Combo: Hagia Sophia Basilica Cistern Optional Topkapi Palace

My experience was generally positive. Purchasing the tickets was straightforward and fast. You aren't required to be at the meeting point by 10:00 a.m. instead, you can begin at any of the attractions and just visit the meeting point later to enter Topkapi Palace at the scheduled times. However, the Topkapi Palace audio guide was disappointing; it doesn’t align well with the route, so we ended up not using it at all.

Helpful? Yes

The fast track entry system works perfectly, and the audio guide is reasonably good.

Helpful? Yes

Our visit to Topkapi Palace was particularly fascinating due to its rich historical depth. The Basilica Cistern turned out to be a stunning surprise. However, it's worth noting that mosque access was restricted during our visit we couldn't enter Hagia Sophia's ground floor at all, and the interior of the Blue Mosque was completely off limits. This should really be mentioned in your tour description to manage expectations.

Helpful? Yes

Both Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern are absolutely breathtaking I can't recommend them enough. These are must see attractions that are truly worth your time.

Helpful? Yes

I was disappointed with the service as the organizer failed to send the entry tickets on schedule and didn't respond to my inquiries. This caused unnecessary stress during what should have been a smooth experience.

Helpful? Yes

This experience was absolutely worth it. The walking route was stunning, and our guide Luis enhanced the journey with his detailed explanations, making the whole tour thoroughly enjoyable.

Helpful? Yes

These are absolute must see attractions that should be at the top of any visitor's list. The historical significance and beauty make them unmissable highlights of any trip.

Helpful? Yes

The system is extremely user friendly and significantly speeds up entry, helping visitors save valuable time. The 72 hour ticket validity provides ample opportunity to explore all attractions at a relaxed pace. That said, offering a more substantial discount could make it even more appealing.

Helpful? Yes

This pass offers excellent convenience, making sightseeing effortless and efficient. It's a smart solution for travelers looking to maximize their experience.

Helpful? Yes

The ticket clearly advertised skip the line access, but unfortunately this benefit wasn't honored when we arrived. Aside from this disappointment, the rest of the experience went smoothly. The QR code on the ticket worked without any issues for entry.

Helpful? Yes

While the sites are undoubtedly unique, I found them to be somewhat overrated compared to the hype. Additionally, the ticket prices felt quite steep for an experience that can be comfortably completed in less than two hours.

Helpful? Yes

We faced issues when the ticket email never arrived. After contacting them, we received Hagia Sophia tickets via WhatsApp, but the same problem occurred at the Basilica Cistern, forcing us to pay again. Topkapi Palace entry worked fine. After persistent complaints, they partially refunded us not a perfect experience, but they did resolve it.

Helpful? Yes

We had a flawless experience all tickets worked exactly as promised with no issues whatsoever. A perfectly smooth visit from start to finish.

Helpful? Yes

Quick and easy process with good audio guides (except Topkapi's, which mismatched the tour). The palace meeting point needs clearer highlighting in booking confirmations we missed it and lost 30 minutes. Otherwise excellent.

Helpful? Yes

Entry to all sites was quick and hassle free, and the audio guide quality was excellent overall.

Helpful? Yes

These two stunning attractions are absolute must sees in Istanbul. The audio guides provide excellent historical context, making the experience both visually impressive and educational.

Helpful? Yes

A perfect experience with no waiting time ideal for families. Our young child enjoyed it as much as we did. Highly recommended!

Helpful? Yes

Our visit to Hagia Sophia Mosque was awe inspiring. The architectural grandeur and historical layers from Byzantine church to Ottoman mosque make it unmissable. While crowded, the spiritual atmosphere and stunning mosaics create a unique experience. The line moved quickly with our timed ticket entry.

Helpful? Yes

This app consistently delivers convenient service. While the tours remain pricey, they're essential for experiencing the country properly tourists ultimately pay the premium for access.

Helpful? Yes

Skip the line access is definitely a benefit here. However, I didn’t find the audio guide to be good value for the money.

Helpful? Yes

Hagia Sophia is truly breathtaking, and the underground cisterns are equally stunning absolutely worth a visit. The lighting creates a mesmerizing atmosphere, with colors shifting every few minutes, turning the whole experience into something magical. I can't recommend it enough.

