Exploring Istanbul’s vibrant culture and iconic landmarks has never been easier. The Car and Driver Private Tour offers a personalized sightseeing experience, allowing visitors to discover the city at their own pace. With a comfortable minivan and a professional driver, travelers can create customized itineraries and enjoy the flexibility of hotel pickups. While the tour covers essential costs, food and drinks are not included, leaving room for participants to enjoy the local culinary scene. However, some have reported issues with communication and unexpected shopping stops, so it’s essential to consider these factors when planning the perfect Istanbul adventure.
Key Points
- Offers a customized sightseeing experience for up to 6 participants in a private minivan with a professional driver.
- Priced at €38.83 per group for a 1-hour tour, covering transportation costs, parking, and highway/bridge fees.
- Provides hotel pickup and drop-off for flexibility, allowing visitors to optimize their time in Istanbul.
- Focuses on showcasing Istanbul’s cultural heritage, with the option to visit historical sites, bazaars, and neighborhoods.
- Customers have praised the comfort, flexibility, and privacy of the tour, though some have noted issues with communication and unwanted shopping stops.
Overview of the Tour

The Car and Driver Private Tour in Istanbul provides a customized sightseeing experience for up to 6 participants.
Enjoy a customized sightseeing experience for up to 6 participants in Istanbul with the Car and Driver Private Tour.
Priced from €38.83 per group, the 1-hour tour includes a private minivan with a professional driver.
Pickup from central hotels is included, allowing for a flexible program to visit monuments, districts, museums, bazaars, or enjoy meals and shopping.
The tour covers gas, parking, highway, and bridge fees, but food and drinks aren’t included.
Travelers must provide their hotel details and pickup time prior to the tour and bring a valid ID.
Availability varies for starting times.
Here are more experiences we've reviewed in Istanbul
Pricing and Inclusions

Priced from €38.83 per group, the Car and Driver Private Tour in Istanbul covers the costs of the private minivan, professional driver, gas, parking, highway, and bridge fees.
The tour duration is 1 hour, and it accommodates up to 6 participants. Customers can cancel their reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
There’s also an option to book the tour without upfront payment. While food and drinks aren’t included, the tour offers the flexibility to customize the itinerary to visit monuments, districts, museums, bazaars, or enjoy meals and shopping.
Travelers are advised to bring their passport or ID card and provide hotel details and pickup time prior to the tour.
Transportation and Flexibility

As part of the Car and Driver Private Tour in Istanbul, travelers are provided with a private minivan and a professional driver. This allows for a comfortable and flexible tour experience.
Pickup is included from central hotels, and the program can be customized to visit monuments, districts, museums, bazaars, or enjoy meals and shopping.
The private nature of the tour ensures privacy and control over the itinerary. Travelers can fully optimize their time in Istanbul by focusing on their preferred sights and activities without the constraints of a group tour.
Cultural Experiences and Shopping Opportunities
Though cultural experiences and shopping opportunities are a key part of the Car and Driver Private Tour in Istanbul, some travelers have noted feeling pressured to purchase items during certain stops.
The tour aims to showcase the city’s rich cultural heritage, taking visitors to historical sites, bustling bazaars, and vibrant neighborhoods.
However, some customers have reported feeling obligated to make purchases, detracting from the overall experience.
The tour provider emphasizes flexibility, allowing guests to customize their itinerary, but maintaining a balance between culture and retail opportunities remains an area for improvement based on feedback.
More Great Tours NearbyPositive Feedback From Customers
Customers have praised the comfort and flexibility of the Car and Driver Private Tour in Istanbul.
Many highlighted the convenience of being able to customize their itinerary, visiting monuments, districts, museums, and bazaars at their own pace.
Travelers noted the privacy and relaxation offered by the private minivan, which provided a more personalized experience compared to group tours.
While some issues with communication and punctuality were reported, the overall feedback indicates that the tour’s key strengths are its adaptability and the comfort it provides, allowing participants to enjoy Istanbul’s vibrant culture and attractions.
Prefer keeping things personal? Here are more private experiences we've reviewed in Istanbul
Issues Noted by Customers

