Best of · ISTANBUL

15 Istanbul Bus Tours to Build a Day Around

24 tours  ·  from $28 a head

The good istanbul bus tours sell their front seats first and the great ones sell out entirely. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Istanbul Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus in Sultanahmet and Taksim - The party transfer to Taksim
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Istanbul Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus in Sultanahmet and Taksim

1.Istanbul Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus in Sultanahmet and Taksim

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,882 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $31Our pick

Meet hosts such as Maral, Sara, Hilal, or Mariya at Just Bar near the Blue Mosque, play drinking games, then ride toward Taksim for three clubs. You get a social night with group hosts, included entry, and some shots, but most drinks cost extra and the party bus may be a van.

“Eli and the hosts were very welcoming and greeted us when we arrived, and took us to several very fun clubs and bars during the pub crawl. Me and my friends had a really great time. The only area for improvement was the party bus that took us between the first and the second location, which was not really a party bus but rather a big van were you did not really hear the music that clearly. Otherwise, a really great experience, and a fantastic way to experience the Istanbul night life.”

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Istanbul: Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus - The first bar: games before the music gets loud
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Istanbul: Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus

2.Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,155 reviews · 6 hours · from $33

Meet hosts such as Mariya, Maria, Hilal, or Lea, play icebreaker games, take raki and cocktail shots, then ride between two bars and two rooftop clubs. Your six-hour night ends in Taksim around 3 am, with fast entry and party photos included.

“It was good. We meet some people we enjoy the party. But the bus was short. It’s just to go to the bar. But everything was here. Good vybz, shooters, photo and dance. I will definitely come back. I was here on Wednesday but people was here!! I can’t wait to come back to Istanbul”

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Istanbul: Hop-On-Hop-Off with Optional Audio Tour or Cruise - Sultanahmet, Eminönü, and the Golden Horn side
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Istanbul: Hop-On-Hop-Off with Optional Audio Tour or Cruise

3.Hop-On-Hop-Off with Optional Audio Tour or Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,058 reviews · 1 day · from $68

See Istanbul from a double-decker bus on a one-day route linking Sultanahmet, Galataport, Dolmabahçe, Beylerbeyi, Taksim, and the Spice Bazaar. Audio commentary is offered in several languages, with an optional self-guided city tour or Bosphorus cruise. Expect useful orientation, open-air views, and serious traffic delays.

“It’s awesome way to see and tour a place when You don’t have a lot of time.”

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Pub Crawl Istanbul / Rooftop Clubs & Party Bus - The party bus and the change of pace
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Pub Crawl Istanbul / Rooftop Clubs & Party Bus

4.Pub Crawl Istanbul / Rooftop Clubs & Party Bus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 872 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $30

Start at FredBar in Asmalı Mescit at 9 PM, meet an English-speaking host such as Simina, Beyza, Maral, or Maria, then move through Taksim bars, a party bus, rooftop clubs, and Nevizade venues. Admission and welcome shots are included, with the night ending around 3 AM.

“Had a great time on the tour. If you're adventurous and social you'll have a blast but not to worry some our quieter crew had fun as well. Yasmine was terrific in getting all to engage and enjoyed the locations. Easy to the port area as well.”

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Istanbul: Guided Bosphorus Cruise & Golden Horn Bus Tour - The Golden Horn by coach, not just a transfer
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Istanbul: Guided Bosphorus Cruise & Golden Horn Bus Tour

5.Guided Bosphorus Cruise & Golden Horn Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 250 reviews · from $33

See Istanbul from three angles: an air-conditioned coach along the Golden Horn, a short cable-car ride from Pierre Loti Hill, and a Bosphorus cruise past palaces, mosques, bridges, and waterfront neighborhoods. English-speaking guides such as Baki and Sahin add historical context.

“Maybe crowd was too many and traffic was outrageous. Overall the guide (Sahin) was good and friendly. Cable car ride was a short one nothing to shout about. All other this like transport was all ok.”

