| What this page covers | Official entrance fees for Istanbul’s sights, palaces and museums, plus metro, ferry, airport shuttle, taxi and tourist pass fares |
| Topkapi Palace | Combined foreign visitor ticket: 2,750 ₺ (£40.72), closed on Tuesdays |
| Dolmabahçe Palace | Single foreign visitor ticket: 2,000 ₺ (£29.61), closed on Mondays |
| Galata Tower | £24.99 (about 1,688 ₺); new fare from 1 April 2027 |
| Metro, tram, bus | 46.20 ₺ (£0.68) a journey with the İstanbulkart; empty card 165 ₺ (£2.44) |
| Free entry | Blue Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar |
| Exchange rate used | £1 = 67.5420 ₺ (TCMB, bulletin of 05/11/2026) |
Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page (GetYourGuide, the official Istanbul Tourist Pass site, Booking, Uber, Airalo) are affiliate links. If you book through them I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Full note at the bottom of the page.
Istanbul prices in November 2026: 2,750 ₺ (£40.72) for Topkapi Palace, 2,000 ₺ (£29.61) for Dolmabahçe, £24.99 for Galata Tower, £20.82 for the Hagia Sophia upper gallery and 46.20 ₺ (£0.68) a metro journey with the İstanbulkart. I take every fare from the official site and date it.
These fares change several times a year, and plenty of UK travel blogs still quote 2024 figures. Here every line carries its source and the date I checked it. For the full cost of a trip (hotel, meals, flights from the UK), see my guide to what a trip to Istanbul costs.
How much do Topkapi and Dolmabahçe palaces cost?
The national palaces are run by Milli Saraylar, not by the culture ministry’s museum service, so they set their fares in Turkish lira and the Museum Pass is not guaranteed there. Topkapi uses a single combined ticket that covers the Harem and Hagia Irene.
| Palace | Price ₺ | Price £ |
|---|---|---|
| Topkapi, combined ticket (palace + Harem + Hagia Irene) | 2,750 ₺ | £40.72 |
| Topkapi, Harem only | 1,050 ₺ | £15.55 |
| Topkapi, Hagia Irene only | 1,050 ₺ | £15.55 |
| Dolmabahçe (Selamlık + Harem + Painting Museum) | 2,000 ₺ | £29.61 |
| Combined II (Dolmabahçe + European shore palaces) | 2,750 ₺ | £40.72 |
| Combined I, national palaces Full Pass | 3,500 ₺ | £51.82 |
| Yıldız Palace | 900 ₺ | £13.33 |
My verdict: if you only have time for one palace, make it Topkapi. The combined ticket costs 1,700 ₺ (£25.17) more than the Harem alone and opens the whole palace, from the Imperial Gate to the fourth courtyard.
Local tip: Turkey stays on UTC+3 all year, so it is 3 hours ahead of the UK in winter and 2 hours ahead during British Summer Time. The 09:00 opening of the Topkapi ticket office is 06:00 in London in winter: set your alarm on Istanbul time, not on the time you left Gatwick with.
How much are Istanbul’s sights and museums?
Short answer: from £12.49 to £40.72 for each major paid sight, and nothing for the mosques and bazaars. The culture ministry’s museums fix their fares in a foreign currency, the national palaces in lira, so the lira amount of a museum ticket moves with the exchange rate.
| Sight | Price ₺ | Price £ | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hagia Sophia, upper gallery | ≈ 1,406 ₺ | £20.82 | price observed* |
| Galata Tower | ≈ 1,688 ₺ | £24.99 | muze.gov.tr |
| Basilica Cistern (daytime) | 2,250 ₺ | £33.31 | price observed* |
| Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi) | ≈ 1,519 ₺ | £22.49 | muze.gov.tr |
| Istanbul Archaeology Museums | ≈ 844 ₺ | £12.49 | muze.gov.tr |
| Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts | ≈ 956 ₺ | £14.16 | muze.gov.tr |
| Museum Pass Istanbul (5 days) | ≈ 5,907 ₺ | £87.45 | muze.gov.tr |
| Blue Mosque** | free | free | sultanahmetcami.org |
| Süleymaniye Mosque** | free | free | free entry |
| Grand Bazaar** | free | free | free entry |
| Spice Bazaar** | free | free | misircarsisi1664.com |
* Price observed on site on 04/11/2026: no official fare is published.
