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Tours / Istanbul Day Tour from Side by Plane

Istanbul Day Tour from Side by Plane

The Istanbul Day Tour from Side by plane is a full-day city trip combining round-trip flights, guided sightseeing and Bosphorus cruise in one program. Early hotel pickup in Side is followed by transfer to Antalya Airport and a direct flight to Istanbul. The guided visit covers the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Hippodrome, plus free time at the Grand Bazaar and lunch in the city center. In the evening, guests return by flight to Antalya and transfer back to Side hotels the same day.


Duration: 20 Hours
Tour Hours: 04:00 - 23:30
Included: Transfer from Side to Antalya airport, round trip flight ticket, lunch, licensed guide, insurance, bosphorus cruise
Not Included: Entrance tickets
What to Bring: Passport, comfortable shoes, clothing appropriate to the season.
Transfer
Meal
Drinks
Guide
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun

Istanbul Day Tour from Side Program

  • Pick-up from Side hotels and locations
  • Transfer to Antalya Airport
  • Flight to Istanbul
  • Transfer from the airport to the Historical Peninsula
  • Visits to Sultanahmet Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia Mosque, and the Hippodrome
  • Grand Bazaar
  • Lunch break
  • Boat tour on the Bosphorus
  • Transfer to the airport
  • Flight to Antalya Airport
  • Transfer to Side hotels and locations.

Istanbul Day Tour from Side Price

Adult
€250 per person
Children (3–12)
€250 per person
Total Cost: €

Istanbul Day Tour from Side - What to Expect

The Istanbul tour from Side by plane is a full-day cultural city tour designed for guests who want to see the historical center of Istanbul in a short time without long bus travel. The program begins with early morning pickup from Side hotels and surrounding locations, followed by transfer to Antalya Airport and a scheduled flight to Istanbul. After arrival, guests are transferred to the Historic Peninsula, where the guided city tour includes visits to Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Hippodrome of Constantinople. The program continues with free time at the Grand Bazaar, a lunch break in the city center, and a Bosphorus boat tour, offering views of both the European and Asian sides of the city. After completing the sightseeing program, guests are transferred back to the airport for the evening flight to Antalya, followed by return transfer to Side hotels around 23:30. Passport is mandatory, comfortable walking shoes are recommended, and the itinerary requires moderate walking due to the central historic route. this cultural excursion can be combined with other must-do activities in Side such as boat trips along the coast, historical site visits around the ancient city area, adventure tours and private yacht programs, allowing guests to balance regional experiences with a major city visit.

Why Choose the Istanbul Tour from Side by Flight

  • Fast air travel instead of 10-hour bus journey
  • Same-day return to Side hotels
  • Licensed multilingual city guide
  • Small group organization
  • Visit Istanbul’s major historical monuments
  • Bosphorus boat cruise included
  • Direct local operator – no middleman

Istanbul Day Trip from Side – Tour Details

  • Operating Days: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
  • Total Duration: 04:00 – 23:30 (including transfers)
  • Departure: Antalya Airport → Sabiha Gokcen Airport
  • Flight Duration: Approximately 1 hour
  • Distance Side – Antalya Airport: 63 km (D400)
  • Bosphorus Boat Tour: Evening schedule

Istanbul Day Trip from Side – Highlights

  • Guided visit to Blue Mosque
  • Exterior visit of Hagia Sophia
  • Topkapi Palace courtyard area
  • Hippodrome of Constantinople
  • Free time at Grand Bazaar
  • Visit to Spice Bazaar
  • Lunch in central Istanbul
  • Bosphorus boat tour between two continents

Who Should Choose This Tour?

  • Guests with limited vacation time
  • Travelers preferring flight over long bus journey
  • Visitors interested in historical Istanbul
  • Adults and couples
  • Families with older children

Price Includes and Excludes

Included

  • Transfer from Side to Antalya airport
  • Round trip flight ticket
  • Lunch
  • Licensed multilingual guide
  • Insurance
  • Bosphorus cruise 

Not Included

  • Entrance tickets
  • Personal expenses

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Istanbul Cultural Tour from Side

Cultural Tours from Side

The Istanbul Cultural Tour from Side focuses on the Historic Peninsula and the most important monuments of the city. This full-day flight tour is designed for travelers who want to visit Istanbul’s main historical sites within limited vacation time in Side. While regional sightseeing programs cover nearby coastal attractions, this tour connects Side with the country’s largest cultural center in a single day by air. It is a suitable option for guests who want to include a major city visit during their stay.

For comparison, the Alanya city tour from Side focuses on local highlights such as Alanya Castle and coastal viewpoints, while the Side to Antalya City Tour offers a shorter regional route. In contrast, the Istanbul excursion is a long-distance cultural program centered on the Historic Peninsula and the Bosphorus.

