Private Istanbul Shore Excursion from Galataport

The best of Istanbul in one port day

Cruise ships dock at Galataport in Karaköy, right in the centre of Istanbul and a short drive from the old city. With a private shore excursion you make the most of every hour: your guide meets you as you leave the terminal, your private car is waiting, and the day is planned around your ship's arrival and all-aboard times, so you never need to worry about getting back.

Choose a half-day tour of about 4 hours for the essentials, or a full day of about 7 hours that adds Topkapı Palace. If there is something special you want to see, tell us and we prepare a programme for you. Would you rather see the city from the water? Book a private yacht tour for cruise passengers, departing close to the port.

Shore excursion highlights

• Met at the terminalYour guide waits as you walk out of the cruise terminal.
• Planned around your shipWe schedule the day so you are back in good time.
• Hagia Sophia and the Blue MosqueThe two great domes of Sultanahmet.
• Topkapı PalaceOn the full-day tour, the palace of the sultans.
• The Grand BazaarTime to shop in the covered market.
• Private and flexibleYour own guide and car, in your language.

Half-day or full-day shore excursion

How your port day works

1. Send us your ship and date
   Tell us your ship, the arrival and all-aboard times and your group size.
2. Meet your guide
   When you disembark, walk straight through the terminal building; your guide meets you there and takes you to your car.
3. The old city
   The Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and, on a full day, Topkapı Palace.
4. The Grand Bazaar
   Shopping time before the drive back. On Sundays, when the bazaar is closed, we visit the Spice Bazaar or Arasta Bazaar instead.
5. Back at Galataport
   With plenty of time before your ship sails.

What is included in the shore excursion

Good to know before you go

• We plan the tour around your ship's times, and traffic is taken into account so you are back on time.
• Bring sunscreen, a hat, water and comfortable shoes; there is some walking on slopes and steps.
• Shoes come off inside the mosques; men should wear long trousers, and women should cover their shoulders, knees and hair.
• Euro, pound and US dollar are widely accepted, though the local currency is the Turkish lira.
• Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar have closing days; we replace them with the Basilica Cistern or the Spice Bazaar when needed.

What our guests say about our cruises

Booking, payment and cancellation

1. RequestSend your date, group size and wishes. No prepayment.
2. Your plan and priceWe reply with a tailored itinerary and a written price, usually within the hour.
3. On the dayPay in cash in euro, US dollar or Turkish lira.
4. 72+ hours beforeCancel or change your date free of charge.
5. Under 72 hoursLate cancellations and no-shows cannot be refunded.

If a cruise is cancelled because of bad weather or an official warning, you choose a new date or cancel at no cost. These terms are for guided tours and shared cruises; private yachts have their own private tour terms.

Shore excursion FAQ