** Free entry checked on 29/10/2026; the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
Hagia Sophia and the Cistern have no official price list online: the first depends on the Directorate General of Foundations, the second changed operator on 2 June 2026 and its old website still shows 1,950 ₺. So I write “price observed” with the date, never a copied figure.
How much is the Istanbul Tourist Pass?
The 2-day Istanbul Tourist Pass is £165.74 on GetYourGuide (price recorded on 30/10/2026) and £157.41 on the official site (29/10/2026). The exact price depends on the length and the offers of the day: click through for the current fare.
| Length | Official site | GetYourGuide |
|---|---|---|
| 2 days | £157.41 (≈ 10,632 ₺) | £165.74 (≈ 11,194 ₺) |
| 3 days | £182.39 | £182.39 |
| 5 days | £215.71 | £215.71 |
| See the price | See the price |
Istanbul Tourist Pass or separate tickets: how do the totals compare?
Add up the tickets before you buy. Here are the five paid sights most visitors fit into two days, next to the 2-day pass.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Topkapi (combined) | £40.72 |
| Dolmabahçe | £29.61 |
| Hagia Sophia (gallery) | £20.82 |
| Basilica Cistern | £33.31 |
| Archaeology Museums | £12.49 |
| Total, separate tickets | £136.95 |
| 2-day pass (GetYourGuide, 30/10/2026) | £165.74 |
The figures: for these five visits, the gap between the 2-day pass and separate tickets is £28.79. The pass also covers other activities (Bosphorus cruise, Maiden’s Tower, hop-on hop-off bus) and skip-the-line entries. Write down the sights you really plan to see, check them against the list on the product page, and do your own sum.
What the pass includes and my full review are in my article on the Istanbul Tourist Pass.
How much are the metro, tram and İstanbulkart?
A journey costs 46.20 ₺ (£0.68) with the İstanbulkart and the empty card costs 165 ₺ (£2.44). Without a card, a BİRgeç single ticket is 65 ₺ (£0.96) a journey, and a contactless bank card is charged the same 65 ₺ at the gates. Step by step instructions are in my guide to buying and topping up the İstanbulkart.
| Ticket | Price ₺ | Price £ | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full fare İstanbulkart journey (metro, tram, bus, funicular, short Marmaray)* | 46.20 ₺ | £0.68 | istanbulkart.istanbul |
| Empty İstanbulkart card | 165 ₺ | £2.44 | istanbulkart.istanbul |
| BİRgeç ticket (1 journey) and contactless bank card | 65 ₺ | £0.96 | istanbulkart.istanbul |
| Night journey (00:30 to 05:30, double fare)* | 92.40 ₺ | £1.37 | birgun.net |
* Checked on 01/11/2026; the night fare comes from the press (BirGün, 23/01/2026).
UK contactless habits work here too: tap a Visa or Mastercard at the gate and you are through, at 65 ₺ a ride instead of 46.20 ₺. The gap is 18.80 ₺ a journey; the 165 ₺ card equals about 9 of those gaps. All lines and routes are in my guide to getting around Istanbul.
How much is the ferry in Istanbul?
The Şehir Hatları ferry costs 65.21 ₺ (£0.97) between Kadıköy and Eminönü and 58.52 ₺ (£0.87) from Üsküdar, paid with the same İstanbulkart. The upper deck, on the right-hand side as you leave Kadıköy, gives the clearest view of Seraglio Point.
| Route | Price ₺ | Price £ |
|---|---|---|
| Kadıköy to Eminönü, Karaköy or Beşiktaş | 65.21 ₺ | £0.97 |
| Üsküdar to Eminönü | 58.52 ₺ | £0.87 |
For a proper trip up the strait, compare it with the cruises in my guide to visiting the Bosphorus.
How much is the shuttle from the airport to the centre?
