Audio guide didn't work. Cistern is amazing but missed having the audio guide! Definitely need fast track entry due to lines.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- The Supplier emails Entry Tickets and Audio Guide link (if applicable) 24h before reservation date.
- Due to high demand, your selected time slot may be adjusted by up to ±2 hours.
- Self-Guided Audio Tour accessible on your smartphone - If the Audio Guide Option Selected.
- Theodosius Cistern skip-the-line entry ticket with all-day validity (if option selected)
- Offline Access to all content after download, including audio narration, text, and maps.
- Please check your Official Basilica Cistern Ticket from the Supplier in your mailbox(Inbox/Spam).
- Entry Ticket to Basilica Cistern
Excludes
- Entry without Official Ticket (Booking Confirmation Mail or Voucher not accepted!).
- Headphones
- Live Guide
- Skip-the-Line or Priority Access is not possible.
- This Ticket cannot be use after 6:30PM
Itinerary
Your experience begins with a simple ticketing process. After booking, you will receive your Confirmation email. After Confirmation, the Supplier will send your Entry Tickets and the Audio Guide Link (if applicable) via email no later than 24 hours before your Reservation Date. Please check your inbox, including Spam or Promotions, to avoid missing them. With Official Tickets and your Audio Guide ready, you can Skip the Ticket Purchase Lines and start your visit stress-free. Just open the Audio Guide on your phone and head directly to the venue entrance. Show your Official Tickets at the gate and explore at your own pace. The Audio Guide shares key insights and stories, making your visit flexible, independent, and informative. PLEASE NOTE: IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SKIP OR BYPASS SECURITY CHECKS AT THE ENTRANCE. DURING THE HIGH SEASON, WAITING TIMES FOR SECURITY MAY TAKE UP TO ONE HOUR.
Uncover the hidden wonder of Istanbul at the Basilica Cistern, a breathtaking underground reservoir built during the Byzantine Empire. With Skip-the-Line Fast-Track Entry, avoid long queues and descend into a world of ancient architecture and mystery. Explore the 336 marble columns, vaulted ceilings, and serene pools illuminated by soft lighting. The self-guided audio tour provides fascinating insights into the cistern’s history, construction, and legendary Medusa heads, making this an unforgettable experience for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and curious travelers. PLEASE NOTE: IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SKIP OR BYPASS SECURITY CHECKS AT THE ENTRANCE. DURING THE HIGH SEASON, WAITING TIMES FOR SECURITY MAY TAKE UP TO ONE HOUR.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
The Basilica Cistern skip the line ticket with audio guide worked great for us. The ticket allowed us to arrive when it was convenient. We were escorted in by company rep and the audio guide was easy to download and use.
Very late in getting the passes. Had to email to have them sent. Then they were quick. The cistern was great.
Did not receive audio. Did not realise purchase was in US dollars. Was more expensive than we thought. Did not realise it was thru TripAdvisor. Mega express was unnecessary.
Fabulous sight to see - loving history this was a gem
The Basilica is a marvellous piece of historical engineering and construction. The audio facility did not work for me until exiting the structure so that was a negative. I was expecting an audio experience I could play while being in the Cistern. The visit was by comparison to other visits to magnificent structures to be very expensive.
Overpriced tickets for 20 min. Walk :(
Long lines, so pre-booking tickets essential. Grills on floor, so not suitable for walking sticks etc. Once in, fantastic! A must see in Istanbul.
On purchasing, receive a voucher which has to be redeemed, not the actual tickets. This caused a slight delay as we were asked to wait until a member of staff came to give us our tickets. Not a major problem, but good to be aware. The Basilica Cistern was amazing though and an absolute must do when in Istanbul.
The basilica cistern itself is quite beautiful with the soaring columns and colored lights. The experience of getting in, not so good. I never got actual tickets, just a voucher which it took about 10 minutes to get okayed by the entrance guard. Several others were turned away. It seemed extremely unorganized. Going early is very good advice. I’m not entirely sure it’s worth the admission cost.
Amazing experience! Unbelievable history and architecture!
This ticket is a SCAM. The actual venue is amazing, but this ticket is way over the entry price as it apparently includes an audio guide. When I was there and asked for the audio guide, it doesn't exist. So I was over charged for something which was never available. BOOK VIA SOMEOME ELSE.
They advertise Audio included,, it does not work. So don’t do it! Just make sure you don’t pay for audio,
Great but very expensive. For the price paid it wasnt really worth it. As much as I believe it is worth seeing I cant recommend it for the price
dont waste your money going through trip advisor or Viator or this 3rd, 4th or 5th party. Buy direct. Insane mark-up and took 24 hours to provide the details for the audio files to listen to whilst in the Cistern, which was too late for us as we booked 20 hours prior. Research the direct entry ticket from the museum like I did not and save your money..
The cistern are beautiful, but the audio guide does not show the map very well. Do not miss Medusa head.
We were told there would be long queues but we went at 11am and went straight in - we may have just got lucky that day. Interesting place and worth the visit
It was fabulous to visit once I got in . Although Viator didn’t give me a ticket, the guy with the glad was there and I entered easily. However Google Maps steered me wrong, a guy helped me out then expected me to buy something from his shop!
The fast track tickets worked well for us on our mobile phone. What an amazing place! Definitely a must see in Instanbul.
Fascinating, beautiful historical place, a marvel of engineering, combined with artistic ingenuity
The cisterns are extremely beautiful and a must-see. But I paid 140kr more per ticket by buying through Tripadvisor than if I had bought it on site. And then I bought it with an audio guide, but it is not available at the location. So I didn't get what I paid for 🤬
That the audio guide is a service that you must request, otherwise it is not provided, and it is an audio of very few minutes... that is downloaded onto your cell phone. Down there the signal is not great, so there could be a probability that in the absence of a connection you would not be able to listen. The cistern is wonderful. It is really worth seeing it
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