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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

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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

(4,820)

Alfonsina Pantalena

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  Kanellopoulos

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.
Mariam Tanboura

Mariam

Aug 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The room is magical. I had goose bumps as soon as I saw it. The darkened light makes it look mysterious. The many pillars make the room so incredibly beautiful. The changing green and orange light makes the room breathtaking. When you walk through the room and look at the high ceilings, bearing in mind that it was all filled with water, you can't help but be amazed. An absolute must-see when you are 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.

  • How do we collect reviews?

    4.3
    4,820 ratings
    5/5
    2.8K
    4/5
    1.2K
    3/5
    296
    2/5
    199
    1/5
    265
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    • Italy
    • United States
    • France
    • United Kingdom
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    • Australia
    • Romania
    • Canada
    • Switzerland
    Guests from Spain, Italy, United States and over 87 countries have loved this experience

    Luca Giovanni Bugini

    Luca

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Online ticket cut the queue time and let me enjoy the tour which was awesome. The mobile voice guide was exhaustive and easy to use
    Fabio Salemi

    Fabio

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    The Cistern is fascinating, distinctive and well maintained. The line hopping was a boon. The audio guide from the iphone was excellent. Very positive experience
    Brett William Keeble

    Brett

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    We had heard about this from a friend in Australia, who told us this was a must-see tourist attraction in Istanbul, and he was right. Wonderful, informative, enjoyable experience. Bought tickets online to skip the line and it was worth it. Took some great photos. Highly recommend it to anyone considering going.
    Jordi Fuentes Narro

    Jordi

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    The purchase of the tickets was very easy and fast. If I have something to comment, it is the little and small i information of where is the entrance/row of the people who bought tickets online. The Cistern Basilica was amazing, we liked it very much.
    Alyssa PUILLET

    Alyssa

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    4/5
    I found this combination quite practical. We can access the different sites fairly quickly. It's worth noting that each of these tours is relatively expensive for what they offer. Topkapi Palace is a must-do, but far too expensive for what it offers (note that you have to pick up your ticket before going inside, at a visit checkpoint next to a cafe in front of one of the palace entrances). The queue-cutting cistern is extremely practical, but the visit is not very impressive (allow 30min). The mosque is beautiful, but its history isn't really explained, and it's not at all as impressive as the Blue Mosque opposite, which is free (but more crowded). All in all, I'm glad I did the consisted and saved time, but they're not really worth the detour. For the other two, tickets are available directly from the Apple (Saint Sophie's Mosque + Basilica).
  • 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

    Monday09:00am - 10:00pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Tuesday09:00am - 10:00pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Wednesday09:00am - 10:00pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Thursday09:00am - 10:00pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Friday09:00am - 10:00pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Saturday09:00am - 10:00pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Sunday09:00am - 10:00pmlast 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

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