Istanbul Tourist Pass® can help those plans fall into place. It brings attraction visits, guided experiences, cruises and cultural activities into a digital pass, with two options to match the way you like to travel. Having your chosen visits and their practical details together means less time searching through separate bookings and more attention to the days you are looking forward to.
If you enjoy making the most of every sightseeing day, Day Pass gives you access to its included experiences over your chosen consecutive days. You might explore a palace in the morning, discover somewhere new after lunch and spend the evening on the water. If your ideal holiday revolves around a few favourites, Flexi Pass lets you choose those experiences and enjoy them within five days from first use, leaving room for long lunches, neighbourhood walks and unexpected discoveries.
The right choice can make a real difference to both your spending and the pace of your holiday. Below, we compare Day Pass and Flexi through two different sightseeing plans, show the costs with and without a pass, and explain what each experience includes. Along the way, you will find traveller comments and a suggested three-day itinerary to help you decide which option feels like your kind of Istanbul.
About this guide: Istanbul Tourist Pass® is part of the istanbul.com brand family. This guide uses published product information and identified traveller excerpts.
Is Istanbul Tourist Pass® worth it for your trip?
If you are planning several paid sights and experiences, Istanbul Tourist Pass® can help your budget go further while bringing your visits together in one digital pass. The best value comes from choosing the option that fits the places you want to see and the pace you will enjoy.
Day Pass suits fuller sightseeing days, with room to add more included experiences along the way. Flexi Pass suits a few carefully chosen favourites, with five days from first use to enjoy your selection.
Below, two real-price examples show how each option can work for a different kind of holiday, so you can see what you could save and which pass feels right for you.
| If your trip sounds like this… | Start here |
|---|---|
| "We want to make the most of our sightseeing days." | Day Pass: choose 1 to 7 consecutive calendar days. |
| "We know our must-sees and want time between them." | Flexi Pass: choose your experiences; use them within 5 days from first use. |
| "We would like to know what we could actually save." | See the two sightseeing comparisons below, then price your own shortlist. |
Picture the Istanbul you came to see
Think of your first morning in the Old City. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern are all part of the same historic neighbourhood, yet each opens a very different window onto Istanbul. A guided visit can help you connect those places with the stories behind them, turning a list of landmarks into a day that makes sense.
That is one of the useful things about Istanbul Tourist Pass®: the catalogue includes different ways to experience the city. Some visits come with a live guide; others pair entry with an audio guide so you can explore at your own pace. An evening cruise can give your trip an entirely different rhythm.
What is included in Istanbul Tourist Pass®?
These are selected Day Pass examples from the current catalogue of 120+ attractions and experiences. For Flexi, choose from the experiences offered in its own builder. The wider catalogue also contains discounted extras, so check whether each activity is Included or Discounted before you plan around it.
| On your wish list | Listed Day Pass experience | Without pass |
|---|---|---|
| Hagia Sophia | Guided tour with skip-the-ticket-line entry | €35 |
| Topkapı Palace | Hosted entry with an audio guide | €62 |
| Basilica Cistern | Guided tour with skip-the-ticket-line entry | €56 |
| Dolmabahçe Palace | Skip-the-ticket-line entry with an audio guide | €52 |
| Blue Mosque | Guided tour | €20 |
| An evening on the Bosphorus | Premium dinner cruise with live shows | €55 |
| Whirling Dervishes | Show at Abud Efendi Mansion | €20 |
Choose how you like to explore
If you enjoy asking questions and hearing a place brought to life, look for a guided tour. If you prefer to linger over a courtyard or pause for photographs, an audio-guided visit may suit you better. Matching the visit format to your travel style makes the comparison more useful: you are choosing the experience you want to have, as well as the place you want to see.
- Live guide Guided tour A guide leads the visit at a scheduled session. Live tours have their own language arrangements, so check the listing.
- Your own pace Audio-guided entry Entry plus an audio guide on your phone, available in 25 languages. Download it before you go to listen offline.
