Combos

Combo (Save 5%): Basilica Cistern Tickets + Istanbul Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Guided tour group exploring Basilica Cistern in Istanbul with Medusa head column.

Basilica Cistern statue and columns, Istanbul Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour.

Tourists enjoying views of Istanbul from a hop-on hop-off bus near the Bosphorus.

Tourists on Istanbul hop-on hop-off bus with Bosphorus Bridge in background.

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

Score big savings on your Istanbul tour with this combo! Visit the Basilica Cistern and cruise the city's sites on a 1-day hop-on hop-off bus tour.

4.5/5(5,750)

Dharamvir N

Couple

Verified booking

4 days ago

How easy it was to enter hassle-free. Security staff in particular were very understanding and kind as my 2nd ticket was not scanning correctly so they brought me and my wife to one side and I showed them proof of purchase and they were happy to let comtnue to skip the line.Staff were warm and inviting.

Aurora M

Group

Verified booking

Apr 2026

I loved exploring Istanbul and its amazing sites, which are steeped in history and culture—and especially those hidden gems like the Basilica Cistern, which really impressed me because it’s underground. It’s just a few steps from Hagia Sophia. We bought our tickets through this app to avoid the lines, since these places are always crowded. Plus, since we happened to be there on rainy days, it’s really annoying to stand in the rain waiting to get in, so I recommend arriving early with your tickets already in hand. We got in right away—we were among the first—and that meant we could take photos freely and enjoy the place.

Paola C

Group

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

The speed with which I managed to find availability at a fair last-minute price, make the payment, and receive the tickets online while I was waiting in line at the entrance ☺️—I hadn’t expected to be able to go on the tour because the guide had only given us about 45 minutes, and the line to get in for those without tickets was huge, so we would have had to give up. But then I tried this app, which I didn’t know about before and which I’ll definitely be using from now on—I highly recommend it!!! Thank you 🤩

Schuller K

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

It was our first trip to Istanbul, but surely not the last one. We visited Basilica Cistern with Headout skip-the-line ticket, we did not have to wait long to get to the entry point. Basilica Cistern is a very interesting place, especially for photo enthusiasts - the lights, the reflections, the repetitiveness of the columns are all worth capturing. We visited the place during daytime, but next time we plan to visit it during the evening opening hours, when there are light and sound performances.

Delfina G

Group

Verified booking

Last week

This place was one of my favorite discoveries during my time in Istanbul. The Romans’ engineering genius is on full display in this stunningly beautiful structure, which remains intact to this day and continues to amaze us. I highly recommend a visit to this magical place and monument.

Francisco R

Group

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

First of all, buying the tickets online allowed us to go right in without waiting, which was much appreciated. Then the cistern surprised us with its novelty for this kind of tour. I’d like to know how often the coins in the water are collected.

Descend into Basilica Cistern's ancient marvel holding 80,000 cubic meters of water and whispering tales of Roman engineering.

For 1500 years, 336 marble pillars and twin Medusa heads have guarded the Cistern, inviting tourists to unlock the mysteries of its underground oasis.

Zip between 11 key spots on a hop-on hop-off bus tour running every half hour, from the aromatic Spice Bazaar to Hagia Sophia's grandeur.

Let Istanbul's skyline unfold from an open-top deck as you listen to centuries of stories with an audio guide, turning sightseeing into time travel.

Fun fact: The Basilica Cistern has appeared in various films and books, including Dan Brown's "Inferno".

