Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour in Istanbul
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.1/5
Based on 211 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour in Istanbul worth booking?
Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour in Istanbul is a 24-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $25 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.1/5 rating across 211 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 4.1/5 (211)
- Duration
- 24 hours
- From
- $25 per person
Discover magnificent sightseeing of the city of Istanbul which is considered as the bridge between Europe and Asia. Unique opportunity for everyone to explore deeply all major touristic highlights within a short time wit
What you get
About this experience
Discover magnificent sightseeing of the city of Istanbul which is considered as the bridge between Europe and Asia. Unique opportunity for everyone to explore deeply all major touristic highlights within a short time with a special audio-guide equipment.
What's included
Included
- Professional licensed driver
- Internet access
- A-day valid ticket
- Audio-guide (8 languages)
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- ar, de, ru, uk, en, fr, tr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Excursionbazaar.com
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 211 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
211 verified traveler reviews for Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour in Istanbul. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Disappointed with the Routes in Istanbul
Not enough stops on the Red Route in Istanbul. Plus not enough connecting stops with the red and blue routes to far apart compared to other cities, like England France Spain Portugal USA ETC
via Viator
Wouldn’t recommend
We had a very disappointing experience with this hop-on hop-off bus tour in Istanbul, mainly due to poor organisation and customer service and we have done the bus tours all across Europe At Sultanahmet, near the major mosques, we were abruptly and quite aggressively told by the driver to leave the bus and move to another one, with absolutely no prior warning that the tour would terminate there. It created unnecessary confusion and stress. I do not understand why guests have to switch buses at all if drivers need breaks, surely the drivers could switch instead of disrupting passengers mid tour. We had finally managed to get decent seats by an open window on the first bus, only to be moved onto another bus that was completely full, forcing us to sit separately. The ticketing and QR code process was also extremely confusing. The first bus allowed us on without issue, but on the second bus we were suddenly told we needed a QR code. The problem is that when booking through GetYourGuide, the tickets and QR codes they provide are apparently not the correct ones. Instead, you are expected to message a WhatsApp number to receive another code, and they only send it once you are physically at the bus stop and send them a photo of it. This is unnecessarily complicated and embarrassing when you are holding up a queue of people trying to board. The experience on the buses themselves was also poor: * Headphones were not working properly, meaning there was no audio narration for many landmarks. * One bus had the roof completely open, leaving passengers burning in the sun. * Another had the roof fully closed, creating a greenhouse effect with almost no airflow. A half-open roof setup would make far more sense for comfort. There also seemed to be frequent smoking breaks by the driver, leaving the bus stationary in the heat for long periods. Overall, the company needs serious improvements in organisation, communication, and customer service. A smile and basic courtesy go a long way, and unfortunately that was missing throughout much of this experience. Only positive- Istanbul is a nice city so it helped with getting around and seeing some of it
via Tripadvisor
Congestion frustration
After 25 minutes and travelling only 200m in congested traffic, we got off in the end and walked our destination. Friends on another bus did the same thing. The narrow roads and massive amounts of traffic are not conducive to this being an effective tour option. It was not the drivers fault, purely a downside of such a big. fantastically chaotic city. We also did not get a commentary which wouldn’t have been an issue if it were an isolated thing but with the traffic delays and the bus (bottom level) being so incredibly hot, it just added to the disappointment. I honestly would recommend using the tram to get around instead. We should maybe have looked at reviews before purchasing these tickets on line.
via Tripadvisor
Taking the bus
Clean bus, easy to find and great way to get a lay of the land, where things are and what you want to see. Recording did not always match what you were seeing and sometimes what was being talked about was on the other side of the bus but it was covered due to rain, was warm and dry. Fully recommend this.
via Tripadvisor
Istanbul - the city that exceeds expectations!
If you are in for a short visit, this tour will cover most of the landmarks. We only spent 2 days but we covered almost all the landmarks… it was raining- but the tour guide made our tour as memorable as possible.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 24 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $25 to $75
- Booked in 30 days
- 74
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour in Istanbul: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour in Istanbul cost?
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Prices start at $25 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Istanbul usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour in Istanbul take?
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Plan for about 24 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Istanbul is not rushed.
Is Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour in Istanbul worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.1/5 across 211 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Istanbul, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour in Istanbul?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour in Istanbul suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 24-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour in Istanbul?
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Around 74 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Istanbul can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Istanbul and add a light layer if any part of the 24-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour in Istanbul start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Istanbul within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Istanbul?
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On Outty we rank every Istanbul experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour, Istanbul Luxury Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Asian Side Stop, ISTANBUL BEST: Iconic Landmarks Full Day PRIVATE Guided City Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Istanbul?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Istanbul?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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