Private Ultimate Istanbul Tour Package: 8 Days, 7 Nights
Overview
Private Ultimate Istanbul Tour Package: 8 Days, 7 Nights
This all-inclusive Istanbul package combines comfortable hotel accommodation with guided sightseeing, Bosphorus cruises and time to enjoy the city on your own. You stay in a central middle-class hotel from our selection, confirmed with you in advance, and airport transfers, hotel pick-ups and a personal travel assistant are arranged for you.
Old City and Bosphorus Cruises
You explore the Old City with its Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks, cruise the Bosphorus between two continents, choose your own route on a private city tour by car, spend an evening on a Bosphorus dinner cruise and take a day trip to the Princes' Islands. Entrance tickets to the attractions visited, photo stops at iconic locations and local food and culture are part of the experience.
Free Day and Hammam
A free day near the end of the trip leaves room for shopping and relaxing, with an optional traditional Turkish hammam and spa.
Tour Info
Choose your hotels
A middle-class hotel is included in this package. If you wish another hotel, we can change it: choose it below and only the price difference is added. Availability is confirmed with you.
Choose your check-in date to see the exact prices for your dates.
Middle Class
Middle Class
Middle Class
Middle Class
Middle Class
Middle Class
Middle ClassHotel prices shown are estimated. Our team will contact you to confirm the final price and availability before your booking.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Istanbul
You arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST), where our team welcomes you and takes you by private transfer to your hotel in central Istanbul, a middle-class hotel from our selection, confirmed with you in advance. After check-in the rest of the day is free to rest after your flight, stop at a nearby cafe or explore the area.
- Arrival at Istanbul Airport
- Private airport transfer to your hotel
- Hotel check-in and welcome assistance
- Free time to relax or explore locally
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 - Istanbul Old City Tour
After breakfast you join a full-day guided Old City tour from 09:00 to 17:00 through the historic heart of Istanbul. You see the city's most famous Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the ancient Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. Your guide explains the city's cultural heritage, and there is free time along the way for photos, shopping and local experiences.
- 09:00 - Hotel pick-up and departure
- 10:00 - Hagia Sophia
- 11:30 - Blue Mosque and Hippodrome
- 13:00 - Lunch break
- 14:00 - Topkapi Palace
- 16:00 - Free time at the Grand Bazaar
- 17:00 - Return to your hotel; free evening
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 - Bosphorus Cruise and City Exploration
After breakfast you set out on a full-day Bosphorus cruise and city tour from 09:00 to 17:00, seeing Istanbul between two continents. Highlights include Dolmabahce Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge, Ortakoy, the waterfront Ottoman mansions and panoramic views from the water. There is free time for photos, local cafes and shopping.
- 09:00 - Hotel pick-up and departure
- 10:00 - Bosphorus cruise
- 12:00 - Panoramic Bosphorus sightseeing
- 13:00 - Lunch break
- 14:30 - Dolmabahce area and free exploration
- 16:00 - Shopping and photo stops
- 17:00 - Return to your hotel; free evening
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 4 - Full-Day Private Istanbul City Tour
This private tour by car is fully flexible. Before the tour you choose the places you would like to see, such as Galata Tower, Balat, Karakoy, Ortakoy, Taksim, Dolmabahce Palace, the Old City and the Bosphorus viewpoints. You can spend as long as you like at each stop while your private driver waits nearby.
Suggested routes:
- Popular Instagram Route: Galata Tower, Karakoy, Balat, Fener, Ortakoy and the Bosphorus viewpoints
- Luxury Istanbul Experience: Dolmabahce Palace, Bebek, Ortakoy, the Bosphorus coast, Galataport and Nisantasi
- Mixed City Highlights: Old City, Galata, Taksim, Balat, the Bosphorus and the Asian Side
You can also build your own route before or during the tour around your interests, shopping plans, photo stops or sightseeing wishes.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 5 - Free Day and Bosphorus Dinner Cruise
After breakfast the day is yours to spend at your own pace: shopping, local cafes, sightseeing or simply exploring. You can visit well-known shopping districts, traditional bazaars, modern malls and quieter local corners of the city before the evening program begins.
In the evening you join a Bosphorus dinner cruise from 19:00 to 23:30, with dinner, live entertainment, music performances and night views of Istanbul as you sail between the European and Asian shores.
- 10:00 - Free morning and personal exploration
- 13:00 - Shopping and relaxing
- 19:00 - Hotel pick-up for the dinner cruise
- 20:00 - Bosphorus dinner cruise
- 21:00 - Live shows and entertainment
- 23:30 - Return to your hotel
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 6 - Princes' Islands Tour
A full-day trip to the Princes' Islands. After hotel pick-up you cross the Sea of Marmara by ferry and have free time on Buyukada to walk its streets, stop at seaside cafes and enjoy the island views, away from the bustle of the city. Lunch and return transfers are included.
- 09:00 - Hotel pick-up
- 10:00 - Ferry departure from Istanbul
- 11:30 - Panoramic cruise across the Sea of Marmara
- 12:30 - Arrival at Buyukada
- 13:00 - Lunch at a local restaurant
- 14:00 - Free time to explore the island and take photos
- 16:30 - Return ferry to Istanbul
- 18:00 - Hotel drop-off; free evening
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 7 - Free Day and Optional Turkish Hammam
A free day in Istanbul at your own pace: explore local cafes, shopping streets and hidden corners, or simply relax before your departure. If you wish, you can book an optional traditional Turkish hammam and spa session for an authentic Ottoman-style wellness experience.
