One Day Itinerary for a Long Layover in Istanbul

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Plan the most eventful one day layover in Istanbul with this guide – including top sites to see, how to get around and where to stay for one night.

The captivating city of Istanbul is the closest thing we have to the center of the world. Spanning over two continents, Istanbul is not only unique in its blessed geographical location but its fascinating history and blend of cultures that create the modern-day metropolis as we know it.

Unfortunately, and before anyone gets too excited, it’s a fact that one day in Istanbul is not enough. However, one day is still wholeheartedly better than nothing.

Whether you’re looking to take advantage of a long layover in Istanbul, planning a day trip or a weekend escape, even a short visit to this city is worth it.

In this guide for spending one day in Istanbul, we cover all the basics of the city including an itinerary and how to take advantage of an Istanbul layover.

Istanbul Places to Visit in One Day

Don’t have the time to read through this entire guide? Stop here and take note of the list of places that are manageable to visit with just one day in Istanbul.

• Grand Bazaar & Egyptian Bazaar
• The Blue Mosque
• Hagia Sophia
• Galata Tower
• Karaköy Waterfront
• Taksim Square

One Day in Istanbul Tourism Map

Itinerary for One Day in Istanbul

Morning

This one day in Istanbul can begin at various times of the day, depending on when you first get into the city. Of course, it’s recommended that this itinerary begins in the morning or at noon at the latest.

If you do not plan on getting much sleep, the great news is that Istanbul can be explored late into the night.

Ideally, your self-guided tour of Istanbul begins near Sultanahmet Square. After getting off the metro (Vezneciler station), you will walk through Beyazıt Square where you’ll catch a glimpse of the Beyazıt Mosque.

The first official stop on this one-day itinerary is the Grand Bazaar. Originally constructed in the 15th century, it remains one of the oldest and largest covered bazaars of its kind in the world.

During your visit, allow yourself to wander a bit as the bazaar is comprised of many streets and around 4,000 vendor stalls. Everything from textiles, nuts, dried fruit, produce, and typical tourist souvenirs is sold here, creating one of the most energetic atmospheres in all of Istanbul.

After a walk through the Grand Bazaar, you can hop on over to Sultanahmet Square and enjoy some of the most famous landmarks in Istanbul. Within earshot, you will find the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, a gorgeous city park, and numerous ancient monuments.

Depending on the time you have, you can plan on going inside some of the buildings such as the Blue Mosque or Hagia Sophia (both are free).

Alternatively, you can simply admire them from the outside without having to endure the queues for entering. But if there is anything you must visit during your one day in Istanbul, it is these two incredible mosques.

Afternoon

From Sultanahmet Square, take a walk to check out the Egyptian Bazaar and Yeni Cami Mosque on your way to get to the Eminönü tram station. Before catching the T1 tram to cross over to the other side of Istanbul, stop for an authentic snack.

By the pier and near the Galata Bridge are countless vendors selling traditional fish sandwiches and other “fast” foods. No trip to Istanbul would be complete without trying a humble, local, and delicious meal like a balik ekmek.

You can walk but if you need a brief break from walking, take the T1 tram from Eminönü across the water and get off at Karaköy. The waterfront on the Beyoğlu side of the city offers picturesque views of Istanbul, including the tops of the famous mosques.

Take it easy at the park and spend some time along the waterfront between the Golden Horn Bridge and Galata Bridge. If the weather is poor, you can head to Salt Galata instead, a modern art museum which also happens to have a perfect viewpoint.

From the waterfront, begin the short uphill climb towards Galata Tower. The medieval tower is undoubtedly one of the most iconic symbols of Istanbul and used to be part of a larger citadel fortress. Visitors who wish to access the 14th-century marvel can purchase entry tickets beforehand and climb to the very top for panoramic views of Istanbul.

Evening

To reach the final neighborhood on this Istanbul itinerary, you have some options on how to get there. First, you can walk 500m towards the tram stop that will take you along the busy and modern shopping boulevard.

You can get off at one of the next few stations and peruse the big brand shops and restaurants, as well as the hidden passageway of Çiçek Pasajı. To follow this recommendation, get on the tram at Beyoğlu Tünel and get off at Galatasaray Lisesi.

For travelers who still have gas in the tank, a walk through the Çukurcuma neighborhood in order to reach Taksim won’t be regretted. Çukurcuma is one of the most charming areas of Istanbul, filled with vintage shops, art studios, and trendy cafes.

