Located on two continents and surrounded by the Sea of Marmara, Istanbul has been an intersection of cultures for centuries — with a fascinating combination of European, and Asian influences.

Explore its spectacular Ottoman architecture and exquisite palaces on a hop-on hop-off bus tour in Istanbul. Navigate the city's vibrant neighborhoods, discover its buzzing bazaars and learn about its development from ancient Constantinople.

Check out our useful guide on hop-on hop-off bus tours, one of the most enjoyable sightseeing tours in Istanbul.

What are the best hop-on hop-off Istanbul bus tours? What are their prices?

Big Bus Istanbul

Big Bus Istanbul operates a popular route through the city, stopping at 11 remarkable landmarks along the way. You'll have the opportunity to see Turkey's most magnificent monuments in person and learn about the city's past.

Route

This hop-on hop-off bus tour in Istanbul begins its route at Sultanahmet Square — once the Hippodrome of Constantinople. From here, you can pay a visit to the iconic Blue Mosque, constructed in the 17th century under Ottoman rule.

The bus continues on to the Eminonu-Galata Bridge — the current walkway over the Golden Horn in a long line of bridges dating back to the early 19th century. Depart at Tophane to embrace hookah culture or discover its range of museums.

The bus then passes by the port to allow cruisers to embark on their sightseeing expedition. It continues on to Dolmabahçe Palace, which served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire.

Hop off at the Naval Museum to discover over 20,000 maritime artifacts, mostly connected to the Ottoman navy. Alternatively, walk the grounds of the 19th-century Beylerbeyi Palace by departing at the dedicated bus stop.

Stay aboard until Taksim Square if you wish to dine on authentic Turkish fare or shop for souvenirs. If you're an art addict, head to the Istanbul Modern to see an impressive collection of contemporary pieces.

The final destination on this Istanbul hop-on hop-off bus tour is the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, where a fusion of fragrant smells greet you as the doors swing open.

Timetable

Big Bus Istanbul operates a hop-on hop-off bus service around the city every hour throughout the day, between the hours of 11 AM and 5 PM. The route takes approximately 2 hours to complete and the bus operates every day of the year.

Tickets

Purchase your Big Bus Istanbul hop-on hop-off tour tickets online in advance, so you'll save 10%.

1-day tickets

A 1-day ticket cost €45 per adult and €25 per child aged 5 and over. Children under aged 5 travel free.

If you're visiting Istanbul as a family, you may benefit from a family ticket, which includes two adults and two children for the price of €105. This is a saving of €35.

2-day tickets

Alternatively, purchase a 2-day ticket and enjoy ultimate flexibility for 48 hours. Adults will pay €55 each while tickets for children cost €30 each. A family pass costs €130 for 2 days.

3-day tickets

If you have extra time to spend in Istanbul, consider a 3-day pass. This is the best value for money and enables you to explore the city at your leisure over multiple days.

Adult tickets cost €60, while children travel for €32 each. A family pass costs €143, which saves you just over €40.

Bus for Us

Hop on the cleverly named Bus for Us, in reference to the Bosphorus Strait that runs through the city. Sit back and enjoy a captivating audio-guided tour of Istanbul, and soak in the ancient history and culture of the city.

Route

The Bus for Us route is similar to Big Bus Istanbul and begins its loop at Sultanahmet Square — one of the most picturesque spots in the city.

Continuing on, you'll stop at the Eminonu-Galata Bridge and the bustling Riverside neighborhood of Karaköy. Here, you can find traditional Turkish baked goods, such as baklava, and one-of-a-kind boutiques.

After making a quick stop at Galataport, where cruise ships dock, the bus makes its way to Dolmabahçe Palace and the Naval Museum.

You may choose to depart at the opulent Beylerbeyi Palace, where sultan Abdulhamid II was held captive for six years in the early 20th century.

Alternatively, hop off the bus at Beşiktaş bazaar, where a myriad of businesses set up vibrant stalls every Saturday to flog their wares. While in the market, you can purchase colorful fabrics in a plethora of unusual patterns and sparkling jewelry.

Stay on board until Taksim square or depart at Şişhane metro station, which connects you to the rest of the city. Rounding the tour out, the bus will make its final stop at the Egyptian Spice Bazaar.

Timetable

The Bus for Us hop-on hop-off bus tour in Istanbul runs every hour during weekdays from 10 AM to 5 PM. The full loop takes around 2.5 hours to complete.

Tickets

These Istanbul hop-on hop-hop off bus tickets are valid for one calendar day of your choosing, which you must select in advance.

Adults and children aged 9 and over will pay the same rate of €37 per pass, while those aged 8 and under travel free. Tickets are valid for 24 hours, so you can optimize your usage.

How do hop-on hop-off bus tours in Istanbul work? What is included?

Hop-on hop-off buses in Istanbul allow you to join the excursion at any of the dedicated bus stops along the route.

Listen to an audio-guided tour from your comfortable seat on board and simply jump off the bus when an attraction catches your eye.

Once you've explored a landmark fully, hop back on the bus to continue the tour. Your pass is either valid for a calendar day or a 24-hour period, and you have unlimited use of the hop-on hop-off service during this time.

All hop-on hop-off bus tours in Istanbul include a pre-recorded audio commentary in eight languages, including English, Arabic and Russian.

Are there any combined tickets including hop-on hop-off bus tours?

Instead of a hop-on hop-off bus tour, you can choose a hop-on hop-off boat cruise instead. You'll travel along the Bosphorus Strait while eyeing all the most spectacular sights along the stretch of water.

Combining the excursion with a guided tour of Dolmabahçe Palace and Beylerbeyi Palace makes this the perfect trip for those who like to dive deeper into the history behind each landmark.

Travel tips

To make the most of hop-on hop-off bus tours in Istanbul, join a tour early in the morning. This gives you the entire day to explore the city and make use of the hop-on hop-off service.
Research the attractions you're most keen to visit before embarking on a hop-on hop-off bus tour. This will enable you to see which bus tour aligns with your itinerary and select the one that you'll enjoy the most.
If you are based in Istanbul for several days, consider purchasing a multi-day hop-on hop-off bus tour ticket as this is one of the most budget-friendly ways to see the city.

Hop on Hop off Bus Tours in Istanbul