⏳Thinking about spending 24 hours in Istanbul… need an easy 1 day itinerary for your trip? Welcome to the only guide you’ll need, full of tips, must-see places to visit, a route map AND MORE!
This Istanbul guide is for the traveller who is passing through, who has a layover, or a long-haul flight stopover. This is a 1 day itinerary… it’s Istanbul on a shoestring. I’m a seasoned Istanbul visitor… it’s one of my favourite cities in the world… big claim, I know. But after you’ve spent just 1 day in Istanbul (with my itinerary in hand), you know you’ll be planning your next trip back.
Having done it all myself, plus hours of research, I’ve taken everything I know and combined into one easy to follow guide. I explain how to get from the airports to Istanbul city… sharing details on how to take the metro, the bus, and taxi.
If you’re spending one night in Istanbul, I recommend where to stay and my favourite hotel. Or if you have flown with Turkish Airlines, how to get a free stay. I’ll even give you the name of my local friend’s tour guide company, for those who want the easiest itinerary option available, one full, fun day out, in Istanbul!
But for the do-it-yourselfers, I break down my recommended route to seeing Istanbul into three parts – morning, midday and afternoon. I also share tips on how to visit the must-see sights, and which ones to skip.
So do a little, or do it all, it’s up to you… ENJOY!!
* This post may contain affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks for your support!
Table of Contents
Can You Leave the Airport on a Layover?
There are two main international airports in Istanbul. The most popular is Istanbul Airport (IST) and the other is Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW).
And yes you most certainly can leave both IST and SAW airports on a layover through Istanbul.
The bigger question is how long do you need for a safely timed exit and return. Leaning on the side of caution 7 hours at a minimum is a good start. This basically provides 3 hours of travel time (1½ hours each way from the airport – allowing for heavy traffic), and two hours back at the airport to get to your gate.
From Istanbul Airport (IST) to the City
🚕 Taxi – Getting to the historic centre of Istanbul from IST airport takes an average 50 minutes drive time (more during peak hours). That makes this one of the quickest ways to get to there. Simply line up in the airport taxi queue and tell the driver you’re going to Sultanahmet. The fare is metered and shouldn’t cost more than 2500 Turkish Lira. It’s best to pay with cash, because the driver will try charge you more for paying by card (speaking from experience).
🚌 Bus – The HVIST-11 bus is one of my favourite ways to get to the city, it’s quick, easy and departs every hour. The buses are comfortable and luggage is stored below. It takes 80-110 minutes and costs 380 Turkish Lira, you can pay by card or cash. It drops passengers off a 10 minute walk (uphill) from the Blue Mosque.
🚈 Metro – This option is more complicated and can take up to 1 hour 45 minutes. You need to take the M11 to Gayrettepe, M2 to Taksim and then the T1 (tram) to Sultanahmet. If you want to give this a try, I recommend watching this video. It’s cheap, but can also get very busy at peak times.
🚙 Private Transfer – Of course this is the easiest option, book a private airport transfer in advance and avoid all the hassle! The price starts at 58 EUR for the car, and you can also book your return journey back to the airport.
From Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) to the City
🚕 Taxi – Same as above, jump in the taxi queue and tell them you’re going to Sultanahmet. The journey takes around 50 minutes, depending on traffic and shouldn’t cost more than 2500 Turkish Lira. I recommend paying with cash.
🚌 Bus – We took the bus from SAW to Istanbul as a family, with two young kids. It was easy to navigate and honestly a great, affordable option. The buses leave frequently and they drop off near Taksim Square (in Beyoğlu), or Kadiköy (the Asian side), but not Sultanahmet. It costs 485 Turkish Lira and takes approx. 1½ hours, depending on traffic.
🚈 Metro – Take the M4 from the airport straight to Kadiköy (approximately 55 minutes) on the Asian side.
🚙 Private Transfer – And the easiest private transfer option – when booking make sure you select ‘Check Availability,’ then you open the ‘Show All Options’ tab, to select the route that applies to you.
Free Stopover with Turkish Airlines
In case you didn’t already know, Turkish Airlines provide their passengers a free hotel stopover in Istanbul. If you are travelling through Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, and your stopover is longer than 20 hours, and less than 7 days you could be eligible.