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Istanbul: Rooftop Pub Crawl with Party Bus - The party bus and the raki stop
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Istanbul: Rooftop Pub Crawl with Party Bus

6.Rooftop Pub Crawl with Party Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 248 reviews · from $28Best value

Start at Fred Bar in Taksim for drinking games, then ride a party bus with raki shots to three rooftop clubs. Guides such as Beyza and Soraya keep the group together, arrange entry, and help solo visitors meet people. Expect dancing, welcome shots, city views, and a late finish.

“One of the best Fridays that I've hanged out strangers who became lovely friends by the end of the night!! Kudos to Tuçe and Maree for the fun arrangements!!”

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Istanbul Top Attractions sightseeing Hop-on Hop-Off Bus - Eminönü and the bazaars: useful stops, difficult timing
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Istanbul Top Attractions sightseeing Hop-on Hop-Off Bus

7.Istanbul Top Attractions sightseeing Hop-on Hop-Off Bus

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 197 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $69

See Istanbul from an open-top bus with a mobile ticket, English audio guide, and stops near Sultanahmet, the Spice Bazaar, Dolmabahçe Palace, Taksim, and Beylerbeyi Palace. The route crosses the Bosphorus, but heavy traffic can turn a planned two-hour loop into three to five hours.

“My bus was supposed to leave at 11:45, but couldn’t take it because it was already full. I had to wait one more hour to take the next bus. One hour was wasted.”

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Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour in Istanbul - Sultanahmet begins with Istanbul’s heavyweight sights
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Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour in Istanbul

8.Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour in Istanbul

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 195 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $68

Spend about a day touring Istanbul by open-top sightseeing bus, using recorded commentary and stops near Sultanahmet, the Spice Bazaar, Dolmabahçe, Taksim, and Beylerbeyi Palace. The route gives you a useful city overview, but heavy traffic and long waits can limit how much time you have to explore.

“First, we were unable to find open seats with working audio outlets. My wife and I wound up sitting on different floors of the bus. Then, the audio quality was difficult to understand. Finally, when we finally got to the stop we wanted to get off at, we had only 15 minutes because the next bus would have gotten us back to our ship too late. We are going to stop doing hop on, hop off busses. Sorry to say not a good experience.”

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Istanbul: Troy Guided Bus Tour with Ferry Tickets & Lunch - The early pickup and long coach journey
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Istanbul: Troy Guided Bus Tour with Ferry Tickets & Lunch

9.Troy Guided Bus Tour with Ferry Tickets & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 119 reviews · 16 hours · from $148

Travel from Istanbul to Troy by air-conditioned coach and ferry, with lunch in Eceabat and an English-speaking guide. At the ruins, see the replica Trojan Horse, Temple of Athena, Odeon, Bouleuterion, excavation areas, and the layered remains of one of Turkey’s most famous ancient sites.

“Troy marvellous, guide excellent, journey not bad, considering Istanbul traffic. Would have been good to have been told lunch was at 11:00 when we stopped for optional breakfast at 09:00 as wouldn’t have eaten so much, and the post Troy pit stop was at a place with toilets so unspeakably awful that an alternate should be found for future trips. Also, it would be helpful if it was made clearer that entrance to Troy (€27pp) is not included in the excursion price - better still, just charge an all inclusive price. But those are minor gripes compared to a brilliant experience.”

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Istanbul: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus with Audio Guide - Twelve stops, one route, many possible days
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Istanbul: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus with Audio Guide

10.Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 110 reviews · 1 day · from $70

Spend one day touring Istanbul on an open-top double-decker bus with 12 stops, an audio guide in eight languages, Wi-Fi, a route map, water, and snacks. Use it as a simple way to get your bearings, but check stop announcements and audio settings carefully.

