The Istanbul Tourist Pass is one of the three common city passes in Istanbul, together with Istanbul Welcome Card and Istanbul Museum Pass. We tested them all and here we’ll give you information and advice about the Istanbul Tourist Pass, including would it worth it, what you ‘ll get, the advantages and disadvantages, the buying process, how you’ll use it and how much you’ll save when comparing with other tourist passes.
What is Istanbul Tourist Pass?
Istanbul Tourist Pass is a digital travel discount card that provides entrance and transportation tickets to many of Istanbul’s top tourist attractions along with several guided museum tours with skip-the-line access in a simple, useful, convenient and fun way.
Rather than paying for each item individually, the pass allows you to choose from 35+ things to do in Istanbul so you can pack as much into your stay as possible for a single set price. You’ll get valuable discounts of up to 75%.
After you purchase the pass, it will be delivered to mobile phone and will be ready to use at upon arrival.
There are four types of Istanbul Tourist Pass (2, 3, 5 or 7-Day).
Validity
Valid for 2 to 7 days depending the pass you buy, starting from your first activation.
Pricing
The pass pricing depends on how many days you want to use it for. Prices below:
- 2 Day Pass : €95 /adult • €45 /child
- 3 Day Pass : €115 /adult • €45 /child
- 5 Day Pass : €135 /adult • €45 /child
- 7 Day Pass : €145 /adult • €45 /child
What’s included?
You’ll get access to below 35+ attractions and services with about 75% discount. All attraction and services’ regular prices cost total €470, and with Istanbul Tourist Pass starting from €95, you will save over €250 !!!
Guided Museum/Attraction Tours
- Hagia Sophia Museum (Guided Tour) – Regular price : €15
- Topkapi Palace Museum (Guided Tour) – Regular price : €15
- Basilica Cistern (Guided Tour) – Regular price : €9
- Hagia Irene Museum (Guided Tour) – Regular price : €10
- Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum (Guided Tour) – Regular price : €11
- Blue Mosque (Guided Tour) – Regular price : €10
- Dolmabahce Palace Museum (Guided Tour) – Regular price : €16
- Grand Bazaar (Guided Tour) – Regular price : €10
- Beşiktas JK Stadium (Guided Tour) – Regular price : €7
- Fenerbahce Stadium and Museum (Guided Tour) – Regular price : €6
Other Attractions
Museums
- Madame Tussauds Museum Istanbul – Regular price : €12
- Sakip Sabancı Museum – Regular price : €5
- Pera Museum – Regular price : €4
Day Trips – Bus/Boat Tours
- Bursa Day Trip – Regular price : €47
- BigBus Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour (24 hours) – Regular price : €45
- Princes’ Islands Boat Trip (round-trip) – Regular price : €4
- Sapphire Observation Deck – Regular price : €5
- Maiden’s Tower – Regular price : €4
Bosphorus Cruises
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise With Turkish Shows – Regular price : €50
- Bosphorus Cruise – Regular price : €4
- Bosphorus Night Cruise with Fish & Chips– Regular price : €15
- Hop-on Hop-off Bosphorus Boat Tour – Regular price : €3
Shows & Leisure
- Whirling Dervishes Show – Regular price : €18
- Sapphire Observation Deck – Regular price : €5
Theme Parks
- Sea Life Aquarium Istanbul – Regular price : €12
- SkyRide 4D Simulation – Regular price : €3
- Legoland Discovery Centre Istanbul – Regular price : €10
- Jungle Park – Regular price : €5
- Dungeon – Regular price : €4
- Safari – Regular price : €4
- Xtrem Aventures Istanbul – Regular price : €10
- Dialogue in the Dark – Regular price : €9
- Dialogue in the Silence – Regular price : €9
Services
- Unlimited Mobile Internet Access (3 days) – Regular price : €27
- Istanbul Airport Shuttle – Regular price : €4
- Private Istanbul Airport Transfer – Regular price : €50 (€35 with ITP)
- Whatsapp Traveler Support
Unlimited Mobile Internet Access
This Internet kit can be collected from airports in Turkey or can be delivered to your hotel upon request while booking. The service works all over Turkey. You may take advantage of 4G WiFi to connect up to 10 devices to the internet using your mobile phone, tablet or computer and chat with professional guides from Istanbul Tourist Pass over WhatsApp.
How much will I save?
You can see that the regular prices (at the ticket window on location) of above included attractions worth a total value of €470, and with Istanbul Tourist Pass starting from €95, you will save over €250 !!!
Things to know before you buy
* Istanbul Tourist Pass is an online/digital pass and nothing except the Internet kit is delivered physically as this is very quick and useful.
