Which pass should you buy in 2025? Which museums are included or excluded? As a local guide, I’ve tested all of them and here’s my honest comparison of Istanbul museum pass cards in 2025.
In the following headings, I have examined what museum cards in Istanbul offer to foreign visitors from the eyes of a local tour guide. In addition, you can find links to online platforms where you can purchase each museum card.
The following headings include the advantages offered by these cards as of August 2025. However, it should be noted that there may be changes in the offers. For this reason, please carefully review the current status of the cards before purchasing.
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 by using this link.
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.
Museum Pass Istanbul – 2025 Coverage
Below you can find which museums are included in the Museum Pass Istanbul and which are not, updated for 2025.
✅ Valid at: Topkapi Palace, Galata Tower, Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
❌ Not valid at: Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahce Palace, Hagia Sophia
⏰ Validity: 5 days from first use
💵 Price: 105 Euro
Buy Museum Pass Istanbul from the official website
2. Istanbul Tourist Pass
Istanbul Tourist Pass stands out as the best seller among museum cards that offer fast track entry to museums in the city. After purchasing the card from this link, you will be presented with a voucher via GetYourGuide and you can benefit from all services via this QR code.
By obtaining this card, you get guided skip-the-line entry to places such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace and Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum which are the most visited tourist attractions in Istanbul.
The fact that these fast-track entrances are in the form of a guided group tour makes this card one step ahead of the first option. At the designated point, you meet your guide carrying the Istanbul Tourist Pass flag and enter the historical buildings together.
Apart from these famous historical monuments, Istanbul Tourist Pass also promises you many activities such as a Bosphorus cruise, Segway Tour and Grand Bazaar shopping tour.
The card has 3, 5 and 7-day versions, but the places I mentioned here seem to be available in the 3-day basic version. You can purchase this pass card via this link. You can also view all the details about this museum card on the relevant page.
Istanbul Tourist Pass – 2025 Overview
Below you can find the key features of Istanbul Tourist Pass, including what it covers and its validity, updated for 2025.
✅ Valid at: 100+ attractions including Topkapi Palace (guided), Basilica Cistern (guided), Galata Tower, Bosphorus Cruise
💻 Extras: Free guided tours, airport transfer, SIM card, Wi-Fi device rental, discounted dining & shopping
⏰ Validity: Choose 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10 days (consecutive)
💵 Price: Starting from approx. 125 EUR (1-day pass)
See full details and buy Istanbul Tourist Pass here
3. Istanbul Welcome Card
Istanbul Welcome Card physically delivers the card to its customers. When you purchase the pass through this link, your card will be waiting for you at the hotel desk before you arrive in Istanbul.
The best-selling basic version of the Istanbul Welcome Card is known as the “Premium Card” and provides guided tours and skip-the-line services for Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Basilica Cistern.
The advantages of the premium card include a 90-minute Bosphorus cruise and a metro pass that gives you the right to use public transportation in Istanbul 10 times. You also have a 20% discount coupon valid for many must-do activities in Istanbul.
And finally, when you purchase the card, a book about things to do in Istanbul and a city map are sent to your email address registered in the system as a PDF. You can purchase this pass card via this link. You can also view all the details about this museum card on the relevant page.
By the way, when I last checked the links in the article, Istanbul Welcome Card had stopped selling through GetYourGuide. For this reason, when you click on the links in this relevant title, the system directs you to Istanbul Tourist Pass instead of Istanbul Welcome Card.
NOTE: I noticed that Istanbul Welcome Card stopped selling through GetYourGuide in the last update. However, I left the links above as they are because when companies return to the system, their campaigns are redirected to the same link.
Istanbul Welcome Card – 2025 Overview
Below you can find the key features of Istanbul Welcome Card, including what it covers and its validity, updated for 2025.
✅ Valid at: Major attractions like Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia (guided), Basilica Cistern, Bosphorus Cruise
💻 Extras: Priority guided tours, public transport card preloaded with credits, Istanbul map & guidebook, fast-track entry at selected sites
⏰ Validity: 3, 5 or 7 days (consecutive)
💵 Price: Starting from approx. 95 EUR (Standard card)
See full details and buy Istanbul Welcome Card here
4. Istanbul E-Pass
Istanbul E-Pass seems to have the most flexible system among museum cards. After purchasing the card through this link, you will have access to around 60 historical places, museums and activities in Istanbul during the membership period.
Istanbul E-Pass has 2, 3, 5 or 7-day versions, and during this period you can visit main places such as Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern and Dolmabahce Palace with a guided tour.
In addition to these main attractions, many alternative activities such as Bosphorus cruise, Whirling Dervishes Show, Istanbul Aquarium visit, Prince Islands tour, Fener Balat walking tour, Hop on Hop off bus tour are also included in the list.
Personally, I find Istanbul E-Pass’ system to be very simple to understand and user-friendly. The 3-day version of the card also includes everything there is to see and do for a first timer in Istanbul.
Istanbul E-Pass is a practical museum card used via QR code. You can use this link to purchase this user-friendly card. All details about the advantages offered by the card are available in the relevant link.
Istanbul E-Pass – 2025 Overview
Below you can find the key features of Istanbul E-Pass, including what it covers and its validity, updated for 2025.
✅ Valid at: 60+ attractions including Topkapi Palace (guided), Hagia Sophia (guided), Basilica Cistern, Bosphorus Cruise
💻 Extras: Free guided tours, private airport transfer (with 4+ day passes), optional tours with discounts, instant QR-code access
⏰ Validity: Choose 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 days (consecutive)
💵 Price: Starting from approx. 105 EUR (1-day pass)
See full details and buy Istanbul E-Pass here
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several museum and tourist cards you can purchase to access Istanbul’s most popular museums and landmarks. Each has its strengths and limitations, and the best choice depends on your travel style.
Museum Pass Istanbul consistently receives the highest praise from travelers on TripAdvisor and Google Reviews for its convenience and time-saving benefits. As the official product offered by the state, it is also the safest and most straightforward option, though its coverage is limited to state-run museums and does not include guided tours.
Istanbul Tourist Pass, on the other hand, has been the best-selling card for years thanks to its wide operation network and experienced guides. Many users appreciate the guided museum tours and extras, but some reviews note that the overall value may vary depending on how much you use it.
Author’s Recommendation – Istanbul Tourist Pass (2025)
As a local guide, my personal recommendation is the Istanbul Tourist Pass. It offers a wide operation network, experienced guides and 100+ attractions including guided museum visits, Bosphorus cruises and more.
✅ Why? Covers most major sites, includes guided tours and extras that enhance the visitor experience
⏰ Flexibility: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10-day options (consecutive)
💵 Price: Starting from approx. 125 EUR (1-day pass)
Click here to book Istanbul Tourist Pass now
Istanbul Welcome Card is the most budget-friendly option in its basic form. It provides priority entry at selected sites, guided tours and public transport credits, making it attractive for those seeking simplicity and lower costs.
Istanbul E‑Pass stands out with its fully digital, user-friendly system. It offers great savings if you plan to visit multiple attractions and make full use of it, but it can feel expensive if your itinerary is light.
As a local guide, I reviewed the advantages and limitations of these cards as of July 26, 2025. However, please make sure to check the latest information before purchasing, as prices and included benefits can change.
Written by Serhat Engul