Most visitors looking for the standard entry experience
This is the primary ticket for the visitor gallery, covering the famous Byzantine mosaics and frescoes at the standard market rate.
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Not sure which ticket to choose?
Kariye Mosque (Chora) requires a €20 entry fee for foreign visitors to access the Visitor Gallery and is strictly closed to tourists on Fridays. We recommend the standard entry ticket to bypass the physical ticket kiosk, but ensure your visit avoids prayer times and adheres to the mandatory mosque dress code.
Visitors who prefer a digital ticket with flexible cancellation
Partner platforms provide a mobile QR code and 24-hour refund windows, which are essential since the Istanbul Museum Pass is no longer accepted here.
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Standard ticketBaseline admission or entry product used as the comparison anchor.
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1
GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide
Guided and hosted options
Partner inventory Hosted / guided inventory Refund terms at checkout
- Ticket
- Istanbul: Chora Mosque Entry Ticket
- Conditions
- Check GetYourGuide checkout terms for the selected date and ticket option. Duration shown by GetYourGuide: 1 hour.
- Variant
- Standard ticket
- Includes
- Core visitor route
Skip-the-line / priority accessPriority-access ticket shape for venues where official or partner products let visitors bypass the longest queues.
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1
GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide
Guided and hosted options
Partner inventory Hosted / guided inventory Refund terms at checkout
- Ticket
- Hagia Sophia Skip-the-Line Ticket & Blue Mosque Audio Guide
- Conditions
- Check GetYourGuide checkout terms for the selected date and ticket option. Duration shown by GetYourGuide: 1 day.
- Variant
- Skip-the-line / priority access
- Includes
- Priority or fast-track access when explicitly listed by the seller
Tours / guided ticketsGuided, hosted or tour products that add context, routing help or bundled handling.
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1
GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide
Guided and hosted options
Partner inventory Hosted / guided inventory Refund terms at checkout
- Ticket
- Hagia Sophia Skip-the-Line Ticket & Blue Mosque Audio Guide
- Conditions
- Check GetYourGuide checkout terms for the selected date and ticket option. Duration shown by GetYourGuide: 1 day.
- Variant
- Tours / guided tickets
- Includes
- Seller-listed guided or hosted inclusions
Combo or bundleBundle products that combine this attraction with another experience.
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1
GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide
Guided and hosted options
Partner inventory Hosted / guided inventory Refund terms at checkout
- Ticket
- Combo: Hagia Sophia+Basilica Cistern Optional Topkapi Palace
- Conditions
- Check GetYourGuide checkout terms for the selected date and ticket option. Date-specific GetYourGuide ticket or activity.
- Variant
- Combo or bundle
- Includes
- Seller-listed bundle inclusions
Best forBaseline admission or entry product used as the comparison anchor.
Price rangeTRY 1,285.45–TRY 3,856.35
Coverage4 offers · 4 live · 0 benchmark
UpdatedJun 17, 04:30 AM UTC
Sellers
GetYourGuide
Decision matrix
Choose by your situation
01
You want the lowest possible price and don't mind waiting at the local ticket booth.
Official on-site ticket (approx. €20 for foreign visitors; Museum Pass not accepted).
Compare rows ↓02You want to secure your entry in advance and bypass the physical ticket window queue at Edirnekapı.
Standard ticket (GetYourGuide Standard ticket)
Compare rows ↓03You are traveling with children under the age of 8.
Official ticket window (Children 0-7 enter free; bring original passports for age verification).
Compare rows ↓04You need a flexible booking that allows for cancellation if your Istanbul itinerary changes.
Any GetYourGuide variant (Check specific row terms for 24-hour cancellation windows).
Compare rows ↓Insider tips
4 things to know before your visit
- Entrance: Access the grounds via the visitor gate on Kariye Türbesi Street (north side), where you must pass through a garden security cabin before proceeding to the building's south entrance. As of June 2026, foreign visitors pay a €20 entry fee at the on-site booth; note that the Museum Pass Istanbul is not accepted here. Because this is an active mosque, a strict dress code is enforced (headscarves for women; no shorts for any gender), and shoes must be removed to enter the carpeted prayer hall. The site is closed to tourists all day on Fridays and pauses admission 15–30 minutes before each daily prayer. To avoid the narrowest bottlenecks in the mosaic-filled narthexes, aim for a visit between 09:00 and 10:30 AM on a weekday.
