About this activity
Editor's Note
Look, I’ve been in this game long enough to know that "flexibility" is usually just a buzzword used to spike occupancy rates on underperforming routes. Most tour operators try to herd you like sheep from one gift shop to the next, but the Istanbul hop-on-hop-off model is one of the few instances where the industry actually delivers on its promise of autonomy. Honestly, why pay for a rigid private lead when you can navigate the Bosphorus chaos on your own terms? It’s a bit of a gamble with Istanbul's notorious traffic—your RevPAR-obsessed hotel manager won't tell you that—but for the price of a few cocktails in Galataport, you get a double-decker vantage point that beats a crowded tram any day. If you're smart, you'll use this to bypass the tourist traps and actually see the city's bones.
About the Tour
Discovering a city that spans two continents can be overwhelming, but this tour simplifies the logistics while keeping the "choose your own adventure" spirit alive. With a ticket valid for 24 hours, you have the freedom to curate your own itinerary across Istanbul’s most iconic districts without being tethered to a tour guide's stopwatch.
What to Expect
You’ll board a modern double-decker bus equipped with audio commentary available in 8 languages. This isn't just background noise; it provides essential context for the landmarks whizzing by, from Byzantine architectural feats to Ottoman grandeur.
The route is strategically designed to hit the "heavy hitters" and the rising stars of the city’s urban landscape. You can disembark to explore, then simply catch the next bus when you are ready to move on.
Key Stop Highlights
- The Historic Core: Sultanahmet Square (Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia) and Eminönü.
- Modern Hubs: Galataport, the sleek new cruise terminal, and the ever-vibrant Taksim Square.
- Palatial Grandeur: Stop directly at Dolmabahçe Palace and the Naval Museum.
- The Asian Side & Beyond: Beylerbeyi Palace and the bustling Beşiktaş Bazaar.
- Old World Charm: Şişhane and the aromatic Egyptian Spice Bazaar.
Why This Tour?
Whether you want to spend three hours getting lost in the Spice Bazaar or just want a scenic loop of the city to snap photos from the top deck, this ticket puts you in the driver's seat. It’s the ultimate tool for travelers who value their time and hate being told where to look. Some people prefer the structure of a group, but for the rest of us, there's the open road.
Highlights
- Relax whilst discovering the city of Istanbul at your own pace
- Witness Istanbul's Byzantine & Ottoman Relics by double decker bus
- Hop off at many different stops to explore Istanbul's most famous sites
- Pass the bridge between Europe and Asia, the Bosphorous Bridge
- Enjoy the flexibility to hop on or hop off at a location of your choosing
Know before you go
- Busforus Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Istanbul operates on weekdays from 10 am to 5 pm
- Departures from Sultanahmet Square are available every hour from 10 am to 5 pm
- The full loop tour takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Please note that timings, frequency, and route may be subject to variations due to traffic, weather, or unexpected situations
Includes / Excluded
Itinerary
Starting location:
Atmeydanı Cd. No:7
Sultanahmet District
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Eminönü
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Karaköy
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Galataport Istanbul
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Dolmabahce Palace
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Istanbul Naval Museum
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Beylerbeyi Palace
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Besiktas, Istanbul
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Taksim Square
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Şişhane
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Spice Bazaar, Istanbul
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