Istanbul Layover Activities and Tours

Haven’t you ever experienced a layover in Istanbul? Do you’ve to make a long layover in Istanbul in the next few days? Or looking for what to do in Istanbul, until next flight?

Layovers can be frustrating and stressful, especially in a long trip process. With layover activities in Istanbul, you can make sure the transfer isn’t just a waste of time.

Most people have to face a long connecting flight eventually. On the other hand, long layovers often save you money on airfare. And if you’re lucky, you can catch a break on a layover at one of the best airports in the world. In fact, it is highly likely that you’ll find yourself at a brand new Istanbul airport while waiting next flight, as it is a common stop for flights from west to east.

Istanbul Airport’s terminal building is the world’s largest terminal under a single roof that contains a lot of options. So, how can you make the most of your time at Istanbul Airport?

Layover Activities for Istanbul Airport

If waiting time is 6 hours or more, Istanbul Layover Activities can help you, like staying in a hotel close to your airport to rest and refresh is one of the best solutions. You can relieve the tiredness of a flight that ended in this way, take a shower and sleep in a comfortable bed, and start your next flight in a vigorous manner.

If you’ve a transfer time of up to 6 hours between flights,  it’s recommended to stay at airport in short layover in Istanbul so you don’t risk missing your next flight. After all, while enjoying your time at Istanbul Grand Airport, you can discover Istanbul Layover Activities.

1. Accommodation

There are various lounges in airport. If you are traveling in business or first class, you can enter these areas for free. But, in any case, you can also benefit from these facilities by paying. It is useful for relaxing and recharging yourself before your next flight. There is also an international “Nap Zone” at airport. Daybeds and sun loungers will help you settle in comfortably.

2. Shopping

In addition to numerous shops, a huge Duty-Free Area with state-of-the-art infrastructure is at your service.

3. Playground

If you are traveling with your kids, Istanbul airport has a playgrounds for them. The kids can have endless fun while you relax!

4. Art Galleries

There are two IGA photo exhibitions to offer to airport passengers a unique cultural experience. The well-known journalist and photographer Ara Guler’s photography studies exhibited in Ara Guler Exhibition. The “A Victory Monument Exhibition” narrating 42 months construction process of IGA with photographs in detail.

5. Eating and Drinking

Istanbul Airport features restaurants and cafes serving international and Turkish cuisine in different concept, and with franchises of well-known brands. Local delicacies and international cuisine suggestions will make your transfer time at the airport enjoyable!

Most Recommended Istanbul Tours

6. Istanbul City Tour

Istanbul Layover Tour, which is one of the best idea from Istanbul Layover Activities for waiting between 8-24 hours, can be done by yourself after a short research, or you can buy tours from well organized travel agencies of Istanbul. If you are organizing a tour yourself, you should carefully calculate how long it will take to visit places you want to see and the duration of the round trip.

In some cities where connecting flights are common, you can buy organized tours. If you have a connecting flight , there are different  Istanbul Airport layover tour options, the shortest of which take 6 hours that include the most important touristic places such as Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar.

7. Pamper yourself

Enjoy spa treatments at the airport. To make the most of layover in Istanbul, these treatments offer a relaxing and refreshing experience. And t here are showers to freshen up

Istanbul Layover Tours for World Cup 2022 in Qatar

You have 8-24 hours to spend in Istanbul and don’t know what to do? You can try the Istanbul Layover Tour, a service dedicated to introducing the city’s major attractions connecting East and West to transit passengers. Besides, you’ve the opportunity to visit tourist places in Istanbul, depending on the time of travel, and you can be sure that they’re all better than the sight of airport wall.

Especially during FIFA World Cup 22 in Qatar, most of international flights will be using Istanbul Airport as stop over station for layovers. And this will be a great chance for passenger from all around the world who will be visiting Istanbul for the first time. As you will have time on the way to Qatar World Cup in Istanbul, you can see the magical Bosporus and Old City of Istanbul, which was once Constantinople. Here you can discover underground cisterns, palaces of Sultans, mosques and after all, you can visit legendary Hagia Sophia.

Private guided layover tours in Istanbul will allow you to see more in your limited time and maximize the experience you will get from Turkey. Our team can pick you up from airport, and after visiting Istanbul we can drop you off to Istanbul Airport again for your international flight to Qatar or back home. The highlights of Istanbul can be visited in 6 hours tour or less duration, but if you have any chance for a longer layover at Istanbul Airport, Guided Istanbul Tours will be glad to offer you 2 days tour to explore both Old City and Bosporus regions.

With private airport pick up and drop off service, you don’t have to deal with public transportation or deal with taxis. Our team will be taking care of your transportation and private tour guide with flexible tour itineraries to visit only sites that you are interested in. You can go ahead with the following link for our suggested Private Istanbul Layover Tour option.

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