Helpful? Yes

The communication was clear and straightforward, making the whole process hassle free. Everything went exactly as planned without any issues.

Helpful? Yes

Paying extra to avoid waiting in line is absolutely worthwhile, particularly at the Basilica Cisterna. It saved us so much valuable time during our visit.

Helpful? Yes

Our overall experience was positive, though we were surprised to find both Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque undergoing minaret restorations something not mentioned when booking. At Hagia Sophia, only the upper level was accessible as the main floor was closed for prayers. The audio guide was useful for exploring at our own pace. The Blue Mosque's interior was also under renovation. The highlight was undoubtedly the Basilica Cistern absolutely stunning and perfect for photography. Purchasing the combo ticket proved more economical than buying individual entries to each attraction.

Helpful? Yes

The Basilica Cistern is absolutely worth the admission fee. The atmospheric lighting and impressive architecture make it one of Istanbul's must see attractions.

Helpful? Yes

Both Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are stunning architectural wonders, though I found Hagia Sophia's entrance fee quite steep. Unfortunately, the audio guide service wasn't functioning at either site during our visit. That said, we were able to use our prepaid voucher and still had an enjoyable experience overall.

Helpful? Yes

The sites themselves were stunning, but the process of entering Topkapi Palace was frustrating. We had to gather at a meeting point and wait for a group, and once inside, we were left without any guides or audio tours. The lack of proper guidance made the visit less enjoyable than it could have been.

Helpful? Yes

The Basilica Cistern is absolutely magnificent, and purchasing tickets in advance allowed us to bypass the extremely long queue, which saved us a great deal of time.

Helpful? Yes

The tickets worked flawlessly, and the sites we visited were truly stunning.

Helpful? Yes

Luckily, we didn't have to wait in any line when we arrived at the entrance.

Helpful? Yes

While the Hagia Sophia didn't quite meet my expectations, the Basilica Cistern was absolutely breathtaking.

Helpful? Yes

This is highly recommended if you want to skip the long queues. Just be aware that while there's a free audio guide available onsite, you'll need Wi-Fi access to use it. Make sure you don't accidentally pay for any unnecessary services.

Helpful? Yes

The experience was wonderful everything worked perfectly and helped make our visit effortless and enjoyable.

Helpful? Yes

These tickets let you bypass the queues without difficulty, though I'd advise downloading the audio guides in advance to avoid potential connectivity problems onsite. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this experience.

Helpful? Yes

I appreciated being able to enjoy the audio guide at my own pace, taking time to properly appreciate each sight. Contrary to expectations, there's no actual queue priority all visitors, including skip the line ticket holders, must join the main queue from the start when entering. It's worth noting that while the Blue Mosque offers free entry, the other two attractions charge admission, though on site ticket prices are significantly lower. The ticket price only includes the map and audio guide access.

Helpful? Yes

I had the good fortune of being the sole visitor who booked for a Sunday afternoon tour. My guide, Salih, proved to be exceptionally pleasant his kindness and extensive knowledge greatly enhanced my experience. I wholeheartedly recommend this tour as it showcases remarkable beauty while remaining completely undemanding. A truly delightful experience.

Helpful? Yes

The tickets and audio guides worked flawlessly, giving me complete freedom to explore at my own pace and enjoy the experience exactly how I wanted.

Helpful? Yes

Based on my experience, purchasing tickets directly at the venue's box office is completely viable as there were no queues. However, I should note the audio guides were unfortunately inaudible during my visit.

Helpful? Yes

The visit provided a truly peaceful and enjoyable experience that left me feeling completely refreshed.

Helpful? Yes

This experience is essential for anyone wanting to explore Istanbul's rich history it truly transports you to another era. However, visitors should be aware that access to the basilica's ground floor is now restricted as it serves as an active place of worship, unlike the Blue Mosque which remains easily accessible.

Helpful? Yes

While the experience offered some interesting insights, I found the pricing to be quite steep for what was delivered. The audio guides were particularly disappointing their miniature size and disorganized, non sequential format made them practically unusable. We eventually abandoned any attempt to follow along with them.

