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Hagia Sophia skip-the-line tickets | 5 best ways to beat the crowds
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- Head straight inside the newly-opened Hagia Sophia History & Experience Museum with fast access tickets that let you bypass long ticket lines.
- Take a 30-min tour and learn all about the religious and historical significance of the museum’s artifacts through a 3D experience.
- Feast your eyes on the magnificent Byzantine artworks dating back several centuries that make up the museum’s vast collection. Enjoy unlimited stay inside!
- Enjoy entry to the Hagia Sophia History & Experience Museum with an audio guide.
Inclusions
- Hagia Sophia History & Experience Museum skip-the-line ticket
- Unlimited stay inside the museum
- Hagia Sophia Mosque entry (optional)
Exclusions
- Guided tour of the museum
- Hagia Sophia mosque entrance fee
- Tip: Plan a visit to the museum and Hagia Sophia Mosque in tandem to get the full experience of this iconic Turkish attraction.
- Please note that the Hagia Sophia Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Museum are two completely separate attractions. While the former is a sacred place of worship for Muslims, the latter is a museum housing valuable artifacts, mosaics, and other items related to the Hagia Sophia's history as a church and mosque.
- The following is allowed on this tour: photography in the museum.
- No children below 8 are allowed in the Museum.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
- Enjoy a guided tour of Istanbul’s best iconic attractions with this one combo ticket that you can use in 1 day or over 2 or 3 days.
- Learn about the illustrious history of each of these landmarks from your expert English-speaking guide.
- Gain valuable insights about the iconic Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque with a guided tour.
- Explore Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern while listening to interesting stories through an audio guide app available in 8 languages.
- Sail away on a relaxing 90-minute cruise of the Bosphorus Waterway as you admire the architectural beauty of Istanbul from a different perspective.
Inclusions
- 60-min Topkapi Palace tour with skip-the-line entry
- 30-min Basilica Cistern tour with skip-the-line entry
- 60-min Hagia Sophia guided tour with skip-the-line entry
- 90-min Blue Mosque guided tour with entry
- 90-min Bosphorus Cruise ticket
- English-speaking guide for all attractions
- Audio app in 10 languages
Day 1
- Hagia Sophia Mosque
- Blue Mosque
- Bosphorus Cruise Tickets
Day 2
- Topkapi Palace
- Basilica Cistern
- Tip: Topkapi Palace's ground floor has the best Instagram potential. You get to photograph the stunning interiors and beautiful ceilings.
- The audio guide is available in English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish.
- Facilities: Pram/Stroller Accessibility.
- For Hagia Sophia, Women are required to cover their knees, shoulders, and chest. Their hair should be partially covered with a scarf. Men are required to cover their knees and shoulders. If you don't have a scarf or covering, it can be purchased at the entrance, at your own expense.
- With this admission ticket (except for Hagia Sophia), you will skip the ticket line, but not the security line. During high season, the security check could take up to 30 minutes.
- This tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not suitable for pets.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- Bypass the ticketing queue with these skip-the-line tickets to Hagia Sophia (you must still go through the mandatory security line), designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an audio guide available in 23 languages.
- Travel back in time and hop on a spiritual experience at Hagia Sophia, while gaining valuable insights about the Islamic and Byzantine heritage of the monument.
- Explore the marvel that once held the title of the world's largest place of worship for over a millennium, and check out the mosaics and the imperial dome.
- Enter the 2nd-floor visitors' area with skip-the-line access and explore the upper gallery at your own pace and convenience.
- Learn about the fascinating history of the oldest and fastest-built cathedral, its architecture, and heritage from your audio guide.
Inclusions
- Skip the ticket line to Hagia Sophia
- Entry to Hagia Sophia visiting area
- English guided tour by a historian (optional)
- Audio guide in 23 languages (optional)
- Entry to the Hagia Sophia History Museum (optional)
- 10% discount at Dsign Cafe
Exclusions
- Skip the security line
- Tip: The building's ground floor has the best Instagram potential. Photograph the stunning interiors and beautiful ceiling from here.
- You skip the ticket lines but you cannot skip the security check.
- The security check can take up to 60 minutes during peak seasons.
