Highlights of Istanbul Accessible Shore Excursion

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Highlights of Istanbul Accessible Shore Excursion by Tram

This ramp leads down into the building. Whereas the full-day accessible tour by tram mentioned above can only be done on the weekends due to the crowded weekday rush-hour, this half-day Istanbul accessible shore excursion can be done during the week.

After visiting 4 of the most famous sights in Istanbul, you can either head back to the cruise dock with your tour guide or explore the city on your own.

Important note:
– This tour can be done any day of the week because it starts at 10 am and returns to the ship by 2 pm which avoids the crowded trams during rush hours on weekdays

Other tours that you may be interested in include the Half-day Highlights of Istanbul Handicap Accessible Tour (if you’d like transportation by accessible van) or the Blue Mosque Istanbul Accessible Cruise Excursion by Tram Blue Mosque Istanbul Accessible Cruise Excursion by Tram (if you’d like a full-day tour).

Tour Highlights

– Blue Mosque
– Hagia Sophia
– Hippodrome
– Basilica Cistern

Accessibility Details

The Highlights of Istanbul Accessible Shore Excursion by Tram has a 4 Star Sage Accessibility Rating because it uses a pubic tram with a wheelchair ramp that is suitable for heavy electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters. It also involves step-free routes between the tourist attractions, and the tour guide can push manual wheelchair users. It did not receive a higher accessibility rating because there are cobblestones and hills on the tour route (they are found almost everywhere in Istanbul).

After you depart your cruise ship, you’ll pass through the red buildings shown in the photo on the left. The Highlights of Istanbul Accessible Shore Excursion by Tramstarts with your professionally-licensed tour guide greeting you at the Istanbul cruise terminal exit (shown in the photo on the right).

Your guide will escort you to the Istanbul tram line where there is a ramp leading to flat access onto the tram. Your tram ticket is included in the price of your tour.

Hagia Sophia
This Istanbul accessible shore excursion includes a visit to the Hagia Sophia which was a church from 360 AD to 1453 AD, a mosque from 1453 AD to 1931 AD, and a museum since then. It contains numerous mosaics and was the world’s largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years.

Your Hagia Sophia accessible tour will use the step-free ticket entrance located on the west side of the building (shown in the photo on the left). Your tour guide will escort you to the building entrance with the wheelchair ramp (shown in the photo on the right).
The entrance to the Hagia Sophia ia on the left side of this picture. There is level access. This ramp leads down into the building.

The tour route inside will use the wheelchair ramp up to the former location of the altar (shown in the photo on the left). The Highlights of Istanbul Accessible Shore Excursionwill avoid the steep, cobblestone covered ramp shown in the photo on the right.
This ramp leads up to the area where the altar formerly was located. This rough path and some steps lead to the upper level.

Blue Mosque
The Highlights of Istanbul Accessible Shore Excursionincludes a visit to one of the most famous mosques in the world, the 400 year old Blue Mosque. Your tour guide will explain to you the significance of the six minarets and bring you to the Istanbul Blue Mosque wheelchair accessible entrance and allow you to skip the line.
Image of the Blue Mosque

There is one small marble doorway (shown in the photo on the left) that disabled visitors will need to navigate. No outside wheelchairs are allowed onto the 100+ year carpet inside. Wheelchair users who want to go inside will need to transfer into the wheelchair provided by the Blue Mosque (shown in the photo on the right).
Everyone walking will have to take off their shoes to enter. Wheelchair users will have to transfer to this wheelchair.

Hippodrome
This Istanbul accessible shore excursion will visit the Hippodrome (aka Sultanahmet Square) located just in front of the Blue Mosque. Your professionally-licensed tour guide will tell you about the chariot races held here, the 3500 year old Egyptian obelisk, the “walled obelisk”, and the Serpent Column brought here from Delphi by Constantine I in 324 AD.

Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern (also known as the Underground Cistern) is one of the most unique attractions you’ll see on this Istanbul accessible shore excursion. This 6th century water storage cistern was fed by a 19 km long aqueduct, and it can hold 80,000 cubic meters of water. The ceiling is supported by 336 nine meter tall columns. Your accessible Basilica Cistern tour avoids the 52 steps at the entrance and includes permission to use the wheelchair lift at the exit (shown in the photos below).

Tour Details

Tour duration: 4 hours
Cost: 450 euro for 1 person, 475 euro for 2 people, 525 euro for 3 to 4 people, and 575 euro for 5 to 6 people.
* 50 euro off if booked as part of an accessible cruise & excursions package.
* 20 euro off if booked as part of an accessible Istanbul travel package.
Days of the week the tour is offered: Every day except Monday (when the Hagia Sophia is closed)
Meet-up time: 10 am
Meet-up place: Cruise dock or accessible hotel lobby
Dress code: In mosques you will need to cover your knees and shoulders. Mosques can typically supply you with a piece of fabric to cover yourself. In the Blue Mosque, ladies do not need to cover their heads.
Maximum number of people on tour: Up to 10 people can travel comfortably on the tram. Larger groups may have difficulty staying together.
Entrance tickets: Not included. Some entrance tickets are free for disabled visitors if they have an ID card from their home country stating the percent of their disability. Otherwise, the Hagia Sophia is 25 TL and the Basilica Cistern is 10 TL.
To review our cancellation policy, please click: HERE. Tours run rain or shine.
Not included: Entrance tickets, snacks/meals, and gratuities. Tram tickets are included.

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