Signature City Istanbul

After you enroll, we’ll ask you to provide or update your personal information and preferences, which includes your health information, lodging and meal preferences for your program.

Passport needs to be valid for 6 months. No visas are required for US and Canada passport holders to travel to Turkey.

A passport is required for this program. It must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

This information about travel documents pertains to participants holding U.S. passports. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

United States citizens don’t need a visa for any of the countries you’ll be visiting. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

If Road Scholar is arranging your air travel to and from the program, and you travel on the scheduled start and end dates, you’ll receive free round-trip transfers from the airport to the hotel.

Arrival day is on November 8, 2026

Meet the group at Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul

Start of Trip:  2:00 p.m. hotel check-in; 6:00 p.m. Orientation followed by Welcome Dinner.

Getting to the site: A group arrival transfer is organized for all participants who purchased an air inclusive program AND arrive on the start date. Participants should look for their names on a sign board after clearing passport control and customs and stepping out of the terminal from Gate #14. Independent travelers may take a taxi directly to the hotel. Taxis are available outside the terminal and will cost around $60 - $70 USD to the hotel. Shuttle buses are available for all domestic and international aircraft landing at Istanbul Airport, in front of the arrivals terminal. Ticket to Taksim Sq costs about $10 per person, is payable on the bus cash or credit and the trip lasts about 50 - 60 minutes. Please check https://www.hava.ist/ for more information. After getting of the shuttle bus, you will need to take a taxi to the hotel. Participants can also write to kazim@baltactours.com to arrange a private transfer.

Getting to the site by train or bus: Shuttle buses and metro are available to the city center.

Your trip ends on: Saturday, November 14, 2026 in Istanbul at Pera Palace Hotel

End of Trip: 10:00 a.m. after breakfast; 12:00 Noon hotel check-out.

Getting to the airport: Group transfers from the hotel to airport in Istanbul will be arranged for all participants who purchased an air inclusive program and leave on the day the program ends. Independent travelers may take a taxi directly to the airport. Taxis can be arranged through the hotel desk and will cost around $40 - $50 USD to the airport. Taxis can comfortably take 3 people and luggage.

Information if you are purchasing your own airfare: Participants who have not purchased airfare through Road Scholar are responsible for making their own transfer arrangements to the first site at the beginning of the program, as well as from the last site at the end of the program. The Information Packet Road Scholar sends in advance of the program includes details needed to make your transfer arrangements. If you wish to purchase airfare through Road Scholar, please call (800) 241-1404. Please note: In the unlikely event Road Scholar must make changes to the program's arrival or departure details, we will notify all participants as soon as possible. Participants who have purchased Road Scholar airfare are protected against airline change fees; however, anyone who has not purchased Road Scholar airfare will be required to make their own adjustments and may incur fees imposed by the airline.