Basilica Cistern

Skip-the-line entry to the Basilica Cistern (Close to stop #1 Sultanahmet)

Audio guide in English, German, Russian, French, Spanish, Iranian, Arabic & Turkish

Istanbul HOHO

1-day unlimited hop-on hop-off pass

Audio guide in English, German, Russian, French, Spanish, Iranian, Arabic & Turkish

Free earphones

Istanbul HOHO

Entry to attractions

Guided visits inside attractions

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

5,750 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 United States, Italy, Spain and over 74 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Dharamvir N
Couple
Verified booking
4 days ago
How easy it was to enter hassle-free. Security staff in particular were very understanding and kind as my 2nd ticket was not scanning correctly so they brought me and my wife to one side and I showed them proof of purchase and they were happy to let comtnue to skip the line.Staff were warm and inviting.
Berbece M
Solo
Verified booking
4 days ago
Fast visit of the monument 😊 with this ticket I could fan from the outside rain
Martin J
Group
Verified booking
5 days ago
It was great place. Different to the other places.
Aurora M
Group
Verified booking
Apr 2026
I loved exploring Istanbul and its amazing sites, which are steeped in history and culture—and especially those hidden gems like the Basilica Cistern, which really impressed me because it’s underground. It’s just a few steps from Hagia Sophia. We bought our tickets through this app to avoid the lines, since these places are always crowded. Plus, since we happened to be there on rainy days, it’s really annoying to stand in the rain waiting to get in, so I recommend arriving early with your tickets already in hand. We got in right away—we were among the first—and that meant we could take photos freely and enjoy the place.
Paola C
Group
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
The speed with which I managed to find availability at a fair last-minute price, make the payment, and receive the tickets online while I was waiting in line at the entrance ☺️—I hadn’t expected to be able to go on the tour because the guide had only given us about 45 minutes, and the line to get in for those without tickets was huge, so we would have had to give up. But then I tried this app, which I didn’t know about before and which I’ll definitely be using from now on—I highly recommend it!!! Thank you 🤩

See Istanbul's engineering Marvel Basilica Cistern and hop between 11 prime Istanbul sights at your own pace, all with this super budget-friendly combo that'll save you some kaching!

Basilica Cistern

Step into the Basilica Cistern, a 6th-century Byzantine masterpiece hiding beneath Istanbul's bustling streets. Once providing water to the Great Palace of Constantinople, this underground marvel spans nearly 10,000 square meters, supported by 336 intricately designed marble columns. Its atmospheric lighting, tranquil water, and columns create an almost dreamlike ambiance. You can wander along raised wooden platforms, hearing the soft echo of water droplets while spotting fish swimming through the shallow reservoir. Adding to the intrigue are the two mysterious Medusa head pillars, inviting countless theories about their symbolism. The Basilica has even been featured in pop culture, from Dan Brown’s Inferno to James Bond’s From Russia With Love. The hauntingly beautiful blend of architecture, history, and mystery makes the Basilica Cistern an unforgettable stop for any traveler exploring Istanbul.

Istanbul HOHO

Discover Istanbul’s iconic European-Asian blend on this hop-on hop-off journey aboard a comfy double-decker bus. Board from any of the 11 stops and hop off wherever your heart takes you! At Sultanahmet, see the shimmering domes of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia catch your eye. In Eminönü, grilled fish aromas fill the air along the lively waterfront. Pass through Galataport’s sleek vibe, ending at Dolmabahçe Palace, where glittering chandeliers and lush gardens await.

Schedule

First Bus: 10am from Taksim Sqaure/Sultanahmet

Last Bus: 4:45pm from Taksim Sqaure/Sultanahmet

Frequency: every 45 minutes

Popular stops: Taksim Square, Beylerbeyi Palace, Spice Bazaar & Dolmabahce Palace

Click here for the detailed route map and boarding points.

You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.

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

Additional information

Basilica Cistern

It's recommended to wear comfortable shoes.

Specific details related to Basilica Cistern will be shared in the ticket post-booking.

Istanbul HOHO

-The routes, stops and departure times may change temporarily under uncontrollable circumstances.

During peak hours, seating cannot be guaranteed on both decks.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Please display the same at each ticket redemption point along with a valid photo ID.

Ticket Redemption Points

Busforus 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Istanbul

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

Skip-the-Line Tickets to Basilica Cistern

Meet your Istanbul Welcome Card tour guide that has red flag in front of the Exit Gate of the Basilica Cistern.

Address: Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul.

Get Directions to the Redemption Point