Istanbul. Book tickets in advance or Istanbul ePass.

[whiteroseredrose]

Has anyone been to Istanbul recently and can help with getting tickets to Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace?

I can't work out which is the official ticket site, or if the Istanbul ePass is worth the money.

Any experience really welcome.

Sorry. Forgot I posted this last night. Have posted again.

Be warned that even with tickets we queued for HOURS recently to get in .
( the cruise ships were in )

We went last month and used the app Get your guide for some activities / tickets

Recommend the mosaic lamp making workshop and the coffee making workshop but not the Whirling Dervish ceremony and the Bhosphorus dinner cruise (better to do it in the day and the food wasn't great!)

Istanbul is my new favourite place - planning to go again so can go to Coppadocia

Thank you both. @user1486915549 that is what I'm worried about.

We would usually be wherever before opening time to avoid queues but we're with friends who enjoy breakfast. Which is fine, but slows you down!

I was there April 2023. I turned up to Topkapi Palace 20 minutes before it opened and purchased a ticket at one of the machines using my credit card. I only waited around 5 minutes. Coming out the queue was horrendous.

@Mercurial123 thank you. I think that may be the way to go.

The Istanbul Pass has gone up in price over the last few years. I no longer buy it. The Archaeological Museum is worth a visit, which is easily walkable through the park after Topkapi Palace, and queues are not long. Remember to get a ticket with the harem included for TP. They have a beautiful cafe overlooking the Bosphorus. Your friends could have a late breakfast.

@whiteroseredrose especially a lovely Turkish breakfast they are made to be enjoyed at leisure

@Mercurial123 thank you for the tip.

I think I will try to get them moving early enough on the first day so we can get to to Topkapi Palace and Harem as it opens. We could have a break in the café afterwards and then go to the Archaeological Museum. Maybe look at visiting the Haghia Sophia and Blue Mosque later in the afternoon when they may not be as busy.

Then they can have more leisurely Turkish breakfasts for the next couple of days. Win win @gindreams !

Hi @whiteroseredrose - have you already gone since your last post or are you yet to go?

We are going for three nights on Saturday with two young kids and am considering getting the E-pass based on the blog below:
Istanbul E-pass Review: Is It Worth It? (theistanbulinsider.com)

As the kids are too young to get anything out of the guided tours, ideally we just want to visit as much as we can and therefore want to skip the queues (without a guide if possible...) look around for a bit and head to the next place but trying to work out whether to get individual tickets or the E-pass...

TIA