All Istanbul Tourist Passes Compared: Which One Should You Buy?
Istanbul's two popular passes cover different things: the official Museum Pass (€105) does state museums like Topkapı and Galata Tower; the Istanbul Tourist Pass adds tours, a cruise and private sights. Only the Tourist Pass includes Hagia Sophia, as a guided tour.
Types of tourist pass
Ottoman state-museum pass
One entry each to 13 state sites over five days: Topkapı with the Harem, Galata Tower by day, the Archaeological Museums.
In Istanbul: Museum Pass Istanbul
Tours-and-Bosphorus day pass
Choose 1 to 7 days; guides walk you through Sultanahmet sights, and a Bosphorus cruise and Dolmabahçe are on the list.
In Istanbul: Istanbul Tourist Pass
Which pass for your trip?
Museum Pass Istanbul
- Ottoman history: Topkapı Harem, Galata Tower, Archaeological Museums. Topkapı and Galata alone are about €79, against €105.
Istanbul Tourist Pass
- First visit, guided Sultanahmet, a Bosphorus cruise and Dolmabahçe. Guides, the cruise and the sultans' Bosphorus palace on one pass.
No pass needed
- Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and a ferry to Kadıköy. Hagia Sophia is €25, the Blue Mosque free, and public ferries cost little.
The passes compared
Museum Pass Istanbul
- Attractions
- 13 state sites
- Price
- €105
- Time to use
- 5 days
- Best for
- Topkapı, Galata and Ottoman history
- Topkapı and Galata alone are about €79
- Official Ministry of Culture pass
- Hagia Sophia and Dolmabahçe not on it
- Galata Tower only before 6:14 pm
Istanbul Tourist Pass
- Attractions
- 120+ sights and tours
- Price
- From €149
- Time to use
- 1-7 days
- Best for
- Guided first visit plus the Bosphorus
- Bosphorus cruise included
- Dolmabahçe, which the state pass skips
- Costs more than the €105 state pass
- A public ferry crosses the Bosphorus for far less
Which big sights are on which pass?
| Sight | Museum Pass | Tourist Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Topkapı Palace | Included | Included |
| Galata Tower | Included | Included |
| Hagia Sophia | Not included | Included |
| Dolmabahçe Palace | Not included | Included |
| Basilica Cistern | Not included | Included |
| Bosphorus cruise | Not included | Included |
Worth knowing before you buy
Topkapı + Galata ≈ €79
Two sites cover three-quarters of the €105 Museum Pass.
Hagia Sophia isn't on the Museum Pass
The tourist route is €25; the Blue Mosque and Süleymaniye are free outside prayer times.
Galata Tower: daytime on the pass
The Museum Pass isn't accepted after 6:14 pm.
A public ferry is a cheap cruise
Public ferries across the Bosphorus cost far less than a tour boat.
Whichever pass you pick, queues at Topkapı and Galata Tower eat into your day. Check how busy each attraction is right now on beatthecrowd.co.
Check live crowds in Istanbul →How pass companies make money
A pass in Istanbul is a bet: the seller wins if you slow down, you win if you plan. Here's the business behind Museum Pass Istanbul and Istanbul Tourist Pass.
Attractions such as Topkapı Palace give pass sellers a discount in return for guaranteed visitors.
Rainy days, late starts and skipped sights all count in the seller's favour.
Each extra day or pick on Museum Pass Istanbul is only a saving if you'd really use it.
FAQs
Which Istanbul pass is best?
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For state museums like Topkapı and Galata Tower, the Museum Pass (€105). For tours, a cruise and Dolmabahçe, the Istanbul Tourist Pass.
Does the Museum Pass include Hagia Sophia?
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No.
Does the Museum Pass include Galata Tower?
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Yes, until 6:14 pm.
Does either Istanbul pass include Dolmabahçe Palace?
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Not the Museum Pass. Dolmabahçe is about €36 (2,000 TL) on its own and is included on the Istanbul Tourist Pass as skip-the-ticket-line entry with an audio guide.