Private Tour to Istanbul

Private Tours in Side

The Private Istanbul Tour from Side is designed for guests who prefer a personalized cultural program with flexible timing and individual attention. The journey includes private airport transfers, round-trip flights and a dedicated licensed guide who adapts the itinerary according to personal interests instead of following a fixed group schedule. For travelers wishing to combine city sightseeing with coastal leisure, yacht rental in Side provides an additional private option before or after the Istanbul visit, creating a flexible and customized holiday plan.

FAQ

What is included in the price?

The price includes:
Hotel pickup and return transfer in Side
Transfer to and from Antalya Airport
Round-trip flight ticket
Licensed tour guide service
Lunch in Istanbul
Bosphorus boat tour
Travel insurance
Everything needed for the program is organized in one package.

Are there extra costs?

Yes, entrance tickets to certain museums (such as Topkapi Palace or Basilica Cistern if included in the program) are not included unless clearly stated. Personal expenses and drinks are also not included.
There are no hidden costs

Is passport required?

Yes. A valid passport is mandatory for airport check-in and domestic flight procedures.

Is ID card enough?

No. An ID card is not sufficient. Airlines require a passport for this tour.

Is the tour suitable for elderly guests?

Yes, but only for guests who are comfortable with moderate walking. The historical center includes walking on uneven stone streets and public squares. Guests with serious mobility limitations may find it tiring.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup usually starts between 03:30 – 04:30 depending on your hotel location. Exact pickup time is confirmed after booking.

How far is Antalya Airport from Side?

Antalya Airport is approximately 63 km from Side. Transfer time is about 1 hour depending on traffic.

How long is the flight?

The flight from Antalya to Istanbul takes approximately 1 hour.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes, it is suitable for children, especially school age children. However, it is a full-day program with early departure and moderate walking, so very young children may get tired.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchairs due to airport logistics, city walking routes, historic stone streets, and boat access.

Which airport do we fly to?

We fly from Antalya Airport to Sabiha Gokcen Airport in Istanbul.

Is luggage included?

Hand luggage is included. Standard cabin-size baggage is allowed. Checked luggage policies depend on the airline and ticket type, and details are confirmed after booking

Is cancellation free?

Yes. Free cancellation is available if cancelled at least 24 hours before the tour date. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are non-refundable due to flight reservations.

Can I pay on the day?

No. Because flight tickets are purchased immediately after booking, full payment is required at the time of reservation to secure your seat.

Reviews

4.5

11 Reviews

5 Stars

64 %

4 Stars

18 %

3 Stars

18 %

2 Stars

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1 Stars

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Reilly Green

Reilly Green

May 15, 2023

Absolutely loved this day! The flight made everything so quick and easy. Mustafa was amazing and full of interesting facts. Highly recommend if you want a perfect balance of relaxation and sightseeing.

Johan Ruecker DVM

Johan Ruecker DVM

May 15, 2023

Quick trip and so worth it, flying saved us tons of time. Mehmet was very friendly and kept the day fun. Would repeat in a heartbeat!

Mason Schmidt

Mason Schmidt

May 15, 2023

Not enough time to write much but Aslan was pro and very helpful. Plane ride was smooth, good pace too. Must try!

Lottie Runolfsson

Lottie Runolfsson

May 15, 2023

Such a wellorganized day, thanks to Mustafa’s great guidance. Comfortable travel and lots of great views throughout the day. Five stars for sure!

Kaley Shields

Kaley Shields

May 15, 2023

Had THE BEST day meeting new places and Mustafa was so knowledgeable. The plane ride was COOL and saved a lot of tiring bus travel time. Everything ran super smooth.

Madonna Mayert

Madonna Mayert

May 15, 2023

Mehmet knows his stuff and makes every stop interesting. The whole day felt special and easy to manage. Will tell friends to book this soon.

Ara Kihn

Ara Kihn

May 15, 2023

So happy I chose this fast plane ride to see new places. Aslan was patient and answered all questions. Wish I had more time but totally stars!

Therese Hansen

Therese Hansen

May 15, 2023

The flight saved us so much time and the day was packed with good stops. Mustafa was friendly and knew a lot about the places we saw. Everything ran pretty smoothly except a slight delay during the airport pickup. WOULD RECOMMEND for those who want a fastpaced day out in Istanbul.

Sonia Towne

Sonia Towne

May 15, 2023

Quick day, lots to see. Guide Mehmet was helpful but felt rushed at times. Plane trip was fun tho! Would like more time at each place but still a solid outing if youre short on time.

Myrna Collins

Myrna Collins

May 15, 2023

The trip was OK but felt a bit rushed. The plane ride was smooth and the stops were interesting. Mustafa knows his stuff but could speak a bit louder. Overall, not bad for the price but I expected a bit more.

Dr. Melany Padberg Jr.

Dr. Melany Padberg Jr.

May 15, 2023

It was kinda confusing at times, we were short on time and missed some places I wanted to see. Mehmet was friendly tho and tried his best. The flight was fine but the schedule felt crammed, wish it was a bit longer.



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