- 10:00 - Free morning
- 13:00 - Optional shopping and local exploration
- 16:00 - Optional Turkish hammam and spa
- 20:00 - Free evening in Istanbul
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 8 - Departure from Istanbul
After breakfast at your hotel you are transferred to Istanbul Airport (IST) for your departure flight. This is the end of our services.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓7 Nights Hotel Accommodation with Breakfast – a Middle-Class Hotel from Our Selection, Confirmed by Availability and with Your Approval
- ✓Lunch on Tour Days
- ✓Old City Tour
- ✓Airport Transfers
- ✓Bosphorus Dinner Cruise
- ✓VIP City Tour by Car
- ✓Princes' Islands Tour
- ✓Professional Tour Assistance
- ✓English-Speaking Guide
- ✓Transportation During Tours
- ✓Hotel Pick-Up and Drop-Off
- ✓All Local Taxes and Service Charges
- ✕Dinners
- ✕Personal Expenses
- ✕Optional Turkish Hammam and Spa
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel free of charge up to 7 days before the tour for a full refund. Cancellations within 7 days of the tour are not refundable. All times are local time.
Write a review
Have you traveled with us? Share your experience to help other travelers.
Travel guides
- Istanbul Trip from Oslo 2027: Direct Flights, What to Do and Tour Prices
- Turkey Vacation Packages from Denver 2027: Flights to Istanbul, Itineraries and Prices
- Turkey Vacation Packages from Boston 2027: Direct Flights from Logan, Itineraries and Prices
- Turkey Tour Packages 2027: All 23 Private Packages Compared, 4 to 15 Days from $699
- Istanbul Vacation Packages 2027: 3 to 9 Nights with Hotel, Transfers and Tours
- Istanbul Tour Packages with Hotel: 4 to 10 Days, Hotel by Category
- Istanbul Travel Packages 2027: 4, 6, 8 and 10 Day Options with Prices
- Istanbul Trip Cost from the USA 2027: Flights, Hotels, Tours and Daily Budget
- Istanbul Vacation from the USA 2027: 5–7 Day Plan, Flights and Real Prices
- Best Tour Operator in Turkey 2027: How to Choose, What to Check, Who We Are
Ultimate Istanbul tour package for 8 days: what you need to know
This private eight-day package combines guided sightseeing, Bosphorus cruises, a day on the Princes' Islands and real free time, from $1,499 per person. Seven nights in a central middle-class hotel from our selection with breakfast, airport transfers, hotel pick-ups, lunch on tour days, an English-speaking guide, professional tour assistance and local taxes are included. The programme covers the Old City, a Bosphorus cruise, a VIP city tour by car, a Bosphorus dinner cruise and the Princes' Islands.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8 days, 7 nights |
| Price | from $1,499 per person |
| Hotel | 7 nights with breakfast, a middle-class central hotel, confirmed with your approval |
| Included | Airport transfers, Old City tour, Bosphorus cruise, VIP city tour by car, dinner cruise, Princes' Islands tour, lunch on tour days, guide and assistance |
| Not included | Other dinners, personal expenses, optional Turkish hammam and spa |
Is a week in Istanbul too long?
Not at all. Istanbul is one of the largest cities in the world, spread over two continents, and a week lets you go beyond the checklist: a day on the car-free Princes' Islands, an evening on the water, a private car day through neighbourhoods like Balat and Bebek, and free days for markets, cafes and a traditional hammam. You return home rested rather than rushed.
What does the 8-day itinerary include?
| Day | Programme |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival, private transfer, hotel check-in |
| Day 2 | Old City tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar |
| Day 3 | Bosphorus cruise and city exploration |
| Day 4 | Private VIP city tour by car on your chosen route |
| Day 5 | Free day, Bosphorus dinner cruise in the evening |
| Day 6 | Princes' Islands: ferry across the Sea of Marmara, free time on Buyukada, lunch included |
| Day 7 | Free day, optional Turkish hammam and spa |
| Day 8 | Breakfast and transfer to the airport |
How does it compare with our other Istanbul packages?
| Istanbul package | Length | What is different | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Istanbul city tour package | 4 days | Old City and Bosphorus only | $699 per person |
| Premium Istanbul package | 6 days | No Princes' Islands day | $1,050 per person |
| This package | 8 days | Princes' Islands and a free hammam day | $1,499 per person |
| All-inclusive Istanbul package | 10 days | Adds a two-continent food tour and more free days | $1,750 per person |
What is a Turkish hammam, and should you try one?
A hammam is a traditional Turkish bath: you relax in a warm marble room, then receive a scrub and foam massage. It is a centuries-old part of Istanbul life and a wonderful way to recover after days of walking. In this package it is optional on day seven, so you can choose whether and where to go; ask us for suggestions.
What do you do on the Princes' Islands?
The ferry crosses the Sea of Marmara to Buyukada, the largest island, where there are no private cars. You have free time to walk past wooden mansions, stop at seaside cafes and enjoy the island views, with lunch included. If you are curious, see our separate Princes' Islands day tour from $90.
When is the best time to go?
April to June and September to November are ideal for the islands and the Bosphorus. Summer is the liveliest season on the islands; winter is quiet and atmospheric, and hammams are especially welcome on cold days.
What should you bring?
Comfortable walking shoes, modest clothing for the mosques, smart-casual clothes for the dinner cruise, a light jacket for the ferry and the Bosphorus, and swimwear or a change of clothes if you plan the hammam.
How do you book?
Choose your dates on this page and send the form, or message us on WhatsApp with your flights. We confirm your hotel with your approval and send the plan in writing; you pay only after confirmation. For more ideas see our Istanbul tours and our Turkey tour packages.
Similar tours
Best of Istanbul Private Tour, 1-3 Days with Professional Guide
A licensed private guide for 1, 2 or 3 days in Istanbul: the Old City, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, planned around your interests.
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night Show, Dinner Included
An evening Bosphorus cruise with dinner, drinks options, folk dance and belly dance shows, and hotel pick-up and drop-off.