Has anyone recently used the Istanbul Express Pass? istanbulpass.net. Seems like a great option compared to trying to figure out which tours to take on Viator, TripAdvisor, or Get Your Guide, where tours listed offer similar itineraries at vastly different prices. Plus, this type of pass enables more flexibility. Any other recommendations for us being in Istanbul for 3 days in early April? Thanks!
Posted by
Washington DC
30416 posts
Please give us a link to the website for that pass. I can't find it, so I can't determine what the pass covers or what it costs.
For any pass in Istanbul, keep in mind that:
Most mosques are free, though it's nice to leave a donation if there's a place to do that. Time spent seeing those mosques is time you will not be using your sightseeing pass.
The Topkapi Palace could take just about all day if you want to see all parts of the complex.
Istanbul is a very interesting, colorful city. It's great fun just walking around a variety of neighborhoods. While you are doing that, you will not be getting any benefit from a sightseeing pass.
Posted by
Singapore
1160 posts
Agreed - there's so much in Istanbul that's free, that you will probably find you don't visit as many paid attractions as you think.
As noted above, most mosques are free. I visited 11 or so in about two weeks. Easily the highlight of my trip. And yes, a lot of the time you'll just be walking the streets and exploring.
Also, skip the Bosphorus tours and take a public ferry (very cheap).
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
3833 posts
I have not used (or heard of) that pass. As with any pass situation you will need to pencil out the cost of what you want to see and whether the pass covers the things you want to see in the time period offered. With only three days in the city it might not make sense, but it really depends on your interests. For example it doesn't cover many museums, so a museum pass could be more beneficial if that's what you plan to see. A quick glance at the website indicates even with the pass you still have to make reservations for some things so it might not be that convenient.
Posted by
2 posts
Most of these platforms aren’t creating unique experiences, they’re reselling the same tickets or tours that the original operator offers. Each reseller can mark up the price, and sometimes another reseller can take that already marked-up ticket and add even more, so you end up with a wide range of prices for essentially the same product. The experience itself is usually identical no matter where you buy it from, so the safest strategy is to choose the option that has the lowest price while still having strong reviews and a clear cancellation policy. That way you’re not overpaying for something that is fundamentally the same as any other ticket.