- Help at the door Hosted entry Assistance with meeting and entering. It does not mean a live guide accompanies you throughout the attraction.
Leave room for the moments between the landmarks
Your favourite memory of Istanbul may be a palace courtyard. It may also be the coffee you learned to make, a colourful street you wandered down or the view from the water after a busy day. The pass catalogue gives you ways to build that variety into your trip.
| When you feel like… | A listed Day Pass experience | A way to make it part of your trip |
|---|---|---|
| Trying something local | Sand-brewed Turkish coffee workshop | Take a hands-on break between Old City visits. |
| Exploring a different neighbourhood | Fener and Balat walking tour | Set aside time for streets and stories beyond the landmark circuit. |
| Adding a playful stop | Balat Toy Museum or Museum of Illusions | Give a family sightseeing day a change of pace. |
| Enjoying an evening out | Whirling Dervishes or a Bosphorus dinner cruise | Choose the atmosphere you would like after a day of exploring. |
The Turkish coffee workshop, for example, is a beginner-friendly session of around 30 minutes, with materials and tasting included. It is a small addition to an itinerary, but a very different experience from simply stopping for a drink. Check its current location and available times before planning your day.
Choose the activities you genuinely want to do. A pass feels most useful when it helps you enjoy your own version of Istanbul, with enough space between visits to appreciate where you are.
What travellers have appreciated
The short comments below, displayed on the Istanbul Tourist Pass® purchase page, highlight three practical parts of the experience: organising visits, enjoying a guide and getting help when needed. They are individual experiences, rather than a promise of how every trip will feel.
-
Organising visits
"saves a lot of time and energy"
Suzanne Low · Google -
The guides
"Each guide was knowledgeable, kind, and incredibly friendly."
Fabrice_25 · Tripadvisor -
Getting help
"They responded very fast on WhatsApp"
mihai s · Tripadvisor
These excerpts are reproduced from the seller's page; their original platform dates have not been independently verified for this guide. Read more traveller experiences
Day Pass or Flexi Pass: which sounds like your trip?
The easiest way to choose is to imagine the pace of your days. Would you enjoy a morning landmark, another visit after lunch and an evening activity? Or would you rather book a few favourites and leave the rest of your time open?
Day Pass: for days you want to fill with discovery
Day Pass is a good starting point when several included experiences are already on your wish list. You choose a duration from one to seven consecutive calendar days, then plan your visits around the available opening times and sessions. Adding another included experience within that period does not mean buying another individual ticket.
For a first visit, that can be especially appealing: you can bring together major sights and a cruise, then see whether there is room for a workshop or another included activity. Choose enough days to enjoy the programme comfortably; the shortest pass is only the best value if its timetable works for you.
Flexi Pass: for the places you already know you want to see
Flexi Pass lets you build a selection of experiences and use them within five days from first use. It suits a trip with a clear shortlist: perhaps a palace, a guided landmark visit and an evening on the water, with unplanned time around them. Your price follows the selection you build.
That breathing room can be valuable if sightseeing is only part of your holiday. You can enjoy the experiences you have chosen while leaving time for shopping, café stops or exploring another neighbourhood.
| Your decision | Day Pass | Flexi Pass |
|---|---|---|
| How you choose | Select a duration of 1 to 7 days. | Select the experiences you want. |
| What you can use | The included Day Pass catalogue during your validity period. | The experiences in your purchased selection. |
| Validity | Consecutive calendar days, beginning with first use. | 5 days from first use. |
| Best starting point | Several visits on active sightseeing days. | A shortlist with time between visits. |
| How to compare value | Check your planned visits against the price for your chosen duration. | Check your selection's total against the same experiences booked separately. |
If you only want one paid attraction, compare a single ticket too. The aim is to find the option that makes your plans work well, at a price you are happy with.