To bring your one day in Istanbul to a close, enjoy a proper Turkish dinner at a restaurant near Taksim, such as Nomads. Taksim Square is the biggest traditional town square in the city and a lively pedestrian area, any time of the day. Travelers who continue to function without sufficient sleep can take their pick of rooftop bars before calling it a night.

One Night in Istanbul: Where to Stay

This particular Istanbul itinerary ends in Taksim Square for a reason. Given that Taksim Square is a major transportation hub in the city, it is easy to reach the airport in the morning after your one night in Istanbul.

Whether you plan on taking public transportation, finding a cab, or arranging a private transfer, staying in Taksim Square will minimize travel time to get back to the airport.

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Are You Allowed to Leave Istanbul Airport During a Layover?

Yes, it is possible to leave the Istanbul airport during a long layover. If you plan to leave the Istanbul airport during a long layover, there are a couple of things you need to keep in mind. Do not begin planning a one-day itinerary to Istanbul before addressing the following.

1. If Turkey is not your end destination, you will still need to have a tourist visa in place in order to visit Istanbul. It doesn’t matter if you are only visiting for a few hours or an entire day, the visa needs to be valid during the time you are outside of the Istanbul airport. The Turkish visa process is very simple and can be done entirely online. Typically, it’s instant and you can have a tourist visa issued on the spot. Still, it’s better to plan ahead and have this step completed before you arrive in Turkey.
2. Make sure you understand the handling of your luggage, assuming you checked bags. It is always best to confirm if your checked luggage will follow you to your end destination or if you need to pick them up during your layover and recheck them for the next flight. If you are planning a quick trip to Istanbul, it’s best to avoid checking luggage and travel with carry-on only.
3. Do not overestimate the amount of time you have (or don’t have, for that matter) for a visit to Istanbul city. A day trip to Istanbul is recommended only if you have a layover that is at least eight hours or more. The ideal scenario is for your layover to require you to spend one night in Istanbul, so a layover of around 12 hours is best.

✈️ Find free trips to Istanbul now

How to Visit Istanbul for Free

Search for Long Layover Flights

There is a way for anyone to get intentionally compensated for a day trip to Istanbul. This may come as a wild surprise to those who don’t travel often, but once you know this trick, it becomes an amazing travel hack.

Essentially, this process includes getting your accommodation (and possibly more) paid for while you visit Istanbul for one day. The key to accomplishing this is having a long layover in Istanbul to begin with. So, the first step to scoring a free visit to the city starts with finding a flight with a long layover in Istanbul.

You can do this when using any flight search engine such as Skyscanner, CheapOair, or Google Flights. While researching flights, first make sure to uncheck non-stop flights.

Then you will want to increase the flight time instead of filtering by the shortest flight journey. Hopefully, you are left with results that only include long layovers but you’ll need to sort through which journeys take a break in Istanbul.

The absolute easiest way to search for flights with long layovers is to use a search engine that specializes in this like Skiplagged. Unlike the generic flight search engines, Skiplagged is designed to help travelers choose their destination in addition to the layover city they want to explore.

✈️ Find free trips to Istanbul now

Turkish Airlines Stopover

Specifically for one day in Istanbul, you need to book with Turkish Airlines in order to receive paid accommodation. Turkish Airlines has created an exclusive program just for this purpose.

Although finding a long layover flight just to get free stays sounds dubious, there are certain airlines like Turkish Airlines that embrace it and rather see it as an opportunity to boost tourism.

A free long layover in Istanbul with Turkish airlines, however, has eligibility requirements. The primary requirement for the Turkish airlines layover program is that your connection period must be at least 20 hours in order to receive free accommodation.

If you meet this requirement, you are able to apply for a free stay at one of the approved hotels that partner with Turkish airlines. Furthermore, Turkish airlines will actually facilitate the accommodation details for you, similar to a concierge.

Details about the Turkish Airlines Layover program and instructions on redeeming it can be found here.

How to Go From Istanbul Airport to City Center

Taxi

If you have eight hours or less for a long layover in Istanbul, you’ll want to plan on getting to and from the airport as quickly as possible. In Istanbul, this means hopping in a taxi.

Taxi drivers in Istanbul are from a different world. While some may consider the driving to be wild, others will appreciate the tactful and skilled way they navigate throughout the city’s labyrinth streets.

Assuming you are able to hail a taxi, the ride from Istanbul Airport to the city centre should take 45 minutes. The cost of a taxi ride from the airport to popular tourist areas such as Sultanahmet or Taksim should cost around 300 – 350 TL (under €20) for a one-way journey.

Furthermore, official taxi fares are set and can be referenced here.

