Istanbul remains a captivating destination where ancient history meets modern vibrancy. In 2023, Istanbul was crowned the most visited city in the world, and it maintained its allure as the second most visited city in 2024. However, with rising transportation fees and increasing attraction costs in 2025, exploring the city now requires careful planning.
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Introduction
Istanbul, the bustling gateway between Europe and Asia, continues to captivate over 20 million visitors annually. However, with the ongoing economic challenges in Turkey, the city’s surging popularity, and the government’s increasingly greedy decisions, prices for attractions and transportation have soared. This guide aims to provide the most up-to-date entrance fees and insider tips for tourists in 2025.
Economic Context and Rising Costs
Turkey’s economic struggles have caused significant price increases across all sectors, including tourism. Years of unorthodox economic policies under Erdogan’s administration, such as keeping interest rates artificially low for too long, have fueled an inflation rate that now exceeds 70%. In a sharp reversal, interest rates have been raised to over 50%, adding further strain to an already struggling economy. The devastating 2023 earthquake, which leveled 11 cities at once, created enormous reconstruction costs, further compounding the economic challenges. Turkey’s geopolitical ambitions and its resurgence in manufacturing and selling weapons have also unsettled Western investors, who are hesitant to support the country’s momentum.
Once known as an affordable destination for tourists, Türkiye is now seeing rapid price hikes, with public transportation fares recently increasing by 40% and entrance fees for attractions steadily climbing. Despite these challenges, Istanbul’s timeless allure continues to draw millions of visitors each year, making it more important than ever for tourists to carefully plan their budgets.
Key Tourist Attraction Fees (2025)
Tourist attraction fees in Istanbul have significantly increased in 2025, building on already high prices from 2024. For example, Topkapı Palace, a must-see landmark, already charged €50 for entry in 2024—a price that was among the highest for museums worldwide. In 2025, this fee has increased even further to €55, intensifying concerns about affordability and the potential impact on tourism.
To save costs, travelers can consider the Istanbul Museum Pass, which provides access to several attractions, though it doesn’t cover all locations. Free landmarks like the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar remain excellent alternatives, offering budget-friendly ways to experience Istanbul’s cultural richness.
Topkapi Palace Complex
- Ticket Price (Combined): Topkapı Palace + Harem + Hagia Irene: 2000 TL
The combined ticket offers access to three remarkable sites, but prices reflect the city’s rising costs.
Hagia Irene
Hagia Irene is a historic Byzantine church in Istanbul, renowned for its simple yet majestic architecture and status as one of the city’s oldest Christian landmarks, now serving as a museum and concert hall.
- Entrance Fee: 500 TL
Included in the Topkapi Palace combined ticket.
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is an iconic architectural masterpiece in Istanbul, blending Byzantine and Ottoman influences, that has served as a cathedral, mosque, and now a museum, symbolizing centuries of cultural and religious heritage.
- Entrance Fee: 25 Euros
Be aware of potentially high exchange rates if paying by credit card. Also, expect two lines: one for purchasing tickets and another for entry. Consider hiring a professional guide to bypass the hassle; agencies like ours can assist with bookings.
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The Hagia Sophia History Museum
Opening its doors to the public in July 2023, Hagia Sophia History & Experience Museum offers an immersive audiovisual journey through Hagia Sophia‘s 1,500-year history, highlighting its transformations from a Byzantine church to an Ottoman mosque, and its significance in both Christian and Islamic traditions.
The tour spans three floors, with the third floor dedicated to the Roman Empire period, the second to the Ottoman era, and the first showcasing artifacts from its time as a cathedral, mosque, and museum.
- Entrance Fee: 25 Euros
The entire guided experience lasts approximately 30 minutes, making it an essential visit for enthusiasts of Byzantine and Ottoman history, architecture, and art.
Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern is a magnificent subterranean structure in Istanbul, built in the 6th century AD during the Byzantine era, featuring a vast network of columns and arches that once stored water for the city.
- Entrance Fee: 32-33 Euros (1300 TL) at the entrance or 35 Euros (1430 TL) online for a skip-the-line option. Tickets available here.
