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Istanbul Kick Start Tour First Time Visitor Essentials

New To The Site! Istanbul, Turkey
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from $29.79 per person

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Golden Horn with Sunset
Sultanahmet Mosque aka Blue Mosque
Suleymaniye Mosque
Ortakoy with Bosphorus Bridge
Suleymaniye Mosque Complex

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2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation

Overview

Just arrived in Istanbul? Start your trip on the right foot with the Istanbul Kick Start Tour — a friendly 2-hour walking orientation designed for first-time visitors. You’ll discover the heart of the historic peninsula while learning everything you need to navigate, enjoy, and understand this complex and beautiful city.

This is more than a walking tour — it’s your personal Istanbul briefing. Your local expert will share tips on transportation, customs, safety, language, and food, while giving you a brief historical overview of key landmarks like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque (from the outside). By the end, you’ll feel like you belong here.

We finish the tour at the legendary Puding Shop (Lale Restaurant) — a 1960s traveler hub once loved by overland backpackers and Beat Generation writers — where you can rest, eat, and plan the rest of your journey with confidence.

What's Included

  • End-of-tour local advice over tea (optional)
  • Walking orientation with live Q&A
  • Overview of historical and modern Istanbul
  • Entrance to any monuments (exterior visit only)
  • Food or drinks at the Puding Shop
  • Transportation or public transit tickets
See 3 moreSee 4 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Binbirdirek
At Meydanı Caddesi, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Alemdar
Divan Yolu Cd. No:, 34400 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

It is located on the tram line and opposite of the Tourism Information Office.

What To Expect

Hippodrome (Pass By)

Walk through the Hippodrome: Obelisks, Roman history
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Sultanahmet Square

Exterior views of the Blue Mosque and Hagia SophiaOrientation around Sultanahmet tram area and transport systemsWalk through the local lanes and hidden corners Tour ends at the Puding Shop (Lale Restaurant) — time to relax or grab a bite!
Read more

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Istanbul Kick Start Tour First Time Visitor Essentials?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-15459P18


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Frequently Asked Questions (6)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Istanbul Kick Start Tour First Time Visitor Essentials?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • End-of-tour local advice over tea (optional).
  • Walking orientation with live Q&A.
  • Overview of historical and modern Istanbul.
  • City Map.
  • Friendly local guide with insider tips.
The following is NOT included:
  • Entrance to any monuments (exterior visit only).
  • Food or drinks at the Puding Shop.
  • Transportation or public transit tickets.
  • Gratuities (recommended).
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Istanbul Kick Start Tour First Time Visitor Essentials is as follows:

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Istanbul Kick Start Tour First Time Visitor Essentials will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024

What's Included

Activity name

  • End-of-tour local advice over tea (optional)
  • Walking orientation with live Q&A
  • Overview of historical and modern Istanbul
  • City Map
  • Friendly local guide with insider tips
  • Entrance to any monuments (exterior visit only)
  • Food or drinks at the Puding Shop
  • Transportation or public transit tickets
  • Gratuities (recommended)

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

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Lowest Price Guarantee

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We guarantee the lowest price on all the tours available to book on our site. We'll refund the difference if you find the exact tour cheaper online until 48 hours before your tour starts.

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Locate your City Boat Tours Booking Number and the proof of the lower price you found.

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We'll review your materials and get in touch as soon as possible.

Receive your refund

If everything checks out, we'll refund you the price difference.

Refund Terms & Conditions

The following conditions apply to all lowest price guarantee refund requests:

  • The lowest price guarantee is available to any customer who makes a qualifying purchase through our website. The qualifying purchase must be a minimum of US$20 (or equivalent).
  • The lowest price guarantee covers retail and prepaid rates available to the general public. This does not include discounts or promotions you may receive (or be eligible for) from third-party sites or organizations such as AAA or AARP or special offers made as part of a membership program, corporate discount, daily deal, group, or rewards program.
  • City Boat Tours promotions cannot be combined with the lowest price guarantee.
  • If you find a lower retail or prepaid rate for the same tour, offered on the same date, time and priced in the same currency as your original purchase, on any other website between the time you book on City Boat Tours and 48 hours before your trip starts, we will refund the difference.
  • The lowest price guarantee does not apply where a lower overall price is found by breaking down the purchased tour into one or more parts sold separately.
  • City Boat Tours reserves the right to verify the lower price details. Examples of acceptable forms of verification include a web screenshot or a web address.
  • All refund decisions will be made at the sole discretion of City Boat Tours.

Free Cancellation

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100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03).

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If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through City Boat Tours over a 12-month period.

The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.

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