Frequently Asked Questions

Our private tour prices start from $150 per person for a half-day tour and $250 per person for a full-day tour. Prices vary based on group size, itinerary, and whether you need a private vehicle. Groups of 4 or more receive a significant discount. Contact us on WhatsApp for a personalized quote — we always offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees.

Our private tours accommodate groups from 1 to 15 people. For couples or families of up to 6, we use a comfortable Mercedes Vito van. For larger groups of 7-15, we arrange a Mercedes Sprinter minibus. Every tour is fully private — you will never be grouped with strangers.

Our licensed guide meets you directly at the Galataport cruise terminal exit. We hold a sign with your name. From there, your private vehicle is parked just steps away. We track your ship's arrival time and adjust if there are any delays. You will never need to find your own way — we handle everything from the moment you step off the ship.

Most shore excursions last 6 to 8 hours, depending on your ship's schedule. This is enough time to visit Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, and the Spice Bazaar — with a lunch stop included. We customize the itinerary based on your available time and guarantee your return to the ship before departure.

Our shore excursion package includes: a licensed English/Arabic-speaking guide, private air-conditioned vehicle, skip-the-line museum entrance tickets, bottled water, and ship departure guarantee. Lunch is available as an add-on at a curated halal restaurant. Tips, personal shopping, and optional extras like a Bosphorus cruise are not included but can be arranged.

We offer three Bosphorus cruise options: (1) Private Yacht Charter — exclusive yacht with crew for your group, fully customizable route. (2) Curated Group Cruise — our guide accompanies you on a premium boat with commentary. (3) Sunset Dinner Cruise — evening cruise with halal Turkish cuisine and live music. All options include a licensed guide.

The minimum investment is $400,000 in Turkish real estate. The property must be purchased from a Turkish national or company, and you must commit to holding it for at least 3 years. Your spouse and children under 18 are included in the application. The process typically takes 3-6 months from property purchase to passport issuance.

From the day you purchase the property, the total timeline is typically 4-8 months. Property purchase and title deed registration takes 2-4 weeks. Residence permit application takes 1-2 weeks. Citizenship application review takes 3-6 months. Passport issuance after approval takes 1-2 weeks. Viaturkey manages the entire process for you.

The process is straightforward: (1) Get a Turkish tax number (free, takes 10 minutes), (2) Open a Turkish bank account, (3) Select your property with Viaturkey's guidance, (4) Get an official valuation report, (5) Complete the title deed transfer at the Land Registry. The entire process can be completed in as little as 1-2 weeks. Our Arabic-speaking team handles all paperwork.

We accept cash (Turkish Lira, US Dollars, Euros), credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard), and bank transfers. For property purchases, payment must be made through the Turkish banking system via bank transfer. We provide invoices and receipts for all transactions. Tips for guides are appreciated but never required.

All our guides are government-licensed and speak fluent English and Turkish. Many of our guides also speak Arabic and Russian. When booking, simply request your preferred language and we will assign the most suitable guide. For GCC clients, we always recommend our Arabic-speaking guides who understand Gulf culture and preferences.

Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the tour. Cancellations within 24-48 hours receive a 50% refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are non-refundable. For cruise shore excursions, if your ship's port schedule changes or the ship skips Istanbul, you receive a full refund regardless of notice period. Weather-related cancellations are fully refundable.

Absolutely. Turkey is a Muslim-majority country and halal food is widely available everywhere. All restaurant stops on our tours serve halal food. We specifically select restaurants that cater to Gulf tastes — expect Turkish breakfast spreads, premium kebabs, fresh seafood, and traditional Ottoman cuisine. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available upon request.

The best time to visit Istanbul is April through June (spring) and September through November (autumn). These months offer mild temperatures (15-25°C), fewer crowds, and beautiful light for photography. July and August are hot (30-35°C) and very crowded. Winter (December-February) is cold and rainy but offers the lowest prices and virtually no tourist crowds.

Yes. We offer VIP airport transfer service from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) in a private Mercedes vehicle. We also help with hotel recommendations and bookings — from luxury 5-star properties in Taksim and Sultanahmet to family-friendly apart-hotels in Başakşehir. Just tell us your preferences and budget.