Basilica Cistern was built by the famous Byzantine emperor Justinian in the 6th century. The Cistern is a masterpiece of Eastern Roman architecture and is today one of the most important Byzantine buildings in Istanbul.
The Cistern stands out as a Byzantine structure built in the same period as Hagia Sophia, the most famous historical monument in Istanbul. The cistern was the largest water reservoir in Constantinople during the Middle Ages.
In this article, you can find the most up-to-date information about Basilica Cistern ticket prices and opening hours. As a licensed tour guide who visits the cistern frequently, I keep this article as up-to-date as possible.
At the end of the article, you can also find a section explaining how to get to Basilica Cistern from Beyoglu (Taksim Square, Cihangir, Galata, Karakoy) and the remote neighborhoods of the Old City.
Basilica Cistern 2025 Visitor Summary
Below you can find the Basilica Cistern visitor summary updated for 2025, including entrance fees, visiting information, and skip-the-line tickets.
• Ticket Price: 1500 TL (Day) / 2000 TL (Night) (Night ticket 19:30–22:00)
• Opening Hours: 09:00 – 18:30 (Night visit: 19:30–22:00)
• Museum Pass: Not Valid
• Skip-the-line: Online tickets recommended. You can book from here.
• Location: Sultanahmet, Istanbul
• Last Updated: August 2025
How to Quickly Enter the Cistern?
Entering this museum in the summer months may be difficult due to the high tourist season. Long queues form in front of the ticket offices of the building from April to November.
In order to quickly enter the cistern, you can purchase tickets for the guided group tour online from here. These tickets are slightly more expensive than standard entry tickets, but they give you the advantage of fast track.
Guests with skip-the-line tickets meet their guides at the designated point at the entrance of the Basilica Cistern and quickly enter the place. Thanks to the guide’s explanations, you can get brief information about this building, which has a sophisticated history.
Basilica Cistern Ticket Price (2025)
Basilica Cistern ticket price is 1500 Turkish Lira in 2025. Museum Pass Istanbul is NOT valid here. You can make the payment in Turkish lira by cash or credit card, but payments in foreign currency are not accepted.
It should also be noted that there is also a second ticket tariff for the museum, valid between 19:30 and 22:00. Accordingly, the “night shift” entry fee to the Basilica Cistern is 2000 Turkish Liras.
Ticket prices of museums in Istanbul may change frequently, I try to provide the most up-to-date information about the entrance fees of the museums on this site. I last updated the information about entrance fees in August 2025.
Basilica Cistern Tickets (Skip-the-Line) 2025
Basilica Cistern skip-the-line tickets give you the opportunity to enter the palace with a guided group. Although these tickets are slightly more expensive than the standard museum ticket, they are perfect for avoiding queues, especially during the summer months.
Those who have a skip-the-line ticket meet their guides carrying the flag of the relevant company at the entrance of the building and enter the museum as a group in an orderly manner. Meanwhile, they receive detailed information about the history of the structure.
If you want to enter Basilica Cistern with the advantage of fast track, you can buy your skip-the-line guided tour tickets via the link here. These tickets are under the guarantee of GetYourGuide, an international company, and they can be canceled and refunded up to 24 hours before the activity.
Basilica Cistern Visiting Hours (2025)
Basilica Cistern visiting hours are between 09:00 in the morning and 18:30 in the evening for 2025. The cistern also has a second visiting window called “night shift” between 19:30 and 22:00. However, if you visit the cistern late in the evening, you will have to pay more than the original fee (price details can be seen above).
I update the opening and closing hours of the Cistern and other museums on this site every month. I last updated the information about opening hours in August 2025.
Opening and closing hours of museums in Istanbul may change due to official and religious celebrations throughout the year. If you wish, you can visit the official website of the museum here and check the latest status before your visit.
How to Get to Basilica Cistern?
In order to go to Basilica Cistern from Taksim, you first need to go to Kabatas, the first stop of Tram T1. You can go to Kabatas with Funicular F1 from Taksim Square.
If you are not staying in Taksim Square but in other neighborhoods of “Beyoglu” such as Cihangir, Galata and Karakoy, you can go to the nearest T1 station (all within walking distance).
Tram T1 will cross the Galata Bridge and come to the Old City. The first stop here is Eminonu, where Spice Bazaar is located. After passing Eminonu, Sirkeci and Gulhane stops respectively, you will reach Sultanahmet.
Basilica Cistern is just 5-minute walk from Sultanahmet tram station. To find the cistern, try to find Hagia Sophia first, because you can see this distinctive structure from the tram station. The cistern is adjacent to Hagia Sophia.
To go to Basilica Cistern from the districts of the Old City (Laleli, Beyazit, Eminonu and Sirkeci), you can use Tram T1 or follow the rails of T1 to reach Sultanahmet and then the mosque in its center.
Basilica Cistern FAQ (2025)
Below you’ll find frequently asked questions about Basilica Cistern. As a private tour guide in Istanbul, I’ve included answers to the questions my clients most frequently ask.
Which days is Basilica Cistern closed?
Basilica Cistern is open every day, but hours may vary on public and religious holidays.
Does the ticket include the night visit?
No, the night visit (19:30–22:00) has a separate ticket costing 2000 TL.
Is the Museum Pass valid at Basilica Cistern?
No, the Museum Pass is not valid for entry. You can find more detailed information about the places where Museum Pass is valid in Istanbul in this article.
Do I need skip-the-line tickets?
Highly recommended from April to November due to heavy queues at the entrance. You can use the link at the end of the article to purchase tickets.
How long should I spend at Basilica Cistern?
Plan for at least 1 hour to explore the cistern fully.
What Other Museums to Visit Nearby?
Nearby to Basilica Cistern are Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque. You can find detailed information about Topkapi Palace from here and Hagia Sophia from here, and the Blue Mosque from here.
About the Author – Serhat Engul (Local Guide in Istanbul)
Hi, I’m Serhat Engul, a licensed tour guide in Istanbul for over 20 years. I have led hundreds of private tours through the city’s major monuments, including Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern. If you’d like to book a private guided tour, please check the details on the Homepage of this blog.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Basilica Cistern is among the most important tourist attractions in Istanbul. After visiting here, you can also visit nearby places such as the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.
An excavation is currently being carried out in the square above the cistern, and it is possible to see some Eastern Roman (Byzantine) period ruins, including the Milion Stone. Milion was considered the zero point of the empire and all distances to the capital were measured from here.
The best way to enter Basilica Cistern quickly is to buy a fast-track guided group tour ticket.
Click here to book your skip-the-line ticket now
Tickets are guaranteed by GetYourGuide, an international travel platform, and can be canceled up to 24 hours before the start of the activity.
Finally, on the blog pages of this website, you can find information about the most important tourist attractions and museums in the city. Prepared as a practical tourist guide, this site contains all the necessary information for first-time visitors.
Written by Serhat Engul