Yes, TourIstanbul is a free service provided by Turkish Airlines for international transit passengers with a layover between 6 and 24 hours in Istanbul. It includes transportation, guided tours, museum entrance fees, and meals at no cost.
In addition, we are pleased to offer Touristanbul – a complimentary guided tour service for passengers with a layover in Istanbul between 6 and 24 hours.
Touristanbul is a complimentary tour service offered for Turkish Airlines passengers with international transfer flights. Passengers who have a connecting flight from İstanbul and have a layover time between 6 and 24 hours can benefit from Touristanbul and start exploring the city.
Touristanbul is an optional free service. You don't have to take it. The free tours are prescheduled. The timing may not be suitable for your layover time anyway.
I Tried Turkish Airlines Free Tour of Istanbul and Here's How it Went...
Is 200 lira a good tip in Turkey for tourists?
Yes, tipping is expected in restaurants. In small and casual eateries, rounding up the bill is enough. For example, if the bill is 190 TL, leaving 200 TL is polite. In mid-range restaurants, leaving 5–10% is common.
Uber prices in Istanbul are calculated according to local taximeter rates, so don't expect significantly cheaper prices. However, the Uber Istanbul app still has its benefits, allowing you to see an estimate of the final fare before you request your ride in the app.
Before visiting Türkiye, you can obtain an e-visa at www.evisa.gov.tr/. South Africans need to apply for a free of charge e-visa to before arriving at the airport and entering the country and take part in Touristanbul.
With TourIstanbul by Turkish Airlines, international passengers with a 6–24 hour layover can enjoy a FREE guided city tour — instead of waiting at the airport. ✔️ Transportation. ✔️ Professional guide. ✔️ Meals included.
You can visit Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, for business or tourism. If you hold another type of British passport, you will need a visa and should check visa requirements with the Turkish Embassy or Consulate General before you travel.
In Turkish cities, shorts and T-shirts are acceptable. Female tourists wear their usual clothing. There is no problem wearing shorts for comfort, except when you visit mosques.
Ticketed passengers who are eligible for the tour can make their reservations via the Touristanbul web page. To participate in the tour, passengers who have already booked are requested to be at the Touristanbul desk at least 30 minutes before the tour time.
Can you go out of Istanbul airport during layover?
If You're on a Layover: Don't follow signs for “International Transfer” — that keeps you inside the terminal. You're exiting the airport to explore Istanbul, so you need to follow the signs for “Arrivals” → “Passport Control” → “Exit / Çıkış”.
How to get a free meal voucher at Istanbul airport?
Here's Everly's clever hack: head to the Care Point counter and simply flash your ticket at the Turkish Airlines desk. If you ask, the staff might give you a meal voucher to redeem at several airport restaurants — no extra cost!
Turkish Airlines offers a full day tour of the city, Touristanbul, from 08:00am to 05:30pm. My outbound flight from Istanbul is scheduled at 08:30pm, so I imagine boarding will begin by 07:30pm.
Short answer: yes, you can leave the airport during a layover. However, there are a few things to keep in mind before you decide to explore your layover city. Firstly (and probably most important), is the destination of your layover.
However, passengers with round-trip flights can use Touristanbul again during other waiting periods or choose free hotel accommodation if they meet the participation conditions. The accommodation service is a separate service from Touristanbul.
Which passengers who use the stopover service Cannot benefit from the Touristanbul service on the same route?
Passengers who use the Stopover service cannot benefit from the Touristanbul service on the same route. Passengers under the age of 18 and those traveling alone cannot benefit from the Stopover accommodation service. Economy Class passengers can stay for 1 night at a 4-star hotel free of charge.
Is it cheaper to get a Turkish visa at the airport?
- Fees for e-Visas obtained via the e-Visa website (www.evisa.gov.tr) are lower than the fees for visas obtained upon arrival to Turkish airports. Information regarding visa fees can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Tram. A convenient method for getting to all of the tourist attractions is the tram system. There are only three lines, so it's visitor friendly. In addition, the tram cars are modern and clean, making for a pleasant riding experience.
Payment in Taxis: In Istanbul, taxis generally accept only Turkish Lira in cash or payment via credit or debit card. If you want to pay in euros or US dollars, you'll need to offer a price that's clearly above the taximeter fare and show the driver the current exchange rate on your phone.
