Guide Only · Istanbul
Hire a Private Guide in Istanbul
A licensed Istanbul guide for the day, at one flat fee for your whole party. You choose what you would like to see, and each entrance is paid at the door.
Book Online
Reserve Your Private Tour
Choose your date and confirm instantly with secure checkout. One fee covers your guide for a party of up to six people. For a larger party, write to us and we will arrange your day.
- Secure Stripe checkout
- Booking powered by Bokun
- Free cancellation more than 14 days before
We are a licensed, owner-operated travel agency in Istanbul, and most of what we do is private guided tours. For travelers who would rather choose the day themselves, we also offer the guiding on its own.
A licensed Istanbul guide for up to six hours, at one flat fee of US$275 for your whole party — never per person. You choose the places you would like to see, and each entrance is paid at the door.
One fee, for everyone with you
The US$275 covers your guide for a party of up to six people. A couple pays the same as a family of six. The day does not cost more simply because more of you came to Istanbul. If your party is larger, write to us with the number and we will arrange your day.
Entrance fees, paid at the door
Every museum in Istanbul sets its own entrance fee. On this service you pay those at the gate rather than to us. Your guide takes you to the right door at each site and waits beside you while you buy your ticket. You walk in together.
| Site | Entrance fee, per person |
|---|---|
| Topkapi Palace | $60 |
| Basilica Cistern | $50 |
| Hagia Sophia | $27 |
| The Blue Mosque | Free |
| The Grand Bazaar | Free |
These are the museums' own prices, shown in US dollars and correct at the time of writing. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism sets them, and they do change. We would rather show you the figures than leave you guessing. Because nothing is collected in advance, a change of heart costs you nothing. If you wake up wanting the Grand Bazaar instead of Topkapi, the morning simply goes that way.
What the fee covers
The fee covers your guide for the day. Entrance fees, meals and any ferry, tram or taxi fares are yours to settle as you go. The Old City sights stand close enough together that the day is made on foot. Most guests prefer that to getting in and out of traffic. If you would like a private car and driver alongside your guide, tell us and we will quote it for you.
We take no commission from any shop, restaurant or workshop, ever. There are no shopping stops written into your day. Your guide will gladly tell you where the tea is good and which carpet dealers are honest. What you are told is simply what your guide believes.
Your guide is licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. They are the same guides who lead our private tours. Our lead guide has twenty-two years in Istanbul and the others fifteen or more. That is the difference between hearing that Hagia Sophia is old and understanding what you are standing inside.
You may prefer the whole day held in a single price, with the tickets and arrangements taken care of for you. Our Istanbul Old City Tour includes the entrance fees. This service is for the traveler who would rather keep the choosing in their own hands.
What You'll Experience
Highlights
One Fee for the Whole Group
US$275 for your party of up to six people, never per person. The fee is the same for two of you as for six.
The Day Is Yours to Choose
Tell us what you would most like to see, and your guide shapes the walk around it.
Your Guide at Every Entrance
Your guide takes you to the right door at each site and stays beside you while you buy your ticket.
Our Own Licensed Guides
The same Ministry-licensed guides who lead our private tours — our lead guide has twenty-two years in the city.
Unhurried
The day moves at your pace: a long look at one gallery, a glass of tea in a courtyard, or a brisk morning if you prefer.
Included
What's Included
- A licensed, English-speaking Istanbul guide for up to six hours
- One flat fee of US$275 for your group of up to six people, never per person
- A route built around the places you choose
- Your guide beside you at each entrance while you buy your ticket
- Local counsel along the way — where to pause, where the tea is good
- Clear pricing, with no commissions and no shopping stops
Good to Know
Frequently Asked
How much does a private guide in Istanbul cost?
US$275 for up to six hours. That is the fee for your guide, and it covers your whole party of up to six people. It is the same whether there are two of you or six. Museum entrance fees are separate, and you pay those at the door on the day.
Are museum entrance fees included in the $275?
No. The fee covers your guide. Each museum sets its own entrance fee per person, which you pay at the gate on the day. At the time of writing, Topkapi Palace is US$60, the Basilica Cistern US$50 and Hagia Sophia US$27. The Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar are free to enter.
How do we pay for the entrance tickets?
At the entrance, with your guide beside you. Your guide takes you to the right door at each site, waits with you while you buy your ticket, and you walk in together. Nothing is paid online in advance, so there is nothing to claim back if you decide on the day to see somewhere else instead.
Is the price per person or for the group?
For the group. One fee of US$275 covers your guide for a party of up to six people, so a couple pays the same as six. Only the museum entrance fees are charged per person. If your party is larger than six, write to us with the number and we will tell you what we can arrange.
Which sites can we choose?
Whichever ones you wish. Most guests build the day around Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar. Your guide can just as easily lead you through the Spice Bazaar, the Suleymaniye Mosque, the Hippodrome or the quiet streets of Balat. Tell us beforehand which museums you hope to enter, and your guide will order the day around the crowds.
How is this different from your Istanbul Old City Tour?
The Old City Tour comes as one agreed price that already holds the entrance fees and the arrangements behind them, along a route we know well. This service is the guiding on its own. You choose the sites, you settle with each museum directly, and the fee covers your guide. It suits travelers who would rather pick the places themselves, whether this is a first visit or a fifth.
Is transport included?
No, this service is the guide alone. The Old City sights stand close enough together that the day is made on foot, which many guests prefer to getting in and out of traffic. Any ferry, tram or taxi fare is yours to settle. If you would like a private car and driver alongside your guide, tell us and we will quote it for you.
Is there a dress code at Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque?
Yes, a dress code applies at places of worship. Knees and shoulders should be covered, for men and women alike, so shorts and sleeveless tops are not permitted. Women also need a headscarf. A light scarf is worth packing if you have one. If not, tell your guide and we will provide one for the visit.
Begin the Journey
Arrange a Guide for Your Day in Istanbul
Send us your dates and what you would love to see — we will reply with a tailored itinerary and a clear quote.