Istanbul Tour Package: 5 Days with Hotel, Guides & Bosphorus Cruise

Istanbul 5-day package with hotel, guides and Bosphorus cruise: the key facts

This is a 5-day, 4-night Istanbul package with three guided days. After an airport pick-up on Day 1, Day 2 covers the Old City: the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar, with Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia as optional entries. Day 3 is a Bosphorus cruise on a public ferry, Dolmabahce Palace, Taksim and Istiklal Street, Cicek Passage, Galata Tower and the Spice Market. Day 4 takes you to Suleymaniye Mosque, Fener and Balat, the Iron Church, Pierre Loti Hill by cable car and the Rahmi Koc Museum. Day 5 is the departure transfer.

It suits travellers who want to see more than the Old City at a steady pace, with a hotel and transfers arranged. The price is from $1,285 per person.

What does each guided day look like?

The page says guided days usually start around 09:00-09:30 and end by 17:00 at the latest. Day 2 is the Old City on foot from 09:30, around Sultanahmet Square. Day 3 moves along the Bosphorus by public ferry, then to Dolmabahce Palace, Taksim, Istiklal Street, the Galata Tower and the Spice Bazaar. Day 4 covers Suleymaniye Mosque, Balat and Fener, St. Stephen's Iron Church, Pierre Loti Hill and the Rahmi Koc Museum. Day 1 and the evenings are free.

Which entrance tickets are included?

This needs checking in writing. The inclusions say "admission fees in the itinerary", yet the day plans mark Dolmabahce Palace and Galata Tower with "admission fee required", although neither is labelled optional. Topkapi Palace is optional with its ticket sold as an extra at $85, and Hagia Sophia is optional with an admission fee but no price on the page. Before paying, ask us to list which tickets are in the package price and which you pay on the day. Topkapi is closed on Tuesdays and Dolmabahce on Mondays, so the day order may need to fit your dates.

Is the Bosphorus cruise private or a public ferry?

It is a public ferry. The Day 3 plan says the cruise is taken on a public ferry, with views of the city skyline from the water, so you share the boat with commuters and other visitors. It is not a private yacht and not a dinner cruise. If you want a private boat or an evening on the water as well, see our Bosphorus tours and ask us to add one to the plan.

Which hotel is used and where?

The package includes four nights with breakfast. The page does not name the hotel, its neighbourhood or its category. Ask us to state the hotel name and area in your written plan; staying near the Old City or Karakoy shortens the morning pick-ups. If you already have a preferred area, mention it when you enquire. Our where to stay in Istanbul guide explains the main districts.

How much walking is involved, and what should we wear?

Each guided day is mostly on foot, and Day 4 includes the hills of Balat and Fener on cobbled streets. Wear comfortable shoes with grip. For the Blue Mosque and Suleymaniye Mosque, and Hagia Sophia if you add it, cover shoulders and knees, women cover their hair, and shoes come off at the door. Mosques close to visitors at prayer times, longest at Friday midday, so the order of a day can change. See what to wear in Istanbul.

When is the best time of year for this package?

Spring and autumn are usually the most comfortable months for three walking days and a ferry ride. Summer is warm and busy at the main sights, while winter has rain and shorter daylight but fewer queues. The package runs year-round. Carry a light layer for the Day 3 ferry, as it is breezier on the water than in the streets. For month-by-month planning, see our best time to visit Istanbul guide.

Can we add nights or shorten the trip?

You can add one extra hotel night before or after the tour for $65, or two for $125. If five days is more than you need, the Istanbul 3-day package from $435 per person covers the Old City day only. For more ideas on how to spread the days, read our Istanbul 5-day itinerary. Other combinations are on our Istanbul packages page.

How do we book this package?

Choose your date and number of guests in the booking form on this page and send your arrival and departure flight details for the transfers. You can also message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88. We check the hotel for your dates and send the full plan in writing, with the hotel, the three tour days and a clear list of which tickets are included, before you make any payment. Cancellation terms are on our cancellation policy page. Get Turkey Tours is operated by Viracocha Travel Turizm, TÜRSAB licence A-15751.