Updated Date : 10.09.2025
Visiting Istanbul is like stepping into history. Every corner of Istanbul city has something to offer visitors. But for travelers, one challenge often stands out: managing time and money while trying to see it all. This is where the Istanbul E-pass comes in.
Istanbul E-pass is a sightseeing digital pass that covers top attractions in Istanbul. Available purchase 2,3,5, and 7 days options. Istanbul E-pass offers more than 110 attractions.
How to use and buy Istanbul E-pass?
Not all museums are working with same system in Istanbul. That’s the reason on E-pass there are 3 types of attractions.
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Guided Tours: No reservation is required for our guided tours. Meet with our guide at the meeting point, before the designated time. All you need is to show your E-pass ID number to the guide.
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Reservation required attractions: You need to reserve them at least a day before via the E-pass customer panel. Like dinner cruise or discounted airport transfers.
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Walk-in attractions: Show your E-pass ID at the entrance of the attraction and get in or QR codes in the E-pass customer panel for required attractions and get in with the QR codes.
After having an E-pass, we are sharing E-pass customer control panel by email and via whatsapp (if you added your whatsapp number). You can purchase by selecting the number of people when purchasing. One device is enough to manage E-pass panel. This allows to view and manage pass of one or more people from the same panel. You can click here to see all packages of Istanbul E-pass.
For Example: If you bought pass for 2 people and make reservation for any reservation required attraction, it will be booked automatically for 2 people.
Istanbul E-pass counts calendar date and can be use only as consecutive. Istanbul E-pass is not working with credit system. There is no limit, you can use as much as you can. It is all up to your plan.
Guided tours
Some attractions are not working online ticket system or do not work with tourism agencies in terms of controllability of tickets.
With an Istanbul E-pass Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, Archeological Museum and Turkish Islamic Art Museum can only be entered with our guide. Without guide it is not possible to enter museum.
Beside mentioned attractions also, you can join Hagia Sophia (outer visit), Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque & Hippodrome guided for free with an E-pass.
Important Notes About Guided Tours
Our guides will be holding a white Istanbul E-pass flag at the meeting points.
For guided tours please be at the meeting point 5 minutes before the tour starts. If you miss tour you can join next tour.
Istanbul E-pass provides a skip-the-ticket line. Security lines are not possible to skip. Even with guide it is not possible to skip security lines. There is no fast track at museums in Istanbul. Security lines are same for all people.
On Topkapi Palace tour, passport photo or ID will be asked for child pass.
The Harem section is not included in Topkapi Palace guided tour.
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays
Walk-in Attractions
On Istanbul E-pass there are 2 types walk-in attractions.
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Some attractions working with QR codes. On the main page of E-pass panel, you will able to view QR code required attractions. All you will needed just get QR code via your E-pass panel. After getting QR code, it will be valid for 12 hours. After 12 hours it will not be valid.
Attractions working with QR codes on Istanbul E-pass:
Dolmabahce Palace - Rumeli Fortress - Beylerbeyi Palace - Camlica Tower - Chora Museum - Kucuksu Pavilion - Maiden’s Tower - Miniaturk Park Museum - Palace Collection Museum - Panorama 1453 Museum - Yildiz Palace - History Experience Museum - Museum of the History Science and Technology in Islam - Galata Mevlevi Lodge Museum - Bosphorus Cruise with Audio Guide - Princess Island Boat Trip from Eminonu Port
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For other walk-in attractions, you need to present your E-pass ID number at the entrance of museum. From your E-pass panel you can view all attractions and see all details about walk-in attraction. (you can find direction and other necessary details)
Important Notes About Walk-in Attractions
Some QR code required attracions are working with location. So first you need to be at museum to get QR code. Please be sure the you’ve enabled location for browser. These museums are Rumeli Fortress – Maiden’s Tower – Miniaturk Park Museum – Galata Mevlevi Lodge Museum – Museum of History Science and Technology in Islam
Istanbul E-pass provides Hagia Sophia History Museum Entrance ticket for 5:30 pm, 6:00 pm, 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm sessions. You can get QR code at location 30 minutes before the tour starts.
Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays.
Whirling Dervish is not operating on Tuesdays
At Maiden’s Tower boat ticket to museum is not included.
Galata Tower ticket is provided as discounted with an E-pass. If you wish you can book via your E-pass panel for 32 euros (per person) and skip the ticket line. At ticket box ticket price is 30 euros. Online ticket prices is 35 euros.
At Galata Tower there are two lines. One is ticket line which you can skip the ticket line with an Istanbul E-pass another line is elevatör line which is same for all people.
Galata Tower is open every day from 9:00 am to 6:15 pm, then reopens at 7:00 pm and closes at 11:00 pm. The last entry is at 10:00 pm.
Reservation Required Attractions
On reservation required attractions there are two types of attractions. One is discounted another is free with an E-pass.
On attraction list If it is written “Free with Istanbul E-pass”, this means it is included and free. If it is written “Discounted with Istanbul E-pass”, this means you need to pay extra for this service. You can click here to view all attrations.
Important notes for reservation required attractions
All reservation required attractions requires booking at least a day before.
All discounted attractions can be used out of valid days (except Galata Tower ticket).
All discounted attraction need to be booked before E-pass expires. After E-pass expires there will be no options to book.
Havaist Shuttle bus required reservation and can be booked out of valid days of E-pass.
Transportation is not included on E-pass. With an E-pass you can book discounted unlimited transportation card.
What Are the Advantages of Discounted Tours with Istanbul E-pass?
Beyond free entry to top attractions, the Istanbul E-pass also unlocks discounted tours and services. But how do these discounts work, and what real benefits do they offer travelers? In our next blog, we’ll answer these questions and show you how to make the most of every advantage.