Luxury Istanbul Private Tour: 2 Days, S-Class and Bosphorus Yacht
Overview
Luxury Istanbul Private Tour: 2 Days, S-Class and Bosphorus Yacht
This two-day private tour of Istanbul pairs you with a local expert and offers a level of comfort and depth that standard sightseeing does not reach.
Sultanahmet and the Bosphorus
Wander the cobbled courtyards of Sultanahmet, then follow the elegant Bosphorus shoreline, and you feel the cultural pulse of the city.
History is close at hand inside Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. For extra excitement, you can book an optional helicopter flight above the Istanbul skyline.
Ending on a Private Yacht
The whole programme is exclusive and authentic. It ends calmly on board a private yacht sailing the Bosphorus, with wide views of both shores, giving your first trip to Istanbul a fitting finish.
*The S-Class car seats 2 guests. Larger groups travel in a luxury VIP van chosen to fit the group.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Old City: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Cistern and Grand Bazaar
Your guide collects you from the hotel lobby and takes you first to Sultanahmet Square.
The first mosque of the day is the Blue Mosque. Its gleaming domes and wide courtyards create a calm mood and give you a first look at the spiritual heritage of Istanbul.
Hagia Sophia comes next. It began as a church, later became a mosque and is once again a working mosque today, a rare meeting of Byzantine and Ottoman traditions. You take in its huge dome, its historic mosaics and its spiritual atmosphere.
Right beside it lies the Basilica Cistern. Here you walk between softly lit columns in the quiet of the ancient water system below the city.
After the cistern you can stop for lunch if you wish, and your guide will point you to restaurants that suit your taste.
Next you go to the Grand Bazaar to try your hand at bargaining, a skill traders here have practised for centuries. You can also stop at a carpet workshop, browse Ottoman tiles and leather goods, and pick up souvenirs that reflect the culture of Istanbul.
(Optional) Round off day one by helicopter, flying above the Historic Peninsula and the Bosphorus, the aqueducts, Ottoman palaces and fortresses, modern Istanbul and beyond. *Flight time is 30 minutes. From the air you see every layer of the city in one wide panorama.
When the tour is over, the car brings you back to your hotel.
Day 2 – Spice Bazaar, Private Bosphorus Yacht and Topkapi Palace
Your guide collects you from the hotel lobby.
You start at the Spice Bazaar, a market rich in history and colour, where you can try local flavours and specialities.
From there you walk around Eminonu Square on the Golden Horn waterfront and get a feel for everyday life in Istanbul.
Next you go aboard a private luxury yacht. The 2-hour Bosphorus cruise combines comfort with history: on the water you pass historic Ottoman buildings side by side with the modern city, as well as the bridges between two continents that have become symbols of Istanbul.
Back ashore, you can eat lunch at one of the attractive restaurants on the Bosphorus.
After lunch you head back to the Old City for Topkapi Palace. As you move through the rooms and courtyards where the Ottoman sultans lived, your private guide tells you stories that most visitors never hear.
Your private driver then drops you at your hotel.
Our service ends here. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to see you again.
Important Notes
- If you would rather fly first, the helicopter flight can be scheduled at the beginning of the Old City tour.
- Bad weather may lead to the helicopter flight being cancelled.
- Want longer for sightseeing and shopping? An extra day can be added.
- The plan is flexible and can follow your interests and pace. Simply let us know what you would like.
- The S-Class car seats 2 guests. Larger groups travel in a VIP van chosen to fit the group.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Mercedes S-Class / VIP Van Transfer Vehicle
- ✓Private Tour
- ✓Professional Guide
- ✓Private Luxury Yacht
- ✓Museum Tickets & Attraction Fees
- ✕Meals & Drinks
- ✕Helicopter Flight
- ✕Gratuity (Suggested)
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.
Write a review
Been on a trip with us? Tell other travelers how it went.
