A city pass, offering travelers all kinds of advantages, can be a great way to save money and make the most of your time in a new city.
But with so many options out there, it can be hard to know which city pass for Istanbul is right for you. That's why we've put together this guide with a handy table to compare the different types of Istanbul city pass.
So read on to find out which city pass of Istanbul is best for you!
Istanbul City Pass Options: A Comparison Table
Find below an Istanbul City Pass Comparison Table:
ISTANBUL WELCOME CARD PREMIUM | ISTANBUL WELCOME CARD DELUXE | ISTANBUL WELCOME CARD SAVER COMBO | ISTANBUL E-PASS | ISTANBUL TOURIST PASS | ISTANBUL MUSEUM PASS | ISTANBUL KART | ISTANBUL CITY CARD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CITY PASSES |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
A CATEGORY ATTRACTIONS | ||||||||
B CATEGORY ATTRACTIONS | ||||||||
C CATEGORY ATTRACTIONS | ||||||||
VALIDITY PERIOD | 7 Days | 5 Days | 3 Days | Between 2-7 Days | 7 Different Options | 5 Days | Rechargeable | 1,3,5,7, 15 Days |
DELIVERY METHOD | Free Hotel Delivery / Airport Pick Up | Free Hotel Delivery / Airport Pick Up | Digital Pass | Digital Pass | Digital Pass | Pick Up | Pick Up / Vending Machines | Pick Up / Vending Machines |
PUBLIC TRANSPORT | ||||||||
PRICE FOR ADULTS | 89.00 € | 129.00 € | 73.00 € | From 120 to 195 € | From 90 to 185 € | 700 ₺ | 50 ₺ | From 210 to 1.500 ₺ |
Details of Istanbul City Pass Options
Let's take a detailed look at the most popular Istanbul city passes and what they include, so you can choose the right one for your upcoming Istanbul adventure:
1. Istanbul Welcome Card Premium €89
The Istanbul Welcome Card offers not one, but multiple city passes for travelers, which differ slightly in terms of the activities and services included. The Premium Card, valid for 7 days, costs €89 and is the most popular option for many travelers.
What does the Istanbul Welcome Card Premium Card offer you?
- Public Transport Card Istanbulkart + credit for 10 rides with public transport
- Fast track entry ticket to the Topkapi Palace + 30-min. guided tour in English + audio guide app
- Fast track entry ticket to the Basilica Cistern + 30-min. guided tour in English
- 30-min. guided tour of Hagia Sophia with an English-speaking guide + audio guide app
- Bosphorus Cruise, with an Audio Guide in 9 languages included
- 2 Istanbul Walking Tours
- 20% discount at major Istanbul attractions on the IWC shop
- 1 digital guide book + tour suggestions + map
Advantages
- Skip the line access to 2 top attractions, save up to 2 hours and enter these 2 attractions the fastest way
- Enjoy guided highlight tours of 3 of Istanbul must-sees by an official licensed tour guide
- Get around Istanbul easily with an included preloaded Public Transport Card for Metro, Tram, Ferry, Funicular, Bus and Metrobus
- Explore Istanbul like a local with 2 included Walking Tours of Istanbul
- Benefit of free hotel delivery of your cards
- Includes a quintessential Istanbul experience: cruise on the Bosphorus
- Benefit of audio guide app and attractive discounts throughout the city
- Use your included digital Istanbul guide book with the must-do things, walking tours, useful information and city map to plan ahead and make the most of your trip
- 24/7 customer service in case you need anything
- Valid for 7 days
Where can I buy the Istanbul Welcome Card Premium?
You can buy Istanbul Welcome Card’s Premium Card save and with a 5% discount through this link: Istanbul Welcome Premium Card
2. Istanbul Welcome Card Deluxe €129
This is the Deluxe Version of Istanbul Welcome Card, which includes even more activities and service than the premium version. This card is valid for 5 days and costs €129, allowing travelers to enjoy a worry-free complete package for their Istanbul adventure.
What does the Istanbul Welcome Card Deluxe Card offer you?
