Our 4 Favourite Sightseeing Bus Tours in Turkey

1.Istanbul Top Attractions sightseeing Hop-on Hop-Off Bus

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 197 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $69Our pick

See Istanbul from an open-top bus on a one-day route linking Sultanahmet, the bazaars, Galataport, Dolmabahçe, Taksim, and Beylerbeyi Palace. You can board at Sultanahmet, listen to an English audio guide, and cross the Bosphorus to the Asian side. Buses depart hourly from 10am to 5pm, but heavy traffic can stretch the full loop well beyond two hours.

“We enjoyed seeing the main sites around Istanbul. We stopped and explored Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asia side if the Bosphorous Strait and then continued the rest of the bus trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour in Istanbul

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 195 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $68Best value

Spend about a day touring Istanbul by open-top hop-on hop-off bus. Use the multilingual audio guide to follow a route from Sultanahmet and the Egyptian Bazaar through Karaköy, Dolmabahçe, Taksim, and Beylerbeyi on the Asian side. The tour offers a useful city overview, but heavy traffic, unclear stop locations, and long waits can affect your plans.

“Well organised, helpful staff. Good audio, clear and well narrated. Kept to schedule, all in all a great couple of hours.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 110 reviews · 1 day · from $70

See Istanbul from an open-top double-decker bus with a 24-hour pass, 12 stops, route map, Wi-Fi, and audio commentary in eight languages. You can hop off near major sights, then rejoin the route at your own pace. An English-speaking host or greeter is available, but hotel pickup and lunch are not included.

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Istanbul Bus and Boat: 5 Hours Guided City Tour & Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 47 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $150

Spend about six hours touring Istanbul by boat, bus, and cable car with an English-speaking guide. You’ll see the Bosphorus, Golden Horn, Küçüksu Palace or Rumeli Fortress, Ottoman landmarks, major bridges, and hilltop views near Eyüp. The tour ends in Sultanahmet Square, with no hotel drop-off.

“prompt pick up, great cruise and knowledgeable guide. Also, great value.Would highly recommend. It is longer though than half day due to hotel pick ups.”

Check availability →Read our full review