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Audio guide
4.6/5
(96)
Fabrice
Reni
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See more of Istanbul for less with this great-value combo that includes skip-the-line access to Dolmabahçe Palace and a scenic Bosphorus cruise.
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Bypass the queues and take in the palace’s grand interiors with insights from an expert English-speaking guide.
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Visit the exclusive Harem section and continue exploring at your own pace with a multilingual audio guide packed with stories of sultans and imperial life.
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Head to the nearby pier and board your Bosphorus cruise to enjoy sunlit views of iconic landmarks like Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, and Ortaköy Mosque.
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Sail past traditional fishing villages, lively neighborhoods, and tree-lined hills scattered with Ottoman mansions—all from the comfort of your boat.
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Dolmabahce Palace
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Skip-the-line entry to Dolmabahçe Palace
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15-minute highlights tour with an expert English-speaking guide
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Multilingual audio guide (available in 10+ languages)
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Access to the Selamlık (official quarters and ceremonial halls)
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Entry to the Dolmabahçe Palace Gardens
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Entry to the Dolmabahçe Palace Harem
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Unlimited time to explore inside the palace
Bosphorus cruise
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90-min cruise along the Bosphorus Strait
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Skip-the-line access to the sightseeing boat named Dentur (Turyol boats)
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Multilingual audio guide (available in 9+ languages)
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Meet and greet with a marine officer at Kabataş pier (boarding point)
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Offline map and route plan for the cruise
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Transfer between the Palace and the pier
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Food and drinks
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You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
How do we collect reviews?
Guests from Romania, United States, Spain and over 13 countries have loved this experience
Asem
Jul, 2025Verified booking
Great experience we loved the palace and boat ride
Fabrice
Sep, 2025Verified booking
The Palace is wonderful, with breathtaking rooms and architecture. It is just a shame we could not take photos to show family that couldn't travel. Hopefully next time!
Reni
Aug, 2025Verified booking
Amazing place, we had access to everywhere, reached afterwards the pier to board the boat unproblematically, nice 90-minutes excursion
Ronald
Jul, 2025Verified booking
I never received the required QR code tickets, in none of my email folders (inbox, junk, nowhere). The "local host" told me just to go the the venue with my email which was not itself a ticket. The ticket office at the venue could not help me. Fortunately someone in their administration office of the venue spoke good enough English to help me and was able to phone the "local host" company. They generated QR code tickets that I then had to take pictures of on my phone. It was a nervous experience that will dissuade me from using Headout again. Too dicey not knowing if I was going to get into my venue.
Hélder
Aug, 2025Verified booking
Save time and money with this all-in-one combo that lets you explore two of Istanbul’s most iconic experiences, the architectural wonder of Dolmabahçe Palace and the scenic Bosphorus Strait. With skip-the-line access, guided insights, and a cruise included, it’s the perfect day plan for those wanting the full city experience without the hassle.
Walk through centuries of Ottoman splendor
Begin your visit at the Clock Tower, just after the security checkpoint, where you’ll meet your English-speaking guide. Learn about the palace’s opulent design, its historical role as the last seat of Ottoman power, and how it compares to Topkapı Palace.
Enjoy a brief guided highlights tour in the gardens before entering the palace with fast-track access and a multilingual audio guide. You’ll need to show ID to collect the device, which will be returned once you hand it back.
Wander through the grand Selamlık halls, visit the Harem quarters, and take your time soaking in the palace’s grandeur before heading to the nearby pier.
A front-row seat to Istanbul’s iconic skyline
Just a 5-minute walk from the Dolmabahçe Palace, head to Kabataş Pier for your Bosphorus sightseeing cruise with Turyol. Boats depart hourly between 12:45pm and 3:45pm. While you'll need to reach the pier on your own, Turyol staff or a marine officer will be available on-site to help you find the correct boat and assist with accessing the multilingual audio guide.
Sit back and enjoy the city’s skyline as you glide past iconic landmarks like Ortaköy Mosque and Çırağan Palace. You’ll travel up the European shoreline and return via the Asian side, capturing views that connect two continents. With the audio guide in your language and plenty of photo ops along the way, this cruise offers a perfect blend of scenery and storytelling.