- Price: The official entrance fee for foreign visitors is €20, typically payable by credit card at the site's automated kiosks; the Istanbul Museum Pass is not accepted. Third-party prices are higher because they provide pre-booked QR codes to bypass the single physical ticket booth and often include digital audio guides. Note that admission is free for children under 8 and for those entering solely for worship, though the mosque is strictly closed to tourists on Fridays until after the afternoon prayer.
- Discounts: As of June 2026, foreign visitors must pay a mandatory entrance fee (approximately €20) to access the mosaic galleries, while Turkish citizens may enter the prayer areas free of charge. Children under 7 generally receive free admission upon presentation of a valid passport for age verification. Because the site is an active mosque, all visitors must adhere to a strict dress code: women must cover their heads with a scarf, and both men and women must ensure shoulders and knees are covered. Visiting access to the upper galleries or specific mosaic sections may be temporarily restricted during Friday prayers or religious holidays, and there is currently no requirement for a pre-booked timed reservation for individual ticket holders.
- Timing: Arrive early enough for security checks, ticket scanning and wayfinding.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kariye Mosque the same as the Chora Church?
Yes. Historically known as the Chora Church (or Chora Museum), it was reconverted into an active mosque in 2020 and officially reopened to visitors in May 2024. While locals and maps use the name Kariye Camii, the world-famous Byzantine mosaics and frescoes remain the primary attraction for visitors.
How much is the entrance fee for foreign tourists in 2026?
As of June 2026, foreign tourists must pay an entrance fee of €20 (payable in TRY at the current exchange rate) to access the Visitor Gallery. Children under 8 (0–7 years old) enter for free with a valid passport. Turkish citizens and Muslim visitors entering specifically for prayer may enter the ground-floor worship areas for free, though this does not include gallery access. The Istanbul Museum Pass is not accepted.
Does a 'skip-the-line' ticket bypass the security check?
No. While 'skip-the-line' or digital tickets allow you to bypass the physical ticket office queue, all visitors must still wait in the mandatory security line at the garden entrance. During peak hours or following prayer-time pauses, this security queue can take 15–30 minutes.
Can I visit the mosque on Fridays or during prayer times?
The mosque is strictly closed to tourists all day on Fridays to accommodate congregational prayers. From Saturday to Thursday, tourist entry to the gallery is available, though access to the ground floor is restricted during the five daily prayer sessions. It is best to visit early in the morning (09:00) to avoid crowds.
What is the dress code for visiting Kariye Mosque?
As an active house of worship, a strict dress code is enforced: women must cover their hair, shoulders, and legs (long skirts or trousers), while men must wear trousers covering the knees and shirts covering the shoulders. If you are unprepared, headscarves and body coverings are available for purchase at the entrance booth.
Are the famous mosaics and frescoes always visible?
The most famous mosaics and frescoes are located in the Visitor Gallery (upper level), which is the designated route for all ticket holders. Access to the ground-floor prayer hall (Naos) is restricted to worshippers, and figurative art in that area may be screened or covered during prayer times.
Do children need a ticket or a reservation?
Children under the age of 8 (0–7 years old) enter for free. You must present a valid passport or official ID for the child at the entrance to benefit from this exemption. Unlike some other major Istanbul sites, a pre-booked 'free ticket' is typically not required for children if you are buying adult tickets at the gate.
Is the mosque located near the Blue Mosque or Hagia Sophia?
No, Kariye Mosque is located in the Edirnekapı neighborhood, which is about 5km (3 miles) away from the Sultanahmet tourist hub. You will need to take a taxi, a bus, or the T4 tram line to reach it. Its distance from the center means it is generally less crowded than Hagia Sophia.
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