How to get to Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace, Cankurtaran Mahallesi, Babıhümayun Caddesi 1, Fatih, 34122 Istanbul. Everyone enters through the Imperial Gate, the great stone gate behind the apse of Hagia Sophia, which leads into the First Courtyard with Hagia Irene; the ticket offices and the security check are at the far end of that courtyard, at the Gate of Salutation. The Harem has its own entrance inside the Second Courtyard, at the Carriage Gate beside the Imperial Council. There is no entry from the Gülhane Park side.

The T1 tram is the simplest way in from almost anywhere central: it runs from Kabataş through Karaköy and Eminönü to Sultanahmet and on to Bağcılar, every few minutes, with the Istanbulkart or a contactless bank card. Get off at Sultanahmet and walk past Hagia Sophia, or at Gülhane and climb along the palace wall; both walks are about ten minutes. The Marmaray suburban rail stops at Sirkeci, fifteen minutes on foot, and is the fastest route from the Asian side. Ferries from Kadıköy and Üsküdar land at Eminönü, from where it is a twenty-minute walk uphill or two tram stops.

From Istanbul Airport (IST), on the European side, the Havaist shuttle to Sultanahmet or the M11 metro to Gayrettepe with a change to the M2 and the T1 both take about 90 minutes; a taxi or pre-booked car takes 50 to 70 minutes depending on traffic and is the sensible choice with luggage. From Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), on the Asian side, the Havabus to Kadıköy followed by the ferry to Eminönü, or the M4 metro to Ayrılık Çeşmesi and the Marmaray to Sirkeci, take about 90 minutes; a car takes an hour outside rush hour and two inside it.

Driving into Sultanahmet is slow and parking is scarce; the official car park is beside the palace off Kennedy Caddesi, and taxis drop at the Imperial Gate. On foot, the palace is five minutes from Hagia Sophia, ten from the Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern, fifteen from the Grand Bazaar: the natural plan is palace first at 09:00, then the rest of Sultanahmet, which does not depend on an early start the way Topkapi does. Opening hours and the quiet hours of the day are on the opening hours page.