Check their dedicated page for more information and for the long list of eligible countries who can benefit from this deal. And don’t forget to read the terms and conditions. For example the complimentary hotel stay must be applied for more than 72 hours in advance. Also your travel must be a return, international flight, via Istanbul.
My sister recently booked a free hotel through this Stopover Program. She stayed in a 4 star hotel close to Sultanahmet and explored some of Istanbul’s highlights. This 24 layover meant she arrived at her final international destination feeling far less jet lagged!
Where to Stay for 1 Night in Istanbul
I definitely recommend staying in the historic centre in Sultanahmet, it’s lively, safe and very central to all the highlights of Istanbul.
My favourite hotel is Hotel Poem as it’s walking distance to all the main sights, the rooms are beautifully presented, comfortable and they come at a great price. And the breakfast is outstanding! The lovely owners have also offered my readers a 30% discount, and a complimentary bottle of Turkish wine, if you book directly through their website. Use the code SHARONPOEM30 and tell them I said hi 👋
Is One Day in Istanbul Enough?
Is a 1 day itinerary in Istanbul enough time to explore a new city in full… one that you’ve never been to before? Honestly no, but you probably already know that.
Is 24 hours in Istanbul enough for a quick stopover or layover, an opportunity to get a taste of the city, then absolutely yes it is.
I personally think 24 hours in Istanbul, is a great idea to break up a long flight. As a city, Istanbul is a great layover destination, and Turkish Airlines is a very good airline, with competitive prices. I fly with them frequently for long haul flights and rate their service and planes among some of the best I’ve flown with.
Do It Yourself or a Guided Tour 🌂
Can you explore Istanbul by yourself in 1 day… with my itinerary, yes sure you can. Read my guide here, and you’ll be exploring the highlights in no time. But I will add that a self-guided tour is best suited to the seasoned traveller. Someone who is confident in navigating, conversing among new cultures and so on.
If you feel apprehensive about the 24 hours in Istanbul do-it-yourself approach, then I would highly recommend getting in touch with Fethi from the Other Tour.
We did the research on tours and tour guides on our most recent trip to Istanbul. I’m planning a women’s tour to Istanbul and I wanted some good contacts, someone who I can trust and recommend. Well Fethi became more than just a contact, he’s become a friend. The Istanbul he showed us in 24 hours went over and above any other day tour or guide, I’ve ever experienced.
Fethi is a local, born and bred in Istanbul, he’s a good guy, passionate about what he does and the city he calls home. He creates a tour for each guest, based on their interests and personality. They’re called the Other Tour for very good reason… they’re not the standard, umbrella holding tour, visiting all the mass sights. Fethi and his team are fun and fully committed to showing you something unique and special!
💗 If you do go with the Other Tour, say you were sent by Sharon and Mike (from My Free Range Family), and Fethi will take extra good care of you.
24 Hours in Istanbul: The 1 Day Itinerary
Moving on… for those of you who are ready to take on my 1 day itinerary in Istanbul, then let’s get to it. Be sure to save my interactive map at the end of this post, which lays out all the destinations and recommended walking route mentioned here.
Presuming you stayed, or plan to stay the night in the historic centre of Sultanahmet, this is where my 1 day itinerary in Istanbul begins. If you’re not staying the night, and sticking to a day layover, then from the airport head straight to Sultanahmet.
Sultanahmet district is the historic centre, the heart of Istanbul. It is one of the best places to stay and explore. Sights such as the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and the Topkapi Palace are among the most popular. But there is not enough time in a day to see it all. So below I recommend the top sights and the best in order in which to visit them.
The good news, everything in Sultanahmet is walking distance. If you want the up-to-date prices and entrance timings, then check out my and Timing & Cost Table, at the start of my full 4 day itinerary of Istanbul.
Also Read: My Full Guide on Where to Stay in Istanbul
Morning – Historic Sultanahmet (3 Hours)
9.00am – Basilica Cistern
This is my favourite thing to see and do in Istanbul and my top recommendation, in terms of a paid experience. Getting there early, means beating the crowds and queues. You can book a ticket ahead with GetYourGuide or purchase on arrival, note that July and August can be very busy.
