We thought the Istanbul MegaPass was worth it but there are things you need to know to avoid a big mistake like the one we made at Topkapi Palace. Here’s our take on using the Istanbul MegaPass and some tips and tricks for making the most of it.
My husband and I had been to Istanbul 20 years ago and couldn’t wait to visit again. However, we got a shock when I started researching our trip and discovered how expensive entry fees now were for attractions like Hagia Sofia and the Topkapi Palace.
These hefty costs were going to hurt our travel budget so we decided to use an Istanbul MegaPass to cover all our sightseeing during the six days we were there. The price for an Istanbul MegaPass can initially seem steep. However, it can save you a lot of money (especially if you’re travelling on the weak Aussie dollar like we were).
So, now you know that getting an Istanbul MegaPass is worth it. But don’t take short cuts or you could have a Topkapi Palace disaster like we did! Here is everything you need to know to get the most out of this great value pass and avoid the occasional pitfalls that can come with it.
What is Istanbul MegaPass?
An Istanbul MegaPass is a sightseeing pass that you can buy online. Ours included a huge choice of attractions like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and five trips on public transport using the Istanbulkart. This can also be loaded with extra credit if you need it.
Unlike some other passes we’ve used in different cities, the Istanbul Megapass included everything we wanted to see. We also didn’t have to pay any extra for tickets with the things we chose to do (although some attractions required a small supplement).
There are three passes and each one is valid for 7 days. However, they include a different number of activities. We had the most expensive pass and felt it was the best fit for us as we were in Istanbul for a week and had plenty of time to use it.
Tip 1: Stand in the correct Istanbul MegaPass queue
There are separate queues at each attraction for pass holders and people buying regular tickets. Make sure you stand in the correct queue as the one for MegaPass holders is usually much quicker. We found it better to ask a staff member outside the attraction as soon as we arrived as it was often hard to work out where to go. This saved us a lot of time and frustration and got us inside much quicker.
Tip 2: You have to pre-book a time in advance with Istanbul MegaPass
If you have an Istanbul MegaPass, you need to pre-book your visit dates and times in advance. Some of these come with instructions that you must follow to enter the attractions. Read on to learn about our Topkapi Palace MegaPass disaster when we decided to skip the designated meeting point and head inside early!
You can download the MegaPass app to book your slots or do it on a laptop or PC. Even when you book your chosen day, some attractions let you enter at any time that day. Just check the schedule for that day in the app and turn up when it suits you. Others require you to choose a timed entry (e.g. enter between 10am and 11am).
The biggest disadvantage we discovered using the pass was we didn’t have flexibility if the weather wasn’t good or we felt like doing something else that day. You also need to choose your dates and times CAREFULLY as these cannot be changed once you have locked them in with MegaPass.
Tip 3: Using the Istanbul MegaPass to enter attractions
Most attractions have a QR code that the staff at the attraction scan when you arrive. This QR code is included in your MegaPass app. Others like the Topkapi Palace have a meeting point you need to go to (which may not be at the attraction itself) or a timed entry window. Make sure you follow whatever the instructions are exactly.
Tip 4. Follow the Istanbul MegaPass instructions exactly
The Topkapi Palace was one of the last attractions we visited and we thought we knew how to use the MegaPass pretty well by then. At all the other spots, the staff had scanned our QR code in the app at the Skip The Line queue and we had just gone inside.
The earliest time we could book a MegaPass slot was 10am but the Topkapi Palace opened at 9am. Our MegaPass instructions said to meet our guide at a nearby coffee shop and they would escort us inside. However, as we had a QR code for the Topkapi Palace entry and we are independent travellers, we decided to get up early, be there at 9am and be one of the first inside the palace.
This was a big mistake. When we tried to enter that the QR code for the Topkapi Palace, we discovered we HAD to meet at the coffee shop first so the guide could scan the QR code in our MegaPass app there and not at the attraction. Then, we were taken as a big group to enter the attraction at once. This took a lot of extra time and was frustrating. It was very crowded at 10.30am when we had eventually all entered and could start exploring. Our fault, of course – don’t make the same mistake!
Tip 5. Collect your Istanbul MegaPass Istanbulkart – it’s so handy!
Istanbul is big which means that moving between attractions can take longer than you thought it would. It’s smart to choose Istanbul MegaPass attractions to see in the same day that are close to each other. You can use the Istanbulkart public transport card included with your MegaPass to get there, it’s quick and easy.
Before you use public transport, you’ll need to collect the physical Istanbulkart included in your MegaPass. The easiest way to do this is to book the guided Blue Mosque tour at the start of your stay and collect the card from the Istanbul MegaPass representative. They have Istanbulkart cards to give to MegaPass users. By the way, we really enjoyed this Istanbul MegaPass guided tour – don’t miss it!
Tip 6. Bring the right clothes just in case
If you’re trying to see as many Istanbul MegaPass attractions as possible, there is nothing more annoying than having to return to your accommodation because you didn’t have the right clothes with you. Sightseeing when you are wet from the rain or too hot or too cold isn’t fun.
When we arrived for our Bosphorus Cruise the wind really picked up and was very strong by the time our cruise ended. For us, this was no problem as we had bought some extra warm clothes, just in case. However, other travellers were left shivering and didn’t enjoy their cruise as much as we did.
The same goes for planning visits in summer as Istanbul can get very hot. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water so you can stay hydrated if you end up having to wait outside in a queue to enter an attraction. Even with skip the line tickets, it can take a while to get in during peak season.
The Final Verdict: Is Istanbul MegaPass worth it?
We highly recommend getting an Istanbul MegaPass. Istanbul has become an expensive city to visit and using an Istanbul MegaPass can save you around 40% or more on entry fees. We chose some of the most expensive attractions to get the best value from our Istanbul MegaPass. These were also considered the city’s ‘must sees’. Provided you follow the instructions and don’t mess them up like we did, you’ll have a great experience.
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