Private Transfer

Private transfers sound much more luxurious than they really are, particularly in Turkey. Yes, the vehicle will likely be nicer than a typical taxi, but really the only difference is that the private transfer is scheduled ahead of time.

Booking a private transfer eliminates the hassle of having to hail a taxi while waiting at the airport and therefore gets you to Istanbul city quicker. Additionally, booking a private transfer in advance is convenient because you can do it online and have peace of mind that it’s taken care of.

Comparatively, private transfers to Istanbul from the airport are pretty affordable. However, they are most favorable for travelers in groups. Group transfers like this one can cost as little as €15 per person for a group of three.

The larger the group, the cheaper it gets. This private transfer costs under €8 per person if you’re traveling with a group of 6 people.

Public Transportation

Istanbul has a variety of public transportation systems, including a metro, tram, buses, and even funiculars. People who are looking to get to the city by public transportation for one day in Istanbul will first need to take the metro.

The metro network in Istanbul is impressive, really clean, and easy to use for tourists.

If you’re visiting from another major city with a subway system, the Istanbul metro map is straightforward to follow and good to have on hand.

For the purpose of this one-day Istanbul itinerary, it begins near the Grand Bazaar. To get from Istanbul Airport to the Grand Bazaar by public transportation, you’ll follow these steps.

• Take the M11 metro line from Istanbul Airport and get off at Kağıthane station.
• From Kağıthane, you’ll catch the M7 metro line and get off at Mecidiyeköy station.
• From Mecidiyeköy, you’ll get on the M2 metro line and get off at Vezneciler station, near the University.
• You’ll pass through Beyazit Square on foot before reaching the Grand Bazaar.

Hotel Shuttles

Whether you are staying at an average hotel or a luxury hotel, do not be afraid to ask about their shuttle to and from the airport. More often, the hotel shuttle to the airport will be paid, but since it will likely be shared with other guests, it can be an inexpensive option.

Additionally, it’s not a bad idea to search for an overnight hotel in Istanbul that includes a free airport shuttle as part of their offer.

Mobile Data for a Day in Istanbul

If you are traveling to Europe from the United States, many people will opt for purchasing an international bundle with their local carrier before heading abroad.

A common mistake travelers make when visiting Istanbul from Europe is assuming that their mobile data will work in Turkey. Turkey is not part of the European Union, which means that a European data bundle will not work in Istanbul.

Even if you are spending only one day in Istanbul, it’s smart to stay connected and make sure you have access to mobile data. To ensure this, you have a couple of options as a tourist.

Physical SIM Card

First, you can stop into any convenience store, mobile phone retailer, or kiosk at the airport and purchase a physical SIM card for the day. Vodafone, Turkcell, and Turk Telekom are the most popular data providers in Turkey, and you’ll see signs for them everywhere.

Each carrier offers some sort of tourist package, starting at 1GB all the way to 100GB or more.

Purchasing mobile data this way takes a little longer because you have to provide physical information such as your passport and potentially sign paperwork.

There is also the disadvantage that your mobile data won’t work immediately upon landing in Istanbul, and an interim period of no mobile data is inevitable.

eSIM Card

An eSIM card (also known as an electronic SIM card) has become increasingly popular with tourists. Its biggest advantage over traditional SIM cards is that you do not have to purchase anything in person, and you do not have to switch out a physical SIM card in your phone.

Additionally, there is the enormous convenience of being able to switch on the eSIM card immediately upon landing at your destination. In other words, you are connected without delay.

Getting an eSIM set up is easy and can be completed before arriving in Istanbul. The only downside to an eSIM is that it tends to be more expensive. We’ve used Airalo eSIM cards in the past with zero complaints!

Pocket Wifi

Humanity has finally reached a point where you can carry around a little device in your pocket and magically provide Wi-Fi service around you.

People who are spending one day in Istanbul as a group would benefit from renting a pocket Wi-Fi for the day instead of everyone installing individual SIM cards. Of course, this only works if you are planning on staying together.

Based on value alone, this is the most inexpensive way for multiple people to stay connected with mobile data. You’ll find many options available to rent and reserve pocket Wi-Fi gadgets online like this one.

More Turkey Travel Posts:

• Best Things to Do in Turkey in September
• Best Places in Turkey for Family Travel
• The Best Road Trip Routes in Turkey
• A First Timer’s Guide to Istanbul
• How to Spend 3 Days in Cappadocia

Istanbul Layover Travel Resources

☔️ TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage

✈️ FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Kiwi.com

🚙 CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com

🚊 TRAINS & BUSES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio

🛳 FERRIES: Direct Ferries

🛌 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago

☎️ ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo

📸 TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator

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