Your pass options at a glance
- What it is
- A digital sightseeing pass for Istanbul, in two versions: Day Pass and Flexi Pass
- Day Pass
- 1 to 7 consecutive calendar days€149 (1 day) to €299 (7 days) per adult
- Flexi Pass
- Build your own selection from 80+ experiencesPrice follows your selection; up to 40% below separate prices
- Validity
- Day Pass: chosen days, to 23:59 on the last dayFlexi Pass: 5 days from first use
- Catalogue
- 120+ catalogue attractions and experiences, with included visits and discounted extras labelled separately.
- Example saving
- 6 experiences: €280 separately, €189 with a 2-day Day Pass€91 less, about 33%, if all six fit into two days
- Sold by
- Cityberry Travel Agency, TÜRSAB member No. 11745Launched in 2014; part of the istanbul.com brand family
- Help
- WhatsApp support 24/7Audio guides in 25 languages
What could Istanbul Tourist Pass® save you?
A useful savings example should look like a trip you might actually take. Here is a six-experience shortlist combining well-known sights with an evening cruise. The figures compare the published experience prices, including the stated visit formats, not museum admission alone.
| Experience | Published separate price | Flexi selection price |
|---|---|---|
| Hagia Sophia guided visit | €35 | €30 |
| Topkapı Palace experience | €62 | €56 |
| Basilica Cistern guided visit | €56 | €50 |
| Dolmabahçe Palace experience | €52 | €42 |
| Blue Mosque guided tour | €20 | €15 |
| Bosphorus dinner cruise | €55 | €40 |
| Total per adult | €280 | €233 |
- Booked separatelyPublished experience prices €280
- Flexi PassThese six selected €233€47 less
- Day Pass – 3 daysA gentler pace €219€61 less
- Day Pass – 2 daysIf all six fit €189€91 less / about 33%
For this selection, Flexi is €47 less than the published separate total. A two-day Day Pass at €189 is €91 less, about 33%, if you can complete all six experiences within those two calendar days. Check tour sessions, opening days and travel time before using that figure for your own plans.
Prefer a gentler pace? A three-day Day Pass is €219 in this price snapshot, still €61 below the same €280 total. That gives you another way to weigh the choice: compare the cost with the amount of time you would like to spend at each place.
The Blue Mosque amount is for a guided experience; ordinary mosque entry is free. The example assumes each experience is used once and fits the chosen validity period.
Day Pass prices at a glance
- 1 day €149 €149.00 / day
- 2 days €189 €94.50 / day
- 3 days €219 €73.00 / day
- 4 days €239 €59.75 / day
- 5 days €259 €51.80 / day
- 6 days €279 €46.50 / day
- 7 days €299 €42.71 / day
Adult prices in euros, checked 23 October 2026, and they may change. A 1-day child pass (ages 5 to 12) is €139. Flexi pricing depends on your chosen experiences; check the live total before purchase.
Make the calculation personal
Write down your must-sees, compare the same visit formats and add up only what you expect to use. Then compare that total with Day Pass and Flexi. Any saving is more meaningful when it comes from experiences you already wanted, not extra stops added simply to make the numbers look better.
Choose The Right Pass For You
Buy With Confidence
Your satisfaction is guaranteed with the Istanbul Tourist Pass
- 120+ Attractions & Experiences IncludedExplore Istanbul's top attractions and experiences with your pass.
- Save Over 60%Enjoy more of Istanbul while spending less.
- Transparent PricingKnow what's included before you buy.
- Skip the Ticket LinesSave time with priority entry at top attractions.
- Instant Digital DeliveryGet your pass instantly after purchase.
- Flexible SightseeingPlan your trip with our multilingual app & expert live chat.
- Easy Cancellation & 1-Year ValidityBuy now, travel later, and enjoy flexibility if plans change.
Istanbul Tourist Pass®
Visit ALL 6 landmarks, 120+ top attractions & premium experiences including Luxury Bosphorus Sunset & Dinner Cruises. See all attractions
Save up to 59% off normal prices
Day Pass prices per adult in euros, checked 23 October 2026; the 5-day selection is shown as an example. Use the link below to check current options.
When does Flexi Pass make more sense?
