Skip-the-Line Istanbul: Private Tour from Cruise Ship & Hotel
Description
Our tours have earned the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence for 15 consecutive years (2009–2025) and we are the most reviewed tour operator for Istanbul, with over 2.000 excellent reviews. Tick off all of Istanbul’s must-see sights in one private guided tour: visit Hagia Sophia, the Underground Cistern, Blue Mosque, Roman Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar, all with an expert local guide. We ensure a seamless experience by arranging your tickets in advance—skip the long public lines at major attractions when you book with us. For Hagia Sophia and the Underground Cistern, tickets will be pre-purchased so you won’t have to queue. Please note: There is no skip-the-line option for the Blue Mosque, as all visitors must wait in the same entrance line. Save time, see more, and travel with one of Istanbul’s most trusted and acclaimed tour companies.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque also known as Blue Mosque, one of the most revered masterpieces of the Islamic world, is famous with its blue ceramic tiles and six minarets.
The Hagia Sophia, also known as Ayasofya in Turkish, is a famous historic building located in the old city. It was originally built as the biggest cathedral in the world by Byzantine Empire in the 6th century and later converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire after the conquest of Istanbul in 1453. The building is renowned for its massive dome and beautiful mosaics that reflect its rich history and architectural significance. In 1935, it was converted into a museum and in 2020, it was converted into a mosque again. We will prepurchase the tickets for Hagia Sophia for you not to wait at the long ticket lines.
The cistern was known in Byzantium as thebasilica Cistern, Justinian was the founder of the largest underground cistern, built after the Nika Revolt in 532.The number of the inhabitants of Constantinople increased and bring a problem of water supply. Basilica Cistern was used to store water for the Great Palace.
The center for entertainment, amusement and sports in the city during the Roman and Byzantine Empires. The Egyptian Obelisk, the serpentine column and the German fountain of Willhelm II are sites to be visited.
The oldest and the largest covered market place in the world with more almost 4000 shops owing rich collection of handmade carpets, jewelery, leather and souvenirs. Here's the last stop of
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
If you like to join this private tour from the Galata Port (Istanbul's only Cruise Port) Please follow these instructions: After you aboard the cruise ship please follow the City Center sign and you will see your private guide holding a sign with your name on it at the city center sign exit. If you use lift please press the ''G'' level, that will take you to the City Center Exit. Please type ''Galataport Istanbul'' when you choose the pick up location while booking the tour if you are traveling by cruise ship. Also please dont forget to write the name of your ship in the notes box.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please note that we are boutique small family run tour company and have limited guides, during the summer months and special holidays our tours do fill up quickly. We suggest you try to book as soon as you can, once your plans are firm.
- ***Please note that we will arrange tickets without waiting at the public tickeet line, so you will skip long public ticket lines and save time.
- While visiting a mosque in Istanbul, women need to cover their heads, shoulders, knees. You can carry your own scarf to cover your head but please note scarves are provided at the entrance of every mosque (available at a charge). If you are wearing leggings, tights or skirts, wraps will be provided at the entrance (available at a charge).
- Men also need to cover the knees if the shorts or bermudas are over the knees.
- *** WE ALSO DO PRIVATE EPHESUS SHORE EXCURSION. IF YOU BOOK YOUR PRIVATE EPHESUS SHORE EXCURSION WITH US AS WELL YOU WILL GET A SPECIAL PRICE FOR PRIVATE EPHESUS TOUR. SO PLEASE MENTION IN THE NOTES IF YOU ARE ALSO INTERESTED IN PRIVATE EPHESUS SHORE EXCURSION.
- The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays, We will visit the Spice Market instead.
- ***There are no skip the line for mosque visits (since mosques are not museums), so everybody has to wait at the line to enter.***
- ***This is not a tour for those with mobility issues
- ***** WE ACCOMMODATE MORE THAN 14 PEOPLE. If there are more than 14 people in your group, you can book it as 14 people then we can update the number of travelers by messages on viator.
- Mosques are closed until 2.30pm on Fridays due to the Friday Services.
- This is not a tour for those with mobility issues