Istanbul Tourist Pass

A digital sightseeing pass for Istanbul only

Istanbul Tourist Pass sells a digital pass for attractions, guided visits, cruises and shows in Istanbul, Turkey, and nowhere else. It is a pass seller rather than the operator of the museums, mosques and cruises it covers: the pass gets holders into places run by others, with hosted entry, audio guides or a local guide added on some of them. The About page says the team has worked in Istanbul tourism "for more than 30 years", "Since 1995", and names istanbul.com as a sister brand; the footer says Istanbul Tourist Pass is a registered mark of Cityberry and that Cityberry Tourism is a member of TURSAB 11745. The homepage calls it "Istanbul's original pass" and lists "500,000+ Happy Travelers", "€250M+ Saved by Travelers" and a rating of 4.8 from 10,000+ reviews, all the company's own figures. Prices are in euros, the site runs in 25 languages, and the About page says visitors have come from 150+ countries.

Two pass types and what they cover

The main product is the Istanbul Tourist Pass, sold for 1 to 7 days and described as covering "ALL 6 landmarks, 120+ top attractions & premium experiences". The 6 landmarks are Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Galata Tower, the Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosque and a Bosphorus cruise. The site advertises it "From €149" and claims savings of over 60% against individual tickets. The second product, the Istanbul Flexi Pass, lets buyers choose from 80+ attractions and pay per pick, "around 40% under the normal price", and is valid for 5 days from the first visit.

Each attraction card shows the normal price next to the pass price. Examples on the homepage: the Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Skip-the-Ticket-Line Entry (€ 35 without pass), the Topkapı Palace Museum Hosted Entry with Audio Guide (€ 62), the Blue Mosque Guided Tour (€ 15), the Grand Bazaar and Little Hagia Sophia Mosque walking tours with audio guide (€ 10 each), the Ottoman Style Photo Shoot Experience (€ 15) and the Istanbul Aquarium (€ 35), all "Included with pass". Other products are only discounted: an Ottoman Hammam bath and massage package drops from € 60 to €45, and a private Bosphorus yacht cruise from € 300 to €250.

The wider list goes well beyond the old city. Included items shown on the homepage cards include the Basilica Cistern guided tour (€ 52.5 without pass), Dolmabahce Palace with an audio guide (€ 52), the Istanbul Archaeological Museums (€ 20), Chora Church (€ 27), the Camlica Tower observation deck (€ 25), a Bursa day trip with a guide (€ 45), the Legends of Istanbul Live Show (€ 42), a Luxury Yacht Bosphorus Sunset Cruise (€ 50), island boat tickets to Buyukada and Heybeliada, a Fener Balat walk with an expert guide and an airport shuttle. One detail is worth checking: the Galata Tower card, one of the 6 headline landmarks, shows €30 "Discounted with pass" against € 40, not "Included with pass".

The Plan & Save page lets visitors switch between day lengths and shows the pass price rising from €149 through €189, €219, €239, €259 and €279 to €299, each set against an example itinerary. The first example adds up to €240 in single tickets against a €149 pass, a difference of €91 by the site's own sums.

A guided tour sold through the pass

The Guided Studio Tour of the sets of Dirilis Ertugrul, Kurulus Osman and Destan shows how the bigger excursions work. It costs € 100 without the pass and €75 with it, needs a reservation "at least one day in advance" (the page's wording), and includes lunch and transport. Pickups are at Sultanahmet Bilgins Store at 09:30 AM and Taksim AKM at 09:45 AM, the return is around 5:00 to 5:30 PM, the guides are English-speaking, and groups travel in a 15-seated Mercedes Sprinter or a 35-seated midibus depending on size. The sets are in Riva, Beykoz. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

How the pass works on the ground

After purchase, buyers get a Pass ID, then download the app to activate the pass, reserve the attractions that need a booking and plan their days. Entry is by a QR code in the app for each attraction, with nothing to print. The app also lists opening hours and directions for every included attraction. Audio guides for most major sites are recorded in all 25 site languages and can be downloaded over wifi for use offline.

Two rules matter. Days are calendar days that run to midnight, not 24-hour periods, and the clock starts at the first visit, not at purchase. For guided tours the site asks holders to arrive about 15 minutes early. On queues, the FAQ is candid: "You skip the queue to buy a ticket", and "Security checks still apply where the attraction has them."

Booking terms and support

The site's "Risk-Free Warranty" allows a cancellation request up to 24 hours before the pass start date, as long as the pass has not been activated or used, subject to its Terms & Conditions. The homepage also uses the phrase "Cancel Anytime", so the warranty wording is the one to rely on. Support is offered by WhatsApp on +90 530 385 20 26, Messenger, live chat, phone on +90 850 304 8726 and email, and the footer has a Group Request form and a free Istanbul digital guidebook.

What the pages leave open, and who it suits

The pass pages do not publish child or student prices or say from what age a pass is needed. The full list of 120+ attractions is long, so it is worth checking whether a specific museum is included or only discounted before buying. Opening days vary by attraction and are shown in the app rather than on the pass page, and most guided visits on the homepage cards do not state a duration or group size.

The pass suits first-time visitors planning several days of sightseeing in the old city who want one app for tickets, reservations and audio guides, and it adds value for anyone planning a Bosphorus cruise or a hammam alongside the big museums. The Flexi Pass is the better fit for someone with a short, fixed list. For a single museum visit, the normal ticket shown on each card is easy to compare first.