I Tried Turkish Airlines Free Tour of Istanbul and Here's How it Went...

Summary

In this video, the traveler shares their 24-hour layover experience in Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, highlighting the option for a free city tour or hotel stay. They opted for the tour, which provided convenient transportation and allowed them to explore key sights like the Dolmabahçe Palace and the Galata Bridge, all while enjoying the local ambiance and petting the many friendly cats around the city. Despite wishing for more exploration time, the traveler found the experience enriching and encourages others with long layovers to take advantage of this unique opportunity to discover Istanbul.

Takeaways

• 😀 Turkish Airlines offers free tours of Istanbul or one-night stays at a four-star hotel for passengers with long layovers (6 to 24 hours).
• 🏙️ The speaker chose the free tour over the hotel stay and booked a budget hotel for a restful night.
• 🗓️ To qualify for the tour, passengers must request it at the airport after going through passport control.
• 🚌 The free tours include transportation, and there are eight different tours to choose from based on flight times.
• 🌅 The speaker enjoyed breathtaking views from the Sapphire Observation Deck, especially at sunset.
• 🍽️ Dinner at a local restaurant featured red wine and hummus, providing a peaceful dining experience.
• ☔ The sightseeing tour involved mostly bus travel due to rain, but there were opportunities for photo stops.
• 📸 The tour included stops at notable landmarks, such as Galata Bridge and Dolmabahçe Palace.
• ☕ The speaker had their first Turkish coffee during the tour, which they found delicious but strong.
• 🐱 Cats were a highlight of the trip for the speaker, who enjoyed interacting with them throughout Istanbul.

Q & A

What options do passengers have for long layovers with Turkish Airlines?

Passengers with layovers between 6 to 24 hours can qualify for a free tour of Istanbul or a free night in a four-star hotel.

What factors influenced the narrator's choice between the hotel and the tour?

The narrator chose the tour because it provided free transportation and offered a chance to explore the city, whereas they opted for a budget hotel just for sleep.

What was the narrator's experience at the Sapphire Building?

The narrator enjoyed breathtaking sunset views from the observation deck of the Sapphire Building after a 40-minute taxi ride from the airport.

How did the narrator navigate the public transport system in Istanbul?

The narrator initially got lost while trying to find a restaurant but enjoyed interacting with local cats and seeing historical sites along the way.

What kind of food did the narrator have during their trip?

The narrator had red wine, hummus, and fries at a restaurant called Vital, which provided a peaceful dining experience.

What was the itinerary for the free tour offered by Turkish Airlines?

The tour included sightseeing from a bus, photo opportunities at Galata Bridge, and a visit to Dolmabahçe Palace, with limited time for exploration due to its short duration.

What unique experience did the narrator have while at a cafe near the Bosphorus?

The narrator tried Turkish coffee for the first time at a cafe alongside the Bosphorus, describing it as delicious but strong.

What overall impression did the narrator have of the tour?

The narrator found the tour worthwhile despite wishing for more opportunities to get off the bus and explore further.

What personal reflection did the narrator share about their time in Istanbul?

The narrator expressed a strong affection for the numerous cats around Istanbul, which enhanced their overall experience and desire to return.

Does the narrator recommend the Turkish Airlines tour to others?

Yes, the narrator recommends taking advantage of the free tours during long layovers for a chance to explore Istanbul.