- Public Transport Card Istanbulkart + credit for 20 rides with public transport
- 3 guided tours by a historian guide (in English): Topkapi Palace and Harem + Hagia Sophia + Basilica Cistern
- Bosphorus Tour + audio guide app in 9 languages
- 20% discount at major Istanbul attractions on the IWC shop
- 2 Istanbul Walking Tours
- 1 digital guide book + tour suggestions + map
- Fast track entry to the following top museums in Istanbul:
- Topkapi Palace + Harem
- Galata Tower
- Rumeli Fortress
- Galata Mevlevi House
- Great Palace Mosaic Museum
- Hagia Irene
- Istanbul Archaeological Museum
- Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
- Museum of Science and Technology in Islam
Advantages
- Museum Pass with skip the line access to 9 major attractions in Istanbul, save up to 4 hours and enter these attractions the fastest way
- Skip the line access to Basilica Cistern
- Enjoy guided highlight tours of 3 of Istanbul must-sees by an official licensed tour guide
- Get around Istanbul easily with an included preloaded Public Transport Card for Metro, Tram, Ferry, Funicular, Bus and Metrobus
- Includes a quintessential Istanbul experience: cruise on the Bosphorus
- Benefit of free hotel delivery of your cards
- Explore Istanbul like a local with 2 included Walking Tours of Istanbul
- Benefit of audio guide app and attractive discounts throughout the city
- Use your included digital Istanbul guide book with the must-do things, walking tours, useful information and city map to plan ahead and make the most of your trip
- 24/7 customer service in case you need anything
- Valid for 5 days
Where can I buy the Istanbul Welcome Card Deluxe?
The Deluxe Card of Istanbul Welcome Card can be purchased with a 5% discount using the following link: Istanbul Welcome Deluxe Card
3. Istanbul Welcome Card Saver Combo €73
The Saver Combo is the budget option of the Istanbul Welcome Card. It is ideal for travelers visiting for a weekend and just want to see the highlights, while saving time and money. The Saver Combo is valid for 3 days and costs €73.
What does the Istanbul Welcome Card Saver Combo offer you?
- Guided tour of the Hagia Sophia with an English-speaking historian guide + audio guide app
- Entrance ticket and guided tour (in English) of Topkapi Palace + audio guide app
- Entrance ticket and guided tour (in English) of the Basilica Cistern
- Bosphorus Cruise with an audio guide app available in 9 languages
- 2 Istanbul Walking Tours
- 20% discount at major Istanbul attractions on the IWC shop
- 1 digital guide book + tour suggestions + map
Advantages
- Skip the ticket lines with an official tour guide at Topkapi Palace & Basilica Cistern
- Enjoy 30 min. highlights tours with a licensed local tour guide and get orientation tips
- Explore Istanbul like a local with 2 included Walking Tours of Istanbul
- Includes a quintessential Istanbul experience: cruise on the Bosphorus
- Benefit of audio guide app and attractive discounts throughout the city
- Use your included digital Istanbul guide book with the must-do things, walking tours, useful information and city map to plan ahead and make the most of your trip
- 24/7 customer service in case you need anything
Where can I buy the Saver Combo?
You can buy Istanbul Welcome Card’s Saver Combo Pass save and with a 5% discount through this link: Saver Combo
4. Istanbul E-Pass from €120 to 195
The Istanbul E-Pass is another city pass for Istanbul that offers various options for tours and activities, both guided and self-guided. The cost of the card ranges for adults from €120 to 195, depending on the number of days of validity chosen (between 2 and 7 days).
What does the Istanbul E-Pass offer you?
- Access to 50 Istanbul attractions, including Topkapi Palace & Galata Tower
- Guided tours with professional guides (e.g. Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Basilica Cistern)
- Day trips from Istanbul, like Bursa or Sapanca Lake
- Shows & experiences, such as Whirling Dervish Show & Bosphorus Cruise
- Free shuttle airport transfer (reservation required)
- Selected discounts throughout the city
- Istanbul digital guidebook in six languages
- WhatsApp Customer support
Advantages
- Enjoy free access to more than 55 attractions in Istanbul, some of which with skip-the-line entry
- Save up to 70% thanks to selected discounts at restaurants, airport transfers & more
- Make the most of your stay in Turkey and go on included day trips
- Enjoy extraordinary experiences and shows in Istanbul
- Get a deeper understanding of the city of Istanbul thanks to a number of guided tours
- Available in 4 validity options: 2, 3, 5 and 7 days
Where can I buy the Istanbul E-Pass?
You can securely purchase the Istanbul E-Pass through the following link: Istanbul E-Pass
5. Istanbul Tourist Pass from €90 to €185
Another city pass for Istanbul that combines various possibilities of visits and excursions, with or without guide, is the Istanbul Tourist Pass. The pass comes with 7 different validity options and the regular price for adults range between €90 and €185.
What does the Istanbul Tourist Pass offer you?
