The Basilica Cistern at a glance
The Basilica Cistern is an underground water hall in the Sultanahmet area, near Hagia Sophia. It is known for its rows of columns and for two Medusa heads that serve as column bases.
The cistern changed operator in 2026. Press reports say that Vakıflar took over and that the cistern reopened on 6 June 2026 at 09:00. The most recent price table comes from the previous operator. Use the figures below as a guide and check the current price at the ticket desk before you go.
Basilica Cistern tickets: the most recent prices
Foreign visitors, in Turkish lira. The euro value moves with the exchange rate.
| Option | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Day ticket | 09:00–18:30 | TRY 1,950 |
| Day ticket with audio guide | 09:00–18:30 | TRY 2,150 |
| Evening ticket | 19:30–22:00 | TRY 3,000 |
| Audio guide on its own | – | TRY 300 |
These figures are the foreign-visitor rates of the previous operator, repeated by the Turkish travel agency association TÜRSAB. Turkish citizens pay far less. Children who have not yet begun their seventh year of life enter free in the company of family, according to the published tariff. Whether the evening visit and these rates continue unchanged under the new operator is something to check at the ticket desk or with your booking.
Our picks: Basilica Cistern
A ticket with audio guide, a small-group tour and a guided pass.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guided pass: Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and Topkapi
Entry with a guide to Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern and Topkapi, plus guided visits to the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. The Harem at Topkapi, pickup and the ride back are not included.
Check availability →
Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern with a guide
Pre-booked entry to Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern, a licensed guide and headsets in a small group. Getting to the meeting point is not included.
Check availability →
Basilica Cistern ticket with audio guide
A ticket valid all day and a smartphone audio guide in 11 languages. The Theodosius Cistern only comes with the matching option.
Check availability →Basilica Cistern tours and tickets
Cistern visits, Old City walks and combined tours around Sultanahmet, with live prices and availability. Check which options include the entry ticket.
The Medusa heads
Two Medusa heads stand at the foot of columns in the cistern. They were reused as column bases. One is upside down and the other lies on its side. Which earlier building they come from is unknown.
You will often hear that they were placed this way to break the gaze of Medusa. Treat that as a legend. The real reason for the placement is not known.
Day, evening and group rules
What to expect since the 2026 changes.
Day visit
The last published day tariff runs from 09:00 to 18:30. The cistern reopened on 6 June 2026 at 09:00 under the new operator.
Evening visit
The earlier tariff lists an evening ticket for 19:30 to 22:00. Check whether evening entry is offered on your date before you plan dinner around it.
New agency system
A new booking portal for travel agencies started in October 2026. It works with prepaid agency codes. It is not a general reservation requirement for individual visitors.
Guided groups
According to TÜRSAB, only licensed guides may lead groups, and groups of more than 8 people need a headset system. Tickets that agencies had bought at the box office were valid only until 18 October 2026.
Guided visits compared →Museum Pass
Check whether the Istanbul Museum Pass covers the cistern before you rely on it. The operator changed in 2026, and the list of included sites can change with it.
Istanbul Museum Pass →Combine it with the rest of Sultanahmet
The cistern is a good short stop between larger sights.
Planning your visit
Choices that change the price and the experience.
Day or evening
The day ticket is TRY 1,950 and the evening ticket TRY 3,000 in the most recent table. If you choose the evening, check that it is offered on your date.
With or without audio guide
The audio guide adds TRY 200 to the day ticket, which makes TRY 2,150. On its own it costs TRY 300.
Alone or with a guide
Guided groups must use licensed guides. If you book a tour, check that it includes the entry ticket.
Guided visits compared →Part of a bigger day
Combine the cistern with Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Look at the opening hours of each before you fix an order.
Hagia Sophia opening hours →Basilica Cistern: frequently asked questions
How much is a Basilica Cistern ticket?
The most recent tariff for foreign visitors is TRY 1,950 for the day and TRY 3,000 for the evening. With an audio guide, the day ticket is TRY 2,150. Check the current price at the ticket desk, because the operator changed in 2026.
Can I visit the cistern in the evening?
The earlier tariff lists evening entry from 19:30 to 22:00. Check whether it is offered on your date.
Is the cistern open after the change of operator?
Press reports say it reopened on 6 June 2026 at 09:00 under Vakıflar.
Are children free?
The published tariff says children who have not begun their seventh year of life enter free in the company of family.
Why are the Medusa heads upside down?
Nobody knows. Stories say it was meant to break her gaze, but those are legends. What is known is that there are two heads, reused as column bases, one upside down and one on its side.
Do I need to reserve a time for the cistern?
The new booking portal of October 2026 is for travel agencies. It does not create a general reservation requirement for individual visitors.