Planning a trip to Istanbul isn’t that straightforward as there are quite a few things you need to know before visiting Istanbul.
You might be wondering whether you need a visa, what are the best places to stay, how to get around the city, how to save money, or what are the common scams to watch out for.
All your questions will be answered in this blog post where I’ll share my top Istanbul travel tips for first-time visitors and things I wished I’d known before visiting.
So without further ado, here are 27 essential travel tips for Istanbul.
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Istanbul Travel Tips for planning your trip
1. You need at least 3 or 4 days in Istanbul
Istanbul is a huge city with so many things to do. This is why you need a minimum of 3 or 4 days for a proper introduction to the city and to hit all the main tourist attractions.
If you need help planning your itinerary, make sure to read my guide on how to spend 4 days in Istanbul.
Related post: Istanbul itinerary for 4 days
2. Book your hotel in advance
One of the most important Istanbul travel tips is to book your hotel in advance, especially if you’re visiting during the peak season (June to August).
Most of the nicer hotels are usually sold out several weeks or even months in advance. Booking in advance also means that you’ll benefit from cheaper rates.
Some of the best places to stay in Istanbul include Tomtom Suites, World House Boutique Hotel, and Hostel Le Banc.
3. Booking.com is banned in Turkey
If you use booking.com to book your accommodation, I highly recommend doing so before you land in the country since it’s banned in Turkey.
Although you can still access the website to manage your bookings, you won’t be able to book a Turkish hotel while you’re in Turkey.
If you want to book hotels on booking.com while you’re in Turkey, I recommend getting a VPN. Alternatively, you can download the Opera browser on your phone and use their free integrated VPN.
4. Stay outside of Sultanahmet if you want a quiet night’s sleep
Sultanahmet is the most popular place to stay in Istanbul since this is where all the main tourist attractions are located.
But what you probably don’t know is that it can be very loud at night and also quite expensive compared to other neighborhoods.
I learned this the hard way during my recent trip to Istanbul. The hotel I initially stayed at was located along a street flanked by rows of restaurants that kept playing music until 2 a.m!
If you absolutely want to stay in Sultanahmet, Camelot Apartment is located on a rather quiet street, not too far from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
Otherwise, I recommend staying in either Beyoglu or Karakoy if you want some peace and quiet.
5. You probably need a visa to visit Turkey
One of the most important travel tips for Istanbul is to check whether you need a visa or not. You can do so on the official website here.
There are also third-party websites where you can apply for a visa but these are usually more expensive as they charge an additional fee on top of the visa fee.
Most travelers, including US citizens, need to apply for an e-visa. The visa is valid for a period of 30 to 90 days, depending on your nationality.
UK citizens, for example, are exempt from a visa while others can get a visa for free.
When applying for an e-visa on the official website, click on “new application” and then select your country.
The cost of the e-visa and duration of stay will depend on the country you’re from.
After completing the application process, it can take a few minutes up to 24 hours before the visa is sent by email.
6. When to visit Istanbul
The best time to visit Istanbul will depend on what you want out of your trip. Below is a quick overview of the different seasons and what to expect for each.
Spring: April to May – Mild temperature, fewer crowds, and cheaper prices. The annual tulip festival takes place in April.
Summer: June to August – Very hot and humid with temperatures rising above 30 degrees Celsius. Huge crowds, hotel and tour prices are much higher.
Fall/autumn: September to November – The temperature starts to drop, fewer crowds, and cheaper hotel rates.
Winter: December to March – Cold weather with the occasional snowfall but it’s considerably less cold than other European destinations.
Istanbul Travel Tips to skip the crowds
7. Buy the Istanbul Museum Pass
The Istanbul Museum Pass gives you access to 10 museums in Istanbul like the Galata Tower, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Irene, Istanbul Archeological museum, and more.
The pass is valid for 5 consecutive days and is perfect for those who want to visit a lot of museums, and at the same time, skip the long ticket lines.
Another option is to buy an Istanbul E-Pass which includes skip-the-line tickets and guided tours for over 40 attractions in Istanbul. The pass is available for 2, 3, 5, or 7 days and is perfect for those who want to see as many attractions as possible while saving money.
CLICK HERE TO BUY THE ISTANBUL E-PASS
Note: I only recommend buying the museum pass under certain circumstances. For instance, if you’re planning to visit 5 museums and the total cost of the individual tickets exceeds the cost of the museum pass, then it makes more sense to get the museum pass.
Otherwise, if you’re visiting one or two museums only, you’re better off buying individual tickets. Just remember that the pass can only be used once at each attraction.
