Current as of: July 7, 2025 - 11:12
Discover Istanbul Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Guided Group
- Destination: Turkey
- Programmes: Culture
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Activity Level:
1 out of 7 - Easy
- 5 Days: Land Only
- Ages: 16+
- Trip Code: ATX
Trip Overview
The treasures of Istanbul shine even brighter when you explore them with a tour leader who knows their secrets
Straddling two continents and hundreds of years of history, Istanbul is a dizzying, dazzling city packed with rich culture, sumptuous food and some of the world’s great monuments. It’d take a lifetime to explore, but you can get straight to its soul on this compact adventure. Our expert local tour leader will show you the things others miss and introduce you to the people who are as integral to the city as the grand mosques, spice markets and stretching Bosphorus strait.
At a Glance
- Accommodation: 4 Classic nights (hotels)
- Mainly travel by public transport, including the tram and metro
- Group normally 5 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
Highlights
- Immerse yourself in the wonders of Istanbul with the guidance of a local tour leader
- Enjoy expert insight as you marvel at the great landmarks left by empires past
- Meet the vendors as you explore the Grand Bazaar and fragrant spice markets
- Experience the buzz of the cafes and shops around the Galata Tower area
- Cruise between Europe and Asia on a boat ride along the Bosphorus
Is This Trip for You?
This trip is rated Activity Level 1 (Easy). For more information on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 5
Max group size: 16
Itinerary
Land Only Itinerary
Adventure begins in Istanbul
Arrive in the transcontinental city of Istanbul, an enthralling cultural powerhouse packed with history, architecture and incredible cuisine.
You’ll get to know its twists, turns and architectural triumphs over the following few days, so tonight you can settle into your hotel and, if you have time after your flight, enjoy some solo exploration.
Want more time in Istanbul? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.
Time travel through the history of Istanbul on a tour of the Old City
Say merhaba to your tour leader and fellow travellers this morning, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.
Then we join our tour leader on an exploration of the Old City, a great introduction to the rich history of Istanbul.
Our tour takes us to some of the great city landmarks, starting at Topkapı Palace. It was the administrative palace of the Ottoman empire between the 15th and 19th century, where sultans and their court lived and governed in an opulent setting.
Continue to the magnificent Hagia Sophia, admiring its immense dome, serenity and fine Byzantine mosaics, before visiting the Blue Mosque (or Sultan Ahmet Mosque). Finally, we stroll around the Ancient Hippodrome, the setting of chariot races and centre of Byzantine civil life.
After a busy day, enjoy a Turkish feast for dinner, a great chance to get to know each other a little better in a relaxed setting.
Uncover the wonders of the Ottoman empire
Today is dedicated to the Ottoman empire. Our tour starts at the Suleymaniye Mosque, which was built between 1550 and 1557 by Mimar Sinan, known as the greatest Ottoman architect of the classical period. It’s a masterpiece with four minarets rising from each corner of the courtyard; inside, the mihrab (a praying niche showing the direction to Mecca) and mimber (pulpit) are made of finely carved white marble, and there are fine stained-glass windows.
Continue to the Grand Bazaar, the largest covered market in the world – a labyrinth of streets and passages with more than 4,000 shops.
We then hop on a boat to cruise down the Bosphorus, the strait that separates Europe and Asia. On either side of the water stands two medieval Ottoman castles, while the shores offer a delightful mixture of past and present, grand splendour and simple beauty.
Marvel at Dolmabahce Palace • Dive into street food and fascinating neighbourhoods
Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Istanbul today. After breakfast, we take the tram to the 19th-century Dolmabahce Palace. Its scenic spot on the waterfront is matched by the impressive architecture, which blends baroque, neoclassical and rococo styles.
After, take the funicular to the Taksim district, where we sample street food and stroll along Istiklal Street to admire its historic passages. Then, leave the bustling pedestrian street to explore the shops and restaurants of the Pera and Cihangir neighbourhoods.
Along the way, we see churches on Pera Street and the Galata Tower (entrance not included). Our travels take us across Galata Bridge, which spans the Golden Horn in the heart of Istanbul.
We then visit the Misir Carsısı (Spice Market) next to Yeni Mosque in Eminonu, an evocative marketplace of vivid spices whose scent fills the air.