The Basilica Cistern is an underground water reservoir that historically, held the city’s water supply. It’s actually one of many and a common point of interest for many visitors to Istanbul. This one stands out, as the largest and most picturesque. The cistern columns lined in rows, the shallow reservoir of water and two Medusa heads positioned under two of the columns, add to the uniqueness of the Basilica Cistern.
Note: Expect two queues, one for online sales, the other for walk-in.
10.00AM – Blue Mosque OR Hagia Sophia MosquE
A respectful dress code is required to enter both mosques. Men must were long trousers, and women cover their hair. If you don’t have a scarf, they are provided for a small donation.
Here are the two options, I recommend just one of your choice.
The Blue Mosque, with its six minarets and iconic domes, essentially frames the Istanbul skyline. What’s more, entrance is free! The queue moves relatively quickly, so it’s a good one to tick off the list early in the day.
Alternatively The Hagia Sophia is another beautiful mosque (once a church). There is currently a considerable amount of external renovation ongoing, with scaffolding somewhat spoiling the view. That said, it’s good to see from the outside and conveniently it’s directly opposite the Basilica Cistern. The cost is 25 EUR to enter. As such I currently recommend the Blue Mosque as the best option of the two. But the choice is completely up to you of course.
Note: The Blue Mosque is closed for prayer times, and Friday until the early afternoon. Expect a LOT of people.
11.00Am – Arasta Bazaar or Grand Bazaar
Most people think of the Grand Bazaar when visiting Istanbul. But here’s the thing most shops inside these days are over priced and vendors are all about the hard sell.
So here is what I recommend… if you’re desperate to see the Grand Bazaar then jump on the tram, or get your walking feet on and make your way there pronto. It’s a brisk 15 minute walk from the Blue Mosque (with no distractions). OR, wander the Arasta Bazaar, directly behind the Blue Mosque. It’s way more chill, the vendors are less pushy and there are some good buys to be had.
If you do head to the Grand Bazaar, my best advice is to simply get lost inside. Even Google Maps struggles to keep up, so just wander, follow your nose and when you pop out one side then begin the navigation again.
Note: Expect to bargain! It’s all part of the shopping fun.
12.00AM – Spice Bazaar
Next up is the Spice Bazaar, AKA The Egyptian Bazaar. If you walking from Arasta Bazaar it takes 20 minutes, or from the Grand Bazaar it takes 10 minutes.
The Spice Bazaar is located beside the Golden Horn, the river that separates the two European sides of Istanbul. That makes it the perfect location to wander through on the way to Beyoğlu, before crossing the Galata Bridge.
It’s an L shaped bazaar, not large, but is nice to walk through, from one end to another. Store holders selling spices, teas, Turkish confectionary, nuts and so much more will try lure you in. We love picking up some Turkish delight and other things to nibble on each time we walk through.
Midday – Beyoğlu & Galata (3 Hours)
1.00pm – Cross the GOLDEN Horn (Galata Bridge)
Heading now from the old district to the new(er) side of Beyoğlu. As you walk across the bridge, you can watch the fisherman lined one side to the other. If you want a seafood lunch then take the lower level of the bridge for an extensive selection of restaurant options.
Welcome to Beyoğlu, more specifically to the district of Karaköy. From here the walk picks up an incline trend as you explore a little of the newer side of European Istanbul. Eventually, you will make your way back down to this point, so keep that in mind.
1.30PM – Galata Tower & San Sebastian Cheesecake
Time for cheesecake I reckon! Somehow Istanbul (especially in the Galata Tower area), has become known for San Sebastian cheesecake, and I won’t lie, it’s pretty delicious. Fortunately the cheesecake comes with a great view of the iconic Galata Tower. So you can tick two things off the list here.
From the Galata bridge, make the 15 minute walk uphill (via Hacı Ali Sk.) towards the Galata Tower. When you arrive, you can choose to enter the Galata Tower for 30 EUR, which provides a lovely view over Istanbul. Or you can simply choose a cafe and eat cheesecake. I know which one I’d pick 😋.
2.30PM – Istiklal Avenue
From Galata Tower, I’d walk along Serdar-ı Ekrem Cd. which is a funky street, with rundown buildings, vintage shops and the likes. Before making a left on Şah Kulu Bostan Sk. towards the main pedestrian shopping street of Istiklal Avenue.
