Basilica Cistern tickets

Deborah

Jan 2025Verified booking

4/5

Very easy to book tickets online. I like that I received a discount as I had booked a previous attraction (in Seville) with Headout. The only reason I have not given 5 stars is that the Cistern was very overcrowded; there should be better controls on number of visitors entering ... the access point is narrow.

Mayomi

Dec 2024Verified booking

5/5

'Skip the line" was great for Basilica Cistern and I was so thankful that I'd bought in advance on a rainy day. The audio guide is easy to access and has great information on each of the places.

KONSTANTIS

Dec 2024Verified booking

4/5

Among the small letters instructions i reeived with the ticket, i missed the point that needed to collect physical papeelr ticket, so i face some delay at entrance. Somehow this important info shall be highlighted in instructions and not being among other T&C and instructions. Especially since booking from head out, for Aya Sophia, or vasilica Kistern was not same procedure, online ticjet was enough to pass smoothless.

DEVENDRAN

Dec 2024Verified booking

5/5

It's covered 3 places with discounted rate.. & I really love It, only one small issue.. There is no line inside basilica cistern and I couldn't play the audio guide completely..

MARÍA

Dec 2024Verified booking

5/5

A fabulous place, one of my favorites in Istanbul, it is the second time I visit it and I still find it spectacular. I went in without waiting or queuing

View original review in Spanish

Kathrine

Dec 2024Verified booking

5/5

Speed of entry. Less than a minute! We were there when it opened. Apart from this purely practical aspect, the place is magnificent!

View original review in French

Cherese

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

It is really worth it. I highly suggest getting your tickets online to skip the long wait at Hagia Sophia and the Basilica cistern. Beautiful Mosque and nice structure at the cistern.

Joëlle

Nov 2024Verified booking

4/5

The tickets were very good. The museum staff was very competent. The audio guide didn't work or didn't work well, especially in Hagia Sophia. Very nice visits and having the queue-cutting tickets is great.

View original review in French

Rachel

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

Both the Hagia Sofia and Basilica Cisterne were well worth a visit. The queues for both were huge even early on a Sunday so I have no idea why people didn't get these! You can just walk on past all those people trying to buy the ticket in person and get in and enjoy the places. I would go early as it is so busy.

Richard

Nov 2024Verified booking

4/5

Enjoyed both places and they're both close together. Definitely liked not waiting in line as they ticket line was very long.

Holly

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

The cistern alone is astounding and well worth the price of admission. The walkways that have been engineered so people can wander through the entire cistern are impressive. The skip the line ticket process is simple and worth the small extra cost. The audio guide was easy to use and interesting without being overly informative. One thing that I did not enjoy was the pop art style modern sculptures and colorful lighting. I would have preferred simple white or gold lighting. Nevertheless the cistern is a must see and is one of the most interesting places I've ever visited.

Nancy

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

We were very disappointed and felt discriminated against that we were separated from the Muslims and only allowed upstairs in the Hagia but not downstairs even after prayer times, in my opinion not worth the money! Sultan ahmet opposite is free.

View original review in German

Montluet

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

Must-see tours Audioguide on the cell phone, great, it allows us to cut ourselves off from the ambient noise and immerse ourselves totally in the visit to the site.

View original review in French

Marcelle

Nov 2024Verified booking

4/5

Very picturesque site. Difficult to access my ticket without WIFI. Finally, I was able to listen to the audio guide after the tour.

View original review in French

Maruša

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

.All the sights are very nice and the skip the line went smoothly. The only thing that is a minus in my opinion is the price. We are a 4 member familly and the price was very expensive.

Lyndel

Nov 2024Verified booking

4/5

Once I worked out the Headout site I was able to download the audios for the 3 sites I was visiting, though the instructions could have been easier to use. I did find the audio did not correspond with the layout of the Palace and the photos on the audio also did not correspond so I gave up listening. It would be helpful if the Headout audio corresponded with the same numbers that the Palace site uses.