8. Buy attraction tickets online
For those who don’t plan to purchase the Istanbul Museum Pass or Istanbul E-Pass but still want to avoid the long ticket lines, then I recommend booking your attraction tickets online.
You can book tickets to most museums and attractions on the Government website here.
9. Plan your visit outside of the peak season
The peak season in Istanbul, and Turkey in general, is during the summer months of June to August and thus attracts hordes of tourists.
Popular attractions like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are absolutely packed with tourists during this time of the year.
If you can only come to Istanbul during the peak season, I highly recommend visiting these attractions early in the morning, at least before 8 a.m to avoid the long lines.
As more tourists visit Istanbul in summer, hotel rates also increase considerably as well as tour prices.
Another thing to note is that there are also more crowds during popular Turkish holidays like Kurban Bayrami and Ramadan Bayrami. The date changes every year so make sure to do a quick Google search before your trip.
So, if you want to avoid the crowds and get cheaper prices, I recommend visiting during the shoulder season – April/May or September/October.
Istanbul Travel Tips for getting around
10. The bus is the best and cheapest way to get from the airport to the city center
Istanbul has two airports – Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) on the Asian side.
One of the best Istanbul tips for tourists, more specifically for those traveling on a budget, is to take the Havaist bus (from Istanbul Airport) or Havabus (from Sabiha Gokcen Airport).
It’s definitely the best and cheapest way to get from the airport to the city center. Plus, the buses are very spacious and comfortable.
The bus operates 24/7 and the journey from the airport to the city center takes on average 1-2 hours, depending on where you’re staying. You can buy tickets online or directly at the airport.
If you don’t want to take the bus or are traveling with a group, then I recommend booking a private airport transfer.
11. Download apps like BiTaksi or Uber
If you don’t want to take the bus, be sure to download ride-sharing apps like Uber or BiTaksi. The fares will be much cheaper than regular taxis, plus you can see beforehand how much the journey costs, thus avoiding getting ripped off.
12. Buy an Istanbul Kart
If you’re planning to get around a lot by public transportation, it’s a good idea to buy an Istanbul kart. You can then top up with the amount needed.
The main reason why I recommend getting the Istanbul kart is that the fares are much cheaper with the card (about 50% cheaper) compared to buying a single ticket. You’ll also save time by not having to buy tickets every single time.
A single fare with the Istanbul Kart costs about 27 TL and the good news is that the fare gets cheaper the more you use the card.
The card can be used by up to 5 people, so there’s no need to buy individual cards for each traveler in your group.
You can buy the Istanbul kart at the airport or at most metro stations in the city center and use it on the bus, metro, tram, and ferry.
Another thing to know before visiting Istanbul is that you can also use the Istanbul Kart to pay for public toilets around the city and inside the metro stations.
Tip: If you don’t want to buy the Istanbul Kart, you can simply use your credit card. Just tap your card on the reader when entering the bus or metro.
13. Traffic in Istanbul can be very hectic
One thing to know about Istanbul is that the traffic can be very hectic. One of the most important travel tips for Istanbul is to avoid taking the bus during peak hours, especially in the afternoon.
For instance, I once took the bus at around 5 p.m from Ortakoy to Beyoglu, and what was supposed to be a 40-minute journey ended up lasting 1.5 hours!
The traffic was so bad that I even had to get off the bus and walk back to my hotel. I’m pretty sure I arrived before the bus!
So do yourself a favor by taking the metro instead if you don’t want to get stuck in traffic during peak hours.
14. Don’t rent a car in Istanbul
As mentioned above, traffic can be very hectic which is why it’s not recommended to rent a car in Istanbul unless you plan to leave the city and start a road trip around the country.
Public transportation in Istanbul is cheap, convenient, and reliable so there’s no point in spending money on a rental car.
Istanbul Travel Tips to help you save money
15. There are many free things to do in Istanbul
For those traveling on a budget, you’ll be pleased to know that there are many free things to do in Istanbul. The Blue Mosque, for example, is completely free to visit.
Visiting the Grand Bazaar (which is an experience in itself) or exploring the local neighborhoods like Balat, Fener, and Kadikoy also doesn’t cost a cent.
Make sure to read my guide to 20 things to do in Istanbul for free for more things to do.
Related post: What to do in Istanbul for free
16. Take the local ferry instead of a Bosphorus tour
One of the most popular things to do is to take a Bosphorus tour. It costs anywhere from €10 for a 90-minute sightseeing tour up to €35 for a sunset cruise including dinner.
But if you’re on a budget, you can just hop on the local ferry from Europe to Asia. A single ticket costs only about 25 TL which is a bargain.
