Topkapı Palace Tickets — Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the official Topkapı Palace website?
No — Topkapı Palace is run by the Turkish Directorate of National Palaces, and its official site is millisaraylar.gov.tr. This site is an authorized point of sale: tickets here are official Istanbul.com inventory sold by Cityberry Tourism Agency, a licensed TURSAB member (licence 11745), as guided tours that include the palace entry ticket.
Do your Topkapı Palace tickets include the Harem?
Yes — our guided tour includes Harem access. At the palace itself the Harem is a separate add-on ticket on top of standard entry, so having it bundled with the entry ticket and a licensed guide is the simplest way to see it. (The hosted fast-track entry option does not include the Harem.)
Do I need to book Topkapı Palace tickets in advance?
Yes — Topkapı Palace is one of Istanbul’s most visited sites and the ticket queues at the First Courtyard are long for most of the year. Booking online confirms your tour and entry in advance, so the ticket line is never your problem.
Is the ticket delivered instantly?
Yes. Your booking confirmation and mobile ticket are emailed immediately after checkout. Show them on your phone at the meeting point — no printing needed.
What are the Topkapı Palace opening hours?
Topkapı Palace is open from 09:00 to 18:00 and closed on Tuesdays. Last entry is about an hour before closing; hours can extend in high summer and change on religious holidays, so check before you travel.
Can I cancel or get a refund?
Tickets can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before your visit. See our Refund & Cancellation policy for full details.
Where does the Topkapı Palace guided tour start?
Your booking confirmation email contains the exact meeting point and time — a clearly described spot by the palace entrance in Sultanahmet, a couple of minutes from the Imperial Gate behind Hagia Sophia. Your guide meets the group there, handles admission for everyone, and the tour walks in together past the ticket queue.
How long does the Topkapı Palace guided tour take?
Plan on roughly two and a half to three hours for the guided route through the courtyards, the Treasury and the Sacred Relics, and closer to three and a half with the Harem section included. After the guided portion ends you are free to stay inside the palace until closing — many guests go back for a second look at the Treasury or linger on the Fourth Courtyard terraces.
What payment methods do you accept?
Payment is by card (major debit and credit cards) through a secure online payment provider at checkout. All prices are charged in EUR and include all fees — the amount shown on the site is exactly the amount charged, with no surcharges added at payment.
Do children need a ticket, and is there a child price?
Every participant on a guided tour occupies a tour place at the same per-person rate, children included — the price covers the guide and both admissions, not just the gate fee. Children’s concessions on bare gate tickets are set by the palace authority itself and apply only to tickets bought at the venue.
What happens if I book for a Tuesday or the palace closes?
The booking calendar does not offer Tuesdays, since Topkapı Palace is closed that day. In the rare case of an unscheduled closure — a state ceremony or an emergency — we contact you to rebook your tour for another day or refund the booking in full. You are never left holding a ticket for a closed palace.
Can I change my visit date after booking?
Yes — as long as you are outside the free-cancellation window (24 hours before the visit), the simplest way is to cancel free of charge and rebook for the new date at the current price. Write to us at the support address on your confirmation if you need a hand; inside 24 hours, changes cannot be guaranteed.
Ready to book, or still comparing? Every current price is on the ticket prices page, the tour formats are compared on guided tours, the Harem question is settled on Harem tickets, and the Topkapı + Hagia Sophia day is laid out on combined tickets.