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Basilica Cistern interior with columns, part of Istanbul hop-on hop-off tour.

Guided tour group inside Basilica Cistern, Istanbul, with Topkapi Palace visible in the background.

Tourists exploring the historic Basilica Cistern in Istanbul, a unique combo tour offering skip-the-line tickets and a hop-on hop-off bus tour, saving 9%

Tourists exploring Istanbul with a hop-on hop-off bus tour, with a stop at the historic Basilica Cistern, offering a unique combo deal saving 9%

Tourists exploring Istanbul with a hop-on hop-off bus tour, with a stop at the historic Basilica Cistern, offering a unique combo deal with a 9% saving

Tourists exploring the historic Basilica Cistern in Istanbul with a combo deal of skip-the-line tickets and a hop-on hop-off bus tour, saving 9%

Tourists exploring Istanbul with a hop-on hop-off bus tour, with a stop at the historic Basilica Cistern, offering a unique combo deal to save 9%

Tourists exploring Istanbul with a combo deal of Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, saving 9%

4.5(5,042)

Combo (Save 5%): Basilica Cistern Tickets + Istanbul Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

from €77.90

€74.01

5% off

Instant confirmation

Mobile ticket

Audio guide

Save money on your Istanbul trip with a combo featuring access to Basilica Cistern's reservoir, and a 1-day hop-on hop-off tour of the city’s sights.
Accessible by buses, the Basilica Cistern displays eerie underground waters and 336 marble columns, unveiling brilliant Roman engineering.
The Cistern's two mysterious Medusa heads and its 80,000 cubic meters of water capacity, captivate every visitor’s curiosity.
See Istanbul's landmarks like the Spice Bazaar and Hagia Sophia, hopping on and off at any of the 11 stops aboard buses running every 30 minutes.
Grab seats on the open-top deck for perfect skyline views, while multilingual audio guides immerse you in the city's history, enriching your journey.

Save money on your Istanbul trip with a combo featuring access to Basilica Cistern's reservoir, and a 1-day hop-on hop-off tour of the city’s sights.
Accessible by buses, the Basilica Cistern displays eerie underground waters and 336 marble columns, unveiling brilliant Roman engineering.
The Cistern's two mysterious Medusa heads and its 80,000 cubic meters of water capacity, captivate every visitor’s curiosity.
See Istanbul's landmarks like the Spice Bazaar and Hagia Sophia, hopping on and off at any of the 11 stops aboard buses running every 30 minutes.
Grab seats on the open-top deck for perfect skyline views, while multilingual audio guides immerse you in the city's history, enriching your journey.

Inclusions

Basilica Cistern

Skip-the-line entry to the Basilica Cistern (Close to stop #1 Sultanahmet)
Audio guide in English, German, Russian, French, Spanish, Iranian, Arabic & Turkish

Istanbul HOHO

1-day unlimited hop-on hop-off pass
Audio guide in English, German, Russian, French, Spanish, Iranian, Arabic & Turkish
Free earphones

Exclusions

Istanbul HOHO

Entry to attractions
Guided visits inside attractions

Istanbul HOHO

First Bus: 10am from Taksim Sqaure/Sultanahmet
Last Bus: 4:45pm from Taksim Sqaure/Sultanahmet
Frequency: every 45 minutes
Popular stops: Taksim Square, Beylerbeyi Palace, Spice Bazaar & Dolmabahce Palace

Click here for the detailed route map and boarding points.

You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.

Basilica Cistern

Tip: Observe the carp swimming in the water. The fish add a dynamic element to the cistern, often visible from the raised platforms.
It's recommended to wear comfortable shoes.
Specific details related to Basilica Cistern will be shared in the ticket post-booking.

Istanbul HOHO

The routes, stops and departure times may change temporarily under uncontrollable circumstances.
During peak hours, seating cannot be guaranteed on both decks.

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Reviews

How do we collect reviews?

4.5

5,042 ratings

3.7K

769

290

130

197

What our guests say

Virginia

May 2025Verified booking

4/5

There is no separate line for skip the line until you get past the first Q so you simply walk to the front of the line where rep checks your bar code and directs you to a separate line. Inside was beautiful but I wish they would reduce the number of people at any given time to make it more peaceful and intimate.

Melissa

May 2025Verified booking

5/5

The cistern is truly beautiful. The price of the ticket was very fair, and the skip the line feature was extremely helpful. Thank you!

Vanessa

May 2025Verified booking

5/5

The whole experience was WOW! The skip the line ticket was totally worth it. And the Basilica is so beautiful, different from everything I've seen. I loved it!