- The prayer area in the first floor can only be entered by Turkish citizens.
- Women are required to cover their knees, shoulders, and chest. Hair should be partially covered with a scarf.
- Men are required to cover their knees and shoulders.
- If you do not have a scarf or body cover, you can buy them at the entrance (A scarf is €2 and a body cover is €3).
- This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.
- Don't forget to carry your own headphones to listen to the audio guide.
- Due to the Friday prayer, the Mosque will be closed to tourists from 12pm to 2pm. For a smoother experience, it's recommend visiting after 4pm to avoid the lengthy security line anticipated between 2pm and 4pm.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Hagia SophiaSkip the Line Tours
Top things to do in Istanbul
How to skip the line at Hagia Sophia?
Book tickets online
The best way to ensure that you do not have to stand in long lines outside the Hagia Sophia is to book tickets online. Online ticket bookings are convenient and save time and money. Booking tickets online also ensures that you will get access to the mosque no matter the crowd on the day of your visit.
Choose skip-the-line tickets
Another sure way to ensure priority access to the mosque museum is to book Hagia Sophia skip-the-line tickets in advance. With these tickets, you can bypass long lines and also enjoy multilingual audio guides in over 23 languages. Audio guides allow you to explore the mosque at your own pace alongside narrating important historical events.
Visit early in the day
You can experience a quieter atmosphere at the Hagia Sophia early in the morning or around late afternoon. There are fewer people inside the mosque. Be mindful that the mosque remains closed to non-worshippers during prayer hours, hence plan your visit accordingly.
Opt for guided tours with skip-the-line entry
Another way to skip ahead of long lines is to book Hagia Sophia guided tours. These tour tickets include skip-the-line entry, an expert tour guide, and an audio guide in 23 languages. The best perk of booking a guided tour is that an expert will acquaint you with the historical anecdotes and cultural significance of the mosque, after which you can explore the mosque on your own with the audio guide playing in your ear.
Plan your day in advance
If you want to skip ahead of long lines at the Hagia Sophia, you must plan your itinerary accordingly. Schedule a visit early in the day or book skip-the-line tickets in advance to experience lesser crowds at the Hagia Sophia Mosque.
Frequently asked questions about Hagia Sophia skip-the-line tickets
Can I skip the line at the Hagia Sophia?
Yes, you can skip ahead of long lines at the Hagia Sophia with your skip-the-line tickets, which also include an audio guide in 23 languages. A Hagia Sophia historian-guided tour with skip-the-line entry provides priority access, an expert tour guide, and an audio guide in 23 languages.
Are Hagia Sophia skip-the-line tickets available for booking?
Yes, you can purchase Hagia Sophia skip-the-line tickets online. Note that these tickets allow you to bypass long lines of visitors, however, you still have to wait in line for security checks.
How much do Hagia Sophia skip-the-line tickets cost?
The Hagia Sophia skip-the-line tickets cost around €36. If you love history and architecture, we would recommend you purchase the Hagia Sophia historian-guided tour since it also starts from €36, and allows you more flexibility to tailor your visit. With the guided tours, an expert tour guide will accompany you for around an hour, after which you can plug in your audio guide and explore the mosque by yourself.
Why should I book Hagia Sophia skip-the-line tickets?
We recommend booking Hagia Sophia skip-the-line tickets because they allow you to bypass long lines and spend more time at the mosque. You can also access an audio guide, available in 23 languages, which allows you to explore the mosque museum at your own pace.
What is the waiting time to get into the Hagia Sophia?
During peak season, between March to May, and September to October, you need to wait at least 30 to 60 minutes outside the mosque. With skip-the-line tickets, you can minimize your waiting time, and enter the mosque within 15 to 30 minutes.
Is there a specific entrance for Hagia Sophia skip-the-line ticket holders?
There is no specific entrance for Hagia Sophia skip-the-line ticket holders. You can enter through any of the entrances and explore the mosque museum.
Are audio guides available with Hagia Sophia skip-the-line tickets?
Yes, the Hagia Sophia skip-the-line tickets include an audio guide, available in 23 languages. If you book a historian-guided tour, you can also access an audio guide to explore the mosque at your own pace.
