Originally Posted by
psoque
Hi. I apologize in advance if this topic has been covered in another thread. We just booked an award ticket that takes us home from Tokyo via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines. There is a 8 hours and 45 minute daytime layover at Istanbul Airport. What is advisable for us to do during this time? I read that Turkish Airlines used to do short tours (for free?) in the past but I am not sure if this is even an option, especially in light of this ourbreak. Most websites say 10 hours is minimum length of the layover for us to tour Istanbul on our own. Is our best option just hanging out at the airport? We arrive there around 6 AM, and our flight does not leave until about 3 PM. Thanks.
You could go tour on your own, you wouldn't see everything but on 8h45mins you could see some touristic sights.
The Touristanbul service is suspended due to the pandemic and does not operate.
Your other option would be to hang inside the airport or pay for the airport hotel which might be boring during the day.