TourIstanbul - Turkish Airlines

Had a 15 hour layover in Istanbul and decided to take the free tour offered by Turkish Airlines. Towards the end of the tour me and few other passengers decided to take a boat tour on the Bosphorus as we had more time to spend.
This tour was a great tour. And I can say that the tour guide and the passengers that you are with, can make or break the tour.
Enjoy!

[@EM-rc2xs]

This looks like so much fun!

[@pmexplore]

It was

[@rantlyy]

Is this the 8:30 to 15:00 tour? This is the one ill be taking after my flight back from Russia next month... Your vlog was an amazing insight that you!!! I was expecting to only vlog one country in this trip, But now i guess i could also do instanbul!?!?! How crazy is that? Thank you so much and i hope you had a wonderful trip!!! & I wanted to ask, Is the breakfast and lunch they mention free/they pay for it or do we have to do so? Thank you!

[@pmexplore]

This is a the 12 noon tour. On all the half day and full day tours the meals are free. They pay for it. On another flight I did the morning tour. And we were taking to place where there were options to eat. But we had to pay for it. It was amazing. I think you will enjoy it.

[@AnnnnnaQ]

​​@@pmexploreso on the 8:00am to 11:30am tour we have to pay for our food?

[@pmexplore]

@@AnnnnnaQ there are multiple tours that depart at that time. Or at least around that time. And each have a different itinerary. So if your itinerary is longer than three hours. They will most likely have an option for you to get a meal. And if it’s longer than four hours they will pay for the meal.

[@meryemortac9499]

But you can take this only on kontinental flights. I flew from a Turkish city to Switzerland with stopp in istanbul and it was not possible.

[@rantlyy]

@@meryemortac9499 Thats a shame, I guess you have to have flown from outside the country to be eligable? Not sure how it works. It was a pretty good tour though, definetly recommend whenever youre eligable next time

[@fahimfayaz2663]

I'll be on transit there at 12pm. Will i be able to sign up for their tour in the afternoon ?

[@pmexplore]

The tours do have a limit. Just make your way as fast as possible to the tour sign up. If there is space they will take you on. They will also recommend which one to take based on your outgoing flight.

[@fahimfayaz2663]

@@pmexplore Thank you for the reply.

[@janetf3377]

How do you get from where you arrive at the Istanbul airport to the help desk where Touristanbul is located at the airport? Thanks!

[@pmexplore]

I actually wanted to make a video about this. But once going through immigration and security I ended up turning off my camera. 1. from your gate, make your way to immigration. 2. After you get past immigration, you will walk through luggage pick up. 3. Make your way to the exit of the luggage pick up area. This can be a bit confusing, depending on time of the year and the number of flights. 4. Make a right and just walk all the way to the end of the airport. You will find Tour Istanbul at the end of the airport. Do not get distracted by many other tours and vendors that will try to recruit you to go on tours that they have.

[@janetf3377]

@@pmexplorePerfect. Thank you 🙏

[@sreoshidas4162]

Are there shops near the blue mosque where i can buy local products?. Wont get time to go to the main bazar during the tour

[@pmexplore]

Near the mosque there are some shops local. Atleast on the walk there, there will be. Most tour guides will slow down the walk if you are quick to buy something local. Right next to the mosque there are mostly tourist souvenirs shops. As a women make sure you bring a head scarf. Many places they head, shoulder and knees to be covered for men and women.

[@winwinwin282828]

Hi, after the tour, did you do the bosphorus cruise and went back to the airport yourself ?

[@pmexplore]

Yes. The tour will make you sign the paper that you are going at your own will. And that they are no longer responsible to take you back to the airport. And are not responsible if you miss your flight.

[@fatemanabila-u9b]

can we do shopping throughout the tour? like byuing some turkish delights

[@pmexplore]

Absolutely. But let the tour guide know ahead of time. They will make sure you get something good. There are plenty of Turkish delights at the airport too.

[@brenguille]

Do you have some time to stop and buy things?

[@pmexplore]

Depends on the tour you take. For me yes.

[@ranjansamarakone6101]

can you book these tours in advance?

[@pmexplore]

You need to get the pass for this once you are on the ground. You can not pre book this.

[@Leo-cl7zr]

Hello, I'm 17 years old can i book the tour or i should be 18?

[@pmexplore]

As long as you have a ticket on Turkish airlines and a valid passport you can take the tour.

[@joonie3174]

is this tour safe for a girl who travels alone? Does the tour guide have responsibility for everyone?

[@pmexplore]

Hi! Yes, there were quite a few solo female travelers from Iran, Australia and Canada in my tour. There are various tours that you can pick from the Turkish airlines based on your layover period. For shorter tours you won’t be getting out of the bus for the most part.

[@rizwankausar6741]

Do i need e-visa beforehand? Is food provided?

[@pmexplore]

Depending on the passport yes. I took the E visa before hand. It was fast online and cheaper. Food is provided on tours that are usually longer than 4 hours.

[@rizwankausar6741]

@@pmexplore thank you very much for the reply. I am travelling from Ghan to Germany via Turkey. I hold Pakistani passport. So do i need e-visa? Does e-visa require shengen visa?

[@pmexplore]

@@rizwankausar6741 good question According to www.evisa.gov.tr/en/info/ and www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa You will need an e visa based on your passport. Türkiye is not part of Schengen so I am not sure how relevant it would be.

[@hdhddmfk658]

Supeeer👍👍👍🏞🏝🏖

[@pmexplore]

Thank you