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Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism General Directorate of Foundations Basilica Cistern
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Basilica Cistern

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If you have a MüzeKart (Museum Card) or a free-entry right you do not need a ticket — see below.

  1. 01 Tickets Ticket type and number
  2. 02 Details Contact information
  3. 03 Payment Consent and secure payment page

Credit/debit card only · e-ticket by e-mail · valid for 30 days

Ticket Information

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Ticket

After your purchase

Your ticket arrives by e-mail as a PDFSent to the e-mail address you gave during purchase.
Show the QR code at the entrance or scan it at the turnstilePresent it to the staff at the entrance or scan it at the turnstiles.
Tickets are valid for 30 days; unused tickets can be refundedCancellation and refund

Free entry

MüzeKart (Museum Card)

MüzeKart (Museum Card) holders can enter the Basilica Cistern free of charge.

The Mobile MüzeKart (Museum Card) gives you easy access to more than 350 museums and archaeological sites operated by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Directorate of National Palaces, and the Çanakkale Site Management Presidency. Follow the steps below for a quick and contactless entry experience:

  • Download the “Museums of Türkiye” app to your smartphone and sign up in just a few seconds.
  • If you already have an active MüzeKart, add it to the app using your ID number.
  • To purchase a new MüzeKart, complete your purchase selecting the “MOBILE APP” option under the “Museum Card” tab in the app.

During your visit, generate a QR code for fast and seamless entry to the museum.

The Mobile MüzeKart offers a convenient and environmentally friendly way to explore museums and archaeological sites. By reducing the use of plastic cards, it contributes to sustainability efforts. Available for immediate use, the Mobile MüzeKart allows visitors to enter participating sites easily with a QR code, eliminating the need for a physical card. It also provides quick access to up-to-date information on museums and archaeological sites.

IMPORTANT NOTE: MüzeKart is not valid for the Harem Quarters within Topkapı Palace, the Hagia Irene Monument, the Beykoz Glass Museum, the Terrace Houses within the Ephesus Archaeological Site, the Dark Church within the Göreme Open-Air Museum, Sedir Island, the Istanbul Cinema Museum, and certain areas within the Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum. You must purchase separate tickets for these sections.

Free entry

Free Entry with Documentation

Upon presentation of documentation, persons in the listed categories can benefit from free entry.

  1. Turkish citizen children/youth under 18 years of age and teachers accompanying student groups
  2. Turkish citizens over 65 years of age
  3. Veterans, relatives of veterans, and relatives of martyrs holding official identity cards
  4. Disabled visitors and one accompanying companion
  5. Non-commissioned officers and soldiers performing compulsory military service
  6. Holders of ICOM, ICOMOS, and UNESCO cards
  7. Holders of local and international press cards
  8. Travel agency owners or responsible managers holding TÜRSAB identity cards
  9. Staff/retirees of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and their immediate relatives
  10. Foreign children aged 8 and under
  11. Groups and accompanying teachers under the Comenius and Erasmus student exchange programs
  12. Local governors, mayors, provincial directors of culture, museum directors, neighborhood heads (mukhtars) in the relevant province/district, and a limited number of companions
  13. Teachers serving in official/private primary and secondary education institutions affiliated to the Ministry of National Education (MEB)
  14. Ambassadors and consuls general serving in Türkiye, and their families
  15. Active students studying in the departments of art history, archaeology, conservation and restoration of cultural heritage, Hittitology, Sumerology, anthropology, and museology
  16. Presidents of supreme judicial bodies and their accompanying delegations

Visitors who will benefit from free entry are required to present a valid ID, card, or official document showing their eligibility upon entry.

If the document cannot be presented or the eligibility cannot be verified, the visitor may need to purchase a ticket at the standard visitor rate.

Free entry rights are applied in accordance with the Basilica Cistern Rules and Principles.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Visitors eligible for free entry are subject to entry queues and visit rules depending on the crowd density. Free entry does not grant priority entry rights.

Ticket

Cancellation and refund

Unused tickets within the 30-day validity period can be refunded.

  • Your refund is processed according to the day of the sale: sales made on the same day are cancelled; sales from previous days are processed as a refund and the amount you paid is returned to your card.
  • Depending on your bank's processing times, the refunded amount may appear on your card within a few business days.
  • Once the process is complete, all tickets of this sale are cancelled and cannot be used at the entrance.
  • If any of your tickets has been used at the entrance, the sale cannot be cancelled.

Your sales reference number is on the ticket sent to you by e-mail.

Go to the refund page ↗

Ticket

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit

What are the Basilica Cistern's opening hours?
The Basilica Cistern can be visited every day of the year; visiting hours are from 09:00 to 19:00.
Is MüzeKart (Museum Card) accepted?
MüzeKart holders are entitled to free admission to the Basilica Cistern.
Who is eligible for free admission?
Free admission is granted in accordance with the Basilica Cistern Rules and Principles. Visitors must present the required identification cards, membership cards, or official documents upon entry.
Is identification required for online ticket purchases?
No; no identification is required for online tickets. Visitors entering with a free-entry right are asked for the document proving it at the entrance.

Ticket

How many times can a ticket be used?
Each ticket is valid for one person and a single admission only.
How do I use my ticket at the entrance?
Simply present the QR code sent to you after your purchase to the staff at the entrance or scan it at the turnstiles for admission.
Which payment methods are accepted?
Only credit card and debit card payments are accepted for box office and online ticket sales.
Are tickets purchased through unauthorized sales channels valid?
No. Only tickets purchased through official sales channels are valid for admission.
How long is my ticket valid, and can I get a refund?
Online tickets are valid for 30 days from the date of purchase; tickets not used within this period are cancelled when it ends. You can request a refund for tickets that have not been used and are still valid. Send your cancellation and refund request from the Cancellation and refund section on this page or through our support channels.

Support

Who can I contact if I experience a problem?
If you encounter any issues or require assistance, you can email us at destek@yerebatansarnici.gov.tr. You can also reach us by calling our contact center at +90 850 240 02 58. All contact details are on the Contact page.
How do I buy tickets as a travel agency or group?
Travel agencies and group entries use the Museum Partner Portal; the link is under Channels (Travel Agencies) at the bottom of the page.

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Plan your visit

Visitor information and contact Explore the History