What to bring
Dolmabahçe Palace
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Show a valid passport or national ID at the entrance to collect your audio guide. If you do not have one, a refundable deposit of €200 will be collected and returned once you give back the device.
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Wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be walking long distances on marble floors and climbing stairs.
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Dress modestly to respect the site's cultural and historical significance.
Bosphorus Cruise
- Temperatures can drop in the evenings, especially on open-air decks. Bring a light jacket, scarf, or windbreaker to stay warm throughout the ride.
What’s not allowed
Dolmabahçe Palace
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Photography is not allowed in the interior rooms. Please put away your camera and phone before entering.
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Only the official audio guide provided with your ticket is permitted inside. Personal or external guide devices are not accepted.
Bosphorus Cruise
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Consuming or bringing alcoholic beverages on board is not allowed.
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Drones and other remote-controlled gadgets are restricted for safety and privacy reasons.
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Disposing of trash overboard or leaving waste behind is strictly forbidden.
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Standing or climbing on railings, benches, or any boat structure is unsafe and not permitted.
Accessibility
Dolmabahçe Palace
- The ground floor is accessible for wheelchair users, but the upper floors are not, due to stair-only access.
Bosphorus Cruise
- The cruise is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers, as boarding involves steps and uneven surfaces.
Additional information
Dolmabahçe Palace
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A security screening is required for everyone before entry, regardless of ticket type. Expect delays during peak season, particularly from June to August, with wait times potentially reaching 30 minutes.
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Tickets for the palace are delivered by email one day before your visit. If you're booking for the same day, they will be sent shortly after confirmation. Check your inbox and spam folder to ensure delivery.
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Guests with advance reservations may enter the palace up until 4pm.
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For a calmer visit, consider arriving on a weekday near the 9am opening time.
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Exploring the Selamlık, Harem, and gardens usually takes one and two hours. If you plan to explore other exhibits, consider setting aside extra time.
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You can enjoy drinks or snacks at the palace café with stunning views of the Bosphorus. A souvenir shop is also available on-site.
Bosphorus cruise
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Head to Kabataş Pier, the starting point of your Bosphorus sightseeing cruise, and arrive at least 15 minutes early to ensure smooth boarding.
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Look out for Turyol boats, your cruise operator, and follow the staff or signage at Kabataş Pier to board the boat named Dentur.
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Please note that you'll need to make your way to Kabataş Pier on your own. The Turyol staff or a marine officer will be available at the pier to help direct you to the correct vessel and answer any quick queries.
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The best time to cruise is between April and early June or from September to early November, when the weather is more pleasant and there are fewer crowds.
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Cruises tend to fill up after 3pm, particularly in the summer months. For a more peaceful outing, plan to board between 10am and 1pm.
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Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before departure to secure outdoor seating at the rear of the boat, ideal for photos and open views.
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For the best views of the shoreline, sit on the right side when heading toward Asia, and switch to the left when returning to Europe.
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The audio guide app for the cruise works only on Android devices running version 10 or higher.
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Audio commentary is available in 9 languages: English, German, French, Russian, Italian, Polish, Arabic, Chinese, and Turkish.
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Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
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Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.
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Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays
Meeting Point 1
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Meet your guide at Dolmabahce Palace Clock Tower.
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Address: Vişnezade, Meclis-i Mebusan Cd. 38 A, 34357 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Türkiye.
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Your local guide will be holding Headout flag.
Get Directions to the Meeting Point
Getting There
By Bus
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The closest bus stop is Dolmabahçe Palace. It is a quick 1-minute walk to the meeting point.
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Board buses #121CS, #BSK/1, #BSK/2, and more to get you there.
By Tram
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The closest tram stop is Kabataş Tramvay istasyonu. It is a quick 5-minute walk to the meeting point.
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Board tram #T1 to get you there.
Meeting Point 2
- You can walk over to the Bosphorus pier, located just in 5 minutes walking distance from the Palace, and get on a 75 minute Bosphorus cruise. Your tour guide will explain where to go exactly. At the pier, a member of the staff will help you download the audio app for the Bosphorus Cruise and help you on board.
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