Many of those who spend a lot of time traveling to different countries spend a lot of time looking for ways to save money. And the savings in this regard are not at all reduced to banal flights in economy class or hitchhiking. Many tourists, as soon as their legs come off the plane, are actively interested in how they can reduce their expenses during the cultural and entertainment program.
Today we will talk about an amazing museum card that allows you to visit the museum galleries of Istanbul at a discount. It is called Museum Pass Istanbul and is so far known only in narrow circles of active tourists. We will show you where and for how much you can buy a miracle card, where it allows you to get and how much money can be saved in this way.
Map info
Museum Pass Istanbul, which can be purchased by any visitor to the city, is divided into two types. The first allows you to visit local showrooms for three days (it will cost only 85 liras), and the second allows you to stretch the pleasure for five days (you will have to pay 115 liras or about 2 thousand rubles). Although the price for the opportunity to look at the best collections of the city and "bites", you can still save a lot with it.
Types of maps and where you can go on them
If you decide to purchase a cheaper 3-day pass, you will be able to access galleries and exhibition centers such as Topkapi Palace, Harem, Hagia Sophia, as well as galleries of archeology and local art.
But the excursion program is not limited to one. A subscription for 85 liras gives you the opportunity to get good discounts in many cafes, souvenir shops and even buy tickets to other entertainment establishments with a good discount (for example, to the zoo).
But it is worth remembering that the pass is valid for only 72 hours, so if you plan to spend more time in the city and are not limited in time, the pass, which costs 115 liras, is more suitable for you. And here are its main advantages:
- gives the opportunity to visit the same museums, as well as several more famous galleries, including: the museums of Carie and Chora, the Basilica cistern and some others
- has a long term of validity. In five days, you can go around the museums of interest without haste without damaging the general entertainment program
- the owner of Museum Pass Istanbul for 115 liras receives the same discounts in retail outlets and entertainment pavilions
How to buy
When we have figured out the advantages of preferential passes, it's time to move on to the procedure for purchasing them. Since the card is intended for preferential entry to museums, then you should look for it at one of the ticket offices of numerous cultural institutions. The easiest way is if you go straight to one of the city's leading museums. But often you have to stand in a long queue.
There is information that you can purchase a multifunctional document at the box office near the Cathedral of St. Sophia. There are advantages to purchasing the Museum Pass at the ticket office of the archeology center. Here you can pay by credit card. Do you want to waste time? Then look for a special minibus in which you can also buy the coveted ticket. The cars are brightly colored, and the familiar name of the museum map can be seen on the back. Usually they are on duty at the buildings of galleries and exhibition halls.
Well, for confident Internet users, the opportunity to purchase a subscription through the site of the same name will love it. In addition to the fact that you do not even need to leave the hotel room, the order will also be delivered directly to your door, from where you can safely go towards something new and interesting.
Principle of operation
Note! The card becomes valid only from the moment of the first visit to the museum. That is, if you bought a three-day subscription, but were able to get into the exhibition hall only a day later, you should not mourn the lost time!
As soon as you find yourself inside the building, you need to attach the pass to a special place on the automatic turnstile. Or show it to the gallery employee on duty. But there is also one caveat. So, although the card is not tied to a specific owner, it still will not allow several visitors to take turns visiting the halls and galleries. It enables one-time entry to each institution.
How much can you save
So we got to the main question that worried our readers from the very beginning. How much can you save on visiting the sights of Istanbul, being the owner of a miracle pass? If you carry out simple calculations, adding up the cost of a ticket to each hall or gallery, it turns out that the average tourist can save up to 20 liras, that is, about 350 rubles. On the one hand, the amount is insignificant, especially if you have already been to the local museums and you know where to go and where there is nothing interesting. On the other hand, if you are eager to see all the sights of Istanbul, then even such a modest economy will be a pleasant surprise.
Good luck and see you soon!