Perhaps your perfect Istanbul trip has three must-do experiences and plenty of room for everything else. You would love to explore Hagia Sophia, step inside the Basilica Cistern and spend an evening on the Bosphorus. Between those highlights, you want time for cafés, markets and discovering neighbourhoods at your own pace.
This is where Flexi Pass comes into its own. You build your pass around your chosen experiences, with five days from first use to enjoy them.
| Your chosen experience | Published separate price | Flexi Pass price |
|---|---|---|
| Hagia Sophia guided tour with entry | €35 | €30 |
| Basilica Cistern guided tour with entry | €56 | €50 |
| Premium Bosphorus dinner cruise with live shows | €55 | €40 |
| Total per adult | €146 | €120 |
That is €26 saved per person on this selection.
You could plan your landmark visits early in your stay and keep the cruise for another evening within your pass validity. In between, leave an afternoon open for shopping, take a long lunch or follow a neighbourhood street simply because it looks inviting.
Prices checked on 23 October 2026. This example uses the provider’s published prices for the listed experiences, including their stated services. Prices may change; visits remain subject to available sessions and reservation requirements.
A relaxed way to use this selection: Hagia Sophia on day one, Basilica Cistern on day three and your dinner cruise on day five. Leave the days between for neighbourhood walks, markets and long lunches. This is a planning idea: confirm available sessions before choosing the order.
Which example feels more like your holiday?
If you want to enjoy the fuller six-experience itinerary over three consecutive days, the €219 Day Pass costs less than the €233 Flexi selection and gives you access to further included activities during those days.
If your wish list centres on the three experiences above, the €120 Flexi selection keeps your spending lower and gives you five days from first use to enjoy your choices.
Start with the experiences you would be excited to book, then choose the pass that fits both your plans and your pace.
Match your choice to your plans
A good fit if you…
- plan several paid visits over consecutive sightseeing days
- want guided tours, audio guides and entry details in one app
- are visiting for the first time and would like WhatsApp help on hand
- have a shortlist of must-sees and want time between them (Flexi Pass)
Compare other options if you…
- only want one paid attraction: a single ticket may cost less
- mainly want museum admission: compare MuseumPass İstanbul
- need public transport covered: ordinary journeys are not included
- can only fit one visit a day into a long stay: price your visits one by one
From choosing your pass to enjoying your first visit
You have chosen the places you are excited to see. Now you can bring the practical details together before you arrive, so your first sightseeing morning starts with a plan you can enjoy.
- Choose your option Select your Day Pass duration or build your Flexi selection. You start with a pass that matches your plans.
- Open your pass Follow your purchase instructions to access your pass in the app. Your entry and visit details are close to hand.
- Arrange your visits Check which experiences need a reservation and book the required sessions. You can plan meals and travel around confirmed times.
- Check before setting out Read the meeting point, entry instructions and current opening information. You arrive knowing where to go and what to show.
- Enjoy the visit Use the QR code or meeting procedure specified for that experience. Each visit follows its own published entry process.
Keep the details together, then get on with your day
Imagine finishing a visit and wondering what fits into the rest of your afternoon. The Istanbul Tourist Pass® app helps you find nearby attractions, check opening hours and organise your day. Your pass, visit information and reservations are together on your phone, so you can spend less time piecing together the next step.
For visits with an available audio guide, you can listen to the stories behind what you are seeing at your own pace. Audio guides are offered in 25 languages; live guided tours have their own language arrangements. Download available audio guides over Wi-Fi before setting out if you want to listen offline.
Check whether the next experience is included in your Day Pass or purchased Flexi selection, and whether it needs a reservation. A little planning leaves more room to enjoy the visit.
When does your sightseeing time begin?
Your pass duration starts with your first visit, rather than on the day you buy. Day Pass uses consecutive calendar days, ending at midnight, so a morning start makes better use of your first day. Flexi gives you five days from first use to enjoy your selected experiences.
At eligible attractions, skip-the-ticket-line access means bypassing the queue to buy a ticket. Security checks still apply. For a guided visit, follow the meeting instructions and arrive around 15 minutes early.
