Combos

Combo (Save 4%): Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide + Bosphorus Cruise

Tourist admiring Beautiful Cistern in Istanbul

Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern tour in Istanbul, showcasing historic architecture and cultural landmarks.

Bosphorus cruise ship sailing past Istanbul skyline with audio guide experience.

Tourists exploring the grand interiors of Dolmabahce Palace, marveling at the architectural beauty of Hagia Sophia, and descending into the historic Basilica Cistern on a guided tour

Uncover Istanbul's hidden treasures with this cost-saving combo. Explore the Basilica Cistern with skip-the-line tickets and sail the picturesque Bosphorus Strait.

Highlights

Step into the Byzantine architectural wonder that is the Basilica Cistern with skip-the-line tickets, and explore one of the most-visited museums in Istanbul.
Experience the mystery of the Medusa column bases in the Basilica Cistern, as your audio guide unravels intriguing theories about their origin.
Board a 2-hour cruise along the Bosphorus Strait with an audio guide in 8 languages, offering a unique perspective of Istanbul’s beauty.
Witness architectural gems like the Galata Tower, once the tallest building in Istanbul, and the Dolmabahce Palace, the residence of 6 Ottoman sultans.
Fun fact: Each of the 336 columns of the Basilica Cistern is different from the other.

Inclusions

Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

Skip-the-line entry to the Basilica Cistern
Multilingual audio guide

Bosphorus Cruise

2-hour Bosphorus cruise
Audio guide available in 8 languages

Cancellation policy

These tickets can’t be cancelled. However, they are valid for an extended period of time.

Reviews

4.3

1.9K ratings

5/5

1.2K

4/5

327

3/5

2/5

118

1/5

Emily

5/5

Dec, 2024

Everyone was super friendly and welcoming. The lady at the ticket line helped us get set up with our audio tours quickly and efficiently. The cistern itself was incredible

Alexander

5/5

Nov, 2024

The line was so big and how I bought the tickets before it was so easy to get in without line. The place is amazing and the audio guide was excellent.

Akke

4/5

Nov, 2024

My hotel was very centrally located - less than a 5-minute walk from the major tourist attractions - and thus very nice to do everything on foot. The Hagia Sofia is enduring evidence of the vast civilization that the former Constantinople carried with it; for that reason alone it is important to visit this structure

View original review in Dutch

Angela

3/5

Nov, 2024

The ticket pickup point is very far from the Topkapi Palace ticket counter - give yourselves time to get there! It is a timed entrance. We had to hurry through Topkapi in order to make it to the others. Seeing these 3 things in one day may be too much. If we had to do it over, we'd buy tickets to each venue separately and only visit Topkapi in one day.

Carsten

4/5

Nov, 2024

That was nice. The employee on the quay who welcomed us was very friendly and helpful. Also the service on board. We only have bad memories of the chairs on the outside deck. Very hard and uncomfortable...

View original review in German

Show all reviews

Ticket validity

These tickets are valid for an extended duration. The exact details will be present on the ticket.

Your experience

Enjoy a cost-saving combo that gives you access to two of Istanbul's must-visit sites: the Basilica Cistern and a cruise along the Bosphorus. Delve into Istanbul's rich history and mesmerizing beauty with this combo.

Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

Step back in time with a tour of the Basilica Cistern, a marvel of 6th-century Byzantine architecture. With your skip-the-line tickets, gain immediate access to this cavernous subterranean beauty. Walk along wooden platforms, surrounded by 336 massive columns, while listening to the enchanting sounds of water dripping from the vaulted ceiling. Witness the famous Hen’s Eye Column and the mystifying Medusa Pillar Bases, and learn about their intriguing history through the multilingual audio guide.

Bosphorus Cruise

Next, sail away along the beautiful Bosphorus waterway. This 2-hour cruise offers stunning views of Istanbul's landmarks, including the iconic Hagia Sophia and the popular Ortaköy Mosque. You'll also pass the legendary Bosphorus Bridge, a testament to the city's connection between Europe and Asia. An audio guide available in 8 languages will provide intriguing insights about the attractions you'll pass by.

Sites you'll come across

Galata Tower
Dolmabahce Palace
Ciragan Palace
Ortaköy Mosque
Bosphorus Bridge
Beylerbeyi Palace
Üsküdar
Maiden Tower
Topkapi Palace
Hagia Sophia
Seaside Villas

Operating hours

Basilica Cistern

Monday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM
Tuesday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM
Wednesday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM
Thursday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM
Friday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM
Saturday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM
Sunday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM

Know before you go

What to bring

Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

It's recommended to wear comfortable shoes.

Bosphorus Cruise

Don’t forget to bring along your headphones to listen to the audio tour.

Accessibility

Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

The attraction is wheelchair and stroller-accessible.

Additional information

Bosphorus Cruise

The audio guide is available in English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Arabic, and Chinese.
There is limited internet at the pier so please download the app before the tour.
The app does not require internet once it has been downloaded but ensure you have activated GPS.

My tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
Please display the same at each ticket redemption point along with a valid photo ID.

Ticket redemption points

Basilica Cistern

Show your ticket at Basilica Cistern.
Address: Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye.
Landmark: In front of the Exit Gate of the Basilica.

Get directions to the redemption point

Bosphorus Cruise

Board your cruise at DENTUR Istanbul Welcome Card Kabatas Pier.
Address: Ömer Avni, Mahallesi, Meclis-i Mebusan Cd. No:3, 34427 Beyoğlu/İstanbul.
Landmark: It is located across tram line no 1 and the funicular, come to the wooden house behind the red petrol station and look for the Istanbul Welcome Card ticket window.

Get directions to the boarding point