Tourist Cards in Istanbul

If you are planning a trip to Istanbul you are probably interested in making the most of every minute. If you want to avoid the stress of buying individual tickets and wasting time in long lines, a tourist card can be your best ally. With it you will be able to access the main attractions quickly, and you will have discounts on tickets, transportation and other extra benefits.

Depending on the card you choose, you can enjoy discounts on guided tours, museums and much more of what there is to see and do in Istanbul. In this guide I explain the most recommended options, how to use them and what you should keep in mind to make the most of them.

If you plan to make a short trip and want to see as much as possible, both in the city and in the surrounding area, buying the Istanbul E-pass tourist card is a good option, as it allows you to save up to 70% on the price of tickets to attractions and gives you priority access to many of them.

There are more than 70 attractions and activities that you can visit at your own pace for the number of days you choose, which can be 2, 3, 5 or 7 consecutive days. It also includes excursions to nearby sites, city tours, tickets to shows and many other benefits, such as transportation to and from the airport.

There is no limit to the number of attractions you can visit, only the number you plan in your itinerary. That is why it is important that you look at the options in advance so you can choose the attractions you are most interested in visiting. In addition, some require advance reservations, which you can conveniently make online. You will also receive a digital guide with complete information about opening times, how to get there and tips to make the most of your visit to Istanbul.

Here are some of the top attractions that you can access without a reservation when you purchase your Istanbul E-pass tourist card, many of which usually include a guided tour with an English-speaking professional:

• Cistern Basilica Guided Tour
• Guided tour of Hagia Sophia (not including entrance fee)
• Topkapi Palace Museum
• Beylerbeyi Palace Museum
• Maiden Tower
• Yildiz Palace
• Dolmabahce Palace Guided Tour
• Miniaturk Museum
• Palace Collections Museum
• Blue Mosque of Istanbul Tour
• Istanbul Archaeological Museum
• Museum of Digital Experiences
• Galata Mevlevi Site Museum
• Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art
• Hippodrome of Constantinople
• Rumeli Fortress
• Legoland Discovery Center
• Sapphire Tower Observatory
• Museum of the History of Science and Technology
• Grand Bazaar of Istanbul - St. Irene Museum.
• ViaLand Theme Park.
• Sea Life Aquarium

In addition, Istanbul E-pass includes priority access to several attractions, such as the Maiden Tower or the Yildiz Palace, which will allow you to save time, especially if you travel to Istanbul in summer, when the city receives a greater influx of tourists.

For some very popular tours and attractions in the city, such as the guided visit to the Hagia Sophia Mosque or the Galata Tower, the card may include the tour but not the entrance to the monument, so it is important that you read carefully everything that is included.

Discounts on tours and excursions

In addition to the attractions within the city, the pass includes day trips to nearby places, such as Bursa and Safranbolu, allowing you to discover more about Turkey without worrying about arranging transportation.

Among the most outstanding experiences are the Bosphorus tours, which take place on cruises lasting between 1 and 2 hours. Some of these tours include lunch and/or Turkish show, plus guide or audio guide service.

Other benefits

Istanbul E-pass usually includes round-trip transfers from the airport to your hotel, allowing you to start your visit with greater peace of mind. It also offers you the possibility to hire a discounted tourist bus to move around the city comfortably and to get public transportation at a better price.

It also usually offers discounts on unlimited WiFi, workshops, tickets to shows and discounts for the best Turkish baths in Istanbul.

The Istanbul E-pass is easy to use and activate, as it is completely digital. When purchasing the card you only need to select your preferred duration, which can be for a 2, 3, 5 or 7 day stay in Istanbul. Once the purchase is completed, you will receive an email with your pass immediately.

The pass is automatically activated the first time you use it. The validity time starts counting from that first use and is valid for the number of consecutive days you choose. However, please note that it can only be used on consecutive days. On the other hand, you have a maximum period of 2 years to activate the pass, which is very convenient in case you plan your trip in advance.

Once activated, you can use the pass by displaying a digital QR code that you can carry on your cell phone. Depending on the attraction, you can access directly or you must show this code at the ticket office, although you may also be asked to do so by a tour guide in case you have joined a guided tour in Istanbul.

The price of the Istanbul E-pass depends on the number of days for which you purchase the card, and the savings tend to be greater the more days you choose. Its price is around 150 € for adults in the case of the 2-day pass (about 75 € per day) and 230 € in the case of the 7-day pass (about 33 € per day).

The interesting thing about Istanbul E-pass is that it maintains a fixed cost throughout the year; that is, its price is usually the same in high summer season as in low season, during the winter months in Istanbul.

If you are traveling with children, you will be interested to know that the pass is available at a reduced price for children between 5 and 12 years old. Note that children under the age of 5 can get free entry to most of the included attractions or benefit from a significant discount, so it is usually not necessary to purchase the pass for them.

What is included in the Istanbul E-pass

• Discounted admission of up to 70% to more than 70 attractions.
• Guided tours and cruises at no additional cost.
• Excursions around Istanbul.
• Discounts on tourist transportation.
• Tickets to shows.
• Flexible pass that can be activated within a maximum period of two years.
• Digital guide with tourist information and travel tips.
• Allows you to skip the lines in some places, which is useful in the most crowded attractions.
• Special offers and discounts.

