The Topkapı Palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Istanbul, and it can get very crowded, especially during the summer months. Here are four ways to get into Topkapı without queues:
- Buy tickets online. This is the easiest and fastest way to avoid queues. Tickets can be purchased on the official website of the Topkapı Palace or on any of the tourist websites that offer tickets to Istanbul museums. When you purchase tickets online, you will receive a QR code that you will need to present at the entrance to the museum.
- Purchase the Istanbul E-Pass museum card. This card gives you access to over 30 museums and attractions in Istanbul, including Topkapı Palace. When you purchase the card, you will receive a separate entrance, bypassing the general queue.
- Book a guided tour. Many guides offer guided tours of Topkapı Palace with a direct entrance. This can be convenient if you don’t want to plan your visit to the museum yourself.
- Arrive early in the morning. If you are willing to get up early, you can avoid queues by visiting Topkapı Palace in the first hours of opening. The museum opens at 9:00 AM, and there are fewer visitors at this time.
More information on each of these methods:
Buy tickets online
When you Buy tickets online, you can choose a time to visit to avoid queues. Tickets can be purchased on the official website of the Topkapı Palace or on any of the tourist websites that offer tickets to Istanbul museums. The cost of an adult ticket is 250 Turkish lira, for children from 7 to 12 years old – 125 Turkish lira, for children under 7 years old admission is free.
Purchase the Istanbul E-Pass museum card
The Istanbul E-Pass museum card gives you access to over 30 museums and attractions in Istanbul, including Topkapı Palace. The cost of the card is 125 Turkish lira for adults, 62.5 Turkish lira for children from 7 to 12 years old, and free for children under 7 years old.
Book a guided tour
Many guides offer guided tours of Topkapı Palace with a direct entrance. The cost of a tour starts at 100 Turkish lira.
Arrive early in the morning
If you are willing to get up early, you can avoid queues by visiting Topkapı Palace in the first hours of opening. The museum opens at 9:00 AM, and there are fewer visitors at this time.
I hope this information is helpful.