PEDRO

Nov 2024Verified booking

3/5

I don't think it's worth the trouble to visit with an audio guide. The only good thing is that you don't have to wait in line. But I think it is more interesting to look for another option that guarantees a personal guide in Spanish.

View original review in Spanish

Barbara

Nov 2024Verified booking

4/5

The fast-track entry worked well, the explanations in the audio guide were easy to understand and not too long, so that you had enough information but were not overloaded.

View original review in German

Teresita

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

It was easy to buy and very good attention when we got there, they also explained it to us clearly by listening to the audio. All good, thank you very much Teresita from Chile

View original review in Spanish

Sandra

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

Highly recommended! We did not queue and having an audio guide in our language made it easier to understand the tour. Safe and fast online purchase. Affordable price

View original review in Spanish

Lorenza

Oct 2024Verified booking

3/5

Complicated - it would be easier to be able to have access with the ticket in app, without having to collect it prime and queue.

View original review in Italian

ELVIR

Oct 2024Verified booking

5/5

A very stable way to buy a ticket. I would like to give you a more detailed insight into the history of the hundred years of better life of this unique material.

This review is translated. Show original review.

Paola

Oct 2024Verified booking

3/5

Very welcome a visit to the Topkape palace that would have deserved extra time. In the afternoon we had planned to visit the Cisterna Basilica and thought we would not arrive in time. Beautiful Cisterna Basilica, but I got the impression that access hours were well after 6:30 pm. I always noticed long lines even after this time A little disappointed with Hagia Sophia. Beautiful building on the outside, less so on the inside

View original review in Italian

Veronica

Oct 2024Verified booking

5/5

Flexibility for example: we could not use the tickets for the selected date and they were accepted for the following day! We also skipped very long lines and paid less than the ticket prices sold locally! Excellent service

View original review in Italian

Liliana

Oct 2024Verified booking

5/5

It was a surprise to enter such an old and well preserved site, the lighting is perfect and the modern sculptures installed there add a lot of character, we loved not having to wait in line to enter especially because the day was very hot and it is always visited by many people.

View original review in Spanish

Deborah

Jan 2025Verified booking

4/5

Very easy to book tickets online. I like that I received a discount as I had booked a previous attraction (in Seville) with Headout. The only reason I have not given 5 stars is that the Cistern was very overcrowded; there should be better controls on number of visitors entering ... the access point is narrow.

Mayomi

Dec 2024Verified booking

5/5

'Skip the line" was great for Basilica Cistern and I was so thankful that I'd bought in advance on a rainy day. The audio guide is easy to access and has great information on each of the places.

KONSTANTIS

Dec 2024Verified booking

4/5

Among the small letters instructions i reeived with the ticket, i missed the point that needed to collect physical papeelr ticket, so i face some delay at entrance. Somehow this important info shall be highlighted in instructions and not being among other T&C and instructions. Especially since booking from head out, for Aya Sophia, or vasilica Kistern was not same procedure, online ticjet was enough to pass smoothless.

DEVENDRAN

Dec 2024Verified booking

5/5

It's covered 3 places with discounted rate.. & I really love It, only one small issue.. There is no line inside basilica cistern and I couldn't play the audio guide completely..

MARÍA

Dec 2024Verified booking

5/5

A fabulous place, one of my favorites in Istanbul, it is the second time I visit it and I still find it spectacular. I went in without waiting or queuing

View original review in Spanish

Kathrine

Dec 2024Verified booking

5/5

Speed of entry. Less than a minute! We were there when it opened. Apart from this purely practical aspect, the place is magnificent!

View original review in French

Maria

Dec 2024Verified booking

5/5

Topkapi is a place worth visiting all day because it is huge and has different rooms and exhibitions to see in its 4 gardens. I liked to know the harem and not only the visit that the tour offered me.

