Istanbul travel tips you NEED to be aware of!
Last Updated on May 26, 2024 by Lauren Allen
Istanbul is a place like no other. Spanning two continents (Europe and Asia), the city is home to an incredible 20 MILLION people. Not only that but this well-loved Turkish destination is packed with unique history, tourist attractions and beautiful photo spots. In this post, I will be sharing my top Istanbul travel tips to ensure you know everything you need to know before embarking on your trip!
Istanbul travel tips for tourists:
The best way to travel to Istanbul
Let’s start at the beginning. If you are planning a trip to Istanbul, you will obviously need to consider how you are going to get there.
The best way to travel to Istanbul will depend on if you are travelling from overseas or domestically. It also depends on how quickly you would like to get there. There are a number of different options including travelling by plane, bus or car. All tend to vary in price depending on different factors, so your budget is something to consider when planning your journey.
Looking to explore beyond Istanbul? If so, I don’t blame you! Check out this post from A Soul Window to learn more about the best beaches in Turkey.
Travelling to Istanbul from overseas
If you are travelling from a different country, your best and quickest option is to fly. If so, it’s worth noting that there are two airports in Istanbul. It is better to fly to Istanbul International Airport based on its location closer to the city. From there, you can travel to the main hub of Istanbul (read more on this later).
Alternatively, if you are hoping to save some cash on airfare, you could consider catching a bus. You can book online using booking sites such as Get By Bus, Flixbus and Omio. The duration of the journey will depend on where you are travelling from, but it will likely take longer than catching a flight.
Travelling to Istanbul from within Turkey
If you are travelling to Istanbul from within Turkey, it’s likely that the quickest way to get to the city would be to hire a car or catch a flight. You can hire a car with companies such as Enterprise, Rental Cars and Economy Bookings. Alternatively, Turkish Airlines run routes between the most popular locations in the country.
If you can’t drive (or would rather not), many of the popular towns and cities within Turkey have great bus links. Flixbus is a fantastic option, as well as companies like Bus Bud.
Top tip: One of the best ways to save money whilst travelling is to book overnight transportation. For example, by buying a ticket for a night bus, you won’t need to spend money on accommodation. This can then be used for an incredible experience or excursion instead. Win-win!
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty…
Things to know before visiting Istanbul
Istanbul is chaotic
If this is your first time in the city, be prepared for chaos. Unsurprisingly, Istanbul is extremely busy at any time of the day. With so many residents as well as tourists, the streets are constantly lined with people and traffic. A lot of it. The city is loud, but if you’re anything like me, it will just be part of the charm.
Getting from Istanbul airport to the city centre
Although there are two airports in Istanbul (Istanbul International Airport and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen), most tourists will arrive at IST as this airport is located on the European side of the city. Therefore, closer to the main tourist hub where the top tourist attractions and hotels are located.
Upon arriving at Istanbul International Airport, the modes of transport into the city are more limited than in most popular tourist destinations. I will go into more detail in a future post, but your main options are the following:
Taxi
The most time-efficient way to get into the city of Istanbul from the airport is to book a taxi (or Uber). If you are staying within popular tourist locations, it will take around 40 minutes to an hour to get to your accommodation.
Coach
Alternatively, there is a coach service called Havaist that offers regular services from the airport to different parts of the city. All you need to do is follow the signs for the bus station on floor -2 and head outside. Once there, you will find booths with staff members who are able to advise which coach to get based on your end location. You can pay them in cash or pay by card with the driver as you board the coach.
The duration of the journey will depend on where you are heading, but this option takes a little longer than booking a taxi as you sometimes need to wait for the scheduled departure. There are also several stops along the way that add to the travel time.
Public Transport
If you are looking to travel as cheaply as possible or you’re in no rush, you may want to think about catching public transport. However, be warned that this option typically takes at least two hours.
Public transportation within the city can be hit and miss
Unlike many cities across the globe, public transport in Istanbul isn’t always the easiest to navigate. Furthermore, the time it takes to get to your location via public transport is often a lot longer than it takes by taxi.
For example, getting to the Asian side of Istanbul from top tourist locations such as the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace takes 20 minutes by car or an hour by tram. When you are in a rush or trying to see as much as possible, this means you are more likely to book an Uber, therefore spending more money on transportation.
Consider purchasing a sim card
Sometimes, phone plans in your home country do not include using your phone abroad. In this case, if you plan to stay connected, it is sometimes worth purchasing a local sim card. This makes it easier to get around new places, update your social media and keep your loved ones up to date with what you are up to.
