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Istanbul Super Combo: Topkapi Palace + Hagia Sophia + Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

Exterior of the Topkapi palace
Harem inside the Topkapi Palace
Father and son enjoy beautiful view on Hagia Sophia Cathedral, Istanbul
Ceiling of Hagia Sophia Sophia
    • Three iconic sites, zero hassle. Save on entry and skip the lines at Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern.
    • With all three sites just a short walk from one another, you can visit them back-to-back without transfers, tight scheduling, or time wasted in queues.
    • Enjoy fast-track entry into Hagia Sophia and take in the Upper Gallery’s unmatched views of centuries-old mosaics and majestic arches.
    • Skip the wait and explore Topkapi Palace, from the sultans’ private Harem to treasures like the legendary Topkapi Dagger and sacred relics of the empire.
    • Head underground to the Basilica Cistern, a 6th-century marvel where dim reflections and ancient marble columns create one of Istanbul’s most atmospheric sights.
    • Explore each site your way with audio guides in multiple languages—just plug in your headphones and let the stories unfold.
  • Basilica Cistern

    • Skip-the-line entry
    • Audio app for iOS and Android in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, & Turkish

    Hagia Sophia

    • Skip-the-line entry
    • Access to Hagia Sophia's Upper Gallery visiting area
    • Audio guide in English, German, French, Italian, & Spanish

    Topkapi Palace

    • Skip-the-line entry
    • Access to Topkapi Palace Harem, including Royal Apartments & the Imperial Hall
    • Access to Topkapi Palace Museum, including the Treasury and Sacred Relics Room
    • Audio guide in English, Arabic, French, German, & Spanish
  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

  • How do we collect reviews?

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    3,172 ratings
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    Guests from United States, Spain, Italy and over 97 countries have loved this experience
    TAbourin Valérie

    Tabourin

    4/5

    Apr, 2025

    Simple, quick and efficient booking. Very useful to be able to avoid the queue to visit Topkapi Palace, which is well worth the detour.
    View original review in French
    Martin Melcher

    Martin

    4/5

    Apr, 2025

    We made a combined booking with Fastlane. For Hagia Sophia and Cisterna Basilica, the tickets we sent were immediately our valid tickets. Worked perfectly. Both sights were very beautiful and interesting. At Hagia Sophia, as a non-Muslim you "only" get to the first level and can look down into the whole mosque. Also very impressive, but not really explained beforehand. At the Topkapi Palace there was only one reservation in the mailing, which is easy to overlook, and we only noticed in front of gate 2 (where you need real tickets). We then had to go back to an agency outside Gate 1 so that we could finally get in with a tour lady. It worked but with a certain loss of time. The palace itself was huge and very beautiful. Be sure to book a ticket with harem access (as we had), this part is the highlight of the palace. All in all, a great day with lots of wonderful impressions.
    View original review in German
    Marco Schreier

    Marco

    4/5

    Apr, 2025

    ticket and skip-the-line was working. overall both venues very crowded but thats obviously due to the holiday week. We where diappointed that the Museum of Hagia Sofia was NOT included in an already expensive ticket. We thought this was part of knowing more about the place but where turned away at the door.
    Wendy Roach

    Wendy

    3/5

    Apr, 2025

    We showed up 30 minutes ahead of an appointed time and greeter tried to get us to pay more and go immediately with a guide instead of waiting 30 minutes. We said no, we would wait. He didn't tell us we had to get a vocher from the kiosk for our online ticket and we only found out when we got to the palace gate with the guide and she started collecting them. She had to work hold everyone up and had to make numerous telephone calls in order to verify our online tickets. She did a good job. Second, it was a crazy day with Eid. There were many many people. The skip the line line was so long and people just buying tickets were cutting in line and the palace was not stopping them.
    Rosa Isabel Bueno Belenguer

    Rosa

    4/5

    Mar, 2025

    Nosotros compramos el combo Santa Sofía basílica cisterna y palacio Topkapi tanto para la basílica cisterna como para Santa Sofía no es necesario hacer nada más que llevar tu entrada impresa para el palacio de Topkapi. Justo en la entrada hay un café donde unos chicos te acompañan porque para entrar en Topkapi, necesitas ir en grupo si llegas pronto a Topkapi maravilloso si no se pone muchísima gente la verdad es que ha funcionado perfecto
  • With skip-the-line entry and immersive audio guides in your language, you can explore Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern at your own pace, without crowds, delays, or rigid schedules.

    Getting started

    All essential tickets and instructions will be sent directly to your inbox. Download your digital tickets and the audio guide app in advance, then simply present your phone at each entrance. The sites are only a few meters apart, so you don't need to arrange additional transport.

    Basilica Cistern

    Descend into the cool, echoing depths of the Basilica Cistern, a hidden wonder built by the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century. As you walk among its marble columns—some salvaged from older Roman structures—imagine the ingenuity behind this vast underground reservoir. The audio guide will help you understand how this massive cistern once stored and filtered water for the Great Palace, keeping the city going during times of need.

    Topkapi Palace

    Topkapi Palace was the administrative and royal center of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years. Bypass the ticketing lines and wander through its vast courtyards. Admire the intricate Iznik tiles and grand pavilions, and step into the Harem, a private, maze-like space where the sultan’s family, wives, concubines, and eunuchs once lived.

