Combos

Combo: Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide + Bosphorus Cruise

Tourist exploring the ancient columns of the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul.

Medusa head column in Basilica Cistern, Istanbul, part of Blue Mosque & Basilica Cistern tour.

Tourists boarding a Bosphorus cruise ship in Istanbul for an audio guide experience.

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

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

Uncover Istanbul's hidden treasures with this cost-saving combo. Explore the Basilica Cistern with skip-the-line tickets and sail the picturesque Bosphorus Strait.

4.3/5

(4,656)

Patricia

Aug 2025

Verified booking

5/5

There is a line to buy tickets and another one if you already have them. I recommend going early, we didn't have to queue at all. The place is nice, worth a visit. A relaxed and charming atmosphere. Although we were told there were other small ones with free access, we still decided to buy tickets and did not regret it. It is quite dark downstairs, so we bought the tickets to visit during the day.

Marcello

Jul 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Two must-see fascinating places. The Cistern an 'incredibly evolved Roman work for that time and very well maintained. St. Sophia a mosque yes but on the layout of a Christian Church, and you can also see it from the mosaics of the Virgin and Jesus preserved in the right side of the structure. Not to be missed.

Rosa

May 2025

Verified booking

4/5

A visit that is worthwhile. Remember that if you do not have your tickets bought in advance, you have to queue twice or divide the group in two and while some buy, others keep the entrance line. Both waits are not tedious. The QR system that are placed at the points of interest, tell you some curious facts and also, in a simple and concise way, the history of Hagia - Sofia. Notice of interest, is that you can save adding extra to your ticket, those QR and the beauty of the place, are enough for your enjoyment. If you want to expand your interest or information, you better take everything written down beforehand or make the visit with a good professional guide.

Step into the Byzantine architectural wonder that is the Basilica Cistern with skip-the-line tickets, and explore one of the most-visited museums in Istanbul.

Experience the mystery of the Medusa column bases in the Basilica Cistern, as your audio guide unravels intriguing theories about their origin.

Board a 2-hour cruise along the Bosphorus Strait with an audio guide in 8 languages, offering a unique perspective of Istanbul’s beauty.

Witness architectural gems like the Galata Tower, once the tallest building in Istanbul, and the Dolmabahce Palace, the residence of 6 Ottoman sultans.

Fun fact: Each of the 336 columns of the Basilica Cistern is different from the other.

Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

Skip-the-line entry to the Basilica Cistern

Multilingual audio guide

Bosphorus Cruise

2-hour Bosphorus cruise

Audio guide available in 8 languages

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

How do we collect reviews?
4.3
4,656 ratings
5/5
2.7K
4/5
1.2K
3/5
277
2/5
183
1/5
259
Guests from Spain, United States, Italy and over 87 countries have loved this experience
Angelina
Jun, 2025Verified booking
5/5
Both the Hagia Sophia and the sunken palace were beautiful! It is very worthwhile. And especially for the Hagia Sophia, it's worth buying tickets online in advance to avoid the queue at the ticket office. It's also worth it for the Basilica Cistern, as there are 2 different queues here and the one for the e-tickets was quicker in our case.
Juan
Jun, 2025Verified booking
5/5
The architecture of the basilica cistern is amazingly beautiful, very well lit and with a well organized traffic. It has generously met my expectations. But the number of visitors per shift or hour should be reduced.
Ashokkumar
May, 2025Verified booking
5/5
Tickets were easy to book, great instructions and saved a lot if time by not queuing. In terms of the sites they were really good to see and understand the history behind it. Great addition to our Istanbul trip.
Christoph
Jul, 2025Verified booking
5/5
Tickets were a perfect fit. We got in straight away at 17:00 without having to wait. A great experience.
Adalgiza
Jul, 2025Verified booking
5/5
Impressive! A must see underneath the city. So old and still standing

Enjoy a cost-saving combo that gives you access to two of Istanbul's must-visit sites: the Basilica Cistern and a cruise along the Bosphorus. Delve into Istanbul's rich history and mesmerizing beauty with this combo.

Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

Step back in time with a tour of the Basilica Cistern, a marvel of 6th-century Byzantine architecture. With your skip-the-line tickets, gain immediate access to this cavernous subterranean beauty. Walk along wooden platforms, surrounded by 336 massive columns, while listening to the enchanting sounds of water dripping from the vaulted ceiling. Witness the famous Hen’s Eye Column and the mystifying Medusa Pillar Bases, and learn about their intriguing history through the multilingual audio guide.

Bosphorus Cruise

Next, sail away along the beautiful Bosphorus waterway. This 2-hour cruise offers stunning views of Istanbul's landmarks, including the iconic Hagia Sophia and the popular Ortaköy Mosque. You'll also pass the legendary Bosphorus Bridge, a testament to the city's connection between Europe and Asia. An audio guide available in 8 languages will provide intriguing insights about the attractions you'll pass by.

Sites you'll come across

Galata Tower

Dolmabahce Palace

Ciragan Palace

Ortaköy Mosque

Bosphorus Bridge

Beylerbeyi Palace

Üsküdar

Maiden Tower

Topkapi Palace

Hagia Sophia

Seaside Villas

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 Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

It's recommended to wear comfortable shoes.

Bosphorus Cruise

Don’t forget to bring along your headphones to listen to the audio tour.

Accessibility

Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

The attraction is wheelchair and stroller-accessible.

Additional information

Bosphorus Cruise

The audio guide is available in English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Arabic, and Chinese.

There is limited internet at the pier so please download the app before the tour.

The app does not require internet once it has been downloaded but ensure you have activated GPS.

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

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

Bosphorus Cruise

Board your cruise at DENTUR Istanbul Welcome Card Kabatas Pier.

Address: Ömer Avni, Mahallesi, Meclis-i Mebusan Cd. No:3, 34427 Beyoğlu/İstanbul.

Landmark: It is located across tram line no 1 and the funicular, come to the wooden house behind the red petrol station and look for the Istanbul Welcome Card ticket window.

Get directions to the boarding point