While the tour’s flexibility and comfort were praised, some customers noted issues during their experiences.
These included:
-
Communication difficulties with the driver, with language barriers creating frustration and miscommunication.
-
Late arrivals to scheduled stops, disrupting the planned itinerary.
-
Unwanted shopping stops at certain locations, where travelers felt pressured to make purchases they didn’t intend.
These customer concerns highlight areas for improvement in the tour’s organization and execution, to ensure a more seamless and enjoyable experience for all participants.
Important Information and Booking Details
To book the Car and Driver Private Tour in Istanbul, travelers must provide their passport or ID card details prior to the tour.
They’ll also need to forward their hotel information and preferred pickup time.
The tour offers flexibility, allowing customers to customize their itinerary to visit monuments, districts, museums, bazaars, or enjoy meals and shopping.
Pickup from central hotels is included, and the private minivan with a professional driver ensures comfort and privacy during the tour.
Travelers should check availability for their desired starting times.
Important fees like gas, parking, highway, and bridge are covered in the tour price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Request a Specific Type of Vehicle?
Yes, you can request a specific type of vehicle for the tour. The provider offers private minivans and can accommodate your preferences, but they’ll need to know your request in advance to ensure availability.
Is the Driver Licensed and Insured?
The driver is licensed and insured to provide the private transportation service. They have the necessary qualifications and coverage to safely and legally operate the vehicle during the tour.
Are Gratuities for the Driver Included?
Gratuities for the driver are not included in the tour price. Travelers will need to budget for an optional tip to compensate the driver for their service, as this is a common practice in the industry.
Can the Tour Be Extended for an Additional Fee?
Yes, the tour can be extended for an additional fee. According to the details, the program is flexible, allowing customers to customize their itinerary and extend the tour duration beyond the standard 1-hour timeframe.
What Forms of Payment Are Accepted at the Time of Booking?
The tour allows customers to pay later without an upfront payment. However, the website doesn’t specify what payment methods are accepted at the time of booking the tour.
The Sum Up
The Car and Driver Private Tour in Istanbul offers a personalized sightseeing experience with a private minivan and professional driver. While the tour covers essential costs, it doesn’t include food and drinks. Customers can enjoy Istanbul’s cultural heritage, but some have reported issues with communication and unwanted shopping stops. The tour provides flexibility and access to the city’s attractions, though customers should be aware of potential drawbacks.
You can check availability for your dates here:More Private Drivers in Istanbul
- Istanbul: Whirling Dervishes Show with Hotel Transfer
- Istanbul: Full Day Islamic Sahaba Tour with Lunch & Transfer
- Istanbul Airport Transfer Private Minivan or Minibus
- Istanbul Princes Island Tour with Lunch & Hotel Transfer
- Istanbul Airport Transfer Private Minvan
- Fat Taxi – Private Istanbul Airport (IST) Transfer to City
More VIP Experiences in Istanbul
- Istanbul: Full Day Private Vip Vehicle
- Istanbul: Private Bosphorus Cruise By Luxury Yacht
- Bosphorus Sunset Cruise with Wine, Feel Special On A Luxury Yacht
- Private Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise on Luxury Yacht
- Full-Day City Tour with Private Tour Guide and Red Carpet Treatment with Luxury Minibus
- Guided Bosphorus Afternoon Cruise on Luxury Yacht
More Tour Reviews in Istanbul
- Morning Bosphorus Cruise with Topkapi Palace & Grand Bazaar
- Istanbul Religious Sites Tour w Lunch Eyup Sultan & More
- Istanbul: 2 Continents, 1 City: From Europe to Asia Tour
- Istanbul: Private Full Day Byzantine / Ottoman Relics Tour
- Magnificient Mosques of Istanbul
- Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque Tour & Ticket + Optional Basilica
Still browsing? Here are more Istanbul experiences we've covered recently
- 4 Best 4-Day Tours In Istanbul (With Reviews & Prices)
- Istanbul’s 14 Best Walking Tours: Which To Choose?
- 11 Top-Rated Istanbul Shopping & Market Tours
- 14 Best Historical Tours In Istanbul (With Prices)
- Istanbul’s 5 Top Coffee Tours
- We Rank The 14 Best Dining Experiences In Istanbul
- Which Istanbul Wine Tours To Choose? Our Best 4 Picks
- Istanbul’s 11 Top Workshops & Classes
- 14 Of The Best Tours In Istanbul
- What Are The Best Cooking Classes In Istanbul? Our Top 7 Picks
- Our Picks For The 14 Best Tours & Experiences In Istanbul
- 5 Fantastic Massage & Relaxation Services In Istanbul