Iliescu

Apr 2025Verified booking

4/5

It was really easy to book the tickets. The app is very friendly and helpfull. We stay in line on the online row for about 10 minutes. The Basilica was very impressive , overall a great experience. You are doing so well so we decided to make a second reservation through the app.

Christine

Apr 2025Verified booking

5/5

Easy online booking. The queue cutter worked really well, saving us at least 30 minutes waiting time (in mid-season)! A lot of people inside, but the visit and site were sublime 🤩

View original review in French

José

Apr 2025Verified booking

4/5

The place is impressive (perhaps the most beautiful cistern in the world), but access is a bit slow. In the end, carrying a pre-paid ticket hardly saves you any time.

View original review in Spanish

Ferencz

Jun 2025Verified booking

4/5

It is something uniqie, worth to see

Craig

Jun 2025Verified booking

5/5

Spectacular, nice lighting, and with pre purchased tickets, no line. Not too crowded and nice and cool.

Rosmund

Jun 2025Verified booking

5/5

Simply amazing. It was one of our higlights in our first Turkey experience.

Valdas

May 2025Verified booking

5/5

I recomend! The wiev suprised me.

marina

May 2025Verified booking

5/5

the entrance was fast with no queues very good. a

View original review in Spanish

Agnieszka

May 2025Verified booking

5/5

Amazing place, worth its price

Alexandra

Apr 2025Verified booking

5/5

Simple and easy to use as long as you have good internet connection. Would definitely use again.

Tünde-Gizella

Apr 2025Verified booking

4/5

It was nice and easy to get inside with skip-the -line ticket.

Ophélie

Apr 2025Verified booking

5/5

The atmosphere of this place is magical, it's a place I'll remember for a long time.

View original review in French

ALEKSANDRA

Mar 2025Verified booking

5/5

Incredible place. I wish i could be there alone.

Louise

Jun 2025Verified booking

4/5

Skip the queue was still busy and guess what you still had to queue but it moved quite quickly. We did visit on Saturday so it's what we excepted.

Paul

Jun 2025Verified booking

4/5

Overpriced for what it is. Interesting experience and amazing that they were developed. Very easy walk as there are metal grills underfoot everywhere.

Mattia

Jun 2025Verified booking

3/5

I had no problems in particular, the online booking and admission went very well and everything is handled very well, the attraction is exactly what it is supposed to be and is apparently maintained well. Nothing to recriminate. THE PRICE IS MEANINGLESS! I am not even going to mention the amount of places that exist in the world that cost less than half as much and have a cultural heritage to offer incomparable with tanks you had lost memory of for centuries. If the price were fair, no one would feel mocked by losing confidence in the whole country.

Quirino

Jun 2025Verified booking

3/5

The audio guide was included in the price at the ticket office but via app was not received and the ticket office staff blamed the app

View original review in Italian

Alejandro

Jun 2025Verified booking

4/5

The tour is very good. But the traffic is horrible and sometimes the narration of the sites goes ahead of the route. You have to "reset" the narration and follow the route.

View original review in Spanish

Graeme

May 2025Verified booking

3/5

The cistern itself was an amazing piece if engineering considering its age. I had been there the previous day without a booked ticket and decided the queue was too long and I would not be able to enter in time. I had booked the ticket and went early the next morning andf went straight in, although the queue to pay was not very long.

HERVE

May 2025Verified booking

3/5

Hello, I bought 3 tickets via Headout. For 2 of them (Cistern Basilica and St Sophia Basilica), no problems. The tickets worked properly and we didn't waste any time at the entrance. For the ticket to the Palis de Topkapi, we lost 1 hour because of the voucher to be redeemed and because of the wait for the group. Between 9 and 10 a.m., there was no wait at the ticket offices to buy the ticket, nor at the entrance to the Palace. We would have been better off not buying a "coupe-file" ticket. Sincerely, H .Gay

View original review in French

Raina

May 2025Verified booking

4/5

Loved visiting here and was worth it, however it was a bit confusing to know which was skip the line queue since there were no signs of "online booking only". It would be great if it was clear because we waited in the first line until we found out there was a different queue for those who booked online (which was longer btw)

Jörg

May 2025Verified booking

5/5

The scale of this underground cisterns is unbelievable. Awsome. An absolutely "must see". We were there on a Tuesday in mid May around noon. The queues were ok. The online tickets worked fine for us. I had read about rare cases with other attractions where there were problems with the QR codes on tickets from this reseller. In our case it worked fine.

Gate of Salutation at Topkapi Palace entrance, Istanbul, Turkey.

NEW

Istanbul Private Tour with Round-Trip Transfers

from

€75

Free cancellation

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Instant confirmation

Mobile ticket

2 hr

Transfers included

Hotel pickup

Explore Istanbul’s sights on a 2-hour private tour in a Mercedes Benz, blending comfort and style as you glide through the city at your own pace.
Make stops wherever you like! Marvel at Hagia Sophia's towering domes, roam the Grand Bazaar, and see the Bosphorus Strait separating Asia and Europe.
Relax in your classy ride with WiFi, charging ports, and AC while getting round-trip hotel transfers by an English and Turkish-speaking driver.
The spacious vehicle accommodates up to six people, providing you ample room to sit back and watch Istanbul's unique vibe unfold before you.

Explore Istanbul’s sights on a 2-hour private tour in a Mercedes Benz, blending comfort and style as you glide through the city at your own pace.
Make stops wherever you like! Marvel at Hagia Sophia's towering domes, roam the Grand Bazaar, and see the Bosphorus Strait separating Asia and Europe.
Relax in your classy ride with WiFi, charging ports, and AC while getting round-trip hotel transfers by an English and Turkish-speaking driver.
The spacious vehicle accommodates up to six people, providing you ample room to sit back and watch Istanbul's unique vibe unfold before you.

Inclusions

2-hour tour of Istanbul in Mercedes-Benz
Small-group of up to 6 people
English & Turkish-speaking driver
Air-conditioning onboard
Round-trip hotel transfers
USB charging ports & WiFi on board

The vehicle can accommodate a maximum of 6 people.

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

$Tourist boarding the bus during Busforus 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Istanbul\Hagia Sophia Cathedral/Mosque/Museum in Istanbul Turkey$

Hop-on hop-off bus near Bosphorus, Istanbul, with tourists exploring city landmarks.

Tourists on Busforus hop-on hop-off bus tour in Istanbul, viewing city landmarks.

Father and son enjoy beautiful view on Hagia Sophia Cathedral, Istanbul

Hop-on hop-off bus near Bosphorus Bridge, Istanbul, showcasing city tour route.

Hop-on hop-off bus near Bosphorus Bridge, Istanbul, offering city tour views.

Hagia Sophia mosaics detail, Istanbul, Turkey.

$Tourist boarding the bus during Busforus 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Istanbul\Hagia Sophia Cathedral/Mosque/Museum in Istanbul Turkey$

4.3(3,979)

Combo (Save 5%): Istanbul Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Hagia Sophia Skip-The-Line Tickets

from €77.50

€73.63

5% off

Instant confirmation

Mobile ticket

Audio guide

See Istanbul's sights with a 1-day hop-on hop-off pass and bypass the lines to explore Hagia Sophia’s stunning dome, with this budget-smart combo.
Hop on from any of the 11 stops with buses every 30 minutes, and explore sights like Dolmabahce Palace, Basilica Cistern, and the Blue Mosque.
Treat yourself to unbeatable views from the open-top deck, with audio guides in 8 languages bringing Istanbul’s sights to life.
Skip the lines to Hagia Sophia which sits near the Bosphorus and admire its massive dome and Islamic calligraphy.
Be amazed by Hagia Sophia’s towering minarets, gold mosaics, and marble pillars, showcasing a blend of Byzantine grandeur and Ottoman elegance.

See Istanbul's sights with a 1-day hop-on hop-off pass and bypass the lines to explore Hagia Sophia’s stunning dome, with this budget-smart combo.
Hop on from any of the 11 stops with buses every 30 minutes, and explore sights like Dolmabahce Palace, Basilica Cistern, and the Blue Mosque.
Treat yourself to unbeatable views from the open-top deck, with audio guides in 8 languages bringing Istanbul’s sights to life.
Skip the lines to Hagia Sophia which sits near the Bosphorus and admire its massive dome and Islamic calligraphy.
Be amazed by Hagia Sophia’s towering minarets, gold mosaics, and marble pillars, showcasing a blend of Byzantine grandeur and Ottoman elegance.

Inclusions

Istanbul HOHO

1-day unlimited hop-on hop-off pass
Audio guide in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Russian & Turkish
Free earphones

Hagia Sophia

Skip-the-line entry to Hagia Sophia (Close to stop #1 Sultanahmet)
Access to the visitor's area

Istanbul HOHO

First Bus: 10am from Taksim Sqaure/Sultanahmet
Last Bus: 4:45pm from Taksim Sqaure/Sultanahmet
Frequency: every 45 minutes
Popular stops: Taksim Square, Beylerbeyi Palace, Spice Bazaar & Dolmabahce Palace

Click here for the detailed route map and boarding points.

You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.

Istanbul HOHO

The routes, stops and departure times may change temporarily under uncontrollable circumstances.
During peak hours, seating cannot be guaranteed on both decks.

Hagia Sophia

Tip: Try to find the few remaining Christian mosaics that survived the transformation from a church to a mosque.
This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
Women should not wear knee-length shorts, skirts, or clothing with exposed shoulders or chests. Hair should be partially covered with a scarf.
Men should not wear knee-length shorts or clothing with exposed shoulders.
Clothes and scarves are available for purchase at the entrance of the attraction.
Hagia Sophia is under renovation, therefore, not all parts of the building are open to the public.
Due to the Friday prayer, the Mosque will be closed to tourists from 12:30pm to 2:30pm. For a smoother experience, it's recommend visiting after 4pm to avoid the lengthy security line anticipated between 2pm and 4pm.
Specific details related to Hagia Sophia will be shared in the ticket post-booking.

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Reviews

How do we collect reviews?

4.3

3,979 ratings

2.5K

787

308

157

208

What our guests say

Hilda

Apr 2025Verified booking

5/5

We bought skip the line tickets the night before for €33.50 each. The next day, Sunday, we went along at 2pm and didn't have to queue at all. Hagia Sophia is spectacular, well worth seeing. We are not Muslim so could only see from first floor balcony which wraps all the way around but you still get a good view of it

Joshua

Apr 2025Verified booking

4/5

I finally got to visit the great Hagia Sophia. While getting to explore the upper level was a blessing, I don't understand why the lower level is off limits. Even the Blue Mosque is open to non-Muslims. If I had gotten to explore the lower level, my visit would have been perfect. This is not Headout's fault, but something that is on my mind.

Véronique

Apr 2025Verified booking

4/5

Thanks to the queue-cutting ticket, we were able to enter Saint Sophia easily. We visited the second floor, as the ground floor is a place of prayer. It's a place where Catholic and Muslim cultures meet. What to see

View original review in French

Inge

Mar 2025Verified booking

5/5

This is the third time I've visited the Hagia Sophia, the first time as a mosque. It's a shame that you can't see the dome from the center, i.e. from the first floor. But the visit is definitely worth it. Booking tickets in advance was an advantage, even if the crowds weren't that big in the morning.

View original review in German

Marta

Mar 2025Verified booking

5/5

We loved Hagia Sophia, it is beautiful in its aesthetics, its architecture and its history. But we had to wait in line anyway, about 25 minutes to get in.

View original review in Spanish

Marco

Jun 2025Verified booking

5/5

Beautiful experience. A magical place

View original review in Italian

Paula

Apr 2025Verified booking

5/5

Awesome monument and great to already have a ticket ready.

Illouz-neuvillers

Apr 2025Verified booking

5/5

A sublime place. Adults and children were in awe

View original review in French

Jose

Apr 2025Verified booking

4/5

Avoidance of queues, although the price is excessive.

View original review in Spanish

Naveed

Apr 2025Verified booking

4/5

The art and the ease of buying the ticket

Julia

Jun 2025Verified booking

5/5

I'm so glad I visited the Hagia Sophia – it's such a stunning and awe-inspiring site. The interior is incredibly intricate, and it's truly something you shouldn't miss. We were lucky to get in easily and avoid the crowds thanks to our pass. I’d recommend going in the afternoon when its quieter.

Ingeborg

Jun 2025Verified booking

4/5

It was good not to have to stand in line. It was just a shame that I couldn't visit the mosque because of the prayer time.

View original review in German

Alejandro

Jun 2025Verified booking

4/5

The tour is very good. But the traffic is horrible and sometimes the narration of the sites goes ahead of the route. You have to "reset" the narration and follow the route.

View original review in Spanish

THEANOULA

May 2025Verified booking

3/5

I loved seeing St Sophia, but there were so many guards that I felt insecure because my every move was being watched.

View original review in French

Patricia

May 2025Verified booking

5/5

It's easy to book, so there's no need to queue, and the price is very reasonable. As for the visit to St. Sophia, it's of course exceptional, even if we regret not being able to go to the first floor!

View original review in French

Vincent

May 2025Verified booking

3/5

Security wait too long. No access to ground floor. Carpeted floor hides original stonework. It's a real shame the building is less beautiful than before and not worth the price charged.

View original review in French

Virginie

May 2025Verified booking

3/5

Too many queues outside the museum, with queue-cutting tickets, no regularization of visitor flows No access to the ground floor since the museum became a mosque Very disappointing for the exorbitant price. Other camitales

View original review in French

Natasa

May 2025Verified booking

3/5

Jamia is a mix of Christianity and Islam. The ticket price is high for a 45-minute visit. The queues are too big for a ticket, on 2.may it was expected to be from two sets of tickets per ticket without a queue.

This review is translated. Show original review.

Maria

Apr 2025Verified booking

4/5

It is nice, a touristic place to know about how 2 different cultures were combined. Having the skip the line was great to avoid the purchase tickets lane and then the line to go inside. They have a free audio guide in Hagia Sophia, with free internet so don't buy any additional service for it, just make sure you bring your earphones.

Marcel

Apr 2025Verified booking

3/5

There was no mention of a fast-track ticket. You just save yourself the trouble of buying a ticket on site. You still have to join the queue. A waiting time of around 30 minutes is not fast-track entry after all. Consolation: it's worth it though. The Hagia Sophia is well worth a visit.

View original review in German

antonietta

Apr 2025Verified booking

4/5

Visit Ok....Even after Hagia Sophia closed due to earthquake, we were allowed entry the day after the booked date

View original review in Italian

Robert

Apr 2025Verified booking

4/5

Buying tickets in advance meant I didn't have to queue on the spot (but early in the morning the queue is moderate...) Negative point: the timetables provided by Headout are both contradictory and inutally worrying: in fact you can turn up at any time at the entrance with the QR code and... that's it (there's no guide provided anyway -- except your smartphone as long as it can access the network).

View original review in French

Elena

Apr 2025Verified booking

3/5

I was very disappointed. It is not a museum anymore, it is just a mosque now. Hagia Sophia was wonderful museum before, a unique combination of historical and cultural heritage. Now it is just a money machine for foolish foreigners, you can not see anything because the usual visitors paying to see nothing. Before I used to love going back. I will wait to turn to museum again before visit it again.

MICHAEL

Apr 2025Verified booking

3/5

My visit to Hagia Sophia was good... but Headout should rename this offer. You DO skip a line (a relateively short one at the ticket office), but you WILL stand in the much loonger line (that wraps around the block) to actually get in. All that said, the onloine ticket worked fine.

Anca

Apr 2025Verified booking

5/5

Mosque is impressing! But we should.have known from the beginning that we needed to wait for a group until able to enter.

Hagia Sophia interior with visitors, part of Istanbul MegaPass attractions.

Gate of Salutation at Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, entrance with historical architecture and tourists exploring.

Gate of Salutation entrance at Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, with tourists exploring the historic site.

Hagia Sophia Museum exterior with minarets in Eminonu, Istanbul, showcasing Byzantine architecture.

Pillars inside The Basilica Cistern, Istanbul, showcasing ancient Roman architecture.

Dolmabahce Palace exterior with ornate architecture in Istanbul, Turkey.

Hop-on hop-off bus passing by the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.

Bosphorus dinner cruise ship with guests dining, Istanbul skyline in the evening.

Ferry approaching Haydarpasa Railway Station in Istanbul, Turkey.

Woman relaxing in a traditional Turkish bath in Istanbul, Turkey.

4.2(144)

Istanbul MegaPass: Skip-the-Line E-Tickets for Top Attractions

from

€129

Free cancellation

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Instant confirmation

Mobile ticket

Flexible duration

Audio guide

Guided tour

Build your perfect Istanbul adventure by picking 2 to 9 attractions, from iconic landmarks like Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace to cultural gems like a hammam or dervish show.

Everything you get: Access to top landmarks like Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Dolmabahçe Palace (choose 2-4 based on your pass), guided tours including the Asian side walking tour and hop-on hop-off bus, cultural experiences like a Turkish bath or Dervish ceremony, a Blue Mosque tour, Bosphorus dinner cruise, a 5-ride transportation card, multilingual audio guides for all attractions, a digital guidebook, and a city map to navigate it all.
Why choose this: Enjoy seamless access with one easy pass that covers guided tours, a Bosphorus cruise, and a 5-ride public transport card for getting around the city. Choose the Premium Pass to visit 4 attractions or go all in with the Deluxe Pass to unlock 9 of the city’s best, with all tickets delivered straight to your inbox.

Build your perfect Istanbul adventure by picking 2 to 9 attractions, from iconic landmarks like Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace to cultural gems like a hammam or dervish show.

Everything you get: Access to top landmarks like Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Dolmabahçe Palace (choose 2-4 based on your pass), guided tours including the Asian side walking tour and hop-on hop-off bus, cultural experiences like a Turkish bath or Dervish ceremony, a Blue Mosque tour, Bosphorus dinner cruise, a 5-ride transportation card, multilingual audio guides for all attractions, a digital guidebook, and a city map to navigate it all.
Why choose this: Enjoy seamless access with one easy pass that covers guided tours, a Bosphorus cruise, and a 5-ride public transport card for getting around the city. Choose the Premium Pass to visit 4 attractions or go all in with the Deluxe Pass to unlock 9 of the city’s best, with all tickets delivered straight to your inbox.