This tourist card is ideal if you are looking for a wider coverage of attractions in Istanbul. By purchasing the Istanbul Tourist Pass you will be able to choose from over 100 attractions and get nearly 70% discount on attraction tickets, as well as guided tours, cruises, sightseeing buses, airport transfers....

In addition to providing access to historical sites and museums, Istanbul Tourist Pass includes many activities to do with children in Istanbul or with the family, such as aquariums, theme parks, recreational and adventure activities.

This pass adapts to different types of trips, as you can hire it for stays of one to 5 days in Istanbul, and if your stay is a little longer, you have the possibility to choose between a 7 or 10 day pass. It also provides you with additional services, such as portable WiFi, tickets to shows and discounts in stores.

The Istanbul Tourist Pass includes access to a wide variety of outdoor attractions and family activities that are perfect to enjoy with children. Tours of Istanbul 's best neighborhoods are also available. Some of the most outstanding attractions usually included are:

• ViaSea Theme Park
• Lion Park Zoo entrance fee
• ViaSea Aquarium
• Zipline adventure at Sile Lighthouse
• Guided Segway tour of the old town
• Entrance to Nakkastepe Zipline Adventure
• Vialand zipline adventure
• Istanbul Sea Life Aquarium
• No-queue entrance to Emaar Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
• Extreme Adventures Park
• Xtrem Aventures theme park
• Marina Water Park
• Legoland Discovery Center Istanbul
• Flyzone Air Sports

In addition to these attractions, the Istanbul Tourist Pass offers skip-the-line access to Istanbul's best mosques, several museums and historical sites such as the Hagia Sophia Mosque, Beylerbeyi Palace Museum and Rumeli Fortress. Here I leave you a list with some of the main ones:

• Topkapı Palace Tour
• Hagia Sophia guided tour with entrance included.
• Blue Mosque|element
• Sultanahmet
• Dolmabahce Palace
• Grand Bazaar of Istanbul
• Guided tour of Cistern Basilica
• Camlica Observation Tower Observation Deck
• Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art.
• Rumeli Fort
• Istanbul Archaeological Museum
• Beylerbeyi Palace Museum
• Maiden Tower
• Sapphire Observation Tower Viewpoint
• Istanbul Grand Bazaar

With the Istanbul Tourist Pass you have access to guided tours and many of the included attractions. These tours are conducted by professional guides who share their knowledge and enrich the experience. It also usually includes cruises on the Bosphorus and excursions to the Princes Islands, among other activities.

Other benefits

Another important advantage is the discount offered on Istanbul's tourist buses, which allow you to move comfortably around the city. In addition, by purchasing the Istanbul Tourist Pass you can buy a discounted card that includes unlimited public transport and can be used on all public transport in the city.

It also includes benefits such as unlimited wifi, so you can stay connected throughout your visit, and a special discount for renting a car or hiring a private guide. In addition, the pass offers transfers from the airport to your accommodation, allowing you to start your Istanbul experience hassle-free and in total comfort from the moment you land.

The Istanbul Tourist Pass is very easy to use and activate. Like the Istanbul E-pass, you can get it online or at designated points of sale. At the time of purchase, you will receive a confirmation email with your digital pass almost immediately.

Once purchased, the pass is activated with the first use. This process is simple and does not require you to print the pass, as you only need to show the QR code from your cell phone.

The pass is valid for the number of days you selected. It can be from 1 to 5 days, or from 7 to 10 days. During this period, you will be able to access the attractions and activities included in the pass. In some experiences you may have to book in advance, so it is advisable to evaluate the options of attractions and tours included, to make the best use of your pass.

An interesting detail is that the Istanbul Tourist Pass has a mobile application, where you can view your itinerary, check the attractions you have already visited and those you still have to explore. In addition, you will be able to book the activities that require prior confirmation online, which is very convenient and easy, since you don't have to do it when you arrive at each site.

The price of the pass depends on the number of days you book. For example, a 4-day pass in Istanbul costs around 287 € (71,75 € per adult), while the 10-day pass can reach 415 € (41,5 € per day). The price per day is lower if you hire it for longer, and the discounts are higher.

As for promotions, there are special discounts for children between 4 and 7 years old. There are no specific discounts for seniors, but it is important to check for active promotions at the time of purchase, as temporary offers may be available.

In addition, you can buy the Istanbul Tourist Pass well in advance. That is, you can purchase it now and use it within the next 24 months, allowing you to plan your trip with peace of mind.

What's included

• Access to over 100 attractions in Istanbul.
• Guided tours to the main sites of interest.
• Guided cruises and excursions.
• Free transfer to and from Istanbul Airport.
• Free App with digital videos and different information.
• Discount on public transportation and tourist buses.
• Unlimited Wifi.
• Discount for renting a car or private guide.
• Maximum term of one year to activate the card.
• Exclusive discounts in stores, shows and activities.