View original review in Spanish

Cherese

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

It is really worth it. I highly suggest getting your tickets online to skip the long wait at Hagia Sophia and the Basilica cistern. Beautiful Mosque and nice structure at the cistern.

Joëlle

Nov 2024Verified booking

4/5

The tickets were very good. The museum staff was very competent. The audio guide didn't work or didn't work well, especially in Hagia Sophia. Very nice visits and having the queue-cutting tickets is great.

View original review in French

Rachel

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

Both the Hagia Sofia and Basilica Cisterne were well worth a visit. The queues for both were huge even early on a Sunday so I have no idea why people didn't get these! You can just walk on past all those people trying to buy the ticket in person and get in and enjoy the places. I would go early as it is so busy.

Richard

Nov 2024Verified booking

4/5

Enjoyed both places and they're both close together. Definitely liked not waiting in line as they ticket line was very long.

Roberto

Nov 2024Verified booking

3/5

With the "skip the line" ticket, we were forced to wait more than half an hour for the person in charge, while at the ticket office there was no line at all. In essence, instead of "skipping" the line we waited for a long time.

View original review in Italian

Alejandra

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

The Harem is beautiful, it takes you back to that time. The kitchen is impressive, the utensils and pots are preserved. The clothing room shows the elegance with which they dressed. The gardens are very beautiful, the whole palace is amazing. It is the best museum in Istanbul.

View original review in Spanish

Dominique

Nov 2024Verified booking

3/5

The audio guide didn't download until 4 hours into the visit... so a bit late.... The download icon moves, but no download would take place. It should be made clearer that you have to download in advance. It should also be made clearer that there are no tickets (no souvenir trace), it's the guide who lets you in, so don't miss the meeting point. For people who don't understand English well, a brochure would be welcome to explain what the guide is saying as he accompanies us. It would be more effective if the numbers on the audio guide map corresponded with the numbers on the physical information terminals on the site.

View original review in French

Holly

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

The cistern alone is astounding and well worth the price of admission. The walkways that have been engineered so people can wander through the entire cistern are impressive. The skip the line ticket process is simple and worth the small extra cost. The audio guide was easy to use and interesting without being overly informative. One thing that I did not enjoy was the pop art style modern sculptures and colorful lighting. I would have preferred simple white or gold lighting. Nevertheless the cistern is a must see and is one of the most interesting places I've ever visited.

Nancy

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

We were very disappointed and felt discriminated against that we were separated from the Muslims and only allowed upstairs in the Hagia but not downstairs even after prayer times, in my opinion not worth the money! Sultan ahmet opposite is free.

View original review in German

Montluet

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

Must-see tours Audioguide on the cell phone, great, it allows us to cut ourselves off from the ambient noise and immerse ourselves totally in the visit to the site.

View original review in French

Marcelle

Nov 2024Verified booking

4/5

Very picturesque site. Difficult to access my ticket without WIFI. Finally, I was able to listen to the audio guide after the tour.

View original review in French

Maruša

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

.All the sights are very nice and the skip the line went smoothly. The only thing that is a minus in my opinion is the price. We are a 4 member familly and the price was very expensive.

Lyndel

Nov 2024Verified booking

4/5

Once I worked out the Headout site I was able to download the audios for the 3 sites I was visiting, though the instructions could have been easier to use. I did find the audio did not correspond with the layout of the Palace and the photos on the audio also did not correspond so I gave up listening. It would be helpful if the Headout audio corresponded with the same numbers that the Palace site uses.

PEDRO

Nov 2024Verified booking

3/5

I don't think it's worth the trouble to visit with an audio guide. The only good thing is that you don't have to wait in line. But I think it is more interesting to look for another option that guarantees a personal guide in Spanish.

View original review in Spanish

Favio

Nov 2024Verified booking

3/5

The place and the planning of the visit is fine, but nothing is explained about the audio guide which was not possible to download or listen to, so much information is lost in relation to the visit.

