Combos

Combo (Save 5%): Basilica Cistern + Hagia Sophia Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

Woman exploring the illuminated columns inside the Basilica Cistern, Istanbul.

Upside-down Medusa head column in Basilica Cistern, Istanbul.

Hagia Sophia with minarets under clear blue sky in Istanbul.

Mosaic of Virgin Mary and Christ Child with emperors in Hagia Sophia, Istanbul.

Open today

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

(3,261)

Alfonsina

Sep 2025

Verified booking

4/5

Everything... BUT 1) there is a lack of precise instructions on how to make the visit to the Hagia Sophia (because in some cases access to the lower part is interdicted but you don't understand it until you leave the visit of the upper part and there it is already late, so you lose all the explanations about the lower part) and the audio guide is reportable for everyone (so you have the feeling that you have been cheated; 2) there is a lack of instructions on how to find the audio guide in the Basilica Cistena (at the entrance, which is not well signaled, there is an almost invisible little man who swipes the Q-RCODE on his cell phone ..... UNACCEPTABLE given the human flood of visitors)

Alexandros

Sep 2025

Verified booking

5/5

The Basilica Cistern is one of the most atmospheric and impressive places to visit in Istanbul. Walking through the forest of columns, with the dim lighting and reflections in the water, feels almost magical. The Medusa heads are especially fascinating and make the visit even more memorable. The only downside is that the entrance fee is on the expensive side compared to other monuments in the city. Still, the experience is unique, and you can really explore and appreciate the history and architecture up close — something that makes it worth the visit despite the price.

Peter

Sep 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Buying the tickets was easy and convenient. Unlike other services, the tickets from Headout were delivered electronically right away rather than requiring me to go pick up tickets at a meeting point. The Headout app on my phone worked great to show the digital tickets and download the audio guide. (Be sure to download the guide before actually entering the Cistern as there is poor Internet below ground.) As for the Basilica Cistern itself, it was absolutely amazing--well worth cost of admission.

Get convenient skip-the-line tickets to explore two of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks at your own pace, complete with immersive audio guides.

Discover the mysterious Basilica Cistern, where you’ll find towering stone columns and the legendary Medusa heads hidden beneath the city streets.

Walk into Hagia Sophia and head up to the Upper Gallery for a close-up view of its dazzling golden mosaics.

Basilica Cistern

Skip-the-line entry

Audio guide downloadable in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish & Turkish

Hagia Sophia

Skip-the-line entry

Audio guide downloadable in English, German, French, Italian & Spanish

Exclusive access to the Upper Gallery visiting area

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

4.2
3,261 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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What our guests say
Tina
Oct 2025
Verified booking
4/5
Istanbul is an amazing city. So much to experience you get sensation overload! The Cistern is breathtaking and I wouldn't miss going to experience this. Lineups are quick and efficient so don't let that dissuade you. Haigia Sofia is beautiful however please note the audio tour is confusing. The flow of walking through does not align with how each landmark is noted in audio. I would get the audio ready and simply listen to each station as you approach it.
Anna
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
When we arrived at Basilica there was a really long queue... I'm very impatient so I decided to check if there is a fast track and we bought it. We skipped the line very fast, in 4 minutes we were inside basilica cistern. It was amazing! Beautiful, good audio guide. The most important fact is that a minute after we entered the rain started, so if we were in the line we wouldn't make it, so I really reccomend this fast track.
Patricia
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
I went at 5 pm and did not queue; the audio guide worked very well with her recommendations to have a charged phone battery and wired headphones, and was very clear and entertaining. Wonderful visit, highly recommended, the basilica cistern is impressive, and with very well planned lighting that adds drama to the experience.
Ana
Oct 2025
Verified booking
3/5
Nothing. The no queue thing is false, in Hagia Sophia everyone has to queue and during the whole time that the cruisers were there, the queues were more than 500 m long. Bringing two small children was unfeasible. When we were able to access with some speed, we did not have time to visit both and the cistern did not arrive on time.
Heike
Oct 2025
Verified booking
4/5
We were able to bypass the queue at the ticket counter and go straight to the security check. The wait there was not long. Our expectations of the Hagia Sophia experience were probably too high. Anyone who has been to Istanbul must have seen it, but we were not impressed. We really liked it in the cistern.

Explore two of Istanbul’s most iconic sites with a single, hassle-free combo ticket. Both locations offer downloadable audio guides in 5+ languages, giving you rich context as you explore. Take your time, move at your own pace, and enjoy the experience.

Basilica Cistern

Descend into Istanbul’s undergrounds supported by 336 ancient marble columns, once used to store water for the Great Palace. The famous Medusa heads are tucked away at the far end and are worth viewing, so don’t miss them. Uncover stories and engineering legends that make this space unforgettable, with a multilingual audio guide.

Hagia Sophia

Walk into the grandeur of Hagia Sophia, and head up to the Upper Gallery, which offers stunning close-up views of its mosaics and domes. Once a cathedral, then a mosque, and now a mosque-museum hybrid, this site captures Istanbul’s layered history. The multilingual audio guide shares insights into emperors, architecture, and spiritual life.

Basilica Cistern

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

Hagia Sophia

Monday	09:00am - 07:30pm
Tuesday	09:00am - 07:30pm
Wednesday	09:00am - 07:30pm
Thursday	09:00am - 07:30pm
Friday	09:00am - 07:30pm
Saturday	09:00am - 07:30pm
Sunday	09:00am - 07:30pm

What to bring

Basilica Cistern

Bring your old-school wired earphones or headphones for your audio guide as Bluetooth headphones might not work well underground.

The skip-the-line ticket helps you avoid long queues, but you'll still need to go through a security check. Have your tickets ready on your device to speed up entry.

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

Hagia Sophia

Both men and women must wear modest clothing that covers their shoulders and knees.

Women are required to cover their heads inside, so bring along a scarf. There are scarves available at the entrance as well.

Use wired headphones if you plan to use a self-guided audio tour.

Make sure your phone is fully charged for tickets, audio guides, and taking photos.

Sunglasses or a hat will help if you’re waiting outside in the sun during busy hours.

What's not allowed

Basilica Cistern

Flash photography is not allowed.

Hagia Sophia

Visitors are not permitted to enter the main prayer hall on the ground floor.

Flash photography is not allowed.

Accessibility

Basilica Cistern

For people with mobility difficulties, it’s best to have someone to help you around the place as the flooring inside is uneven.

Hagia Sophia

The site is not wheelchair accessible. You have to climb a flight of stairs to reach the Upper Gallery visiting area.

Some areas may be closed due to ongoing renovations.

Additional information

Basilica Cistern

Tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled

Hagia Sophia

Security checks can take time. Keep 30 to 40 minutes on hand for possible delays, especially during midday or after prayer hours.

The Deësis mosaic in the Upper Gallery is a must-see and easily missed without a guide.

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

Skip-the-Line Tickets to 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

Hagia Sophia Admission Tickets

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