your connection
Not included
- Attraction entrance tickets
- Meals and drinks
- Personal expenses
- Special activities unless confirmed in advance
Private Bosphorus Yacht Experience
See Istanbul from the water aboard your own private yacht. Cruise between Europe and Asia with flexible departure times, comfortable seating and a route designed around the Bosphorus' most beautiful waterfront landmarks.
Private Bosphorus Cruise
Enjoy a relaxed two-hour private cruise along the European and Asian shores of Istanbul. The exact route can vary according to your boarding point, Bosphorus traffic and weather conditions.
Included
- Private yacht exclusively for your group
- Professional captain and crew
- Fuel for the standard Bosphorus route
- Tea, coffee, water and basic refreshments
- Flexible departure time subject to yacht availability
Optional extras
- Private hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food, dinner or special catering
- Alcoholic beverages
- Birthday, anniversary or proposal decoration
- Extra cruising time
Constantinople: Walls, Chora & Hidden Byzantine Istanbul
Follow the great defenses of Constantinople and discover the Byzantine capital beyond Sultanahmet. This is a story-led private journey for travelers who want the deeper history of the city.
Why this tour is different
Your licensed guide connects the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman layers of Istanbul through fortifications, imperial neighborhoods, religious art and the transition of the city across empires. The exact route is adjusted to opening hours and local conditions.
Included
- Private licensed professional tour guide
- Private VIP vehicle with professional driver
- Hotel pickup and return
- Fuel, standard road costs and parking
- Priority-entry and ticket assistance where permitted
Not included
- Entrance tickets
- Food and drinks
- Personal expenses and gratuities
Ottoman Cuisine & Local Street Food Experience
Taste Istanbul through its history: Ottoman-inspired cuisine, neighborhood bakeries, local street food, markets, sweets and everyday flavors. Your guide adapts the route to what you actually want to taste.
Personalized food route
Possible areas include Eminönü, the Spice Market surroundings, Karaköy and local neighborhoods. Traditional breakfast items, börek, grilled fish, seasonal vegetable dishes, çiğ köfte, ayran and Turkish desserts can be included according to your interests, dietary needs and opening hours.
Included
- Private licensed professional tour guide
- Approximately 5–6 hours
- Personalized route and local recommendations
- Optional full-time private vehicle with professional driver: +€150
Not included
- Food and drinks — pay directly for what you choose to taste
- Entrance tickets if requested
- Personal expenses and gratuities
Private Galataport Shore Excursion
A private Istanbul day designed around your ship schedule. We plan the route with your docking and all-aboard time in mind so you can explore comfortably and return to Galataport with sensible time in hand.
Included
- Private licensed professional tour guide
- Galataport meeting
- Flexible itinerary around ship timing
- Priority-entry and ticket assistance where permitted
- Private VIP vehicle and driver in the vehicle package
- Galataport return in the vehicle package
Not included
- Entrance tickets
- Meals and drinks
- Personal expenses and gratuities
Easy-Paced & Wheelchair Accessible Istanbul
A carefully paced private day for guests who prefer less walking or need wheelchair support. Tell us what makes travel comfortable for you and we will plan the route accordingly.
Easy-Paced option
Private licensed guide plus standard VIP vehicle and driver, reduced walking, rest breaks and a route designed to bring the vehicle as close as practical to the selected sights.
Hydraulic wheelchair-lift option
For guests who need to remain in their wheelchair during transportation or cannot transfer into a standard minivan. Electric wheelchair dimensions and approximate total weight are requested before final confirmation.
Included
- Private licensed professional tour guide
- Private vehicle with professional driver
- Hotel pickup and return
- Approximately 6 hours
- Accessible planning and flexible breaks
- Hydraulic lift vehicle when that package is selected
Not included
- Entrance tickets
- Meals and drinks
- Personal assistant unless specifically confirmed
- Special medical or transfer equipment unless confirmed
Private Istanbul Shopping & Turkish Crafts Experience
We introduce Istanbul before we introduce the shops. Learn how trade, craftsmanship and the bazaars shaped the city, then explore the places that fit what you are genuinely looking for.
More than a shopping stop
Your licensed guide connects Istanbul’s traditional crafts with the monuments you visit. See selected handmade rug weaving, tile and hand-embroidery demonstrations, and understand details such as the Blue Mosque tiles before choosing whether you want to shop. There is no obligation to purchase.
Included
- Private experienced licensed professional tour guide
- Approximately 4–5 hours
- Hotel pickup and return
- Selected rug, tile or embroidery demonstration according to workshop schedule
- Personalized shopping route and introductions
- No compulsory shopping stops
- No pressure to purchase
Optional
- Private VIP vehicle with professional driver throughout the experience: +€150
Bursa, Nicaea (İznik), Sapanca & Ottoman Origins
Travel beyond Istanbul privately in a Mercedes Vito, VW Transporter or similar comfortable minivan with a professional driver. Add a licensed guide when you want the history brought to life.
