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Private Istanbul Deluxe Full-Day Tour
The private deluxe istanbul tour from Hagia Sophia Travel keeps the ticketed Old City core, then trades the Grand Bazaar finish for one curated afternoon: a Bosphorus cruise ticket or a guided Balat walk—never both in the base price. Hours run about 09:00–18:30. From €290 per person, minimum two adults. You still ride a private Mercedes Vito for hotel pickup and drop-off, keep a licensed private guide all day, and sit down for lunch (drinks excluded). TÜRSAB-licensed operations. State Bosphorus or Balat in booking notes so operations pre-assign the right finale.
Morning core shared with Standard
After lobby pickup you cover Blue Mosque (when open to visitors), Hippodrome landmarks, Hagia Sophia visitor gallery, and Topkapı with the combined palace + Harem + Hagia Irene ticket. Modest dress for mosques; sturdy shoes for palace courtyards. Tuesdays use Basilica Cistern Plan B with the Cistern ticket included instead of Topkapı. The morning rhythm matches our lighter full-day package; Deluxe simply spends the afternoon differently. Private pacing means fewer dead waits at desks and more time for the questions that shared coach tours skip.
Lunch, then your chosen story
Sit-down lunch near the Old City is included. After the meal you do not push into Kapalıçarşı—the time budget belongs to your afternoon choice. That is the deliberate trade: no Grand Bazaar on Deluxe, because the hours fund water or neighbourhood depth instead. Soft drinks and alcohol remain extra at the restaurant; mention allergies or vegetarian needs when you book so the stop is ready.

Afternoon choice A: Bosphorus cruise
Pick the strait for palaces, fortresses, and bridge silhouettes from the water. The cruise ticket is included; your guide coordinates pier timing after lunch so you are not guessing boats. Decks can be breezy even in summer—bring a light layer. This option suits guests who already know bazaar lanes and want a classic postcard finale after the museum-heavy morning.
Afternoon choice B: Balat neighbourhood walk
Pick Balat for colourful hillside houses, steep lanes, and photo stops with your guide at street level. There is no cruise on this path. After imperial museums, Balat feels like lived-in Istanbul—laundry lines, cafés, and viewpoints that coach tours rarely linger on. One option is included; requesting both Bosphorus and Balat needs an extended-day quote from our WhatsApp team.

Drop-off, children and lighter alternatives
The Vito returns you around 18:30 depending on traffic and your afternoon pick. Children 0–5 free; 6–11 half price; 12+ adult. Bring passport ID for ticket desks, modest clothing for mosque stops, and a light jacket if you chose the cruise. If you prefer the bazaar close and an earlier hotel return without choosing a cruise or Balat, the Private Istanbul Standard Full-Day Tour is the lighter full-day sibling—same morning tickets and lunch, Grand Bazaar finish, drop-off nearer 17:00. Prefer only half-day tickets without a Vito? Morning and afternoon private packages remain available separately. Checkout on this page; confirmation lists pickup and WhatsApp +90 535 666 87 91. Hagia Sophia Travel publishes EUR prices with clear inclusions so you can compare Standard and Deluxe side by side before you pay.
https://www.colinarojotravel.com/tours/private-istanbul-deluxe-full-day/
Highlights
- Longer private day with Vito transfers and lunch.
- Hagia Sophia and Topkapı tickets included in the morning.
- Afternoon: choose Bosphorus cruise OR Balat neighbourhood walk (one included).
- Want both afternoon options? Ask for an extended quote.
- Closed-day Plan B included at no extra fee.
What's included
- Private licensed professional guide
- Private Mercedes Vito with professional driver — hotel pickup and drop-off
- Lunch (drinks excluded)
- Hagia Sophia visitor gallery entrance ticket
- Topkapı Palace combined ticket (Palace + Harem + Hagia Irene)
- Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Square & Hippodrome
- Afternoon choice (one included): Bosphorus cruise ticket OR Balat guided walk
- Tuesday Plan B: Basilica Cistern instead of Topkapı (ticket included)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Optional gratuities for guide and driver
- Travel insurance
- VAT is not included in the listed price
- Drinks at lunch
- Second afternoon option (Bosphorus + Balat together — add-on / extended day)
- Grand Bazaar (time reserved for afternoon choice)
- Personal shopping and gratuities
Not suitable for
- Guests who need full wheelchair access for every stop (Old City streets and some historic interiors are not fully accessible)
Important information
What to bring
- Passport or photo ID (required for some museum entries)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Modest clothing for mosques (shoulders and knees covered; headscarf for women at mosques)
Not allowed
- Smoking inside museums, mosques, and the vehicle
- Large suitcases on walking segments (store at hotel when possible)
Know before you go
- Choose Bosphorus OR Balat at booking (notes field or WhatsApp). One option is included; both together is an add-on.
- Grand Bazaar is skipped so afternoon time goes to your chosen experience.
- Day typically ends around 18:30 depending on traffic and your afternoon choice.
- Tuesday: Topkapı is closed — we replace it with Basilica Cistern plus Süleymaniye or Gülhane (ticket swap, no extra fee when Topkapı was included).
- Sunday: Grand Bazaar is closed — we use Spice Bazaar, Arasta, or Cankurtaran–Ahırkapı lanes instead.
- Blue Mosque: during prayer times or Friday midday prayer we reorder stops or visit Küçük Ayasofya / Süleymaniye.
- Children: ages 0–5 free, ages 6–11 pay 50%, ages 12+ adult rate. Minimum 2 adults.
Itinerary
Morning is fixed; afternoon follows your choice (Bosphorus or Balat). Tell us your pick when you book.
- 09:00
Hotel pickup
Private VitoPrivate guide and Vito from your hotel.
- 09:30
Blue Mosque & Hippodrome
60 min · Visit · guidedSultanahmet classics before the major museums.
- 10:40
Hagia Sophia
60–75 min · Visit · guidedVisitor gallery ticket included.
- 12:00
Topkapı Palace
90–120 min · Visit · guidedCombined ticket included. Tuesday: Cistern Plan B.
- 14:15
Lunch
60 min · IncludedLunch included; drinks excluded.
- 15:30
Bosphorus cruise OR Balat walk
2–2.5 hrs · Your choice · one includedPick one at booking. Both together requires an extended-day quote.
- 18:30
Hotel drop-off
Private VitoReturn to your hotel. Timing may vary with traffic.
Route map
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Book this tour
Book your unforgettable adventure today! For any questions or personalized advice, don't hesitate to contact us.
You have questions?
Select age range for each child: