Istanbul City Cards

Enjoy expert storytelling, skip-the-line access, and a 5+ language audio guide for 3 of Istanbul’s most iconic sites.

• Everything you get at Blue Mosque: Skip the long lines and head straight to the Blue Mosque’s grand prayer hall. Get insights into this stained-glass-lit monument, with expert commentary.
• Everything you get at Hagia Sophia: Access the Upper Gallery of Hagia Sophia—an area once reserved for royalty. Avoid the wait and admire its mosaics while listening to interesting insights on its history.
• Everything you get at Basilica Cistern: Take an underground walk into the Basilica Cistern’s cool and quiet spaces. Skip long wait lines and walk in to admire the marble columns and the famous Medusa heads.
• Why choose this combo: In just 4 hours, visit three of Istanbul’s top landmarks in one day, with one easy ticket.
• Upgrades: Pick an audio-guided tour to explore at your own pace or choose a guided tour to hear interesting insights from a live guide and make your visit more interactive.

Inclusions #

Basilica Cistern

• 1-hour guided tour of Basilica Cistern

• Skip-the-line entry

• Expert English-speaking guide (as per option selected)

• Audio app downloadable in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, & Turkish (as per option selected)

Hagia Sophia

• 2-hour guided tour of Hagia Sophia

• Skip-the-line entry

• Expert English-speaking guide (as per option selected)

• Entry to Hagia Sophia visiting area & Upper Gallery

• Audio guide downloadable in English, German, French, Italian, & Spanish

Blue Mosque

• 1-hour guided tour to the Blue Mosque

• Skip-the-line entry (as per option selected)

• Expert English-speaking guide (as per option selected)

Exclusions #

• Scarf and body cover at the Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia

Basilica Cistern

• Tip: Be sure to walk to the far end of the cistern to see the famous Medusa heads—many visitors miss them by turning back too soon.
• Floors can be slick in places due to moisture, so wear stable footwear with a good grip.
• For a quieter, more serene experience, visit first thing in the morning or just before closing when crowds are less.
• Skip-the-line tickets help cut down wait time. However, security screenings are compulsory for all visitors and will take time.

Hagia Sophia

• Due to ongoing renovations, certain sections of the interiors may be obstructed by scaffolding.
• Tip: Security checks can take up to an hour in summer (June–August), so plan your visits accordingly.
• Only the Upper Gallery is open to visitors; the main prayer hall is reserved for worshippers and not accessible to visitors.
• Access is paused during daily prayers, so plan your visit between those times.
• Tourist entry is paused every Friday from noon to around 2:30pm for weekly prayers.
• Visitors are required to dress modestly – so please cover your head, shoulders, and knees. Women are also required to wear scarves. If you forget to bring your own, there are scarves available at the entrance.

Blue Mosque

• Tip: The Blue Mosque is closed to non-worshippers during the five daily prayers, so make sure you check local prayer times before visiting.
• Visitors are required to dress modestly – so please cover your head, shoulders, and knees. Women are also required to wear scarves. If you forget to bring your own, there are scarves available at the entrance.
• Shoes must be removed before entering. Make sure you bring a small bag to carry them.

What to bring

• Wear comfortable walking shoes, as many included attractions involve uneven paths, stairs, or long distances.
• Modest attire is a must for religious landmarks. Bring a scarf or shawl if you're visiting the Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque.

What's not allowed

• Flash photography, food, and large bags are not allowed inside most museums and historic sites.
• Revealing clothing is not permitted in mosques; shoulders and knees must be covered for entry.

Accessibility

• Most attractions offer partial wheelchair access, but areas like the Upper Gallery at Hagia Sophia and the Harem at Topkapi Palace require you to climb up a flight of stairs.

Additional information

• The pass guarantees 7 essentials, including a public transport card, guided Blue Mosque tour, 90-min Bosphorus cruise, and audio guides.
• Add on landmarks and experiences as per the pass you pick. Get the list of included and optional attractions here.
• All activities are open-entry with no reservations required; only the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise needs to be booked in advance.
• The pass is valid for 7 consecutive days from your selected start date.
• 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; there is 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 Whirling Dervish shows for a quieter, more atmospheric setting, and get introduced to the Sufi legacy of Istanbul.
• The window seats fill up fast on cruises; arrive early to grab the best spots.

Inclusions #

• Included with the MegaPass

  • Blue Mosque guided tour

  • Bosphorus sightseeing cruise

  • 5-ride Istanbul transportation card

  • Multilingual audio guides for all attractions

  • Digital guidebook

  • City, tram, and metro map

• Additional inclusions based on the pass option selected

  • Landmarks & Palaces: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, & Dolmabahce Palace

  • Sightseeing tours: Asian side walking tour, hop-on hop-off bus tour, Bosphorus sunset yacht cruise with snacks (based on your pass tier)

  • Cultural experiences: Turkish bath or hammam experience, Whirling Dervish ceremony, & Bosphorus dinner cruise (based on your pass tier)

• Click [here] for full details

Love a good deal? Save more while exploring the Blue Mosque & Basilica Cistern.

• Everything you get at Blue Mosque: Tour the Blue Mosque with a licensed guide, find the sultan’s private prayer spot, and admire rare İznik tiles up close. Later, walk through the Old City past the Mosaic Museum, ancient cisterns, and the Hippodrome.
• Everything you get at Basilica Cistern: Skip the line at the Basilica Cistern and explore at your pace with a multilingual audio guide to uncover hidden Medusa heads, echoing chambers, and eerie legends.
• Why choose this combo: No unnecessary detours! These landmarks are just a few minutes apart, so you can stroll from one to the other without losing time on travel and saving more money. Book both tours for the same day or go on different days, based on your preference.

Inclusions #

Blue Mosque

• 1-hour guided tour of the Blue Mosque

• Entry to Blue Mosque

• Expert English-speaking licensed guide

• Walking tour around Old Town

• Istanbul Old Town map

Basilica Cistern

• Skip-the-line entry to Basilica Cistern

• Audio guide in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish & Turkish

What to bring

Blue Mosque

• Bring your walking shoes, water bottle, hat, sunglasses, and snacks for comfortable exploration.
• Bring local currency or your preferred payment method for meals, souvenirs, and extra delights not covered by the ticket.

Basilica Cistern

• Stay ahead of the game; download the audio app beforehand to dodge any network glitches at the location.
• Don’t forget your trusty earphones for an immersive audio guide experience.

Accessibility

Basilica Cistern

• This experience is wheelchair accessible.

Additional information

Blue Mosque

• If you do not have a scarf or body cover, you can buy them at the entrance (a scarf is 1€ and a body cover is 3€).
• While you can breeze through the ticket lines, security screening is standard for all guests. Be prepared for wait times of up to 60 minutes during peak travel periods.
• Due to the Friday prayer, the Mosque will be closed to tourists from 12pm to 2pm. For a smoother experience, it's recommended to visit after 4pm to avoid the lengthy security line anticipated between 2pm and 4pm.

Bypass the long ticket lines and explore Basilica Cistern with an expert guide or a self-guided audio tour.

• Everything you get: Choose between a 1-hour guided tour with a local expert or a self-guided experience using a multilingual audio app. Enjoy skip-the-line access and in-depth commentary that brings the history of this underground marvel to life.
• Why choose this: This tour reveals the history and hidden secrets of the Basilica Cistern, offering a unique look at the ancient water reservoir that once supplied water to Constantinople. Whether you choose to explore with an expert guide or at your own pace, this experience will leave you with a greater appreciation of Istanbul's rich past.
• Upgrades: Make your visit even more memorable by adding a guided tour of Hagia Sophia. This option includes skip-the-line access and expert commentary, allowing you to explore two of Istanbul's most iconic landmarks in one seamless experience!

Inclusions #

• Skip-the-line entry to Basilica Cistern

• Instant mobile tickets with all-day validity

• Audio app for iOS and Android in English, Spanish, French, German & Italian

• 1-hour guided tour of Basilica Cistern (as per option selected)

• Expert English-speaking local guide (as per option selected)

• 1-hour guided tour of Hagia Sophia (as per option selected)

• Entry to Blue Mostque (for free)

• Audio-guided tour of Blue Mosque

• 3-hour Bosphorus cruise (as per option selected)

• 4-course Turkish dinner (menu here) (as per option selected)

• Live entertainment, including Turkish folk dance, Whirling Dervish shows, sword performances, & a DJ (as per option selected)

• Unlimited soft drinks (as per option selected)

• Free Wi-Fi on board (as per option selected)