Skip the Line Topkapi Palace and Harem Ticket with Audio Guide

Never use Viator again!

Never again will I use Viator. This was the most uncoordinated ticket and tour experience you could imagine. We were provided directions of where to pick up tickets that was nowhere close to where we were actually to be and the customer support link directed us to a chat with a vendor that was not even part of this tour. The link to location open in maps pin was absolutely wrong and there is no accountability with Viator on this. Customer service was horrible and after paying over $300 for this they won’t even provide a partial refund. A complete waste of time, money and energy.

Response from the operator: We take comments regarding the ticket instructions and meeting-point information seriously. However, we would like to clarify that the booking is provided according to the information and redemption instructions associated with the experience. Any difficulty locating the meeting point or accessing support should be addressed through the contact details provided with the booking so that the issue can be properly investigated and assistance can be provided.

via Viator

Be aware

Topkapi palace is fabulous and well worth a visit. Do not buy a ticket through this company, buy one when you arrive from the actual palace. Go early before the crowds and ignore anyone who tries to sell you a ticket outside. There is a great deal to see at the palace, and you will find that you can buy the tickets much cheaper inside. Do not deal with Trevopedia. The voucher they email to you a day in advance is a dummy ticket and will not work.

Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback. We would like to clarify that the voucher provided is a valid booking voucher and is issued according to the ticketing process for this experience. We regret that you experienced difficulty with entry, but describing the voucher as a “dummy ticket” is inaccurate. We encourage guests to follow the instructions provided with their voucher carefully.

via Tripadvisor

Paid for but never delivered: a phantom service

I booked the Topkapi Palace and Harem Museum ticket with audio guide, paid for in advance, but the tour was never provided. I arrived at the meeting point on the agreed date and time, but no service provider was present. I received no prior notification, no cancellation notice, and no on-site assistance to explain this failure. These facts constitute a clear breach of the contractual obligation to provide service, as defined by consumer law. Despite more than ten inquiries to customer service, the only response I received was a refusal of reimbursement on the grounds that "the operator did not approve it." This position is unacceptable: a service provider cannot evade its contractual obligations simply because the service was not actually provided. The refusal of reimbursement, in this context, appears to be an abusive and unjustified practice. This failure to fulfill the agreed-upon service forced me to urgently reorganize my plans, resulting in real inconvenience (lost time, disruption to my trip, and the fact that I paid for a ticket directly at the ticket office). To date, I am still awaiting: a full refund for the service not provided as well as appropriate compensation for the damages incurred

via Tripadvisor

Pricey Palace for what you get.

At the point of sale, where you have to meet to exchange your booking for tickets they’ve just tried to bluff me to say that I haven’t paid for the harem and I needed to pay another 800 lira. TripAdvisor need to be aware of this because they are trying to get extra money out of people by doing this at the chimney bistro There is also no fast track system it’s a load of rubbish if you go on the 09:30 trip. The guides are a waste of time, they guide you into the palace and up to the harem entrance then leave you to fend for yourself. Again waste of money. Points to note visiting the palace take a picnic with you take a large bottle of water with you take a flask of tea with you. There are toilets. However, the ladies toilet can be sometimes have quite a long queue not so much for the men. What is not explained to you is that You definitely need earbuds or headphones that plug into either your phone or via a jack port into an audio system otherwise you can’t hear any of the audio unless you stop and listen on your phone. Yes, the palace is impressive. So is the Haram, the haram is definitely a place to visit for somebody who is physically able. There is no facilities et cetera for anybody who is disabled or has difficulty with mobility. It is not until you get outside the harem area into one of the courts where there is somewhere to sit down so this can be difficult for the elderly or people with limited mobility. Signpost inside the walls can be deceptive and some of them are not in the right place. The signs could be more frequently placed to enable people to make direction decisions. There is a small café, however, the prices are nearly 1000 Turkish lira for two small cans of juice and two muffins was incredibly exceptional. The exit routine is long-winded the same as the entrance routine but without the metal detectors. The souvenir shop is very small and has limited budget souvenirs.

Response from the operator: We would like to clarify that the option you selected included only the standard entry ticket and did not include access to the Harem section. There is a separate package available that includes both the main entry and Harem access.

via Tripadvisor

Espectacular

The experience at Topkapi palace was amazing, the tour guide was kind and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend this experience with Victor and specially with J

Response from the operator: It is wonderful to know that Victor and J provided kind and knowledgeable guidance throughout your visit. Your recommendation is greatly appreciated

via Viator