Istiklal Avenue, has all the new trendy clothing stores, the old vintage red passenger tram that runs top to bottom. It’s a long street, always busy with pedestrians and a vibe. A perfect street for people watching and also some unique thing to do, such as coffee fortune telling, local eateries and more.
Read my guide on unique things to do in Istanbul for more ideas to exploring Istiklal Avenue. But keep in mind time is limited, the day light hours are disappearing and you still have the Asian side of Istanbul to explore for the late afternoon. When you’re done exploring, it’s time to make your way back to the Galata Bridge.
Late Afternoon – Kadiköy / Asia (3+ Hours)
4.00pm – Ferry Karaköy to Kadiköy
On the same side of the Golden Horn that you’re on, go to the Karaköy Ferry Terminal (marked on my map). Look for the Kadiköy/Karaköy/Eminonü line. Don’t be put off by the thought of the complexity of taking a ferry from one continent to another. As it’s super easy and actually one of the best budget ways to see Istanbul.
When catching the ferry in Karaköy, the ferry will first cross the Golden Horn, making a stop in Eminönü, before crossing the Bosphorus Strait and arriving in Kadiköy. It takes 20 minutes from the Europe side to the Asia side… an easy, scenic trip. Go outside and look for the dolphins, catch a glimpse of the Maiden’s Town, then disembark in Kadiköy!
5.00Pm – 7.00pm – Kadiköy market
Now you’re here, explore the local produce, restaurants and scene of the Kadiköy Market (Çarşi). Everything from spices, fish, pickles, preserves and more. This is the best side of the city for food and restaurants and for busy bars and cheap drinks. This is a great place to experience a little bit of local life.
Start with the Kadiköy Bull Statue and then simply walk and explore, heading in a south direction. Güneşlibahçe Sok and Mühürdar Cd. are good streets to walk down. But I recommend just follow your gut feeling and you won’t go wrong.
Look for a tasty börek store, or the street side mussels. Grab a cocktail at Revolte Pub. One of my favourite Turkish meals is the iskender, so if you’re ready for dinner eat at Kebabçi İskender. They have delicious traditional iskender served with piping hot butter.
When you’ve explored enough, then walk back to the Kadiköy ferry terminal and take the same ferry back. If you’re staying in Sultanahmet then disembark at Eminönü.
If You Only Have 6-12 Hours
The above itinerary is for the adventurous, the hit the ground running kind of explorer. Of course everything will depend on how much time you have in Istanbul, or how jet lagged you might be on your long haul flight. So below are a couple of ideas if you want the toned down version.
If you just have a short 5-6 hour layover in Istanbul, or you want a more chill day then I recommend dropping both Beyoğlu and Kadiköy from the itinerary. Stay in the historic centre instead and explore a bit deeper. If this is the case, I recommend reading just Day 1 of my FULL 4 Day Istanbul Guide.
Or if you want something in between, maybe you have 8-12 hours in Istanbul, then you could drop just the Kadiköy part of the itinerary.
What to Eat in Your One Day
Some of my favourite food is from Istanbul, and sadly you can’t fit it all in on 1 day itinerary… or you’ll POP! So keeping the list realistic I recommend the following –
- Baklava – Filo pastry, syrup and nuts, so bloody delicious.
- Turkish Coffee – A dark black coffee, don’t drink the grit at the bottom of the cup!
- Dondurma – Traditional Turkish ice cream, great for the families with kids.
- Börek – Pastry and cheese, in Kadiköy you’ll find shops dedicated to selling just börek.
- Gözleme – Thin bread with filling of choice. Hard to find in Istanbul, if you find it try it!
- Simit – A local ring of bread baked with sesame seeds. Sold from small carts.
- Kebab – Dürümzade eatery is one of my favs – recommended by chef Anthony Bourdain.
- San Sebastian Cheesecake – Not really Turkish but hey – it’s super popular there.
Read More: My Guide to the Food Tours of Istanbul
Where to Store Your Luggage
If you need a luggage storage space, you can find many options around the city. This one offered by Stasher in the Hagia Sophia district (close to the Arasta Bazaar) is in a handy location.
Another option, for visitors in transit, is to leave luggage at the airport. Both Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) provide luggage storage options.
