Is the Istanbul Tourist Pass really worth the money
Photo Credit: theplanetd.com

As passionate sightseers, my friend and I love to see places as much as we can. But we are just two college students, so you can guess that money and time will be the main issue here. While we were looking for cities to enjoy, I remembered the city, which was captivating and, at the same time, bewitching. It was none other than Istanbul, of course! I had been to Istanbul before, but it was a family trip, and I was literally four years old, so I asked my friend if she would like to see the city of Istanbul.

I don’t quite remember all of our memories in Istanbul, but I remember the Turkish ice cream trick, which was funny for everyone except the one who bought it. And I remember being tired because there were so many places and we had walked a lot. She said yes to the offer and said it could be fun. So then we packed our bags and went to Istanbul!

We didn’t know where to start because there were so many places. We were tired and bored as we wandered around Istanbul. My friend seemed unbothered, but I was frustrated. The line was long, and we had many other places to see. Dolmabahce Palace was worth it, but the weather was hot, people were packed in like sardines, and I was hungry. So frustrated.

Finally, it was our turn at the entrance. We got closer to the front desk and asked for the ticket. It was €35 per person. It seemed expensive, but I was not going to give up just because of the money. We had waited so long for it to go for nothing? I don’t think so.

After we left the palace, it was really late. Did we really spend the whole day just in one place? It blew my mind. It was worth the wait, but we don’t have many days and we want to see the other spots, too. We went straight to the hotel. My friend was on the phone when I got out of the shower. She was really focused, so I didn’t bother her. We were really exhausted.

As I looked for my brush, she called my name like a pirate who found treasure. “Look what I found, Gabby! I’m sure this is going to save our trip!” Apparently, I was not the only one who was upset about the long waits and timing. She said she was looking for an alternative while I was showering.

That’s how we met with the Istanbul Tourist Pass! We went through the pages, and it really seemed like a lifesaver. More than 75 attractions, and all of them for free with ITP? Please sign me up immediately! You can purchase it online, or you can buy it via the app too. But you need to use the app in order to visit the places.

We downloaded the ITP App and then went through it. We chose a 3-day Pass because our journey in Istanbul was short and we didn’t have much time. But other day options were 1,2,3,4,5,7 and 10-days. See, Istanbul Tourist Pass works daily, which means if you buy it, you need to get up early and roll up your sleeves. We wanted to fit so many things in a day, which allowed us to do so because a one-day pass in ITP lasts until midnight.

Not only that, but the people working at Istanbul Tourist Pass were extraordinarily friendly! When we got to the office to get our free IstanbulKart which had 10 free rides in it, they truly showed us the famous Turkish hospitality. Furthermore, we could always reach them via WhatsApp whenever we had any issues with the portable mobile hotspot which provided us with unlimited internet access.

After our purchase, we tried to go to the places as much as possible. We went on guided tours and saw the Hagia Sophia, which was fascinating. We showed our Pass ID to the guides and entered. It was massive and wide. My friend was insistent about Topkapi Palace, so we went there, too. We used the pass for the Walk-in attractions as well. The Bosphorus cruise took my breath away. I didn’t know that you could live this type of journey. Like, the sea was calling out for me to dive in, you know? The beauty of the blue Istanbul is one thing I will not forget. The Great Palace Mosaics Museum was excellent, too. And last but not least, the Grand Bazaar! It was endless, I think.

We had so much fun in Istanbul that when we were leaving, I almost cried if it wasn’t for my friend who seemed judgy. And without the Istanbul Tourist Pass, I don’t think we could see this amount of places. And who knows how much money we would spend in vain. My friend said she was going to recommend the Istanbul Tourist Pass to everyone. I guess she doesn’t want anyone to live the frustration just like I did!

Tips for the Istanbul and Istanbul Tourist Pass

-Istanbul is a crowded city, so beware of your surroundings.

-The places you want to visit may be far away from each other. If so, get ready to walk.

-Expenses can go beyond when you are a tourist in Istanbul, so if you can learn a bit of Turkish, it may work in your favor.

-You need to be aware of your phone battery. You don’t want to be let down in the middle of the way.

-You can purchase the ITP online, but in order to use it, you need to download the Istanbul Tourist Pass App.

-ITP App has all of the categories you need in it. Guided tours, museums, sightseeing, and many more.

-ITP has a map of the place you want to visit, so don’t worry, you can find it yourself, too.

-One day of the Istanbul Tourist Pass ends at midnight, so spend your day according to it.

How to get the Istanbul Tourist Pass?

You can purchase it on the website. Then you will download the app available for Android and iOS. After you download the app, you can choose the days. Our 3-day Pass costs €115 per one.

What did we do in the 3-Day Istanbul Tourist Pass?

First Day– We were picked up from the airport via private transfer cars. Then, we visited the Istanbul Tourist Pass Office to get our IstanbulCard with 10 free passes and our free Portable Mobile WiFi Hotspots, then, visited Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Archeological Museum.

Second Day– Flyzone, Sapphire Observation Deck, Istanbul Toy Museum, Istanbul Aquarium

Last Day– Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, Grand Bazaar, Whirling Dervishes Show.

There are 1,2,3,4,5,7 and 10 days available for your choice, too. In case of a lack of info, I’m going to leave a link to the page of Istanbul Tourist Pass. So enjoy your vacation and say hi to me in Istanbul!