View original review in Spanish

Barbara

Nov 2024Verified booking

4/5

The fast-track entry worked well, the explanations in the audio guide were easy to understand and not too long, so that you had enough information but were not overloaded.

View original review in German

Teresita

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

It was easy to buy and very good attention when we got there, they also explained it to us clearly by listening to the audio. All good, thank you very much Teresita from Chile

View original review in Spanish

Reezwan

Nov 2024Verified booking

4/5

The experience was good. Booking procedure was easy and also location direction was clearly explained. Upon arrival at the meeting point, we were asked wait for a while. The guide came after 10-15 minutes and called the group. He explained everything to us about entry and his length of stay with us and guided us to the entrance and Harem area. Although they say that early morning is the best time to visit however there was literally no queue in the afternoon at 3 pm. We heard from the guide that morning was so crowded. So, I think late afternoon is the best time to go and visit the Topkapi palace.

santosh

Jan 2025Verified booking

5/5

The guide who conducted the walking tour was excellent. Very knowledgeable and professional. The tour was organised very well too. Overall a fabulous experience.

Javier

Dec 2024Verified booking

5/5

Recommended!! It was very easy to find the tour guide and he knew how to explain about the history of the Mosques. They provided us with headphones to hear better what he was talking. Very patient and attentive. Also with no cues! Fantastic

Niels

Dec 2024Verified booking

4/5

We were blessed with a great guide named Mehmet who provided us with information on the sides and about culture and life in Istanbul. He further took care of everyones personal needs like extended pauses for food and drinks!

DANIELA

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

Everything was wonderful the views the history of the places, and the guide which he was speaking really good english .

Naike

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

Beautiful and very interesting tour, Ali very kind guide, made us spend 4 hours without ever getting bored and telling us many historical anecdotes of this fantastic city

View original review in Italian

Niall

Nov 2024Verified booking

4/5

The history of the area. Seeing all the attractions. Tour guide was very engaging and knowledgeable. Being guided throughout and skipping the queues.

Ioan

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

Great introduction to the city history and culture! Seeing this amazing constructions,having Arda as a passionate and so knowledgeable guide helped us made this trip the highlight of the year!

Jennifer

Oct 2024Verified booking

5/5

Tour was fantastic with Busa - she was really informative and had a lovely sense of humour. Everything ran on time and the time at each place was perfect.

Valentina

Oct 2024Verified booking

5/5

Our guide Buse was really nice and knowledgable We skipped all the lines and got to know interesting facts about Istanbul history Good price for what you get

Tina

Oct 2024Verified booking

5/5

Our guide was so knowledgeable about each of the places we went, and he was very patient with our questions and keeping us all together.

Neil

Oct 2024Verified booking

5/5

Ticketing straight forward and we think Arder was knowledgeable and had a good sense of humour. He was a pleasure to be with.

Ilaria

Oct 2024Verified booking

5/5

Very well organised. Good that we managed to see 3 of the most important places in Istanbul with the same guide and within 3/4 hours.

Rainer

Oct 2024Verified booking

5/5

A great and interesting tour which provides you with a fascinating look inside a beautiful, iconic mosque. The tour guide provides lots of background information which makes the tour even more interesting. Highly recommended!

Michał

Oct 2024Verified booking

5/5

Besides visiting incredible places like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Basilica Cistern, a real highlight was our guide, Arda. His knowledge, dedication, and sense of humor were outstanding. I highly recommend both Headout and Arda, an excellent combination!

Akanksha

Oct 2024Verified booking

5/5

Arda was absolutely fantastic! He not only explained everything in great detail but also made sure the entire group felt well taken care of throughout the tour. His knowledge of each place we visited was impressive, and he effortlessly combined that with a delightful sense of humor that kept us all entertained. It was a wonderful experience from start to finish, and I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for an engaging and informative journey of Istanbul!