Of course if you have stayed a night in a local hotel, they will also have luggage storage facilities for free.
Practical Tips for a One-Day Visit
🧑🧑🧒🧒 24 Hours in Istanbul with a Family – If you’re doing all of this with kids, then I recommend taking it really slow. Pick one area, depending on your family interests and take it easy. Whatever the case, don’t push it… Istanbul is a huge city and a full day of sightseeing will surely take it out of you!
🚀 Public Transport – Getting around Istanbul is very easy with the local public transport card the Istanbulkart. You can buy them from the blue and yellow machines located at the metro, or in Sultanahmet at the tram stations. The card costs 165 Turkish Lira (TRY), then load on extra for the transport. This includes, trams, ferries, buses etc!
👞 Shoeshiner Scam – Don’t get caught by the shoeshiners who pretend to drop a shoe shining brush. When you stop to pick it up for them, they’ll persistently offer you a ‘free’ (not free) shoe shine.
☎️ eSims – They’re actually blocked in Türkiye, that said if you can purchase and activate it before you land it will work. I used my Airalo eSim this way, it wasn’t until I’d nearly run out of credit that it completely stopped working for me. So note they can be a bit a gamble.
💰 Cash or Card – To be honest most places in Istanbul will accept card. I travel with my Wise and always look for Ziraat ATM’s for withdrawing cash as they have lower fees.
💳 Tipping – Tipping in Istanbul isn’t compulsory, but is appreciated. If I’ve had excellent service I would always leave around 5-10% tip.
Map – 1 Day in Istanbul Itinerary
My 1 day itinerary to Istanbul works best when used alongside this interactive map. Download the free Wanderlog app to your phone and save this map, to help navigate your way around the city.
FAQ – 24 Hours or Less in Istanbul
It’s enough to get a feel for the city, to see a bit of the historic centre, the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and to help you realise that you need to go back 😋
Passport depending, yes you can. Most nationalities don’t need a visa, or can get an e-visa online or arrival. Check the official website here for your nationality.
At a minimum, 7 hours. Give yourself 1½ hours for travel each way (allowing for heavy traffic), and 2 hours to clear customs and be at the gate well ahead of time. That gives you 2 hours to comfortably explore the historic centre of Istanbul. I also wouldn’t want to be dealing with luggage in this timeframe, so ideally your luggage would be checked through to your final destination.
Sabiha Gökçen is closer to Kadiköy (the Asian side), and IST is closer to the historic centre of Istanbul… but not by much. Also both have good connecting public transport options and taxi services. Consequently, both airports are good for a short stopover.
– Taxi or private transfer is the quickest and easiest. Jump in the taxi lines and pay as per the taxi metre.
– From IST, the HVIST-11 bus is a reliable, cheap option (80-110 minutes, departs every hour). Arriving near the Eminönü ferry terminal and Spice Bazaar. Or take the M11 metro, but this requires a change of metro mid-journey.
– From SAW, the M4 runs straight to Kadıköy (1 hour).
The historic centre is the must-see district of Istanbul. Don’t miss the Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosque, Arasta Bazaar (or Grand Bazaar), see the Hagia Sophia from outside, the Spice Bazaar, Galata Tower and the Bosphorus.
You can, but it’s not a must in my opinion.
It certainly is, my sister spent a layover, 24 hours in Istanbul by herself this year and loved every minute of it.
More on Istanbul
That’s everything you need to know on how to spend 24 hours in Istanbul. It’s such a great city to see and my guess is, by the end of your 1 day Istanbul itinerary, you will have fallen in love with it! Planning on returning, or looking for something a bit different, then take a quick look through all my guides on Istanbul –
🧑🍳 The food tours of Istanbul – a list of them all and my review
🛏️ Where to stay in Istanbul – the best hotels and areas
🧖 The best hammams in Istanbul – the oldest and most authentic
4️⃣ A complete 4 day itinerary to Istanbul – how to see and visit it all
🔮 Unique things to do in Istanbul – go off the beaten track!
📌 Don’t loose it! Save this guide to 24 hours in Istanbul for later.
We are a travel LOVING FAMILY, who chose to travel full-time for 3 years, BUT now live in Bali. Sign up to follow our journey, and to get our itineraries and guides on all the destinations we visit!
Leave a Reply