Bursa
Ottoman heritage, historic mosques, Koza Han and traditional city life. Driver-only €350; with licensed guide €500.
Nicaea (İznik) — Featured Historical Journey
Roman and Byzantine Nicaea, the early Christian councils, city walls, Hagia Sophia/Orhan Mosque, early Ottoman history and the tradition of İznik ceramics. Driver-only €350; guided experience €480.
Sapanca
A relaxed nature escape from Istanbul with private vehicle and professional driver. Driver-only €230; licensed guide can be added.
Söğüt & Bilecik — Ottoman Origins
Ertuğrul Gazi, Sheikh Edebali and the landscapes connected with the foundation story of the Ottoman state. Driver-only €300; with licensed guide €450.
Included
- Private minivan with professional driver
- Istanbul hotel pickup and return
- Fuel, standard tolls/road costs and parking
- Licensed professional guide when selected
Not included
- Entrance tickets
- Meals and drinks
- Personal expenses and gratuities
Private Istanbul, Personally Arranged
Book Private Istanbul is an Istanbul-based team arranging private tours, airport transfers, chauffeured vehicles and tailor-made experiences. From the first message to the end of the service, arrangements are handled directly by our local operations team.
Plan Istanbul With Local Information
Our blog will grow with practical airport, tour, cruise and sightseeing guides that connect directly to the services travelers actually need.
Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet
Transfer choices, timing, meeting procedure and what to expect after landing.
Read guide → Tour PlanningBest Half-Day Tours in Istanbul
How to use four or five hours well without turning your visit into a rushed checklist.
Read guide → LayoverWhat Can You See on an Istanbul Layover?
How airport timing, traffic and sightseeing time shape a safe private layover plan.
Read guide →Send a direct reservation request
Choose your service and group size first. No online payment is taken. Our Istanbul team personally checks availability, timing, luggage and the correct vehicle before sending final confirmation.
Why Book Direct With Us?
Local planning, private service and clear human support from the first request to the day of service.
Istanbul-based operations
Your request is handled directly by a team working in Istanbul, not a generic reseller.
Your party only
Private transfers, vehicles and tours unless a product is clearly described otherwise.
Professional historical guiding
Official licensed guides provide expert interpretation and can use applicable priority ticket procedures at Topkapı Palace and Basilica Cistern. Hagia Sophia assistance depends on its current official payment and guide-channel rules; security checks always remain.
WhatsApp & email contact
Final confirmation and operational details are provided by WhatsApp or email after availability is checked.
Built around your schedule
Cruise, layover, mobility and private-day plans are adjusted around real travel needs.
No confusing inclusions
Guide, vehicle, tickets, meals and optional extras are separated clearly before you request the booking.
Airport meeting instructions
The correct instructions are repeated after booking so guests know exactly where to go.
Istanbul Airport
After collecting your luggage and passing through customs, proceed through Exit Gate 13 to the M-55 Meeting Point. Our airport representative will meet you there and escort you to your private vehicle.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport
Proceed to the arrivals hall and follow the TÜRSAB Meeting Point instructions provided with your reservation. Our representative will coordinate your driver.
Frequently asked questions
Useful details before you reserve.
Is my booking confirmed immediately?
No. The website records your booking request and reference. Our team checks availability and sends the final confirmation by WhatsApp or email.
What if my flight is delayed?
Provide the correct flight number. We monitor the actual arrival and adjust airport pickup for flight delays. Airport arrival transfers include up to 90 minutes complimentary waiting time after actual landing.
What is your cancellation policy?
Guided tours may be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before the confirmed start time. Airport transfers may be cancelled free of charge up to 12 hours before pickup. Special vehicles, yachts, prepaid tickets and third-party activities may have different terms shown before confirmation.
What is the difference between a driver and a licensed guide?
A professional driver provides transportation. Historical guiding is provided by an official licensed professional tour guide. Where permitted, licensed guides can also assist with ticket procedures and faster/priority entry arrangements.
Are attraction tickets included?
Unless specifically stated in the selected package, attraction tickets, meals, drinks and personal expenses are separate.
Which guide languages are available?
English and many other major languages are available subject to guide availability. A different-language guide may carry a supplement; the vehicle or core tour rate does not change.
When should I be ready for pickup?
For most hotel pickups, please be ready in the lobby 10 minutes before your confirmed pickup time. Accessible lift services and yacht boarding may require 15 minutes. Airport arrivals use the airport meeting instructions instead.
What should I wear for mosque visits?
Please wear clothing suitable for active mosques: shoulders and knees should be covered. Women should carry a scarf for hair covering when required. Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended.
How do I pay?
Cash is preferred. If card payment is available and any processing charge applies, the exact amount will be disclosed before payment and shown in your written payment instructions. No card details are collected on this booking page.
Can you arrange wheelchair-accessible transportation?
Yes. Choose the hydraulic wheelchair-lift option and provide the wheelchair type, approximate dimensions and relevant weight information. Manual wheelchair rental is also available.