Istanbul Private City Tour by Mercedes Vito, 1-6 People

Istanbul private car with driver: how this tour works

This is a private Mercedes Vito VIP vehicle with your own professional driver for 8 hours, from $220 for the whole vehicle, for up to six people. You decide the stops before the day starts, stay at each place as long as you like, and the driver waits nearby while you visit. Fuel and parking are included, so the price you see is the price of the car for the day.

How much does it cost to hire a car with driver in Istanbul for a day?

With us, a full 8-hour day in a Mercedes Vito starts at $220 per vehicle. Split between six travellers that is under $37 each, with no waiting for taxis between districts. Here is how it compares with our other ways of seeing the city privately:

Does the driver also guide?

The driver is a professional driver, not a licensed guide, and museum guiding in Turkey is done by licensed guides. That is what keeps this tour affordable and flexible. If you want history explained inside Hagia Sophia or Topkapi Palace, take the private guide tour and add a van, or ask us to combine a guide and a Vito on the same day.

Which route should you choose?

Most guests pick one of four routes, then adjust:

The car is most useful for places that are far apart or awkward by public transport: Balat and Fener on the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus villages of Ortakoy and Bebek, and shopping in Nisantasi. The Old City itself is compact, so on that route you will walk between the main sites and meet the car again afterwards.

Is it worth it for families and older travellers?

Yes, this is the tour families ask for most. Children, grandparents and anyone who finds steep streets tiring can rest in an air-conditioned vehicle between stops instead of waiting for trams or negotiating taxis. Shopping bags stay in the car. Tell us if you need child seats or have a wheelchair or walker so we can prepare the right vehicle.

When is the best time to do it?

Istanbul traffic is heaviest on weekday mornings and evenings, so a route that starts in the Old City in the morning and moves to the Bosphorus in the afternoon usually works best. Remember the closing days: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, Dolmabahce Palace on Mondays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for photo stops; in summer the car's air conditioning is a real advantage.

What should you bring?

Comfortable shoes, a scarf for women and long trousers for men if you plan to enter mosques, cash or a card for museum tickets and lunch, and your list of must-see places so the driver can plan the order.

How do you book?

Choose your date on this page and send the form, or message us on WhatsApp with your hotel and your preferred stops. We confirm the vehicle and pick-up time in writing, and you pay only after confirmation. For more ideas see our Istanbul tours and Turkey tour packages.