T
Easy informative
Our guide was wonderful and gave great info, they were on time and Skip the line was worth the extra ticket price.
Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Ticket with Guided Tour
+2 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 20 min–30 min
- Price from
- $67 / person
- Location
- Istanbul, Türkiye
- Rating
- 4.0 / 5 · 320 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 40
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Istanbul E-pass
- Meeting point
- At the Busforus (Red Double-decker Bus) Stop across the Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet Square. D marked bus stop sign.
Description
Explore the ancient cistern with a professional tour guide with skip the ticket line without waiting. The cistern has an unusual history that attracts travelers across the globe to experience it in real. Who would not want to walk on raised wooden platforms to feel water dripping from the arched ceilings giving the essence of historical architecture? If you have a passion for photography, you will love the medusa-head column bases.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 20 times a day, 9:00 AM–4:45 PM
- Next available
- Wed, Oct 14
- Adult (ages 7+)
- $67
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 13.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Basilica Cistern
You will meet with our guide at the meeting point and continue to the museum. The guide will explain the history of the place and the tour will end at the museum.
What's included
Included
Admission to Basilica Cistern
Professional licensed guide
Not included
Transportation
Meal
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.0
320 reviews
How it compares in Istanbul
- Starting price $67 is 17% above the typical $57 for tours of similar length in Istanbul
Excurgo comparison of 3,635 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Ticket with Guided Tour take?
Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Ticket with Guided Tour lasts about 20 min–30 min. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Ticket with Guided Tour cost?
Prices start at $67 per person for this Istanbul experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Ticket with Guided Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 20 departures a day between 9:00 AM and 4:45 PM.
Can I cancel Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Ticket with Guided Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is At the Busforus (Red Double-decker Bus) Stop across the Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet Square. D marked bus stop sign. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Ticket with Guided Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 40 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Ticket with Guided Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.0 out of 5 across 320 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Istanbul E-pass.
Reviews(320)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
N
One of the wonders
It’s an amazing experience seeing the cistern built over 1500 years ago. And to see that in such a beautiful condition even after so many years. It is must see place.
A
Abandoned
We were left at the entrance and by the time we got down to cistern floor level the guide could not be found.We did not get a guided tour at all and may as well have bought tickets on the door.We would ask for a refund of all but the entrance fee
X
Bit disappointing monument
For me a bit disappointing for what it is. Especially for the high entrance fee. The guide was good and explained everything very well in this short tour.
B
Way way too many in our...
Way way too many in our group to be effective. Only bonus really was “skipping the line” though had to wait quite a while amnyway for tickets. Also no Mike on guide who stopped along wall near small crt with music playing so who knows what he said. Cisterns beautiful and worth it.
J
Good place to visit
The visit was really good. The tour was a good option as you skipped the large line waiting to get in. Downside was the meeting point instructions were unclear and took ages to,find the right place. The tour guide spoke good English however he spoke too fast and could not understand or hear what he was saying. If you don’t want to,queue then book a tour.
D
The starting point was...
The starting point was hard to find. The address provided was an approximate location within a public area. It wasn't until I called that I found out that the location was at a bus stop sign.
D
Meeting location was easy...
Meeting location was easy to find. The entrance line was bypassed and the guide gave a very informative, 15 minute discussion about the history of the cistern before allowing the group to explore on their own. Highly recommend!
T
It is just a cool place to take pictures
Booking through Viator was seamless. Once we arrived, our guide gave a solid 15-minute explanation of the history and details of the cistern, which was the perfect amount of time to get the context. After that, you're free to explore at your own pace. It's an incredibly cool underground space, and most of the visit is just walking around and taking pictures.
A
Ticket organization
The electronic reservation is not sufficient for entry to the Cistern, because it requires a paper ticket, and it is not indicated who is supposed to provide it or when. There are no instructions regarding this, and we only managed to get in thanks to the diligence of an operator from another company. (after an hour)
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| Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Ticket with Guided Tour | 20 min–30 min | 4.0 (320) | $67 | |
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 Combo: Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets | 1 day | 4.6 (9) | $119 | View |
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from$67
4.0(320) Free cancellation