Sightseeing Cruises

Cruise Combo: 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

09:00am - 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

(3,193)

Elena

Jan 2026

Verified booking

Visiting Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, and Topkapi Palace with a combo ticket was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, the staff at each site were incredibly helpful and attentive, making the visit smooth and enjoyable. Each place is stunning in its own way, and together they tell an extraordinary story of Istanbul’s layered history. The architecture, atmosphere, and historical depth were absolutely breathtaking—these landmarks truly bring history to life. A must-do experience when visiting the city.

Amna

Jan 2026

Verified booking

Visiting the Basilica Cistern was the highlight of my trip to Istanbul. Walking among the 300+ ancient columns with the soft, shifting lights reflecting off the water is incredibly atmospheric. The Medusa heads at the back are a must-see, and the 2022 renovations have made the walkways much easier to navigate. Top Tip: Definitely book your tickets online in advance. The line for on-site tickets was massive

Tatiana

Dec 2025

Verified booking

Thanks to the skip-the-line ticket, I got into the security check immediately. Be careful, however, make sure you have downloaded the QR code of the ticket that you download from links in the app (go into download tickets, open pdf and click on each individual link)

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.

3,193 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 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Patrick
Jan 2026
Verified booking
I was speechless from the moment I entered the cistern. It's simply incredible what was achieved back then. The visit was at the top of my bucket list, and I was not disappointed.
Everson
Jan 2026
Verified booking
Buying tickets was very easy. However, there was no audio guide in Portuguese. But inside the Basilica, there are QR codes with audio guides in Brazilian Portuguese.
Giacomo
Jan 2026
Verified booking
Beautiful monuments and well maintained, too bad too many crowds and audio guide with one's cell phone. But good experience
Walter
Jan 2026
Verified booking
Really incredible. Second time I visit it and we'll come back again. Mandatory in any trip to Istambul. Congratulations
Emanuele
Jan 2026
Verified booking
The attractions are really worth seeing! They are some of the highlights of Istanbul. The audio guides work well and are comprehensive. The problems were that I didn't receive my ticket for Hagia Sophia until a few seconds before the scheduled time, and only because I managed to contact customer service at the last minute (which proved to be very helpful). I also received a QR code, which customer service explained I would need to collect the physical ticket, but after several queues, it turned out that the QR code was enough to enter the mosque.

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	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

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 instantly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the redemption points.

Ticket redemption points

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