Helpful? Yes

The priority access ticket proved extremely practical, allowing us to comfortably visit all three included attractions in a single day. The Blue Mosque was absolutely magnificent, and the Basilica Cistern left us thoroughly impressed. However, Hagia Sophia with its priceless historical significance would benefit from restoration and improved presentation.

Helpful? Yes

This was hands down the most remarkable experience during my stay in Istanbul. The awe inspiring sights combined with the informative audio commentary created an unforgettable visit. The audio tour provided valuable insights that greatly enhanced my appreciation of these historic sites.

Helpful? Yes

Truly spectacular an absolute essential for any visitor to Istanbul. The grandeur of these historic sites left me completely awestruck.

Helpful? Yes

We experienced swift entry to both Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern. For Hagia Sophia, I suggest arriving right at opening time (9am) to breeze through security. Note for the Cistern: while Google Maps pinpoints the exit, you'll actually find the entrance across the street.

Helpful? Yes

The admission price felt completely unjustified for the experience offered. At €30 per person, Hagia Sophia simply doesn't deliver value comparable to the many free religious sites available throughout the city. This struck me as a blatant tourist trap rather than a genuine cultural experience.

Helpful? Yes

My experience was absolutely wonderful from start to finish. Every aspect exceeded my expectations, and I couldn't have asked for a better time.

Helpful? Yes

The fountain is stunning, but the mosque gets extremely packed with visitors. As for Hagia Sophia, I didn't find it particularly impressive compared to the hype.

Helpful? Yes

It was truly breathtaking absolutely magnificent in every way. The beauty and grandeur left me completely in awe.

Helpful? Yes

I had an overwhelmingly good experience and found everything to be excellent. The quality and service completely met my expectations in the best possible way.

Helpful? Yes

The queues were quite reasonable and moved quickly, making the overall experience much more enjoyable.

Helpful? Yes

The Hagia Sophia and Basilica are must see attractions, though we preferred the Basilica. Be prepared for high prices we found them excessive. Tickets aren't cheaper onsite, and queues are long. We had issues with our Hagia Sophia tickets being flagged as already used. After dealing with customer service, we needed three attempts to get valid tickets. Each resolution required leaving the line, costing us significant time.

Helpful? Yes

Overall, I was impressed with how well everything was organized. One suggestion for improvement would be better signage at the meeting points some areas lacked clear directions, making it confusing to know where to go or what to do next.

Helpful? Yes

The system is efficient and user friendly, though you'll need to collect complimentary tickets for children at Ayasofya (a very quick process). The audio guide provides decent information but has room for enhancement.

Helpful? Yes

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, though the admission cost felt quite steep. On the positive side, we didn't have to wait in any lines, which made the experience more convenient.

Helpful? Yes

It's disappointing that visitors can no longer go up to the mosque's first floor that was always a highlight. On a brighter note, the underground cisterns remain absolutely essential viewing make sure you don't skip them!

Helpful? Yes

Purchasing skip the line tickets is highly recommended, as the queues get extremely long and crowded without pre booked tickets.

Helpful? Yes

Our visit was underwhelming due to overwhelming crowds and surprisingly unwelcoming staff at Hagia Sophia, despite paying €136 for a couple's combo ticket . The 'skip the line' privilege still involved a 30 minute wait with no apparent crowd management. For the price paid, the experience fell short of expectations.

Helpful? Yes

The tickets worked instantly upon purchase, which was convenient. However, the audio guide system needs refinement. While it's downloaded to your smartphone at the entrance, accidentally closing the app (which happened to me multiple times due to my large fingers) forces you to redownload it requiring internet access that's unavailable inside the cistern.

Helpful? Yes

The skip the line tickets for the cistern are extremely practical and save significant waiting time. While they're also helpful for Hagia Sophia, be prepared to queue about 30 minutes for security screening. One drawback the audio guide becomes unusable without Wi-Fi access, which unfortunately was my experience.

Helpful? Yes

The experience was absolutely wonderful everything exceeded our expectations in the best possible way. We couldn't have asked for a better visit.

