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We keep this list deliberately short. It holds nine tours from the full catalogue, ranked by booking numbers. Nearly all are in Istanbul and most are private. Together they cover what a first trip usually calls for: the old city, the Bosphorus, an evening out and an airport plan.

How these nine were chosen

On a first visit of two or three days, most people want a tour of the old city, a Bosphorus tour and a night out. Those in transit need something for a layover. Others travel for a particular interest, like churches or food. Each of those needs has a tour here.

• For the lowest price with a guide in the old city, take the old city group tour with Hagia Sophia tickets, which also visits the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar. Prices start at $120 per person for a 6-hour day, and central hotel pick-up and entry tickets are included.
• For the most flexibility, there is the private guided tour of one, two or three days. Its price is per group, starting at $199 for around seven hours of guiding per day, and it picks you up at your hotel or Galataport.
• For the classic pairing, book the city tour and Bosphorus cruise combo: 6 to 8 hours, from $200 per person.
• For palaces, the private Topkapi and Basilica Cistern visit costs from $236 per person. It is among the small number of private tours here that come with tickets already included.

Evenings and airports

Two best sellers are built around time, not a place. The night food tour with a meyhane stop costs from $81 per person and spends four evening hours on both continents; food and drinks are paid locally. The private layover tour, airport transfers included, runs for nine hours, from $550 per person. It meets you at the airport, takes you to the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Market and the Bosphorus, and returns you in time for your onward flight.

How to compare the prices

You cannot compare these prices one to one. Most prices are per person. The Best of Istanbul tour, though, is charged per group, so a family of four may find it the cheapest option. Tickets come included on the Active Churches and Topkapi tours but not on the rest, and tickets for Hagia Sophia and Topkapi can add a noticeable sum per person. On most of these Istanbul tours a private van is an optional extra at additional cost, but in the old city people normally walk from sight to sight, which is often faster than going by car.

Who they are for

First-time visitors get the most from these nine. If you know Istanbul already, the more focused lists will suit you better: our city tour list covers the Asian side plus a modern art day, and the Bosphorus list features lunch cruises and private yachts. For a special interest, the Istanbul Active Churches Tour (from $115 per person) takes you to Catholic, Armenian and Orthodox churches that still hold services.

Two days, simply planned

On the first day, spend the morning in the old city, when the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are calmer, and take the Topkapi tour after lunch on any day except Tuesday (the palace closes that day). In the evening, join the night food tour. On the second day, do the Bosphorus part of the combo tour, then wander Galata at leisure. The hour-by-hour version is in our two-day Istanbul plan, and our guide to Topkapi explains which courtyards and treasury rooms deserve priority.