* The voucher you get is your digital pass for admission to included attractions.
* All support is provided in English.
* Valid for 2, 3, 5 or 7 consecutive days.
* Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, the Whirling Dervishes Show perform on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and children under 7 may not be permitted.
* For admission to museums, a reservation needs to be done in advance.
* The Internet kit can be collected from Istanbul airports/all Turkey airports or can be delivered to your hotel upon request while booking. The service works all over Turkey.
* All attractions are single entry except BigBus Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour which is valid for 24 hours after first use and the Hop-on Hop-off Bosphorus Boat Tour which is valid for 1 day or one full loop.
How to Use the Istanbul Tourist Pass?
Purchasing process
Just visit istanbultouristpass.com, choose the pass duration and number of travellers. And buy online instantly via your credit card or debit card. They will instantly send you your pass via e-mail. And your pass will be activated after you get your confirmation e-mail in 15 minutes. See below about how to buy in detailed explanation.
Buy Your Istanbul Tourist Pass Online Now
Makin Your Reservations
You’ll book the attractions, sights and services via the mobile app and your digital pass on your phone. Just make sure you book some of the popular attractions as early as possible to avoid last minute rush. You’ll find detailed information about the tour and booking experiences and services requiring advance notice on your pass.
Access the Attractions & Experiences
You’ll only need to show your digital pass e-mailed after your purchase, to access the attractions. There will be NO printed tickets, NO hidden and further payments. For accessing the state museums, you’ll attend the FREE guided tours provided. You’ll read information about the meeting points and schedules of the tours from the “What’s Included” page from istanbultouristpass.com.
Airport Transfer Service
You’ll get one way airport transfer service with your pass. If you’ll book it for the arrival airport, you’ll be greeted at the airport by their staff. And be taken to your hotel or Airbnb on a shared or private vehicle, depending on your reservation. Same with the departure service.
Unlimited Mobile Internet Device
If you’ll choose to use this service, than the service provider Rent ‘n Connect will deliver a small device, either at the airport or at your hotel depending on your selection, and the device will let all your WiFi enabled devices to connect to the internet. You just need to return the device to the location of your choice at the end of your stay in Istanbul. Also keep in mind that this service is FREE only for 3 days.
Help Service
Whenever you need help about your stay in Istanbul or with the Pass, you can contact the team via WhatsApp, Facebook, Online Chat, E-mail or telephone.
How to Buy Istanbul Tourist Pass?
the Easiest and the Cheapest Way
We’ll quickly describe the process from buying the Istanbul Tourist to its first use.
* Istanbul Tourist has its own website – istanbultouristpass.com
* You can directly buy the pass online from the website.
Buy Your Istanbul Tourist Pass Online Now
Alternative buying channels
* Alternatively, you can buy the cards from other world famous online sellers below such as Get Your Guide or Viator. But we recommend you buy directly from Istanbul Tourist Card website, as it will be a direct purchase and can be cheaper than GYG or Viator.
* Wherever you buy, in case your plans change, you can cancel all reservations for free with a FULL REFUND up to 24 hours in advance.
Our Istanbul Tourist Pass Experience
* Our Istanbeautiful.com team members (four of us) tested the Istanbul Tourist Pass. It was fantastic and a great deal. The pass made our Istanbul days much convenient, exciting and easier to plan the attractions and navigate.
* We planned and saw many of the Istanbul’s top attractions and sights on a flat rate and discounted price in each day.
* Of course we couldn’t take the 35+ attractions in 2 days, but even you take the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, BigBus and Bosphorus Cruise, you get even, with the money you will have to pay individually. Rest of the attractions and services will be in your pocket for FREE.
* The mobile app was very easy to use as the digital pass comes there. It was practical and efficient to use it to plan our Istanbul days.
* The mobile app also served as a city guide book which is a great feature. The attractions, sights and services we booked from our mobile phones all worked out. You just saw your digital pass before entering the attraction.
* We didn’t see or get any downsides or any hidden charges.
* We also got the unlimited mobile Internet device, that is available to connect 7-10 people at the same time. And all four of us were very happy with the connection and speed. You just need to stay within 10-15 meters from the one carrying the device. For tourists this a great option that you will not need to buy a prepaid or pay-as-you-go Turkey SIM card to make phone calls. You can use the device to make international phone calls, and use internet to share your days in Istanbul.
* We tried the Whatsapp support they mention and were happy with the service. We pretended to get lost in the city and asked for help or just asked for attractions and they responded very quickly and helped us.
* We can say that Istanbul Tourist Pass can be one of the must have travel easiness tools. We highly recommend it to everyone that will stay at least 3 days in Istanbul.