“wenig Infos, wenig Highligts, die angefahren wurden, schlechte Ausführungen”

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Istanbul Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Red Bus - Karaköy, Galataport, and the harbor districts
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Istanbul Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Red Bus

11.Istanbul Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Red Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 109 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $70

Use a one-day mobile ticket to ride Istanbul’s sightseeing red bus between 12 stops, from Sultanahmet and the Spice Bazaar to Taksim, Dolmabahçe, and Beylerbeyi on the Asian side. A multilingual audio guide and onboard Wi-Fi help you get oriented, but heavy traffic can make the full loop slow.

“Generally Hop-on Hop off buses are good to preview and see a city in a short period of time. This one had its pluses and minuses. The plus part is that one of the stops is just outside the cruise terminal (Galataport) and the price was reasonable ($40/per person for one day or 24 hour useage). The bad part is that is that the route does a complete loop (we got on at stop #4 and wanted to go to stop #1), and the traffic in Istanbul is horrible...as the complete loop can run from 1.5 to 3 hours). We ended up taking the bus the first day, and a…”

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Istanbul Hop On Hop Off Bus24 Hours Ticket - Sultanahmet Square and the old city
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Istanbul Hop On Hop Off Bus24 Hours Ticket

12.Istanbul Hop On Hop Off Bus24 Hours Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 90 reviews · 1 day · from $68

You get a 24-hour ticket for Istanbul’s open-top double-decker sightseeing bus, with English host support and audio guides in eight languages. Ride between Sultanahmet, Galataport, Dolmabahçe Palace, Taksim, Beylerbeyi Palace, and other major sights across Istanbul’s European and Asian sides.

“Le prix des billets sur place est moins cher de 12€ par personne.on été 4 ,alors on a payé 48€ plus cher .C’est décevant.”

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Istanbul: Europe and Asia Tour By Bus And Bosphorus Cruise - Çamlıca Hill and Mosque: Istanbul from the Asian side
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Istanbul: Europe and Asia Tour By Bus And Bosphorus Cruise

13.Europe and Asia Tour By Bus And Bosphorus Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 53 reviews · 12 hours · from $118

Spend 12 hours crossing Istanbul from Europe to Asia by air-conditioned bus, visiting Çamlıca Mosque, Beylerbeyi Palace, Eyüp, Pierre Loti, and Balat before a two-hour Bosphorus cruise. Palace admission, cable-car fare, lunch, drinks, hotel transfers, and multilingual guiding are included.

“It was great experience, good amount of tour time at each site and good food. Perfect arrangement for tourists like us.”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Cruise and Golden Horn Bus Tour - The Bosphorus cruise and Rumeli Fortress
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Istanbul: Bosphorus Cruise and Golden Horn Bus Tour

14.Bosphorus Cruise and Golden Horn Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 48 reviews · 4 hours · from $47

Meet outside Marmara Taksim for a 4-hour tour with a 1.5-hour Bosphorus cruise, Golden Horn drive, Balat sights, and cable-car ride to Pierre Loti. Guides provide commentary in English, Spanish, or German. No individual guide names are provided.

“loved all of it cos it was an element of surprise as firstimer, loved the vibe, the atmosphere, the friendliness, what i saw what i felt. 1 of the buses step was high so driver showd kindness by creating a block to stepup on2. It wud be nice to have seating while waiting 4 bus where you dock boats, it got quite hot and 1s with dusabilities can not alway stand at long lenths,that wud be helpful”

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Istanbul Bus and Boat: 5 Hours Guided City Tour & Boat Cruise - Küçüksu Pavilion and the Asian shore
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Istanbul Bus and Boat: 5 Hours Guided City Tour & Boat Cruise

15.Istanbul Bus and Boat: 5 Hours Guided City Tour & Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 47 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $150

Spend about six hours touring Istanbul by air-conditioned vehicle and boat. Visit Küçüksu Pavilion or Rumeli Fortress, ride the Eyüp cable car, see the Golden Horn, and view Ottoman palaces, mosques, bridges, and the Bosphorus with an English-speaking guide.

“Cruise was Ok, but City Bus Tour with Cable Car - this part was boring: stop to see garden, but where the garden? We did not see. Cable Car- just 3 minutes down and nothing interesting to see”

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