Sightseeing Cruises

Combo (Save 5%): Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Ticket + Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise

Pillars inside the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul with reflections on the water.

Upside down Medusa head column in Basilica Cistern, Istanbul.

Couple on Bosphorus cruise pointing at Dolmabahçe Palace, Istanbul.

Ortaky Mosque with white stone architecture and twin minarets by the Bosphorus Bridge, Istanbul.

Open today

9:00am - 10:00pm

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

4.2/5(3,529)

Roxana C

Couple

Verified booking

Yesterday

I really liked it. It was absolutely worth seeing. The lighting makes the place feel magical and atmospheric without ruining the historical character of the site. The lights are tasteful and subtle, which somehow makes it even more impressive. It’s huge, stunning, and feels like much more than just a water reservoir. The name “Basilica Cistern” suddenly makes perfect sense once you’re inside. When we arrived, there was a very long queue, but we bought the tickets online with the skip-the-line option and everything went smoothly. In less than 5 minutes, we were already inside, which honestly saved us from aging another decade in the tourist line.

Jon B

Solo

Verified booking

4 days ago

I bought tickets online which allowed me to skip the line at the entrance. The cistern was absolutely beautiful, it was really impressive! All the different columns were unique. Definitely worth going to visit while in Istanbul.

Guillermina S

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

Your customer service was excellent; you addressed my questions right away. I'm very happy with your service. I'll definitely buy more tickets from you during my stay in Istanbul. Thank you very much.

Antonio R

Couple

Verified booking

5 days ago

Since I booked my ticket online on the Headout website, I saved a lot of time by skipping the line, which I can assure you was very long. The attraction itself is truly beautiful—the best in Istanbul.

Tomas K

Group

Verified booking

2 days ago

Basilica Cisterna nice but crowded. Be there early. Hagia Sofia is not worth the money. Go to the blue mosque, this is for free. But head out services were 5*

Melinda H

Couple

Verified booking

Apr 2026

The skip the line ticket for the Bascilica Cistern was definitely worth it! We basically walked right in past a long line of people waiting to buy tickets on site. I would recommend taking a screenshot of the ticket barcodes in case your WiFi is iffy. The cistern itself was beautiful and the audio guide gave us plenty of interesting facts about its history.

Walk through the quiet underground of the Basilica Cistern and see ancient columns and Greek mythology’s infamous Medusa heads.

Enjoy a relaxing 90-minute cruise along the Bosphorus strait with views of the Dolmabahce palace, Ortakoy Mosque, Galata Tower, and the Bosphorus bridges.

Skip entry lines at both landmarks, and use the 5+ language audio guide to learn interesting facts and stories as you explore.

Basilica Cistern

Skip-the-line entry

Downloadable audio guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Turkish

Headset

Bosphorus cruise

Skip-the-line entry at the pier

90-minute cruise along the strait

Downloadable audio guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Arabic, Turkish, Russian, Italian, Polish, and Chinese

Meet & greet with a marine officer

Bosphorus cruise map

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

3,529 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from Spain, Italy, United States and over 76 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Roxana C
Couple
Verified booking
Yesterday
I really liked it. It was absolutely worth seeing. The lighting makes the place feel magical and atmospheric without ruining the historical character of the site. The lights are tasteful and subtle, which somehow makes it even more impressive. It’s huge, stunning, and feels like much more than just a water reservoir. The name “Basilica Cistern” suddenly makes perfect sense once you’re inside. When we arrived, there was a very long queue, but we bought the tickets online with the skip-the-line option and everything went smoothly. In less than 5 minutes, we were already inside, which honestly saved us from aging another decade in the tourist line.
Eduardo M
Couple
Verified booking
Yesterday
Terrible—the worst experience of my life. They've ripped me off in every way possible. In fact, I've filed a complaint because they won't give me my money back. They keep telling me they'll issue a refund in 3–5 days, but it's been 14 business days already. It's a disgrace 🤬
Katherine T
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
The QR codes sent in the app were not the QR codes meant to scan at the entry. I had to open the links for each ticket and scan them. Also, soooo many emails and WhatsApps with directions and how-tos. Overwhelming. Perhaps this could be more streamlined for efficiency.
Laurent H
Group
Verified booking
Last week
No issues with Headout and booking the ticket. This was smooth. Main challenges were two-fold....the crowd was massive at the Cistern so no time to really enjoy. Hagia Sofya was slightly better traffic wise but not much to see l' esoecially with the renovatkon works.
Jon B
Solo
Verified booking
4 days ago
I bought tickets online which allowed me to skip the line at the entrance. The cistern was absolutely beautiful, it was really impressive! All the different columns were unique. Definitely worth going to visit while in Istanbul.

