The Istanbul Combo Ticket – Hagia Sophia, Topkapi & Basilica Cistern

Visiting Istanbul promises a real adventure of delving into culture and history, making it a fantastic vacation destination. To make the most of your Istanbul trip, you will want to have access to the largest possible variety of ancient sites and attractions, but don’t worry about spending time sifting through various tickets and fees for each one you have the chance to visit.

The great news is that Istanbul offers combo tickets for numerous popular attractions, so you don’t have to worry about individual costs or times. A great choice is the effective Istanbul Combo Ticket, which comprises admission to Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern. This wonderful ticket gives you access to three of the most famous attractions in Istanbul in one go – making it an ideal choice for your trip!

What Does the Istanbul Combo Ticket Provide?

The original Combo Ticket gives you access to Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern; with all three of these attractions provided at a reduced price. You can choose between either a traditional ticket, or the more recent electronic tickets. The Combo Ticket is available for adults, children and student tickets, providing great savings all round.

Topkapi Palace

Sitting atop a hill in the old city and filled with hundreds of years’ worth of history and culture, Topkapi Palace offers a perfect insight into what life was like in ancient Turkey. Not only one of the most captivating places to explore in Istanbul but all over Turkey, Topkapi Palace was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans during their 400-year rule, from 1465 to 1853.

You can now walk through what was once only for Sultans, with almost 400 rooms filled with various artefacts and beautiful displays. There are four courts spanning over 700 thousand square metres with areas dedicated to the Harem, weapons and jewellery, as well as many stunning gardens with lush vegetation. You’ll also get to peek into what was once the beloved kitchen area of the palace, containing some grand and curious contraptions.

Hagia Sophia

Used originally as an Orthodox Christian basilica, then as a mosque and now an iconic museum in Istanbul, the Hagia Sophia is one of the oldest religious buildings in the world – with a fascinating history to match. Now an impressive museum open to the public, building has gone through various periods across its lifetime. The building itself has various features from different time periods incarnate, like Byzantine mosaics and frescoes as well as colourful Islamic calligraphy and tiles.

The majestic interior won’t fail to impress and it nearly takes your breath away when you look up to the large dome – something that’s managed to remain intact even despite natural damage from earthquakes and thunderstorms. Picture taking is permitted during your visit, so remember to take lots of snaps of this magnificent piece of architecture.

Basilica Cistern

One of the oldest monuments in Istanbul, this underground water-right began life as a reservoir with two small retaining chambers and a colonnade of 336 intricately carved pillars. Here you can explore this ancient underground system that mimics Rome’s famous Cloaca Maxima – also known as “The Great Drain” – following the same design pattern and even techinical methods used 2,000 years ago.

Also known as “Yerebatan Sarayı” or “The Underground Palace” in Turkish, visitors need not worry about feeling too claustrophobic as the underwater area has been lit up to give it a mystical feel. You can also explore some of the unique statues on display in this unique venue that’s been used for various purposes over the course of its lifetime such a venue for religious ceremonies and visits by royalty.

A Summary

Time spent exploring Istanbul won’t be wasted – however it’s up to you to make sure you make the most of your trip! Whether you’re looking for a good deal or just an efficient way to cover many attractions in one go, the Istanbul Combo Ticket is sure to provide you with one of your best experiences. With your combo ticket you can get access to all three attractions listed in one: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern – if one experience excites you more than the others be sure to go there first! To book your Istanbul combo ticket today – allowing access to Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Basilica Cistern – click here. Make sure to steer clear from any small stalls near attractions trying to give you reasonalby-priced tickets – many might be fake or already expired!