Top Frequently Asked Questions
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![Passengers on a Big Bus tour]()
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![Tourists on a Big Bus Istanbul tour]()
How frequent are the buses?
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![Tourists on bus looking at Galata Tower]()
Do I need to specify a date of travel?
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![Big Bus Istanbul]()
What will I see on the tour?
How long does the tour take?
A complete circuit on the Red Route (City Tour) takes approximately 2 hours. Tour length may extend due to traffic density.
Please allow for more time if you plan to hop on and off at any of our stops.
How frequent are the buses?
Istanbul City: Red Tour Seasonal Frequency:
| First Tour | Last Tour | Full Circuit Time | Bus Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00 from Stop #1: Sultanahmet Square | 17:00 from Stop #1: Sultanahmet Square | 2 hours (approx.) | Every 60 minutes (approx.) |
Do I need to specify a date of travel?
Yes –we’ll ask you to select the date you’d like to hop on the bus. If you’re touring with us for more than one day, your ticket must be used across consecutive days, and the date you select at time of booking should be the first day of your tour. Some tours also require you to select a time of travel, to guarantee your seat. If your ticket includes extras, you may also need to book additional dates & times for all elements of your ticket after your purchase is complete. See your booking confirmation email for instructions.
What will I see on the tour?
Bus stops are conveniently located near popular landmarks and attractions so you can hop on and hop off as you please. Our routes been carefully designed to pass all the city's must-see sights, including the Hagia Sophia, Dolmabahçe palace, Galata tower, Bosphorus bridge, Taksim Square, Miniatürk, Rahmi Koç Museum and the New Mosque. Visit our top landmarks page for further information on what you can see and visit on our tour.
You can hop on and off as many times as you wish, or you're welcome to stay on board for the entire route. Please see our tours information page to discover more.
More Questions & Answers
Tell me about the Big Bus tour of Istanbul
Big Bus Tours offers sightseeing tours of Istanbul by open-top double-decker bus. Commentary is provided in a choice of languages. You may hop on and off at any of our stops to visit attractions and places of interest.
Which days do the tours operate?
The Big Bus Tour of Istanbul runs every day of the year.
How will I know where to get off?
The pre-recorded commentary on the bus will announce each stop by number and location as the bus approaches. Please refer to our routes & maps information to plan which stops you would like to hop off at.
How do I redeem my ticket?
Tours start at Stop 1/20: Sultanahmet Square (between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, next to the main road). You can hop on the bus from any stop, but please note that e-vouchers must be redeemed with a customer service representative at Stop 1/20.
If you requested to have your tickets sent via SMS, remember that there is no need to print your tickets. Just bring your phone with you with the ticket page open to show it to one of our on street staff, who will issue you your ticket.
If you requested to have your tickets sent via SMS, remember that there is no need to print your tickets. Just bring your phone with you with the ticket page open to show it to one of our on street staff, who will issue you your ticket.
Where is the nearest stop to the Port and Atatürk airport?
Our bus stop number 4 on the Red Route is right outside the Port main terminal exit.
Our main departure point is Sultanahmet (stop 1) for both Red and Blue Routes and is the closest stop to Atatürk airport.
What is the child ticket policy?
A child ticket is available for children between the ages of 5 - 12. Children under 5 may travel free of charge. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Is it possible to hire one of the open-top buses for a private event?
Yes, buses are available for private hires and charters. For more information please or to receive a quote, submit an enquiry using our private hires and charters page.
Are the buses wheelchair accessible?
Yes, all of our buses are wheelchair accessible. Please contact us for further information.
Can I change the date (and time) of my tour?
Yes. If you want to change the date (and time) of your tour booking, we’ll need to know no later than 72 hours before your currently booked tour date and time. The speediest way to make changes to your booking is to chat with our friendly customer services team – just click the red chat button in the bottom right corner of your screen, or submit a request via our Contact Us Form.
Contact us
For general enquiries, please get in touch using our contact form. For more specific answers please select one of the options below.