Which Istanbul expansion after the base game?

2-5 players (base) Pick-up and deliver / bazaar About 50-60 min

The game

Already own Istanbul? There are only two real expansions, a Big Box that bundles them with the base game, and two separate games set in the same bazaar. Here is the order.

2-5 players with the base game, Kennerspiel des Jahres 2014. Mocha & Baksheesh and Letters & Seals each need only the base game; no box seats a 6th player.

The Big Box is a second base game. Istanbul: Big Box holds the base game, Mocha & Baksheesh and Letters & Seals. If you already own the base game, buy the two expansions instead.

The Dice Game and Choose & Write do not plug in. Istanbul: The Dice Game (2-4, about 30 min) and Istanbul: Choose & Write (paper and pencil, 1-5) are standalone games. They neither expand nor replace the base game.

The Great Bazaar needs both. Each expansion plays on 20 locations with the base game. The 5 x 5 Great Bazaar variant (25 locations) needs Mocha & Baksheesh and Letters & Seals together.

Which boxes do you already own?

Put on the table what you already have, and how many of you play.

You usually play with

2-5

Release timeline

Base 2014, Mocha & Baksheesh 2015, Letters & Seals 2016, The Dice Game 2017, Big Box 2018, Choose & Write 2022.

The graph

How the Istanbul boxes connect, plus the mechanics. An arrow starts at the expansion and points to the box it needs.

needs another box
contains this box
part of the line
game mechanic

Depending on what you want

You want	Get
Coffee, a tavern and guild cards	Mocha & Baksheesh
Letters to deliver and a companion	Letters & Seals
The big 5 x 5 bazaar	Both expansions
Everything in one box, from scratch	Istanbul: Big Box
Istanbul in 30 minutes, with dice	The Dice Game
Solo, or paper and pencil	Choose & Write

Tick your boxes at the top and the answer follows.

At the table

Box	What it brings
Istanbul	2-5 players. 16 locations, first to 5 rubies.
Istanbul: Mocha & Baksheesh	Coffee, taverns, guild cards. 20 locations, game ends at 6 rubies.
Istanbul: Letters & Seals	Letters, kiosks and a companion. 20 locations, game ends at 6 rubies.
Istanbul: Big Box	Base game + both expansions in one box, with the 5 x 5 Great Bazaar.
Istanbul: The Dice Game	Standalone 2-4 player dice game, about 30 min.
Istanbul: Choose & Write	Standalone choose-and-write game, 1-5 players.

Compatibility

Box	Needs	Players
Istanbul	standalone base	2-5
Istanbul: Mocha & Baksheesh	needs base	2-5
Istanbul: Letters & Seals	needs base	2-5
Istanbul: Big Box	needs base	2-5
Istanbul: The Dice Game	plays on its own	2-4
Istanbul: Choose & Write	plays on its own	1-5

The Pegasus Depot and Kebab Shop mini expansions (single location tiles) are extras, outside the picker.

FAQ

Which Istanbul expansion first?

Mocha & Baksheesh for most tables: coffee, the tavern and guild cards add choices without changing the core. Letters & Seals next, or first if you prefer delivering letters with a companion.

Is the Big Box worth it if I own the base game?

No, unless you want everything in one box: it contains a second copy of the base game. Buy the two expansions instead.

Can I play with both expansions?

Yes: the Great Bazaar variant lays out 25 locations in a 5 x 5 grid, with coffee and letters together.

Is Istanbul: The Dice Game an expansion?

No. It is a standalone 2-4 player dice game by Rüdiger Dorn, about 30 minutes.

Can I play Istanbul solo or with 6?

The base game and its expansions play 2-5. Choose & Write, a separate game, plays 1-5.

Who publishes Istanbul in English?

Pegasus Spiele; earlier English printings came from AEG. Designer: Rüdiger Dorn.