- Night Shift (19:30-20:00): 48 Euros (2000 TL)
- Learn more about our guided tours
Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace is a magnificent 19th-century palace by the Bosphorus, constructed between 1843 and 1856 by Armenian architects during the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid I. It served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire and later as the residence of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. The palace is a blend of Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical architectural styles, featuring opulent interiors, the world’s largest Bohemian crystal chandelier, and stunning Bosphorus views.
- The entrance fee to Dolmabahçe Palace is 1500 Turkish Liras for a combined ticket, which includes access to the Main Building (Selamlık), the Harem, and the Palace Collections Museum.
- This ticket also includes an audio guide for a more informative visit.
- Museum Pass: The Museum Pass Istanbul is not valid for Dolmabahçe Palace.
Galata Tower
Galata Tower is a medieval stone tower in Istanbul offering panoramic views of the city and the Bosphorus, symbolizing the city’s rich history and vibrant skyline.
- Entrance Fee: 30 Euros
- A steep price, but the views are priceless.
Istanbul Archaeological Museums
The Istanbul Archaeological Museums are a world-class complex of three museums housing an extensive collection of artifacts, spanning civilizations from ancient Mesopotamia to the Ottoman Empire, and offering a deep dive into the region’s rich history.
- Entrance Fee: 15 Euros
- Children (12 and under): Free with ID.
Beylerbeyi Palace
Beylerbeyi Palace is an elegant 19th-century Ottoman summer residence on Istanbul’s Asian shore, blending European and traditional Ottoman architectural styles with stunning views of the Bosphorus.
- Entrance Fee: 600 TL (17 Euros)
- Valid with the Istanbul Museum Pass.
Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts in Istanbul showcases a remarkable collection of Islamic calligraphy, ceramics, carpets, and ethnographic artifacts, reflecting the diverse cultures and artistic heritage of the Islamic world.
- Entrance Fee: 17 Euros
- Valid with the Istanbul Museum Pass.
- Children (8 and under): Free.
The Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam
The Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam, located in Istanbul’s Gülhane Park, showcases groundbreaking inventions, tools, and scientific contributions made by Muslim scholars from the 9th to 16th centuries, reflecting the golden age of Islamic science and its global impact.
Yıldız Palace is a 19th-century Ottoman imperial complex in Istanbul, constructed during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II, renowned for its eclectic architecture and role as the administrative center of the empire in its later years.
- Entrance Fee:
- Adults: 200 TL
- Concessions: 100 TL (students, faculty, seniors over 60)
- Groups (10+): 150 TL
- Valid with the Istanbul Museum Pass.
Pera Museum is a prominent cultural institution in Istanbul, housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century building, renowned for its Orientalist paintings, Anatolian weights and measures collection, and rotating contemporary art exhibitions.
- Free Admission: For Friends of Pera Museum, disabled visitors with one companion, children under 12, ICOM cardholders, and press members. Valid with the Istanbul Museum Pass.
Istanbul Modern
Istanbul Modern, Turkey’s pioneering museum of modern and contemporary art, is housed in an iconic waterfront building in Karaköy, featuring diverse collections of Turkish and global art, photography, and design, embodying the dynamic essence of Istanbul‘s cultural heritage. Located inside Istanbul cruise port Galataport, this museum is a must for all art enthusiasts.
- Entrance Fee: 19 Euros
- Student fee: 12 Euros
Chora Church (Kariye Mosque)
Chora Church, also known as Kariye Mosque, is a stunning example of Byzantine art and architecture in Istanbul, renowned for its exquisite 14th-century mosaics and frescoes depicting biblical scenes, reflecting its history as a church, mosque, and now a museum.
- Entrance Fee: 20 Euros
The Istanbul Museum Pass is not valid here.
Fethiye Museum
Fethiye Museum, originally the 13th-century Byzantine Church of Theotokos Pammakaristos, is a historic site in Istanbul known for its stunning late Byzantine mosaics and its transformation into a mosque during the Ottoman era.
- Entrance Fee: 3 Euros
- Valid with the Istanbul Museum Pass.
Şerefiye Cistern
Şerefiye Cistern, also known as Theodosius Cistern, is a beautifully restored 4th-century Byzantine underground water reservoir in Istanbul, featuring elegant columns and a mesmerizing light display that highlights its ancient architecture.
- Entrance Fee: 19 Euros (650 TL)
The Istanbul Museum Pass is not valid here.
