Every city worth its salt has a hop on hop off tour bus and Istanbul is no different. For first time visitors and for those who just want to explore a little further than their last visit, the hop on hop off service begins at Sultan Ahmet Square. So when you have seen all you want to see, in arguably the most historical square of any city, you can take your choice on the Blue Route or the Red Route tour bus that leaves from the heart of Sultan Ahmet and returns to the same place once the route is complete.
What better way is there to travel through this busy city and see close up those famous sights read about in history books? The buses are spacious and comfortable, complete with audio guide system to help you point out places of interest along the routes, and with a 30 to 60 minute waiting time for the next one to come along, you can plan your route accordingly and you decide how long you stay.
In 2024, price of İstanbul Hop-On Hop-Off Bus is 30 € for adults, 30 € for children between age 7 and 12, free for children under 6 years old.
Type | Age | Price |
---|---|---|
Adult | 13 years and older | €30 |
Child | 7 — 12 years old | €30 |
Infant | 0 — 6 years old | Free |
The beauty of this tour is that you can control your own itinerary. The bus departs from each stop every 30 mins to 1 hour allowing you to hop off where you like and hop back on when you are ready to continue your exploration of the city. All that remains for you to do is take a look at the available routes and start planning an itinerary that suits you.
Starting at Sultanahmet Square, your tour bus takes youto the Galata Bridge, Tophane, Port, Dolmabahce Palace, Naval Museum, Taksim Square, Sishane and back towards Sultanahmet via the Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Bazaar).
Leaving from Sultanahmet Square and heding towards the Galata Bridge. Patriarchate, Cable Car, Miniaturk. The Rahmi Koc Transport Museum and back towards the Egyptian Bazaar and return to Sultanahmet Square.
It couldn’t be easier to familiarise yourself with this grand city, using Sultanahmet Square as your leave and return base.
Cost of İstanbul Hop-On Hop-Off Bus is 30 € for adults, 30 € for children between age 7 and 12, free for children under 6 years old in 2024.
All ages can appreciate the hop on hop off. The buses are spacious enough for the children to move about with little restriction and the sights available to see are family friendly too!
They leave Sultanahmet Square every thirty minutes or so. Your ticket is for flexi times. You choose when you hop on and when you hop off, between the hours of 10:00 and 20:00.
Yes, with over 46 city sights to enjoy on this tour, it might help if you have a sightseeing map of the city with you. For children, recognising the sights that are on the map is a great way to learn orienteering and it may also help you to prioritise which sights you will be seeing that day.
Do take a bottle of water or drink with you, the summer heat can be unforgiving.
Certainly bring your camera with you, though you cannot capture the aromatic smells or the sounds of the city, you can certainly catch those images.
Lastly, do wear appropriate footwear, with so much to see and do good footwear is quintessential to your hop on hop off tour of Istanbul.