- Access to more than 85 Istanbul attractions, incl. Galata Tower
- Guided tours with professional guides, incl. Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern
- Experiences & Shows, incl. Whirling Dervish Show, Zipline & Bosphorus Dinner Cruise
- Free audio guides for Taksim Square, Spice Bazaar, Suleymaniye Mosque, and more
- Day Trips from Istanbul
- Free shuttle airport transfer
- Special discounts throughout the city
- Exclusive Travel Services & concierge services
- WhatsApp Traveler support
Advantages
- Enjoy free access to more than 85 attractions in Istanbul, some of which with skip the line entry
- Save up to 80% thanks to selected discounts, e.g. for a Public Transport Card, shows & more
- Gain a deeper understanding of Istanbul through a variety of guided tours offered
- Enjoy special experiences and shows in Istanbul
- Maximize your experience in Turkey by going on included day trips
- Available in 7 validity options: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10 days
Where can I buy the Istanbul Tourist Pass?
The Istanbul Tourist Pass can be easily bought through this link: Istanbul Tourist Pass
6. Istanbul Museum Pass 700 TL
The Istanbul Museum Pass is a pass developed by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism that allows visitors to gain entry to multiple museums in Istanbul. The pass is valid for 5 days and costs 700 TL.
- Please Note: The Istanbul Museum Pass is included in Istanbul Welcome Card’s Deluxe Card.
What does the Istanbul Museum Pass offer you?
Free Access to the following museums in Istanbul:
- Topkapi Palace Museum + Harem
- Hagia Irene Museum
- Galata Tower Museum
- Rumeli Fortress Museum
- Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts
- Istanbul Archaeology Museums
- Great Palace Mosaics Museum
- Museum of History of Science and Technology in Islam
- Galata Mevlevi Lodge Museum
Advantages
- Benefit from a cost-effective way to visit several museums without having to purchase individual tickets for each one, saving time & money
Where can I buy the Istanbul Museum Pass?
The Istanbul Museum Pass can be purchased securely using the following link: Istanbul Museum Pass
7. Istanbulkart (former Akbil)
The Istanbulkart (formerly called Akbil) is actually not a city pass, but the public transportation card for Istanbul. Keep in mind that the card is included in Istanbul Welcome Card’s Deluxe and Premium Cards.
Advantages
- You can use the Istanbulkart in every public transportation vehicle (except dolmus): metro, bus, tram, nostalgic tram, tunnel, Metrobus, funicular, cable car, and ferry.
Where can I buy the Istanbulkart?
The Istanbulkart (formerly known as Akbil) can be bought at the vending machines placed at the metro, tram, ferry and metrobus stations all over the city. It is also sold at many kiosks close to these stations.
As mentioned before, the card is also included in Istanbul Welcome Card’s Deluxe and Premium Cards.
Conclusion: Which City Pass for Istanbul is best for you?
Choosing the best city pass for Istanbul will depend on your individual needs and preferences, the number of days you will be in Istanbul, the type of activities you're interested in, and your budget.
Istanbul Pass FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
The Istanbul Welcome Card offers free hotel delivery for all of its card options. Additionally, they will send you a digital guidebook and vouchers to the email address provided at the time of purchase.
The Istanbul E-Pass will send their city pass to the email address you provide after purchase. The email will include the QR code of the pass, access links, a metro map, and the guidebook.
The Istanbul Tourist Pass can be accessed through their mobile app after logging in to your account. A confirmation email will be sent to you after purchase, which includes the pass ID and a link to manage reservations.
No, the city passes for Istanbul are not cheaper on site. In fact, with our links above, you can benefit from a 5% discount on some passes.
No, each attraction can be only visited once.
Entrance to Topkapi Palace is included in all the Istanbul Welcome Card options mentioned above, as well as the Istanbul Museum Pass and Istanbul E-Pass. The Istanbul Welcome Card also offers a guided tour of the palace in English.
The Istanbul Tourist Pass only includes a guided visit of Topkapi Palace.
You can securely purchase the various Istanbul city pass options at the links provided above. Some of these options may come with a 5% discount.
Now you are ready to choose the best city pass for Istanbul for your trip to Istanbul. Take a look at our other articles about the city to plan your vacation.
These include recommendations for hotels, tips on how to Plan your trip to Istanbul, and a comprehensive guide to the New Istanbul Airport. Also be sure to check out our article on the Best Turkish SIM Card for tourists to stay connected during your travels.
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