Istanbul has a structure that attracts tourists in all months of the year. Istanbul is the only city in the world established on two continents (Europe and Asia). Istanbul ... Charming ... Stunning ... Dazzling....
Currency : Türk Lirası (Turkish Lira)
The official currency you can use in Turkey is the Turkish Lira. It is important when you are with you at the gates of the currencies in the Dollar section or at the exchange offices.
There are some coins. These are the coins you can use for all kinds of shopping, even in small markets.
The biggest money in paper money is 200 Turkish lira. The smallest paper money is 5 Turkish lira. The next coins are 10, 20, 50 and 100.
Turkish
Most European phens work here; some Noth American phones don't work. Check with your provider. Prepaid SIM cards must be registered when purchased.
You can make phone calls in Istanbul by enabling the GSM line you use in your country to roam. There are free wireless internet points in the touristic areas of the city. In addition, free wireless internet service is provided to tourists in return for the service you will receive in many cafes and restaurants.
In order to use public transportation vehicles such as metro, bus, and feribot in the city, you need to get an Istanbul Card. Istanbul Card is a smart ticket system that works with prepayment. It is the only way you can use public transportation vehicles with the Turkish Lira you will load into it. Istanbul Card is sold at 2700 points. There are ticket machine kiosks at the points where public transportation vehicles are located. You can obtain an Istanbul card from Biletmatik. You can top up the balance with paper money or credit card. A commission fee is charged from foreign credit cards when loading a credit card. There are also some kiosks where you can buy Istanbul Card with cash. In these ticket offices, there are usually metro stations at central points.
Taxis are yellow in Istanbul. The fare tariff is written on the taximeter according to the distance to go. You cannot bargain with taxis in Istanbul. Credit cards are accepted in most taxis.
If you have an internationally valid driver's license at the airport, you can rent a car.
Even if you have rented a car in Istanbul, you cannot park your car for free on the streets. The places where you see the İSPARK sign are official parking spaces for passenger cars. It operates on an hourly rate and each parking lot has an attendant.
With "ISBIKE" card, you can rent a bicycle on the coastline of Istanbul. Traveling the coastline freely with a bicycle gives people an incredible happiness. When you come to Istanbul to experience this, you should definitely get an "Isbike" card. You can buy the Isbike Card at the isbike booths on the coastline.
Time : Eastern European Tim Tourist Information : Tourist offices operate in Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Karaköy and in the airport.
There are Tourist Information Points in Istanbul that you can consult if you have any problems. These offices are located in touristic centers such as Fatih, Taksim, Kadıköy, Üsküdar, Sultanahmet, Karaköy, Sirkeci and the airport. You can also obtain maps and documents according to your language from here.
When to go : Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, with good weather and many festivals. Summers can be unplasantly hot and winters bone-chillingly cold. If you're travelling in spring, autumn or over Christmas, make your hotel booking as far in advaced as possible.
I recommend that you make your hotel reservation before you come. Istanbul is a city that receives tourists every season of the year. Therefore, the occupancy rate in the hotels is always observed. In addition, Istanbul hotels are very comfortable compared to other known hotels. You can find affordable accommodation in these comfortable hotels when you book at least two months before your trip.
Sightseeing Tips : Remeber to dress modestly if you plan to visit mosques; females should have to shawl or scarf to cover their heads. The Grand Bazaar and Kadıköy Produce Market are closed on Sunday. Most major museums are closed on Monday.
Since Turkey is a Muslim country, pork is not eaten in restaurants. Turkish cuisine offers a wide variety of unique and rich ingredients to suit your palate.
Local residents in Istanbul generally consume packaged water. You can buy packaged water from markets and kiosks at affordable prices. The taste of the water is really good.
As you know, there are bad people in every country. Snatch is the nightmare of all tourist countries. Unfortunately, there are snatching incidents in the touristic areas of Istanbul. For this reason, I strongly recommend that you have a copy of all pages of your passport with you and your real passport in a safe at the hotel before you come. I also recommend carrying your wallet in your front pocket rather than your back pocket. I recommend that you carry your backpack with your important belongings in your chest area in crowded environments.
Ambulance : 112 (0112 via mobil) Tourist Police : (0212) 527 45 03 Tourist Office : (0212) 518 18 02