Istanbul Private Driver Tour: Mercedes Vito for 8 Hours, 1-6 Guests
Overview
Istanbul Private Driver Tour: Mercedes Vito for 8 Hours, 1-6 Guests
See Istanbul in comfort with a Mercedes Vito VIP vehicle and a professional driver reserved only for you. The day is private and flexible, and it works for groups of up to six.
Before setting off you pick your stops. Popular choices include Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque, the wider Old City, Galata Tower, Karakoy, Balat, Taksim, Ortakoy and Dolmabahce Palace, or viewpoints along the Bosphorus. Stay at each place for as long as you want; the driver waits close by, and you can pause for photo stops on the way.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Istanbul by Private Mercedes Vito with Driver
The driver collects you from your hotel. You set the route: decide your stops in advance, stay as long as you like at each, and the driver will be waiting nearby all day. Sample itineraries:
- Option 1 – Old City: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar
- Option 2 – Photo favourites: Galata Tower and Karakoy, Balat and Fener, Ortakoy and the Bosphorus viewpoints
- Option 3 – Istanbul in style: Dolmabahce Palace, Bebek and Ortakoy, the Bosphorus shoreline, Galataport and Nisantasi
- Option 4 – A mix of highlights: the Old City, Galata and Taksim, Balat, and the Bosphorus with the Asian side
Plans can change before the tour or while it is under way, depending on your interests, shopping, photo stops or the sights you want. The day finishes with a drop-off at your hotel.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Private Mercedes Vito VIP Vehicle
- ✓Professional Driver
- ✓Hotel Pick-Up and Drop-Off
- ✓Flexible Private Route
- ✓Fuel and Parking Fees
- ✓Personalized Tour Experience
- ✕Museum Entrance Tickets
- ✕Lunch and Drinks
- ✕Personal Expenses
- ✕Tips for the Driver
- ✕Travel Insurance
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at no charge until 7 days before your tour and you receive a full refund. If you cancel within the final 7 days before the tour, no refund is given. All times shown are local.
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Private car and driver in Istanbul: how it works
You get a Mercedes Vito VIP vehicle and your own professional driver for 8 hours, from $220 for the whole vehicle, for groups of up to six. You choose the stops before the day begins, spend as long as you want at each one, and the driver waits close by during your visits. Fuel and parking are covered, so the price shown is the price of the car for the full day.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8 hours |
| Price | from $220 per vehicle (1 to 6 people) |
| Vehicle | Mercedes Vito VIP and a professional driver |
| Pick-up | From your Istanbul hotel, with drop-off when the day ends |
| Included | Vehicle, driver, parking, fuel, flexible route |
| Not included | Lunch and drinks, museum tickets, travel insurance, driver tips |
What does a car with driver cost for a day in Istanbul?
A full 8-hour day in a Mercedes Vito with us starts at $220 per vehicle. Shared by six travellers, that comes to less than $37 each, and nobody has to wait for taxis between districts. This is how it stacks up against our other private options:
| Option | Ideal for | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| This tour | Up to 6 people, your own route by car, no guide | $220 per vehicle |
| Private guided tour, 1 to 3 days | A licensed walking guide who explains every site | $199 per group per day |
| VIP tour by Mercedes S-Class with a private yacht | Guide, chauffeur, tickets and a cruise by yacht | $1,800 per group |
| Mercedes Vito private airport transfer | Only the airport to hotel run | $60 per vehicle |
| Airport layover tour | Guide, van and transfers to and from the airport between flights | $550 |
Is the driver also a guide?
No. The driver is a professional driver and not a licensed guide, and in Turkey only licensed guides may guide in museums. That is why this tour stays flexible and good value. If you would like someone to explain the history inside Hagia Sophia or Topkapi Palace, book the private guided tour and add a van, or ask us to put a guide and a Vito together on the same day.
Which route suits you?
Most guests start from one of four routes and then tweak it:
| Route | Stops |
|---|---|
| Old City | Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar |
| Photo route | Balat, Fener, Galata Tower, Karakoy, Ortakoy, viewpoints over the Bosphorus |
| Luxury Istanbul | Bebek, Ortakoy, Dolmabahce Palace, Galataport, the Bosphorus coast, Nisantasi |
| Mixed highlights | Taksim, Galata, the Old City and the Bosphorus |
A car helps most for places that are spread out or hard to reach by public transport: Balat and Fener on the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus villages of Bebek and Ortakoy, and the shops of Nisantasi. The Old City is small, so on that route you walk between the main sights and rejoin the car later.
Is it a good choice for families and older travellers?
Yes, families request this tour more than any other. Children, grandparents and anyone who struggles with steep streets can relax in an air-conditioned vehicle between stops, rather than waiting for trams or haggling with taxi drivers. Shopping bags can stay in the car. If you need child seats or use a wheelchair or walker, tell us and we will prepare a suitable vehicle.
When is a good time for this tour?
Traffic in Istanbul peaks on weekday mornings and evenings, so it usually works best to begin in the Old City in the morning and head to the Bosphorus after lunch. Keep the closing days in mind: Topkapi Palace closes on Tuesdays, Dolmabahce Palace on Mondays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays. For photo stops, spring and autumn are the nicest seasons; in summer, the air conditioning in the car makes a real difference.
What to bring
Good walking shoes. If you will enter mosques, women need a scarf and men need long trousers. Bring cash or a card for lunch and museum tickets, and your list of top places so the driver can plan the order.
How to book
Pick a date on this page and submit the form, or contact us on WhatsApp with your hotel and the stops you would like. We confirm the vehicle and pick-up time in writing, and payment is due only once we have confirmed. To see more, visit our Istanbul tours and Turkey tour packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a private driver in Istanbul cost per day?
Will the driver guide us at the sights?
How many passengers can the Mercedes Vito carry?
Are we free to pick the route and stops?
Where is the start and finish point?
What are the cancellation terms?
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