A local team when you need a hand
Questions often become very practical once you arrive: where exactly is the meeting point, or which instruction applies to your visit? The provider advertises 24/7 WhatsApp support, giving you a place to ask. Istanbul Tourist Pass® launched in 2014 and is sold by Cityberry Travel Agency, TÜRSAB member No. 11745. About the operator
The combination of entry details, visit guidance and access to support is part of what you are comparing alongside the price. For a first trip to a new city, that organisation can be an appealing part of the package.
A three-day Istanbul itinerary you can make your own
You do not need to fill every hour to get good use from a pass. This outline groups some of the best-known experiences into three sightseeing days, with room to pause. Confirm current opening days, available sessions and reservations before settling the order.
| Day | A suggested rhythm | Leave room for… |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 · Meet the Old City | Plan Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern around available guided sessions. | Lunch and a walk through Sultanahmet between visits. |
| Day 2 · Spend time with the stories | Explore Topkapı Palace using its hosted entry and audio-guide format. Consider a Whirling Dervishes show later, if it appeals. | Time to enjoy the palace rather than rushing through it. |
| Day 3 · See the city from another angle | Visit Dolmabahçe Palace, then plan your Bosphorus dinner cruise for the evening. | A relaxed interval before heading to the cruise meeting point. |
This is an itinerary idea, not a guaranteed bookable schedule. It also differs from the two-day savings example: the optional Whirling Dervishes show is an extra experience to consider. A Day Pass can suit this fuller programme; with Flexi, select the experiences you want from its available catalogue.
From landmark visits to evenings on the Bosphorus.
A few details that help your plans run smoothly
| Topic | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|
| Activation | Day Pass uses consecutive calendar days and expires at 23:59 on its final day. Starting late in the afternoon uses that first calendar day; it is not a rolling 24-hour period. |
| Reservations | Some experiences require advance booking or a scheduled meeting. Check before arranging the rest of your day. |
| Entry and coverage | Read the listing for the exact visit format, areas included and any extra charges. Each attraction can be visited once under the pass usage rules. |
| Mosque visits | Follow the current dress and visitor rules, and allow for prayer-time access restrictions. |
| Getting around | Plan your transport separately. Do not assume ordinary metro, tram, bus or ferry journeys are included in the sightseeing pass. |
| Listing | With Day Pass | Without pass |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul Airport Shuttle | Included | €12 |
| Unlimited Istanbul Public Transportation Card | Discounted €26 | €29 |
| Private airport transfer | Discounted €48 | €65 |
If your priority is museum admission, compare the official MuseumPass İstanbul against your exact list of places. It is a different product, with a different scope; it should not be treated as interchangeable with the guided experiences, cruises and activities offered through Istanbul Tourist Pass®.
Choose the pass that fits the Istanbul you want to experience
Think back to the moments that made you want to visit Istanbul: a palace courtyard, a story you have never heard, an evening watching the waterfront glow. Start with the experiences you would love to bring home as memories, then give them a comfortable place in your trip.
Choose Day Pass for fuller days of discovery, or build a Flexi Pass around your favourites with time between visits. Our worked examples show how different plans can lead to different choices. Compare your own shortlist with the current prices, and choose the option that feels right for your Istanbul.
Choose your pass and start planning your Istanbul days
Sources and checks
Product information and prices checked on 23 October 2026. See the linked official listings for current terms, availability and prices.
- Attraction catalogue and prices without pass
- Day Pass prices and traveller excerpts
- Flexi Pass prices, catalogue and validity
- Published six-experience comparison
- How it works: app, audio guides, skip-the-ticket-line
- Validity and usage FAQ
- About the operator
- Turkish coffee workshop details
- Official MuseumPass İstanbul
Price check for this edition
Day Pass prices and the Flexi comparison prices were checked on 23 October 2026. App features and usage guidance were also checked against the official How it works and Download app pages on 23 October 2026. Other product details and images were also checked on 23 October 2026. Current booking conditions and availability are shown on the linked official product pages.