One thing to note is that the ferry ride will be shorter but you’ll still be able to admire some of the major landmarks in the city.
17. You can use toilets at the mosques for free
If you need to use the toilet, you can simply go to any mosque and use the toilets there for free. They are generally well-maintained and clean.
Otherwise, you can use the public toilets at the metro stations or around the city for a small fee.
As mentioned above, you can pay the toilet fee with your Istanbul Kart if you don’t have small change.
Travel Tips for Istanbul for a safe trip
18. Take note of emergency phone numbers
Travel is sometimes unpredictable which is why it’s always a good idea to have local emergency phone numbers on hand. Below are some of the most important ones:
Police: 155
Ambulance: 112
19. Safety in Istanbul
Istanbul is a relatively safe destination even for solo female travelers. I traveled three times to Istanbul solo and from my personal experience, I didn’t feel unsafe while walking alone nor did I receive any unwanted attention.
Security is pretty tight with lots of police officers especially around Sultanahmet and Taksim so you don’t have to worry about safety issues.
That said, petty crimes like pickpocketing sometimes happen, so always be aware of your surroundings and avoid flashing any expensive objects.
You should also watch out for scams which brings me to my next tip for visiting Istanbul.
20. Watch out for common scams
Like in most big cities, you need to be aware of common scams that mainly target tourists.
The most popular one is the shoe shiner. The person will pretend to drop his brush and when you pick it up, he will then proceed to shine your shoes which obviously isn’t free.
There’s also another scam where someone will approach you and invite you for a drink. You’ll then end up being forced to pay an exorbitant bill.
In order to prepare yourself before your trip, I recommend reading this article about the most common scams in Istanbul.
Other Helpful Istanbul Tips for Tourists
21. Buy a local sim card
The best way to stay connected, especially if you need to use Google Maps to navigate the city, is to buy a local sim card.
There are three major internet providers in Turkey, namely Turkcell, Vodafone, and Turk Telekom. All three are quite similar but it is said that Turkcell has the best coverage.
I recommend buying your sim card when you get to the city center since those at the airport are slightly more expensive.
I bought a Turkcell tourist sim card which came with 20 GB of data and 200 minutes of local call, valid for 30 days. You just need to bring your passport and it takes only a few minutes for the sim card to be activated.
Note: If you need internet as soon as you land in Turkey, you can use the airport wifi for free. Just input your local phone number and after receiving a one-time password, you’ll be able to connect to the wifi.
22. There are lots of steep hills
One thing to know about Istanbul is that it’s also known as the “City on the Seven Hills” so don’t be surprised if you come across a lot of steep hills.
The streets along Beyoglu, Balat, and Galata Tower are among the steepest in Istanbul and you’ll be sweating buckets if you’re not dressed in light clothing.
Make sure to also carry plenty of water and to wear comfy shoes.
23. Mosque Etiquette
Although you can wear any type of clothes you like in Türkiye, you need to dress more conservatively when visiting the mosques.
For women, this means covering their shoulders and knees and wearing a head scarf. Men, on the other hand, need to wear long pants.
You also need to take off your shoes before entering the mosques.
24. Check prayer times before visiting mosques
One thing to know before visiting Istanbul is that you can only visit the mosques outside of prayer times. Make sure to check the prayer times on this website before visiting.
25. Learn some basic Turkish words
Although most Turkish people can speak English, I always do my best to learn a few basic words and phrases in the local language when traveling to a new country.
A little goes a long way and I can guarantee that you’ll put a smile on the Turkish people’s faces if you at least try to speak a few words in the local language.
Below are some useful Turkish words to know:
Hello: Merhaba
Yes: Evet
No: Hayir
Thank you: Teşekkür ederim or Teşekkürler
Please: Lütfen
Excuse me: Afedersiniz (I’ve also heard people say “pardon”)
How much: Ne kadar
26. Drinking tap water in Istanbul
Although it’s considered safe to drink tap water in Istanbul, most locals might tell you the opposite due to the old rusty pipes and water tanks.
I did drink the tap water during my first few days in Istanbul and while it didn’t make me sick, I didn’t really like the taste.
If you don’t want to drink tap water, I recommend buying the 5 L water bottles. They are much cheaper and you can also reduce your plastic consumption since you won’t need to buy multiple water bottles.
27. Plug type
The plugs and sockets in Turkey are of type C and F with a voltage of 220 V and a frequency of 50 Hz. You’ll probably need a travel adapter if you’re coming from a non-European country.
There you have it – 27 important things to know before traveling to Istanbul. If you have any additional Istanbul travel tips to share, please comment below.
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1 comment
Great post! I got enough details and info for my upcoming trip to Istanbul