Adventure ends in Istanbul
You’ve witnessed the grand landmarks of the Ottoman empire, explored the largest covered market in the world, and experienced the best of Istanbul; but now it’s time for the adventure to end and begin your return journey home.
Alternatively, if you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative to discuss our large range of extension options, which could include joining our Walking in Cappadocia adventure.
Accommodation
Erboy Hotel
Our base for this adventure is the Erboy Hotel, a fixture in the city since 1987. Located in the Sirkeci district, it’s well-located for exploring Istanbul and just a 10-minute walk from Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sofia.
Inside, there are 84 modern rooms, a lobby café-bar and a terrace bar. There are also two restaurants: the rooftop Imbat restaurant and Paşazade, which serves Aegean-Mediterranean cuisine.
Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we pair solo passengers together in a room. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Single supplement from £ 275
Food & Drink
Allow about 12,500 Turkish liras (US$450) to cover meals not included. Your tour leader normally assists in organising group meals so you may benefit from better choice and prices. Lunches and dinners are normally taken in local restaurants, known as lokantas.
Transport
To navigate the city, we mainly travel by public transport, including the tram and metro.
Weather & Seasonality
Temperatures in July and August can reach 40C (104F) during the day and Istanbul can be humid. During increased temperatures, activities are scheduled to be more comfortable in the earlier or later part of the day. Winter is a lot cooler with a high of 11C (52F).
Joining Instructions
Key information
Hotel: Erboy Hotel, Hoca Paşa, Ebussuud Cd. No:18, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul
Phone: +90 212 513 37 50
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today
Airport: Istanbul Airport (IST)
Getting to the start hotel
We provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel, which you can join at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
Catching your return flight
There’s one group transfer to the airport, which you can join at no extra cost. Please speak to your sales representative for the time of the transfer. If the group transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
What To Take
Essential Equipment
- Sunhat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Backpack for camera, water bottle etc
- Waterproofs
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Scarf for women to put around hair in the mosques in Istanbul
November to May departures:
- Warm clothes for evenings: gloves, hats and waterproof jacket
Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill sites or get burnt, both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. On this trip, most of the hotels used have water-refill stations where you can refill your own water bottle for a small fee (1 lira for a small bottle and 1.50 lira for a larger bottle). Please add a water bottle to your packing list.
Practical Information
Visa
Turkey
Travellers from the UK, US, Canada and most EU states normally do not need a visa to enter Turkey. Visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
- Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/turkey
- Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/turkiye
- United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey/entry-requirements
- USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Turkey.html
Vaccinations and Health
Turkey
There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
The risk of malaria on this trip is slight, but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice.
Local Time
Turkey's time zone: Europe/Istanbul (UTC +03:00)
Electricity
Turkey's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins) and F (two round pins) – 230V, 50Hz
Money
Turkey's currency: Turkish lira (TRY)
ATM Availability
Istanbul has a good network of cash machines, which can be used to withdraw lira. It is best to use a mixture of cash and ATMs. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in shops for larger purchases.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
Optional excursions:
- Kadıkoy walking tour via local ferry: €40
Tipping
If you would like to leave a tip, we suggest you budget around 4,960 Turkish liras (US$125) to be broken down as follows:
- Approximately 3,840 liras for your tour leader
- Approximately 1,120 liras for the hotel
This, of course, is in no way compulsory and depends on the service received.
Sustainability and Impact
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
Important Information
Optional activities and excursions
If you would like to join an optional activity or excursion outside those listed in the itinerary, your leader may be able to assist with selecting a provider. However, Exodus has not assessed the safety standards of activities or excursions that are not listed in the Trip Notes. All optional activities or excursions are undertaken at your own risk.
This trip goes near an area deemed unsafe to visit by the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whose advice we follow when operating our trips. While our itinerary doesn’t go to these areas, you should familiarise yourself with your local government’s advice if you are planning any pre- or post-trip travel. Any independent travel to areas currently against your local government advice is entirely at your own risk and unlikely to be covered by your travel insurance.
Important Information
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call us and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
Seatbelts
All vehicles used by us should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by us based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.
How to Book
- Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
- Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
- Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.