Cover the undergrounds and the waters of Istanbul with a single combo ticket that grants you skip-the-line access at both locations, and multilingual audio guides.

Getting started

Have your tickets ready—either printed or on your device—and make sure to download the audio guides in advance. Wear a light jacket, comfortable shoes, and bring water bottles as both experiences involve walking around.

Basilica Cistern

Spend some time walking into Istanbul’s underground world with skip-the-line entry amidst its stone columns, reused from Roman temples. Look out for the iconic Medusa heads tucked away at the far end and learn their mythological significance from your audio guide.

Bosphorus sightseeing cruise

Explore the highlights between Europe and Asia on a 90-minute cruise along the Bosphorus Strait. Skip the lines at the pier, meet your marine officer, and head straight to the upper deck for the best views of Istanbul’s iconic landmarks—including Dolmabahce Palace, Ortakoy Mosque, Galata Tower, and the Bosphorus bridges.

Basilica Cistern

Monday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Tuesday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Wednesday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Thursday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Friday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Saturday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Sunday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm

What to bring

Basilica Cistern:

Old-school, wired earphones work best in the Basilica Cistern.

Dress snugly in warm layers. The underground can get very cold at times, so make sure you bring along a light jacket or sweater.

Download the audio app beforehand to avoid any network glitches at the location.

Bosphorus cruise:

The cruise is held in all weather conditions and can get windy on the water. Make sure you bring a light jacket or sweater.

What’s not allowed

Basilica Cistern

Flash photography is not allowed, as it disrupts the lighting and other visitors.

Tripods and selfie sticks are prohibited due to space and safety concerns.

Bosphorus cruise

Large bags are not allowed on the boat, so it’s best to bring only what you can comfortably carry.

Selfie sticks are prohibited due to limited space and safety concerns.

Accessibility

Basilica Cistern

The entrance has a ramp, and a wheelchair platform lift is available at the exit on Alemdar Street.

Some parts of the Basilica Cistern have uneven floors. Keep this in mind if you are a visitor with mobility difficulties.

Bosphorus cruise

The cruise is partially wheelchair accessible, but it’s recommended to contact in advance for special arrangements, as there may be limitations due to the boat’s design.

Additional information

Basilica Cistern

Your ticket allows you to skip the ticket queue, but all visitors must go through a security check. During the peak summer season (June to August), this can take up to 30 minutes, so plan accordingly.

Ensure your device has Android version 10 or later to use the audio guide.

Arrive early in the morning or visit in the evening to avoid crowds from cruise ship tours.

Bosphorus cruise

The cruise departs near tram line no. 1 and the funicular, just steps from Dolmabahce Palace. Look for the Istanbul Welcome Card ticket window behind the red petrol station.

The Bosphorus cruise boats depart every hour. Arrive at least 15 to 20 minutes early to avoid rushing and settle in comfortably.

Ensure your device has Android 10 or later and download the audio guide before arriving at the Bosphorus pier to save time.

For the best views, head to the upper deck for an unobstructed look at Istanbul’s landmarks.

Early mornings or late afternoons provide the best lighting for photos along the Bosphorus.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.