Travel guides
- Luxury Turkey Vacation Packages: What Each Upgrade Really Costs
- Luxury Istanbul and Cappadocia Trip: Cave Suites, Yacht, Private Guide
- Chauffeur Privé in Istanbul: Mercedes Vito by the Day and Transfers
- Istanbul Helicopter Tour: Price, Route and How the Flight Works
- Istanbul for Gulf Travellers: Visa Rules, Halal Food, Family Tours
- Istanbul Honeymoon Package: Nights, Hotels, Yachts and Prices
- Bosphorus Yacht Proposal in Istanbul: How to Plan the Moment
- VIP Istanbul Tours: Mercedes S-Class, Helicopter or Private Yacht
- Private Yacht Hire on the Bosphorus: Rates per Hour, Piers and Add-ons
- Istanbul in July 2027: Weather, 15 July Holiday, Concerts and Tours
Two-day VIP luxury tour of Istanbul: the essentials
Over two days this private luxury tour shows you Istanbul, with prices from $1,500. Included are a Mercedes S-Class (a VIP van for bigger groups), a professional private guide, museum tickets and a private yacht cruise of two hours on the Bosphorus. The first day is spent in the Old City; the second takes in the Spice Bazaar, the Bosphorus by yacht and Topkapi Palace. You can also add a helicopter flight over Istanbul.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 2 days, roughly 7 to 8 hours each day |
| Price | from $1,500 |
| Car | Mercedes S-Class for 2 guests, VIP van for bigger groups |
| What is covered | Vehicle, private guide, museum tickets and attraction fees, private luxury yacht |
| Extra option | Helicopter flight of 30 minutes over the city |
| What is not covered | Tips, helicopter flight, meals and drinks |
How is a luxury Istanbul tour different?
It comes down to time, comfort and access. Transport never keeps you waiting, since the driver is parked outside every site. Ticket queues are not your problem, because the tickets come with the tour. And you see the Bosphorus from your own yacht rather than a packed ferry. The guide plans both days around your pace and interests, suggests lunch places that match your taste, and changes the plan when you want to stay longer somewhere.
What is on the programme for each day?
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1, Old City | Sultanahmet Square, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern, a stop for lunch, then the Grand Bazaar with Ottoman tiles, leather and a carpet workshop; a helicopter flight can end the day if you add it |
| Day 2, Bosphorus | Spice Bazaar, the Golden Horn waterfront at Eminonu, a private yacht cruise of 2 hours, lunch beside the Bosphorus, then Topkapi Palace |
The helicopter flight can instead open the Old City day if you like. It takes 30 minutes, covering the Ottoman palaces, the fortresses, the Bosphorus and the Historic Peninsula.
How does it compare with our other premium options in Istanbul?
| Experience | What you get | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| This tour | Two private days with S-Class, guide, tickets and a private yacht | $1,500 |
| One-day VIP Istanbul tour by S-Class with a private yacht | One VIP day covering the highlights | $1,800 per group |
| Helicopter tour over the Bosphorus | Private 30-minute flight, hotel transfers included | $800 |
| Private Bosphorus yacht for groups up to 12 | Just the yacht, hourly, 2 hours minimum | $299 per hour |
| Private guide, 1 to 3 days | A licensed guide, with no luxury car or yacht | $199 per group per day |
If you have two days and want it all organised to the same standard, take this tour. With only one day, the VIP S-Class day covers the essentials in seven hours.
Can the tour be changed or made longer?
Yes. The plan is flexible. Add a further day for sightseeing or shopping, replace a site with one you care about more, or set up a special occasion on board the yacht. Let us know your group size when booking: the S-Class takes two guests, and bigger groups ride in a VIP van picked to fit your number.
What if the weather turns bad?
Weather can cancel the helicopter flight; in that case we explain the alternatives on the day. And since the plan is flexible, your guide can swap the order of the days so the yacht cruise lands on the day with better weather.
When should you take a luxury tour of Istanbul?
From April to June and from September to November the days are mild and the light on the Bosphorus is lovely. In summer the evenings on the water are long and pleasant, but the Old City is crowded. Note that Topkapi Palace closes on Tuesdays, so day two must not be a Tuesday, and that the Grand Bazaar closes on Sundays.
What should you wear and pack?
Smart-casual clothing that also meets the dress code for mosques: shoulders and knees covered, plus a scarf for women. Shoes that are comfortable yet elegant, a light jacket for the yacht, and your camera. A card or cash for lunch and for shopping in the bazaars.
How does booking work?
Pick your dates here and submit the form, or contact us on WhatsApp. Let us know your group size, your hotel and if you want the helicopter flight. Every detail is confirmed in writing, and payment comes only after confirmation. Browse more Istanbul tours and Turkey tour packages for other ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the luxury Istanbul tour include?
What is the price of the luxury Istanbul tour?
Which sights are on the 2-day luxury itinerary?
Is a helicopter flight over Istanbul possible?
Does the Mercedes S-Class work for families or larger groups?
Can we change the luxury tour itinerary?
Similar tours
Private Istanbul Tour with a Licensed Guide: 1, 2 or 3 Days
Book your own licensed guide in Istanbul for one, two or three days and explore the Old City, Golden Horn and Bosphorus at a pace that suits your interests.
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Istanbul: Folk & Belly Dance Show, Transfers
A night on the Bosphorus with dinner served on board, folk and belly dance shows, a choice of drinks packages and hotel transfers both ways.