Istanbul Museum Pass: who is it for?
The Istanbul Museum Pass is an entry ticket to the top attractions in Istanbul.
The pass costs 220 Turkish Lira and is valid for 5 days.The fourth attraction you visit will be cheaper then usually with this pass.
Here I will explain for whom the Museum Pass is worthwhile having and how it works.
Does the Istanbul Museum Pass pay off?
What is included in the Museum Pass:
The Istanbul Museum Pass is an entry ticket to Istanbul’s top attractions,
with a validity period of 5 days,
at a price of 220 Turkish Lira (around € 35),
saves time at the ticket office.
You can buy the Museum Pass at the entrance of all attractions included in the pass (list is below).
The pass is valid from the first use.
It will be made out in your name. You have to show an ID (personal ID, driver’s license or passport). The ID is sometimes checked together with the Museum Pass at the entrance.
When buying the Museum Pass, remember that you can only pay in Turkish Lira at entrances to the state museums!
The included sights:
Topkapi palace with the harem
Hagia Irene
Chora church
Yildiz Palace Museum
Archaeological Museum in Istanbul
Mosaic Museum in Istanbul
Museum of Islamic and Turkish Art in Istanbul
The Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam
Galata Mevlevi Museum (Galata Dervish House)
Rumelian fortress
Fethiye Museum (Pammakaristos Church)
Entry to all mosques in Istanbul is free even without the Museum Pass: (Blue Mosque, the Suleymaniye Mosque, …)
In addition, there are discounts with the Museum Pass at the:
Rahmi M. Koc Museum
Maiden’s Tower (Maiden’s Tower)
Harbiye Military Museum
10% in some museum shops and cafes
Pera Museum
Orhan Pamuk Museum of Innocence
Sea Life Auqarium
Sights NOT included:
Dolmabahce Palace
Basilica Cistern
Galata Tower
Jewish Museum
Should I buy the Istanbul Museum Pass?
The Museum Pass has long been the best city pass in Istanbul.
Since the price has increased from 85TL to 220TL within 3 years, it is only my second recommendation.
It used to save you money from the second attraction you visited.
In the meantime you have to visit the three most expensive included attractions to save 4 Turkish Lira. That would be the entrance to the Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace with the Harem and the Chora Church.
In reality, you have to visit at least 4 museums for the pass to pay off.
In my opinion, the Istanbul Welcome Card Premium is currently the best city pass
The Welcome Card includes a Fast Lane ticket for Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace (each with a 30-minute tour).
There is also a tour of the Bosphorus with an audio guide and an Istanbul kart for public transport.
If you have any questions about the Istanbul Museum Pass or would like to share your own tips and experiences, please write to me in the comments below.