Inclusions

Landmarks & Palaces: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, & Dolmabahce Palace (choose 2/4/9 depending on your pass tier)
Guided tours: Asian side walking tour & hop-on hop-off bus tour (based on your pass tier)
Cultural experiences: Turkish bath or hammam experience & Dervish ceremony (based on your pass tier)
Blue Mosque guided tour
Bosphorus dinner cruise
5-ride Istanbul transportation card
Multilingual audio guides for all attractions
Digital guidebook
City, tram, and metro map

Get the list of included attractions here.
All activities are open-entry with no reservations required; only the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise needs to be booked in advance.
Your pass is valid for 7 consecutive days starting from the first time you use it.
You’re free to visit multiple attractions each day, but each attraction can only be accessed once with your pass.
Skip-the-line access is included, but security checks still apply at all venues.
The multilingual audio guides are available offline, so you don't have to rely on a spotty signal.
The included transport card can be used across trams, ferries, buses, and metros—no need to buy separate tickets, but make sure to validate your card at necessary stops.
The digital guidebook includes curated tips and navigation shortcuts between included attractions, helping you plan smarter and save time.
Access to the main prayer hall on the ground floor of the Hagia Sophia is restricted for tourists. You can only visit the upper floor visiting area.
The Asian side walking tour is one of the best ways to see a non-touristy, authentic side of Istanbul. It's slower-paced and culturally rich.
The upper deck of hop-on-hop-off buses offers the best views across the Bosphorus Bridge.
Choose traditional hammams for a more authentic experience.
Opt for evening Dervish sessions for a quieter, more atmospheric setting, and sit closer to the front for a better view of the whirling ritual.
The window seats fill up fast on cruises; arrive early to grab the best spots.

Your selected attraction tickets will be sent via email. If you’ve chosen the Deluxe Pass, you’ll receive tickets for all included experiences.
Show the PDF tickets on your phone, or print a physical copy if you prefer.
You can edit your chosen list of attractions anytime, and cancel your pass free of charge up to one day before your chosen start date.

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Reviews

How do we collect reviews?

4.2

144 ratings

What our guests say

Rui

Apr 2025Verified booking

3/5

We enjoyed the 5 visits and the cruise, all works well. The delivery of the Istambul Kart made us lose a lot of time, because in the first day we gone to the Topkapi kiosk exclusively to receive our Istambul Kart as wright in the papers we received. They told us that now the point of delivery changed and we must go to the Dsign Café near Blue Mosque. Since we are going to Grand Bazar on foot it was not convenient to go there. In the afternoon we gone there exclusively to receive the card but no one from Megapasss was there. In next day we visited Topkapi Palace and at the kiosk they told us to go there after the visiting. At last we could have our Istambul Kart. This change was very inconvenient and Megappas should have told us about that alteration when we bought the Megapass.

Letizia

May 2025Verified booking

4/5

Useful skip-the-line admissions..nice guided tour of the Blue Mosque even if only in English..

View original review in Italian

Marco

Jun 2025Verified booking

4/5

Emma

Jun 2025Verified booking

4/5

Jun 2025Verified booking

5/5

Jeanne

Jun 2025Verified booking

5/5

Louis

May 2025Verified booking

4/5

Zoltan

May 2025Verified booking

4/5

May 2025Verified booking

4/5

Salome

May 2025Verified booking

5/5

MARÍA

May 2025Verified booking

3/5

giulio

May 2025Verified booking

3/5

Natalia

May 2025Verified booking

4/5

Hafize

May 2025Verified booking

4/5

Lavinia

Apr 2025Verified booking

3/5

Małgorzata

Apr 2025Verified booking

5/5

Martin

Apr 2025Verified booking

4/5

Thomas

Apr 2025Verified booking

4/5

Stefano

Apr 2025Verified booking

5/5

Taija

Apr 2025Verified booking

4/5

GOUDEMAND

Apr 2025Verified booking

3/5

MADELYN

Apr 2025Verified booking

5/5

Elisabeth

Mar 2025Verified booking

5/5

Mar 2025Verified booking

4/5

Henry

May 2025Verified booking

1/5

Skip the line didn't help at all. Some places We still need to wait for normal line.Headout did not send us a link to choose activities after we booked the tickets, so wasted us a lot of time at the travel day. The agent at Topkapi Palacce' office is not pleasant. In all, it didn't save us any time, even wasted us time. The tickets is overpriced.

