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

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

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(5,656)

Roxana C

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

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.

Zakky A

Solo

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

Basilica Cistern via Headout was a game-changer. While the queues outside looked daunting, I was able to breeze through and spend more time soaking in the mystical atmosphere of the sunken palace. It’s easily one of the most breathtaking spots in Istanbul. Headout made the entire process seamless, helping me tick off a major bucket list item without the stress of waiting.

Ian N

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

Turkey has been amazing, like most structures though out your beautiful country, the Basilica Cistern did not disappoint. The sheer scale is monumental, thank you for preserving it and allowing us to experience it. Only one criticism, I think you do with out the art displayed in it, the Cistern is art enough. Thank you it made my stay. With Love and Light. The Napier's.

Margot P

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

This was a must! We saw the line outside and had FOMO, looked it up online and saw that you could buy tickets that skipped the queue and had an audio guide you could use for free( just make sure u bring your own headphones) From the cool wet air to the magnificent architecture your senses were treated to an underground gem.

Eduardo M

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

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 🤬

Jon B

Solo

Verified booking

3 weeks 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.

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.

5,656 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 72 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Zakky A
Solo
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Basilica Cistern via Headout was a game-changer. While the queues outside looked daunting, I was able to breeze through and spend more time soaking in the mystical atmosphere of the sunken palace. It’s easily one of the most breathtaking spots in Istanbul. Headout made the entire process seamless, helping me tick off a major bucket list item without the stress of waiting.
Ian N
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
Turkey has been amazing, like most structures though out your beautiful country, the Basilica Cistern did not disappoint. The sheer scale is monumental, thank you for preserving it and allowing us to experience it. Only one criticism, I think you do with out the art displayed in it, the Cistern is art enough. Thank you it made my stay. With Love and Light. The Napier's.
Margot P
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
This was a must! We saw the line outside and had FOMO, looked it up online and saw that you could buy tickets that skipped the queue and had an audio guide you could use for free( just make sure u bring your own headphones) From the cool wet air to the magnificent architecture your senses were treated to an underground gem.
Christine B
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
The entry was very smooth and easy to find. It was very worthwhile to prebook the tickets as the ticket line was already very long at 9am. The Cisterns were fascinating and the audio guide was very helpful.
Veronica C
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
The audio-guided tour in Spanish was excellent. We had no trouble hearing the audio, and the recordings were very interesting. Having a good narration definitely enhances the experience.

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

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