    Hagia Sophia

    The Hagia Sophia is a masterpiece of architectural innovation, standing at the crossroads of empires for over 1,500 years. As you explore the main hall, your audio guide will highlight golden mosaics depicting Christian iconography, alongside Islamic additions like the ornate mihrab (prayer niche) and minbar (pulpit). Once a cathedral, then a mosque, and later a museum, Hagia Sophia’s layered history is etched into every arch and stone.

  • Topkapi Palace

    Monday9:00 AM - 6:00 PMlast entry 5:00 PM
    TuesdayClosed
    Wednesday9:00 AM - 6:00 PMlast entry 5:00 PM
    Thursday9:00 AM - 6:00 PMlast entry 5:00 PM
    Friday9:00 AM - 6:00 PMlast entry 5:00 PM
    Saturday9:00 AM - 6:00 PMlast entry 5:00 PM
    Sunday9:00 AM - 6:00 PMlast entry 5:00 PM

    Basilica Cistern

    Monday9:00 AM - 10:00 PMlast entry 6:30 PM
    Tuesday9:00 AM - 10:00 PMlast entry 6:30 PM
    Wednesday9:00 AM - 10:00 PMlast entry 6:30 PM
    Thursday9:00 AM - 10:00 PMlast entry 6:30 PM
    Friday9:00 AM - 10:00 PMlast entry 6:30 PM
    Saturday9:00 AM - 10:00 PMlast entry 6:30 PM
    Sunday9:00 AM - 10:00 PMlast entry 6:30 PM

    Hagia Sophia

    Monday9:00 AM - 7:30 PM
    Tuesday9:00 AM - 7:30 PM
    Wednesday9:00 AM - 7:30 PM
    Thursday9:00 AM - 7:30 PM
    Friday9:00 AM - 7:30 PM
    Saturday9:00 AM - 7:30 PM
    Sunday9:00 AM - 7:30 PM
  • What to bring

    Basilica Cistern

    • Wear comfortable shoes with good grip, as the floor can be damp and slippery in places.
    • Bring a light jacket, as the underground space stays cool even during summer.
    • Use wired headphones if you're using an audio guide. Bluetooth may not work reliably underground.

    Hagia Sophia

    • Wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
    • Women also need to keep their heads covered. Scarves and head wraps are available at the entrance, if you do not have your own.
    • Bring a small bag for your shoes, as you need to remove them in prayer areas.

    Topkapi Palace

    • Wear comfortable walking shoes; there’s a lot of ground to cover, including cobblestone areas.
    • Carry a bottle of water, especially in warmer months, as much of the site is outdoors.
    • Use wired headphones for audio tours, signal can be weak inside thick-walled sections.
    • Bring sunscreen or a hat, as many courtyards and waiting areas are exposed to the sun.

    What's not allowed

    Basilica Cistern

    • Flash photography is not allowed.
    • Tripods and selfie sticks are prohibited for safety and space reasons.
    • Eating and drinking are not permitted inside the cistern.

    Hagia Sophia

    • Access to the main prayer hall on the ground floor is restricted to tourists.
    • Flash photography is not permitted, especially near mosaics.

    Topkapi Palace

    • Flash photography is prohibited in areas like the Treasury and Sacred Relics Room.
    • Eating and drinking are not allowed inside the palace buildings.
    • Touching exhibits or artifacts is strictly prohibited.

    Accessibility

    Basilica Cistern

    • The site is partially accessible. While the entrance has a ramp and the exit includes a wheelchair platform lift, the walking path is slippery and uneven. Bring along a companion to navigate comfortably.

    Hagia Sophia

    • The Upper Gallery visiting area is not accessible to wheelchair users, as you have to climb a flight of stairs to reach the second floor.

    Topkapi Palace

    • While some outdoor areas and courtyards are accessible, full wheelchair accessibility is limited due to cobblestone paths, stairs, and narrow corridors, especially in the Harem section.

    Additional information

    Basilica Cistern

    • Security checks are mandatory, even for skip-the-line ticket holders.
    • Make sure to walk to the far end of the site to spot the upside-down, infamous Medusa heads inside the cistern.

    Hagia Sophia

    • As an active site of worship, the mosque is restricted to tourists during prayer hours. Friday prayers are held between noon and 2:30pm.
    • Arrive early in the day, for the security lines run until the courtyards during the summer months (June to August).

    Topkapi Palace

    • Plan for at least 2 to 3 hours to explore the courtyards and inside highlights properly.
    • The Treasury and Sacred Relics Room are often crowded. Arrive early in the day or in the late afternoon hours to enjoy a quieter ambiance.
    • Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

    • Please display the same at each ticket redemption point along with a valid photo ID.

    Ticket redemption points

    Topkapi Palace Skip-the-Line Ticket with Audio Guide

    • Please check your final voucher for the redemption point details and specific instructions.

    Hagia Sophia Admission Tickets + Audio Guide

    • Please check your final voucher for the redemption point details and specific instructions.

    Skip-the-Line Tickets to Basilica Cistern with Audio Guide

    • Please check your final voucher for the redemption point details and specific instructions.

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