Which pass should you buy in 2025? Which museums are included or excluded?
As a local guide, I’ve carefully researched and compared all of them — here’s my honest overview of Museum Pass Istanbul and other city passes for 2025.

In this article, you’ll find what each card offers to foreign visitors from a local guide’s perspective, along with links to official websites where you can purchase them.

The information below reflects the advantages and conditions of each pass as of November 2025. However, offers and prices may change, so please check the latest details before making your purchase.

1. Museum Pass Istanbul

Museum Pass Istanbul is a card offered by the state to foreign visitors. With this card, you can enter Topkapi Palace, Galata Tower, Istanbul Archaeological Museums and Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum.

The only downside of the card is that it is not valid at some of the city’s most popular museums, such as the Basilica Cistern and Dolmabahce Palace. Another feature worth knowing is that this card allows you to quickly enter museums in a self-guided way.

Museum Pass Istanbul can be obtained from the box offices of major museums in the city. You can purchase it online from the official website of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture (In the box below there is a link to the official site).

If you are going to buy the card physically, I recommend you buy it from relatively quiet places instead of crowded museums such as Topkapi Palace. For example, the box office of the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum (next to the Blue Mosque) is always quiet.

2. Istanbul Tourist Pass

Istanbul Tourist Pass is a city card that provides access to numerous museums, guided tours, and special activities across Istanbul. After purchasing it online, you will receive a digital voucher or QR-coded pass, which you can activate and use for a selected number of days (usually between 1 and 5 days).

With this pass, you can enjoy skip-the-ticket-line access or guided entry to major landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern. However, please note that the guided entry format and meeting points may vary depending on each attraction — some visits are conducted as group tours, while others are self-guided with an audio guide.

In addition to museum entries, the Istanbul Tourist Pass includes over 100 experiences, such as a Bosphorus cruise, thematic walking tours, cultural workshops, and other special activities. The card is available in several duration options (3-day, 5-day, etc.), but it’s best to review the official details at the time of purchase to confirm which attractions and tours are included in your chosen package.

Before buying, make sure to check whether the attractions you’re most interested in require a guided slot reservation or have security lines that cannot be skipped.

3. Istanbul Welcome Card

Istanbul Welcome Card is a sightseeing pass that can be physically delivered to your hotel before arrival in Istanbul, allowing you to begin your exploration without delay. Depending on the version you choose (for example “Premium”, “Deluxe” or “Classic”), the card may include guided or skip-the-line entry to major landmarks such as Topkapi Palace and Basilica Cistern; however, the conditions for each site (guided tour requirement, meeting point, queue skip eligibility) vary, so it is important to check the fine print when purchasing.

Some versions of the card also include a Bosphorus cruise and a transport component (e.g., a set number of rides on public transit). Additionally, you may receive a digital city guide and map via email after purchase.

While hotel delivery and bundled services are part of the card’s offer, note that sales channels may change (for example, the card’s availability via certain third-party platforms may be limited at times). Before buying, verify: (1) the exact attractions covered, (2) whether the pass includes transport usage and how many rides, (3) whether guided tours or skip-the-line access are included for each attraction, and (4) how you will receive and activate the card.

If you plan on staying several days in Istanbul and visiting multiple top sites while using public transit, this type of all-in-one sightseeing card can offer convenience and potential savings — but make sure the version you select matches your itinerary and expectations.

4. Istanbul E-Pass

Istanbul E-Pass is a fully digital sightseeing card that grants you access to over 100 of Istanbul’s top attractions, tours and activities. You can choose from duration options such as 2, 3, 5 or 7 consecutive days.

After your online purchase you receive a QR-coded pass which you activate with your first use. During the active period, you may gain entry to many major sites—such as Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern and others—and this entry may include “skip-the-ticket” or “hosted/ guided entry” privileges at selected venues. However, the exact status (guided or self-guided) depends on the specific attraction and should be checked in advance.

In addition to museums and historic sites, the pass can include extras like a Bosphorus cruise, aquarium visits, day trips to the Princes’ Islands, walking tours of neighborhoods like Fener and Balat, and hop-on/hop-off bus tours.

It is ideal for visitors who plan to explore many of Istanbul’s key sights in a short span. However, before purchasing the 3-day version (or any version) you should check how many of your chosen attractions are covered in that time and whether they require advance reservation, guided tour components, or extra fees.

Important note: Although certain passes mention transport rides, this pass’s standard description does not guarantee a set number of public transport rides (e.g., “10 metro rides”) or all museums by default. Always review the full list of inclusions and conditions before purchase.

Conclusion

In conclusion, several museum and tourist passes are available to help you visit Istanbul’s most popular museums and landmarks — each with its own strengths and limitations, so the best choice depends on your travel style, time in the city and how many attractions you plan to visit.

The Museum Pass Istanbul (officially issued by the state) is a very straightforward choice: it covers a select number of state-run museums (for example over 10) and is designed for convenience and saving time in lines.

However, its scope is smaller compared with private cards and it generally does not include guided tours or many of the commercial tourist-attraction extras.

The Istanbul Tourist Pass is a widely used private-sector card that offers a much broader selection of attractions, tours and experiences (over 100 in many cases) and includes guided components and extras.

Many visitors value its guided tours and breadth; but note that the overall value depends heavily on how fully you use it and how well the included attractions align with your itinerary.

The Istanbul Welcome Card is often marketed as a more budget-oriented option. It offers priority entry, some guided tours and transport credits in its higher tiers, but these features and the number of included attractions may be more limited compared with the larger passes.

The Istanbul E-Pass stands out for its fully digital format (QR-code pass, easy mobile activation) and flexibility (2-, 3-, 5- or 7-day versions) and claims access to 70-100+ attractions.

It can offer great value if you plan to visit many major sites in a short time, but if your stay is light or your interest few, you may end up paying for more features than you’ll use.

As a local tour guide in Istanbul (myself), I reviewed the advantages and limitations of these cards as of November 8, 2025. However — please make sure to check the latest terms, pricing and included benefits just before purchasing, as the offers can change, and some attractions may require guided slots or reservations even with the passes.

Written by Serhat Engul