ISTANBUL GUIDE

Welcome to Istanbul, the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires, the pearl of the Bosphorus, and the geographical, cultural, and commercial bridge where the East and the West meet.

You can reach Istanbul, one of the most visited cities in the world, with its new and big airport (IST). Istanbul is the largest city in Europe. The city is quite affordable; public transportation is developed and cheap, and its residents are hospitable. Things to do before leaving the city; visit Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi and Dolmabahce Palaces, Bosphorus, and Grand Bazaar; Eat baklava, Turkish delight, doner kebabs and drink Turkish coffee and raki.

Quick Tips

Timezone:

GMT +3

Current Time

Visa:

Tourist Visa (30/90 Days) & E-Visa

Requirements

Currency:

Turkish Lira

Current Time

Currency:

Turkish Lira

Exchange Rate

Official Language:

Turkish

Weather:

There are four climates

Weather Report

Getting to Istanbul

Visa Requirements:

Get your visa before you start your trip. Fortunately, Türkiye offers visa-free visits to citizens of many countries. Find out if you need a Visa by clicking here.

Istanbul Airports

IST (Istanbul Airport)

Istanbul's main airport, located on the European side, can be reached by metro, bus, and taxi.

SAW (Sabiha Gökçen Airport)

Istanbul's secondary airport, located on the Asian side, can be reached by metro, bus, and taxi.

Where to Stay

The Bosphorus divides Istanbul right in the middle. Districts where you can stay on the European side: Historical peninsula (Fatih), Beyoğlu, Karaköy, Galata, Şişli, Beşiktaş, Nişantaşı, Osmanbey, Maçka, Sarıyer, Etiler, Bebek, Arnavutköy, Emirgan, Yeniköy, Levent, Maslak.

Districts where you can stay on the Asian side: Kadıköy, Üsküdar, Bostancı, Kuzguncuk, Kandilli, Çengelköy, Kanlıca, Beykoz, Kuleli, Harem.

The coolest neighborhoods in Istanbul

→
  • Karaköy - For hipster cafes and galleries
  • Kadıköy - Vibrant Asian side neighborhood
  • Beyoğlu - For nightlife and shopping
  • Sultanahmet - Historic center with major attractions

History, Culture & Food

Istanbul does not only stand out because it is the only city established on two continents. As a corner where many civilizations and cultures intersect, it is a part of the common heritage of human history.

It is thought that the first permanent settlement was made by the Greek colonists around the 7th century BC, under the name Byzantium. The Roman Emperor Constantine the Great named the city Constantinople after he chose the city as the new capital of the Roman Empire, and the Medieval Ages began. When the Ottomans conquered the city in 1453, the Middle Ages closed, and the New Age began, and the name Constantinople continued to be used until the 1930s. With the establishment of the modern Turkish Republic, the name of the city becomes Istanbul.

Recommended Restaurants to Try Turkish Cuisine:

  • Çiya Sofrası - Traditional Anatolian cuisine
  • Karaköy Lokantası - Classic Turkish dishes
  • Mikla - Modern Turkish fine dining
  • Asitane - Ottoman palace cuisine
  • Hatay Medeniyetler Sofrası - Southern Turkish specialties

Tips from Locals

Currency & Payment

  • Turkish Lira is the local currency
  • Credit Card: You can use your credit card almost anywhere, but you may need to have cash for taxis
  • Best exchange: Instead of currency exchange at airports, you can prefer exchange offices in the busiest parts of the city

Mobile & Internet

  • E-SIM providers: You can use Holafly or Airalo
  • SIM cards with best 4G coverage: Turkcell, Türk Telekom and Vodafone are Turkey's largest service providers

Other Tips

  • Tipping culture: 5-10% will please everyone
  • Tap Water: Not recommended for drinking. Bottled water is available everywhere
  • Emergency number: 112
  • Negotiating: Feel free to bargain in touristy markets and bazaars

CatIstanbul: Cats and Dogs of the City

Did you know that more than a million stray cats live on the streets of Istanbul? Most of the stray cats videos you probably see on social media were recorded in Istanbul. The love of animals is an integral part of Turkish culture.

Do locals speak English?

Yes, many of them speak English, although not very fluent. And no matter what, when you ask them a question, they try very hard to answer. You can ask any question you want.

Transportation

Istanbul's public transport possibilities are varied and the departure times are arranged quite frequently. As a cheap and effective transportation option, you can keep your carbon footprint to a minimum by choosing public transportation. Public transport and highways are very busy between 7:30-10:30 AM and 4:30-7:30 PM.

Your Public Transport Options:

  • Metro: "M" is the sign of metro Istanbul. By using the lines connecting various points of the city, you can reach your desired destination in the fastest and most comfortable way.
  • Metrobus: It is a special bus line that connects the European side of the city and the Anatolian side using the D-100 highway using the Bosphorus Bridge.
  • Tram: You can explore the city with Tram lines connecting the most historical areas.
  • Ferry (Vapur): It is by far the most characteristic and first public transportation vehicle of Istanbul.
  • Marmaray: You can use this tube crossing, which connects Europe to Asia with a railway under the Bosphorus.

To use public transport, you need a public transport card called Istanbulkart. You can get this card from kiosks, metro stations, piers and some bus stops all over the city.

Transportation from Airports to City Center:

  • Havabus: Official bus lines operating between Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) and Taksim, Kadıköy and Yenisahra districts.
  • Havaist: Official bus lines connecting various points of the city with Istanbul Airport (IST).
  • Metro: You can reach Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) with the M4 line, and Istanbul Airport (IST) with the M11 line.

Safety

It is a safe city in general. However, it should not be forgotten that Istanbul is a very large and global city with a population of over twenty million. Therefore, pay attention to our recommendations.

  • Keep an eye on your belongings in tourist areas when public transport is at its busiest.
  • Use applications such as BiTaksi, Uber: If you are going to travel by taxi, prefer to travel with the vehicles you will call from these applications.
  • Use public transport when possible.
  • Respect the dress code in places of religious importance: Dress appropriately for mosques and places of worship such as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace Museum of Sacred Relics. Female visitors will be asked to cover their heads lightly.
  • Earthquake risk: Istanbul expects an earthquake that could cause significant damage in the upcoming time period. You may want to learn about the earthquake resistance of the building you will be staying in.

In case of emergency, dial 112 for all emergency services (police, ambulance, fire).