Helpful? Yes

Getting into the attractions was incredibly quick and hassle free. While the audio guide was decent, we didn't find it essential for our visit. For the best experience, I'd suggest visiting on weekday mornings outside of peak vacation periods. All the sites are conveniently located within easy walking distance of each other.

Helpful? Yes

The audio guide content was informative but frustrating to use as it didn't follow the proper sequence. The mixed up order made it difficult to follow along with the actual site layout.

Helpful? Yes

The service felt quite unprofessional this time. I never received my Hagia Sophia entrance ticket initially it was eventually sent through WhatsApp in a rather awkward manner. Also, while Blue Mosque entry is actually free, I was incorrectly advised to purchase a ticket for it as well. Very confusing experience overall.

Helpful? Yes

The ticket purchasing process was excellent quick and convenient with no queues or unnecessary trips. However, the mobile audio guide system was problematic. Despite claims of wireless functionality in the Cistern, modern smartphones couldn't maintain consistent coverage. At Hagia Sophia, high demand seemed to overwhelm the system. It's frustrating to pay for a service that fails to deliver, though both sites themselves remain truly spectacular.

Helpful? Yes

The audio guide failed to function properly, which significantly diminished our visit. It was disappointing to miss out on this key part of the experience due to technical issues

Helpful? Yes

The underground cistern is absolutely enchanting and left me completely awestruck. Both Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are equally breathtaking in their grandeur. These iconic sites are undoubtedly must see attractions that shouldn't be missed.

Helpful? Yes

I bought four tickets with audio guides, but only one of us could actually use it. For the other three tickets, the system claimed the audio guides had already been activated and wouldn't work. This was extremely frustrating as we all paid for this service.

Helpful? Yes

Our visit was absolutely wonderful I can't recommend it enough! The audio guide proved particularly impressive, offering rich, detailed commentary that greatly enhanced our experience.

Helpful? Yes

The ticketing system needs improvement each visitor's tickets for different attractions should be issued separately. I encountered an issue where my QR code became invalid after scanning at one location, preventing entry at the next site.

Helpful? Yes

The customer service team resolved my issue promptly and efficiently. Their quick response time and effective solution made a significant difference in my experience.

Helpful? Yes

The service was efficient and straightforward, with everything clearly explained and handled in a timely manner.

Helpful? Yes

Unfortunately, we couldn't visit Hagia Sophia due to extremely long queues the wait time exceeded three hours in the afternoon, making it impossible to enter before closing. We instead explored the breathtaking cisterns, which more than made up for our disappointment.

Helpful? Yes

The mosques themselves are stunning, but the audio guide system proved completely unreliable. The support team added to the frustration they only sent automated responses after my visit ended, without even providing translations. For the price paid, the overall experience fell far below expectations.

Helpful? Yes

The audio commentary contained some repetitive information that could have been more concise. While generally informative, the occasional redundancy slightly diminished the overall experience.

Helpful? Yes

The cisterns completely captivated me from the very first moment an instant connection with their magical atmosphere!

Helpful? Yes

The smartphone audio guide worked flawlessly and greatly enhanced our visit with its excellent commentary and user friendly interface.

Helpful? Yes

The guided tour was excellent special thanks to Selda for her engaging commentary that made the experience both fascinating and memorable

Helpful? Yes

We avoided Hagia Sophia's morning crowds by visiting at 2:30pm when queues were shorter. The historic building's aged beauty and fascinating stories impressed us. The Basilica Cistern dazzled with its atmospheric lighting effects on the pillars and clear waters, while its historical narratives added depth to the experience.

Helpful? Yes

Visiting both landmarks was a wonderful experience. Receiving tickets instantly via email and WhatsApp made entry effortless. The audio guides provided excellent, detailed commentary that greatly enhanced our visit.

Helpful? Yes

The skip the line ticket was incredibly convenient, and the audio guide provided was thoroughly well produced. Purchasing the tickets ahead of time and having a 3 day window to use them not only saved us a significant amount of time but also offered great flexibility in planning our visit. Overall, I’d rate the experience a solid 10 out of 10.

Helpful? Yes