$Tourist boarding the bus during Busforus 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Istanbul\Galata Tower in Istanbul$

A female tourist standing on Galata tower bridge

Portrait of beautiful mother and son tourists with view of Galata tower in Beyoglu, Istanbul

$Tourist boarding the bus during Busforus 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Istanbul\Galata Tower in Istanbul$

4.2(931)

Combo (Save 5%): Istanbul Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Galata Tower Tickets

from €84.50

€80.27

5% off

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Explore Istanbul's two-continent split with a 1-day hop-on hop-off pass, and enter the Galata Tower’s ancient viewpoint with this affordable combo.
With 11 stops near top landmarks and buses every 30 minutes, you can easily stroll to sights like Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Spice Bazaar.
Listen to an 8-language audio guide while the open-top deck offers sweeping views of Istanbul’s skyline, making each stop even more captivating.
Hop off a bus and climb the historic Galata Tower, once a lookout post, and now a museum with rotating exhibitions of Turkish history.
Zoom up the elevator to the tower's conical peak and spot landmarks like Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Suleymaniye Mosque, framed by the Bosphorus.

Explore Istanbul's two-continent split with a 1-day hop-on hop-off pass, and enter the Galata Tower’s ancient viewpoint with this affordable combo.
With 11 stops near top landmarks and buses every 30 minutes, you can easily stroll to sights like Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Spice Bazaar.
Listen to an 8-language audio guide while the open-top deck offers sweeping views of Istanbul’s skyline, making each stop even more captivating.
Hop off a bus and climb the historic Galata Tower, once a lookout post, and now a museum with rotating exhibitions of Turkish history.
Zoom up the elevator to the tower's conical peak and spot landmarks like Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Suleymaniye Mosque, framed by the Bosphorus.

Inclusions

Istanbul HOHO

1-day unlimited hop-on hop-off pass
Audio commentary in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Russian & Turkish
Free earphones

Galata Tower

Entry to Galata Tower (Close to stop #4 Galataport)
Express elevator to the lookout platform of the Galata Tower

Istanbul HOHO

First Bus: 10am from Taksim Sqaure/Sultanahmet
Last Bus: 4:45pm from Taksim Sqaure/Sultanahmet
Frequency: every 45 minutes
Popular stops: Taksim Square, Beylerbeyi Palace, Spice Bazaar & Dolmabahce Palace

Click here for the detailed route map and boarding points.

You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.

Istanbul HOHO

The routes, stops and departure times may change temporarily under uncontrollable circumstances.
During peak hours, seating cannot be guaranteed on both decks.

Galata Tower

Tip: Walk around the entire observation deck to experience the city from every angle. Don't miss the views towards the Golden Horn.
The tower is wheelchair accessible only till the 7th floor.
Specific details related to the Galata Tower will be shared in the ticket post-booking.

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Reviews

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4.2

931 ratings

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What our guests say

Markus

Apr 2025Verified booking

4/5

We had a great view over Istanbul. The small informative descent in the tower is also great. Unfortunately, there are no toilets on site

View original review in German

Alejandro

Jun 2025Verified booking

4/5

The tour is very good. But the traffic is horrible and sometimes the narration of the sites goes ahead of the route. You have to "reset" the narration and follow the route.

View original review in Spanish

Marianne

May 2025Verified booking

4/5

The view was amazing. I'm glad we arrived very early. Unfortunately the workers looked bored the whole time. They did not smile.

DAVIDEANU

Apr 2025Verified booking

4/5

The experience was great, a little too expensive. Interesting story, nice view of the old city, I think it worth the money. The instructions were somehaw confusing , was cleared up by the online assisent .

Timothy

May 2025Verified booking

4/5

Very easy - the personnel were very helpful and it was a great way to view Istanbul.

Miss

Apr 2025Verified booking

4/5

Excellent tour showing the city and very informative audio guide.