The Havaist shuttle links IST airport with Sultanahmet or Taksim for 470 ₺ (£6.96) per person. The other options (M11 metro, taxi, private transfer) are compared in my guide to Istanbul airport transfers.
| Shuttle | Price ₺ | Price £ |
|---|---|---|
| Havaist IST to Sultanahmet (Çatladıkapı, Sirkeci, Şişhane) | 470 ₺ | £6.96 |
How much is a taxi in Istanbul?
A yellow taxi starts at 71.94 ₺ (£1.07), then 47.92 ₺ (£0.71) per kilometre, with a minimum fare of 230 ₺ (£3.41). These figures come from the municipality’s fare table as reported by the press; the İBB publishes no official fare list online.
| Yellow taxi | Price ₺ | Price £ |
|---|---|---|
| Flag fall | 71.94 ₺ | £1.07 |
| Per kilometre | 47.92 ₺ | £0.71 |
| Minimum fare | 230 ₺ | £3.41 |
🚕 Taxi or Uber in Istanbul: how do you avoid being ripped off?
On paper the meter fare is low. The trouble is the meter that “doesn’t work” as you come out of the tourist sights.
One evening in Eminönü, a driver announced a 900 ₺ “flat rate” to Beşiktaş, three times what the meter would show.
👉 Click here and install Uber before you go
The price of an Uber ride is shown before you get in. Ride and driver are logged in the app, you pay by card, and there is no haggling.
Kevin’s tip: before I get in, I check the fare in the app against the taxi table above, and I never argue on arrival any more.
📱 How do you get internet in Istanbul from the moment you land?
UK networks charge for data in Turkey, and you will want it from the arrivals hall: to check a fare at a ticket office, convert lira on the spot or buy a ticket online.
Need to open your pass QR code at a turnstile, or look up this page before you tap your card at a ticket office?
👉 Click here to buy your Airalo eSIM now, before you go
Get a discount on your first purchase with this link
Kevin’s tip: Airalo is the cheapest provider I have found, and the eSIM installs in 2 minutes on a compatible phone, before you even reach passport control.
Travelling from the UK: money, cards and paperwork
Direct flights from London take about 4 hours. British passport holders need no visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180, and the passport must be valid for at least 150 days from arrival (FCDO travel advice for Turkey, updated 27/10/2026).
- Pay in lira: when a card terminal or cash machine offers to charge you in pounds, decline and choose lira. The conversion is then made by your own bank, not by the terminal.
- Plugs: Turkey uses type C and F sockets, so pack a UK (type G) adapter.
- Phone: Turkey is outside UK operators’ standard roaming allowances; check your tariff or use an eSIM (section above).
- Help on the spot: the British Consulate-General is in Beyoğlu.
What does a trip to Istanbul cost? A video walkthrough
🗺️ My top itinerary for paying the right price in Sultanahmet
- 08:45: top up your İstanbulkart at the machine at Sultanahmet tram stop (165 ₺ the card, 46.20 ₺ a journey).
- 09:00: Topkapi as the ticket office opens, combined ticket at 2,750 ₺, Harem first before the tour groups.
- 12:30: lunch in a lokanta on Divanyolu Street rather than on the terraces of the square.
- 14:00: Basilica Cistern, 2,250 ₺ by bank card at the ticket office.
- 15:30: Blue Mosque, free, outside prayer times.
- 17:00: T1 tram then the ferry from Eminönü to Kadıköy for 65.21 ₺, at sunset.
Cost of the day in entrance fees and transport: about 5,370 ₺ (about £80), meals not included.
For, against and my favourite moment
- For: the mosques, the bazaars and the ferry show you a large part of Istanbul for the price of a few transport fares.
- Against: museum fares fixed by the ministry follow its own rate, so the lira amount on the ticket office board changes from one month to the next.
- My favourite moment: the 17:00 ferry, a tea served on deck, the smell of diesel and warm simit, for 65.21 ₺.
Where to stay in Istanbul: which area for your budget?
Hotel prices vary above all by neighbourhood. My tested addresses and area by area advice are in my guide to the best hotels in Istanbul.
| Area | Who it suits | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Sultanahmet | Seeing the sights on foot | See the hotels |
| Sirkeci | Tram and Marmaray on the doorstep | See the hotels |
| Kadıköy | Asian side, ferry to the old town | See the hotels |
Which price changes have been announced?
