Istanbul is huge, hilly and split by water, and its traffic can test anyone’s patience. A private driver, however, takes that problem away. For a few hours, a full day or your whole trip, you have a car or van and a professional driver at your disposal. So you can go where you like, stop when you want and leave the parking, the routes and the traffic to someone who knows them.
How a private driver and chauffeur service works
First, share your dates, how many of you there are and roughly what you want to do. Then we suggest the right vehicle and a plan, and send you a quote. On the day, your driver picks you up at your hotel and stays with you, waiting while you visit sights, shop or eat, and taking you to the next stop.
Your private driver is not a guide, although drivers know the city well. If you want the stories as well as the transport, add one of our licensed guides. See guide in Istanbul for that option.
Days with a private driver
- Both continents in a day: the old city in the morning, then across the Bosphorus to Çamlıca Hill and Üsküdar.
- Along the Bosphorus: the villages of the European shore up to Sarıyer, with lunch by the water.
- Shopping days: markets, malls and workshops, while the car waits to carry your bags.
- Business days: meetings across the city without waiting for taxis.
- Day trips: out of Istanbul to the Black Sea coast or to towns like İznik and Edirne.
Chauffeured cars, VIP vans and comfort
As always, we match the vehicle to your group: a Mercedes Vito VIP or similar for couples, families and small groups, or a Mercedes Sprinter or similar for larger groups. Child seats and room for a wheelchair are available on request. For more about our fleet, see vehicles.
How our drivers work
- Driver or guideBy Turkish law, tourist guiding is reserved for licensed guides. Your driver drives; add a guide for the explanations.
- Tea stopsOn long drives, the driver stops for tea every two hours or so. It is part of the Turkish road trip.
- AfyonOn the road between Istanbul and Antalya or Cappadocia, stop in Afyon for its kaymak, thick clotted cream, and sucuk sausage.
- TollsHighways and some bridges have electronic tolls. Your driver takes care of them.
Our suggestion Tell your driver what you like to eat. The best roadside lunches in Turkey are in places you would never stop at by yourself.
Beyond Istanbul
We also arrange drivers elsewhere in Turkey, for example in Cappadocia and on the Aegean coast, and for longer trips between regions. If you prefer to drive yourself, read our Turkey road trip guide. For journeys between cities, see our intercity transfers.
Who it is for
Families, older travelers, shoppers, business travelers and anyone who wants to cover a lot of Istanbul or Turkey without taxis, traffic stress or parking.
Step by step
- Tell us your dates, group size and plans
- We suggest a vehicle and a route, and send a quote
- Your driver picks you up at your hotel
- The car stays with you all day, wherever you go
What is included
- A private vehicle and professional driver
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Waiting time while you visit, shop or eat
- A licensed guide on request
Vehicles and coverage
Istanbul and day trips from the city, plus Cappadocia, the Aegean coast and other regions. Sedans, vans and minibuses matched to your group.
Frequently asked questions
Is a private driver also a guide?
No. Our drivers know the city well, but for the stories, add one of our licensed guides.
Which vehicles do your drivers use?
A Mercedes Vito VIP for couples, families and small groups, or a Mercedes Sprinter for larger groups, with child seats and room for a wheelchair on request.
Can you arrange a driver outside Istanbul?
Yes. We also arrange drivers in Cappadocia, on the Aegean coast and for longer trips between regions.
What can we do in a day with a private driver?
Both continents in one day, the Bosphorus villages with lunch by the water, a shopping day, business meetings or a day trip to İznik or Edirne.