Victoria

Apr 2025Verified booking

3/5

Pretty good view of part of the city. Not worth the money paid

Sandeep

Jun 2025Verified booking

4/5

Benedikt

Jun 2025Verified booking

5/5

Ana

Jun 2025Verified booking

5/5

Manuel-Elias

Jun 2025Verified booking

4/5

Gyulen

May 2025Verified booking

5/5

Janine

May 2025Verified booking

4/5

Iryna

May 2025Verified booking

4/5

Alex

May 2025Verified booking

4/5

NATALIIA

May 2025Verified booking

5/5

Kulesh

May 2025Verified booking

3/5

Anthony

May 2025Verified booking

5/5

Natalia

May 2025Verified booking

4/5

Bogomil

May 2025Verified booking

5/5

Cristea

May 2025Verified booking

5/5

Melanie

May 2025Verified booking

3/5

Stephen

May 2025Verified booking

5/5

stefano

May 2025Verified booking

4/5

Terisha

May 2025Verified booking

5/5

Big Bus Istanbul Hop-on Hop-off tours

Big Bus Istanbul's Hop-on Hop-off tours are a great way to explore the city's iconic landmarks. With multiple stops along the way, you can visit attractions like Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace, while enjoying informative audio commentary and the flexibility to explore at your own pace.See the best of this unique city that straddles two continents!

Why choose the Big Bus Istanbul tours?

Comprehensive coverage

The route covers major landmarks across both continents, like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Bosphorus Bridge, ensuring you see the best of Istanbul.

Informative commentary

Enjoy informative commentary in multiple languages, providing historical context and insights about the city's rich culture and heritage.

Flexibility

Hop on and off at any of the conveniently located stops to explore Istanbul's top attractions at your own pace.

Istanbul Hop-On Hop-Off Convenient scheduling

Comfort

Travel in style on modern, clean, and comfortable double-decker buses with open-top views of the city.

Value for money

Enjoy discounted entry to select attractions and museums with your bus tour ticket, making it a budget-friendly way to explore Istanbul.

Big Bus Istanbul routes, stops and maps

Royal Palace of Madrid Big Bus Madrid Tours

Sultanahmet Route

The Sultanahmet Route covers iconic landmarks like Dolmabahçe Palace, Naval Museum, and Beşiktaş Bazaar, offering a rich cultural and historical experience.

First stop: Sultanahmet
Timings: 10am to 4:45pm
Frequency: Every 45 minutes
Number of stops: 11
Full loop duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

More details

Take a closer look at Big Bus Istanbul’s route-wise timetable

Big Bus Istanbul: Routes, stops, and maps

Highlights of your Big Bus Istanbul tour

1/5

Hagia Sophia

Route name: Sultanahmet Route

Attraction timings: 9am to 7:30pm

Suggested Big Bus Istanbul itineraries

Istanbul in 1 day/24 hours

If you have just one day in Istanbul, focus on the Sultanahmet Route to experience its rich history and stunning architecture.

Start at Hagia Sophia, marveling at its magnificent dome and mosaics.
Next, visit the Blue Mosque to admire its stunning interior and iconic minarets.
Afterward, head to Topkapi Palace to explore the opulent rooms and beautiful gardens.
Take a break for lunch nearby, then visit the Basilica Cistern, where you can walk among ancient columns and enjoy its atmospheric lighting.
Then, hop on the bus to Galata Tower for panoramic views of the city.
Conclude your day in the vibrant Galata district.

Big Bus Istanbul tips

Plan ahead: Study the map and decide which stops you want to visit and attractions you wish to explore.
Purchase tickets online: Buy tickets online in advance to avoid long queues at the ticket counters.
Start early: Begin your day early to make the most of each stop and avoid the busiest crowds at popular attractions.
Dress appropriately: Keep in mind the dress code at religious sites like the Blue Mosque. Wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
Bring water and snacks: Carry a water bottle and some snacks, especially if traveling in summer when temperatures can be high. The buses do not have on-board facilities.
Combo tickets: If you’re on a budget, consider buying combo tickets, which offer skip-the-line access to attractions, like Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Galata Tower, along with the tour.

Frequently asked questions about Big Bus Istanbul tours

How do Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off buses work in Istanbul?

Hop-on Hop-off buses allow you to explore Istanbul at your own pace. You can get on and off at any of the designated stops to visit attractions that interest you.

What is included in a Big Bus Istanbul Tour ticket?

A Hop-On Hop-Off Istanbul Tour ticket includes access to the Hop-on hop-off bus routes, free Wi-Fi, snacks, and audio guides in multiple languages.

How often are the Istanbul Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off buses?

Buses run every 45 minutes.

How many Big Bus Istanbul routes are there?

There is only one route covering all major attractions across Istanbul.

Are there audio guides on the Big Bus Istanbul Hop-on Hop-off bus tours?

Yes, the tour offers multilingual audio guides, providing insights about Istanbul’s historical landmarks and cultural attractions.

Are the Big Bus Istanbul Hop-on Hop-off bus tours accessibility-friendly?

Yes, the buses are wheelchair accessible.

How long is my ticket valid for?

Tour tickets are valid for a day, allowing you to explore the city at your own pace within the validity period.