The Maiden's Tower
The Maiden’s Tower, an iconic landmark located on a small islet off the coast of Üsküdar on the Asian side of Istanbul, offers a captivating blend of history, legend, and breathtaking views of the Bosphorus and the old town Sultanahmet. This historic tower, which has served various purposes over centuries, now operates as a cultural attraction, featuring a museum and a café-restaurant with panoramic vistas. Visitors can explore its fascinating history and enjoy the romantic ambiance it provides.
- Ticket Price: €27 (Euro)
Transportation Fee: €5 (Euro)
The tower is accessible via a short boat ride, making it an enchanting and must-visit destination for both locals and tourists.
Rumeli Fortress
Rumeli Fortress, built in the 15th century by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, is a striking fortification on the European side of the Bosphorus, constructed in 1452 to aid in the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 and showcasing impressive medieval military architecture.
- Entrance Fee: 6 Euros
The Istanbul Museum Pass is valid for entry to the Rumeli Fortress Museum.
Anatolian Fortress
Küçüksu Pavilion
The Küçüksu Pavilion in Istanbul is a small but stunning Ottoman-era summer palace located on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, featuring intricate Rococo architecture, lavish interiors, and a picturesque waterfront setting that reflects the grandeur of 19th-century imperial leisure.
- Entrance Fee: 4 Euros
The Istanbul Museum Pass is not valid here.
The Istanbul Airport Museum
Miniatürk
Miniatürk is an open-air miniature park in Istanbul, showcasing scaled-down replicas of Turkey’s most iconic landmarks and historical sites, offering a unique and comprehensive journey through the country’s architectural and cultural heritage.
- Entrance Fee: 19 Euros
The Istanbul Museum Pass is not valid here.
Rahmi Koç Museum
The Rahmi M. Koç Museum in Istanbul is a fascinating industrial and transport museum housed in a historic Ottoman-era shipyard, featuring an extensive collection of vintage vehicles, machinery, and interactive exhibits showcasing the history of engineering and innovation.
- Entrance Fee: 20 Euros (700 Turkish Lira)
- Student: 10 Euros (350 Turkish Lira)
Sakıp Sabancı Museum
The Sakıp Sabancı Museum, located in Istanbul’s Emirgan district, is a prestigious art museum housed in a historic mansion, featuring an extensive collection of calligraphy, Ottoman artifacts, and rotating international art exhibitions set against the stunning backdrop of the Bosphorus.
- Adult Ticket: 300₺
- Discounted Ticket: 210₺
- Applicable to students over 18, teachers, visitors aged 65 and above, and one accompanying guest of SSM Friend cardholders. Valid ID must be presented.
- Student Ticket: 150₺
- For students aged 12-18; valid ID required.
- Free Admission:
- Available on Tuesdays between 10:00 and 18:00.
- Children aged 12 or below.
- Individuals with disabilities and one accompanying person.
- Sabancı University academic and administrative staff, and students.
- ICOM cardholders, MMKD members, and press members.
Special Offers:
- Friday Discount: A 30% discount on adult tickets is available every Friday until the end of January 2025.
- Neighbour’s Day: Enjoy free admission on 19 December and 16 January.
Operating Hours:
- Open from 10:00 to 18:00 on Tuesdays through Sundays.
- Closed on Mondays, the first days of Ramadan and Eid Qurban, and January 1st.
The Istanbul Museum Pass: Is It Worth It?
The Istanbul Museum Pass, once a great deal, now feels less advantageous for many travelers. While it offers entry to multiple attractions, many key sites like Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Chora Church are excluded. At its current price, carefully calculate your itinerary before committing to the pass.
Conclusion and Final Tips
Here are our final thoughts.
- Book Online: Many attractions offer online tickets that help you skip long lines, though they may come with a small markup.
- Hire a Guide: A professional guide can save you time and enhance your experience at iconic sites like Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.
- Plan Ahead: Check the validity of the Istanbul Museum Pass for your planned attractions to avoid surprises.
By staying informed and planning carefully, you can still enjoy Istanbul’s incredible history, architecture, and culture without breaking the bank. Happy exploring!
Contact us for any questions you might have. Or to find an excellent professional tour guide who will help you skip the lines and inform you about the sites!
