I Tried Turkish Airlines Free Tour of Istanbul and Here's How it Went...

Did you know you can see Istanbul for free if you fly with Turkish Airlines? I had a 24-hour layover in Istanbul on my way back to America and there was no way I was staying in an airport for that long. I booked a hotel for a night a took advantage of the 24 hours I had in Istanbul. I did a free tour called Touristanbul provided by Turkish Airlines. In this video, I share what you can expect and how to get this free tour.

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[IlanaPinsky]

Hi everyone! I’m glad this video is doing so well and you’re finding it valuable. I forgot to mention you do need an e-visa which is $20 USD. Whether you pick the tour option or the hotel option, it is free as long as you fly with Turkish airlines and have a layover of 6-24 hours. Many of you are asking me questions that you can find out in the video. I will no longer be answering questions asked in the comments section because I can guarantee it can be found in video or please do further research online. Please watch the video it’s entirety before asking questions. I also do not know everything and I’m not an expert on Istanbul travel (I wish I was though lol). You can only pick one option…either the tour or the hotel. Not both. I chose The free tour and paid for a separate hotel near the airport. The tour starts at the airport and ends at the airport. I hope this addresses everything that you may want to know, but please do watch the video and listen carefully 😊

[naji_ali]

I did the same during the 2023 New Year Eve, but I selected the hotel. and went to downtown using the public transportation
This you save time and money for finding hotel (you get free hotel dinner and breakfast) and have the freedom to go wherever you want. I downloaded offline Istanbul map to Google Maps to always know my location.

[anlozkaya-nebe]

As Turks, we take pride in Turkish Airlines

[TravelinDevil]

Thanks for making this video. I’m planning for a long layover in Istanbul on a return leg and was wondering about the tour.
Peace and love :)

[zeesd]

I had this done last year. Had a 24-hour layover - which included 5-6 hours of touring around with Touristanbul and had the rest of my time to myself and explore further. Istanbul is a place to visit - just be weary of club thugs and taxi drivers in Istanbul.

[EZ_Boi]

I had a one night stay when I went to and from France to home and I as a Muslim I loved hearing the call to prayer ❤️🇹🇷❤️. My pfp is also A picture of Istanbul I took from a plane!

[mehmetvural]

Great video, recommendation, you are very kind, genuine, honest and constructively critical

[elmerjaen]

Thank you for posting this video. I have a 12 hours layover at this airport next week and I will definitely do the tour!😄

[warisadangditkiri]

This the reason I’m about to book Turkish airlines. I love to pet the littles kitties around the city 😺

[mrhash_official]

good work .... i m going to plan this I found your video i have started my journey from jan 2023 i have completed Sharjah Dubai Cairo (Egypt) and finally in Africa .. so i m thinking to go back to Dubai with Turkish airline ... informative video thanks for sharing

[modern-hestia]

I am already thinking like... Oh i should get bunch of cat treats... 🤣 that bus looks comfy and nice. Thank you for the info!

[romanwalker]

Thank you for this video. After I watched your video, I decided to do it too during long layover👍

[rn_notesmusic]

Thank you for this review Ilana! I have an upcoming flight to Prague and Your video made me consider flying TA! I’m flying solo and meet my friends there but I’m a little scared of doing the tour until I saw your video. It looks like you had a great time. Question about the half day schedule. Website says 0830-1500. Does that mean you’re already back in the airport by 1500 or it’s just when the tour ends? My flight is 1645 so might not be the best tour to consider

[mmalimaye]

For the hotel option and she we have a connection flight next day, do we retrieve the bags and recheck in again ?

[alethiarodriguez]

I will use it this week! I've an almost 15 hours stop. Thanks a lot!

[나영모]

I am thinking of booking a flight that arrives from JFK at 17:55 on Monday. Do you think I can take any of them, maybe the one that departs at18:30?? Is this for passenger from the states?

[sincerelycharlotte]

Can we not move outside Istanbul and live elsewhere then the hotel they recommended? I was thinking to go to a border country from there but they kind of restrict you, no?

[zork]

As of December 22, 2023 citizens of Bahrain, Canada, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Saudi Arabia are no longer required to obtain a visa to enter Turkey for up to 180 days of travel. Starting in 2025 (maybe, it has been delayed multiple times) Turkey will fall under the new European ETIAS requirement. Technically this is a "Travel Authorization" instead of a "Visa" but it is really the same thing. It is valid for all of the Schengen area.

[leipei]

Thanks for the video, we are going in May and has 10 hour layover there, when did you do this Tour?

[machkito-]

How many minutes did it take you to get out of the airport? More or less than 30 minutes?