Jenni

Oct 2024Verified booking

5/5

guide was dynmanic, tour interesting & covering all 3 in 4 hours was very time effeicent with a short stay. We travelled with 4 children- one 14 yrs and this held his interest salso which is not easy

Melissa

Sep 2024Verified booking

5/5

Arda was an amazing tour guide! Very patient and incredibly knowledgeable. I just wish I had a list of all the books he mentioned. I would recommend this tour to anyone. It's very worth it to skip lines and get more historical context out of your trip.

Ross

Sep 2024Verified booking

5/5

Our guide Arda was awesome, knowledgeable, organised, and funny. Skip the queue aspect made the tour even more pleasurable.

Franz

Sep 2024Verified booking

4/5

Everything was very punctual. The skip lines worked wonderfully and were also very necessary due to the large crowds of tourists. Guide very competent and experienced

View original review in German

Godfrey

Sep 2024Verified booking

4/5

guide was very polite, competent, good spoken english. mexican members of the group only spoke spanish therefore everthing had to be translated

Meganrose

Aug 2024Verified booking

3/5

Great to be part of a guided tour and be able to skip the queues. While our tour guide was very nice and clearly knowledgeable about the subject matter, he was difficult to understand at times and spent far too long talking. There were periods where we were standing in the hot sun (on the street outside the Hagia Sofia) or sitting on the floor (inside the Blue Mosque) for 30-40+ minutes - this was very uncomfortable and meant we had less time to enjoy the sites at our leisure. There was also a break for lunch not outlined in the ticket which meant the overall tour took hours longer than anticipated.

Marta

Aug 2024Verified booking

5/5

Skip the line tickets were the best thing we could do, it saved us hours of waiting in long queues under the sun. The group was quite small which make it easy to hear our guide. Our guide was great, he spoke very good English and explained everything in a very interesting way. I really liked that he also told us about Turkish history, culture, current situation in the country etc., I found it very interesting. Hagia Sofia was amazing and breathtaking. Basilica cistern was a big surprise, it's a beautiful place worth visiting. The time given in each place was enough for exploration and pictures. The tour overall took 4 hours. I highly recommend this tour when in Istanbul.

Maruen

Aug 2024Verified booking

5/5

Arda, our guide, was awesome even tho it was sometimes hard to hear every word he said (to be fair every place we saw was quite crowded). Also the skip the line feature is super useful! There is enough time to take pics and buy water or food during the tour

Elaguppillai

Aug 2024Verified booking

3/5

The information passed on by the tour guide can be found on Google. We were expecting something more. Time spent at Basilica Cistern was not enough and didn't have time to take pictures. There was an accident and our group member helped the lady. The guide didn't wait for the doctor to join us nor didn't help him on informing the people concerned at Blue Mosque. There was another lady missing after the Basilica Costern. He didn't do due diligence. I think we spent more time on the first one, second one just hurried through it and last one was an introduction only.

Maria-Jeanette

Aug 2024Verified booking

4/5

The tour are flexible in that you can join when you want at different times. We did the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia on one day and the Basilica Cistern the next day. Made it less rushed. Guide was very knowledgeble.

KARMANN

Nov 2024Verified booking

3/5

The fike-cutters are very practical for St Sophia and the Cistern Basilica, but not very efficient for Topkapi. The cruise is very pleasant and the sightseeing buses always interesting for a first visit to the city.

View original review in French

muller

Dec 2024Verified booking

4/5

Good, do it after 16:00, less waiting.

View original review in French

diana

Dec 2024Verified booking

5/5

All perfect Great pass to skip the line

View original review in Italian

Clemencia

Nov 2024Verified booking

5/5

Instructions were clear and easy to follow. Very convenient. The customer service is superb and very helpful!

Ashley

Oct 2024Verified booking

5/5

Loved how you could choose which attractions to visit and loved how you could visit on your own schedule!!

Kőrösi

Oct 2024Verified booking

5/5

Skip the line really did work! Great!

Pierre

Oct 2024Verified booking

4/5

Buying the megacard was a god proposition

View original review in Dutch