The culture ministry has published its 2027 fares, in force from 1 April 2027. Until then, the 2026 prices on this page apply.
| Sight | Current price | From 1 April 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Galata Tower | £24.99 | £29.15 |
| Archaeology Museums | £12.49 | £13.33 |
| Museum Pass Istanbul | £87.45 | £99.94 |
| Hierapolis-Pamukkale | £24.99 | £29.15 |
| Combined ticket Galata + Maiden’s Tower | not offered | £49.97 |
Update log
- 06/11/2026: page created. All palace (millisaraylar.gov.tr), museum (muze.gov.tr) and İstanbulkart fares rechecked on 05/11/2026. TCMB rate of 05/11/2026: £1 = 67.5420 ₺.
Frequently asked questions about Istanbul prices
How much is the entrance fee for Topkapi Palace?
The combined foreign visitor ticket costs 2,750 ₺ (£40.72) and covers the palace, the Harem and Hagia Irene. The Harem alone costs 1,050 ₺ (£15.55). The palace is closed on Tuesdays, ticket office 09:00 to 17:00 (millisaraylar.gov.tr, 05/11/2026).
How much is a metro ticket in Istanbul?
A journey costs 46.20 ₺ (£0.68) with the İstanbulkart since 20 July 2026. Without a card, the BİRgeç ticket or a contactless bank card costs 65 ₺ (£0.96) a journey. The empty İstanbulkart card costs 165 ₺ (£2.44).
How much does Galata Tower cost?
Entry costs £24.99 (about 1,688 ₺) for a foreign visitor, according to muze.gov.tr on 05/11/2026. The ministry has announced a new fare from 1 April 2027, £29.15 at the rate of 05/11/2026.
What does the Museum Pass Istanbul include?
It costs £87.45 (about 5,907 ₺) for 5 days and covers 13 ministry museums. It does not include Hagia Sophia or the Basilica Cistern, and whether Topkapi accepts it is not certain: ask at the ticket office. Compare it with the sights you plan to visit.
How much money do you need to visit Istanbul?
A day of sightseeing in Sultanahmet costs about 5,370 ₺ (about £80) in entrance fees and transport, meals not included: Topkapi, the Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosque, tram and ferry. Hotels, meals and flights from the UK come on top.
Which museums are free in Istanbul?
The mosques and bazaars are free: the Blue Mosque, the Süleymaniye, the Grand Bazaar (closed on Sundays) and the Spice Bazaar. The ministry museums listed on this page charge foreign visitors, from £12.49 for the Archaeology Museums. The Hagia Sophia gallery costs £20.82.
Can you go inside the Süleymaniye Mosque?
Yes. Entry is free and there is no ticket office. The mosque closes to visitors during prayers, so plan your visit between them, with shoulders and knees covered; women cover their hair.
Read more
Sources and references
- Milli Saraylar, Topkapı Sarayı: fares checked on 05/11/2026
- Milli Saraylar, Dolmabahçe Sarayı: fares checked on 05/11/2026
- Milli Saraylar, Yıldız Sarayı: fare checked on 05/11/2026
- Ministry of Culture and Tourism, muze.gov.tr: museum fares checked on 05/11/2026
- İstanbulkart, ücretler ve limitler: checked on 05/11/2026
- Şehir Hatları, ücret tarifeleri: checked on 29/10/2026
- Havaist: announcement of 29/04/2026, checked on 01/11/2026
- BirGün, 2026 taxi fares: 16/09/2026
- TCMB, exchange rates: bulletin of 05/11/2026
- Turizm Aktüel, 2027 museum fares: 12/09/2026
- FCDO, Turkey travel advice: updated 27/10/2026
Transparency: some links on this page (GetYourGuide, the official Istanbul Tourist Pass site, Booking, Uber, Airalo) are affiliate links. If you book through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The prices in the tables come from the official sources, not from the partners. Follow my days in Istanbul on Instagram: @kevinloveistanbul.
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