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

(5,308)

Rebecca

Feb 2026

Verified booking

Not such a smooth entry, because I had no wifi /data so couldn't show my ticket.... very helpful women on the gate sorted it out. I'd also downloaded the audioguide which again didn't work for me until they helped .... But my oh my, it really was BREATHTAKING, totally awesome!!! (I found the audioguide a little distracting, so wanted to walk around without it, but once I'd reached the end of the circuit, it was hard to go against the flow and start again) Feb visit - still quite busy! An amazing place, incredible atmosphere, I'm in awe of the brick/tile vaulting. Medusa heads are superb. Modern art installations are a nice touch. Later, I watched videos from the film 'Inferno' - which incldes a copy of the cistern for their set!

Paolo

Jan 2026

Verified booking

the cruise was very beautiful, the service was the best. me and my wife came ro Istanbul to have a chance to dedicate time exploring a beautiful city: this cruise was the perfect opportunity. with much room to let all the passenger sit comfortably we could enjoy the view of the city in relax. the explanation of the historical monument was interesting and gave us a very good insight about the past of this beautiful land. even though there were waves, the captain skill made the trip very smooth and we felt cradled by the sea. definitely an experience I'd do again, I very much suggest doing it for everyone

Carolina

Feb 2026

Verified booking

Booking skip-the-line tickets was the best decision. We arrived and entered quickly, avoiding a huge line outside. The Basilica Cistern totally exceeded my expectations. The atmosphere is almost cinematic: lights reflecting on the water, rows of ancient columns, and a mysterious atmosphere that makes you imagine the nearly 1,500-year history of that place. The Medusa heads are a fascinating and unique detail. It was undoubtedly one of the most memorable experiences of my trip to Istanbul. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the city. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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.

5,308 reviews
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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
Passas
Mar 2026
Verified booking
The view of bosporos and the price of the ticket. With 300 tl we made the best cruise
Alberico
Mar 2026
Verified booking
Wonderful, really very beautiful... It's worth going to see.
Stefan
Mar 2026
Verified booking
Smooth entry :) and beautifull place
Virginia
Feb 2026
Verified booking
The ease of purchasing tickets online, the faster admission process, and the audio guide on my cell phone, to start with. The girls at the entrance are really wonderful, they are very helpful. Upon entering, the lighting of the cistern makes the work stand out. The path marked above the water allows you to admire the entire structure. Although there were many people, you could look around and stop freely. It is a very interesting experience to also understand a little history and stop to admire the architecture.
Nikitas
Feb 2026
Verified booking
It was a really amazing and educational tour with wonderful information about the usage of Basilica Cistern over the years. As a greek visitor it had an extra depth beacause many things from hour histroy were displayed there and believed by the people of 7 centuries ago. I definitely suggest the audio tour and everything to do with it.

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	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Tuesday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Wednesday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Thursday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Friday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Saturday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Sunday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm

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