If you have made the decision to purchase a sim card, one of my top Istanbul travel tips is to until you are in the city. Sim cards in the airport are pricier, therefore you will not get the best deal. Once in the city, you will be able to purchase sim cards from places such as phone shops and sim card points for a fraction of the price.
Think about what you are wearing
Turkey is a Muslim country. As such, women are expected to dress with their shoulders and knees covered out of respect. You will also be expected to wear a scarf over your hair whilst visiting mosques and religious buildings.
During the hotter months, this can be a little difficult due to the high heat. At these points of the year, I recommend wearing loose-fitted clothing. Things like culottes and light T-shirts are perfect for these occasions.
While Turkey is safe for women, you should always consider the local cultures of the country you are visiting.
If you shop, be prepared to haggle
Planning a trip to the Grand Bazaar? Then one of my top Istanbul travel tips is to be prepared to haggle. It’s all part of the experience when it comes to visiting Istanbul. As the biggest covered market across the globe, there is a lot to see at this large shopping bazaar. So much so that you could easily spend a day on the hunt for bargains. It’s the perfect place to pick up a souvenir as stalls sell everything from jewellery and fashion, to home decor pieces and spices.
If you spot something you like the look of, try your luck with bargaining. Typically, the prices here are massively inflated so don’t be afraid to give a low offer. It’s what they expect. Furthermore, don’t let yourself get sucked in. Know what the absolute highest you will be prepared to pay is and don’t go beyond this. One of my top tips is to act like you’re ready to leave without buying. This is often the best way to get their very best price.
Don’t eat at tourist trap restaurants
Similarly to most places across the globe, restaurants around the corner from the top tourist attractions are often not very good. Although I am sure there are exceptions, I always recommend doing your research first.
Istanbul has a great food scene, with many incredible restaurants across the city. Personally, I was lucky enough to eat at several during my trip that I would highly suggest booking a table at. Some firm favourites include Smelt & Co, Deraliye Restaurant and Mikla.
Turkish people do not drink their tea with milk
Although this may not seem important to some, fellow tea lovers should be aware that milk does not come as standard in hotel rooms and cafes when you order a tea. You will either have to ask for it, buy some yourself or go without. By the end of my 10-day trip in Turkey, drinking black tea really didn’t phase me.
Make a plan
Istanbul is a large city and within the city, there is a lot to see. This means you will benefit from making a bit of a plan when it comes to what you’d like to see. Although you don’t need to follow it strictly, it will help when it comes to not missing key locations due to poor planning.
Personally, I recommend working out which attractions or points of interest are close to each other. That way, you can tick them off your list on the same day. For example, the blue mosque, the grand mosque and Topkapi Palace are all incredibly close to each other and can easily be visited in one day.
Don’t leave home without travel insurance
My top Istanbul travel advice would be to purchase travel insurance. In fact, this is my top tip if you are travelling anywhere overseas. You never know when something could go wrong, which means you should always be prepared.
Travel to more destinations in Turkey
This post may be about Istanbul, but Turkey has so much more to offer beyond the hustle and bustle of the city. Places like Cappadocia and Izmir are worlds away from Istanbul and well worth visiting if you are in the area. With a week or more in the country, you could easily hit up at least one more of the top places to visit in Turkey.
Istanbul Travel guide – FAQs:
What are the best things to do in Istanbul?
As such a large city, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there is a lot to see. In addition to more popular spots like Hagia Sophia, Galata Tower and Topkapi Palace, Istanbul also boasts some hidden gems. Some lesser-visited locations include Dolmabahçe Palace, Istanbul Museum of Modern Art and Miniaturk. This list is in no way exhaustive. There is so much more to see and do in the city.
How long should you spend in Istanbul?
Deciding how long to spend in Istanbul will depend on how much you want to see. You could easily see the highlights in 3 days. However, there are so many hidden locations and museums that you won’t get bored with a full week in the city. In fact, one week in Istanbul would be ideal for those who love to explore but do so at a slower pace.
What is the best time to visit Istanbul?
Again, this depends on personal preferences. The busiest time of year in Istanbul is between the months of June and August. This is when Istanbul has the best weather in terms of heat. However, with good weather comes crowds and higher prices.
Personally, I like to travel to Europe during the shoulder season to take advantage of fewer tourists, cooler weather and lower prices. I was in Istanbul in April and although the weather was a little hit-and-miss, it was still a great time to visit (in my opinion).
How much money do you need to visit Istanbul?
You will be happy to know that Istanbul (and Turkey as a whole) is actually pretty budget-friendly. With a night in a hostel starting from ten euros and street food on offer from as little as one pound (GBP), your money can go pretty far in this part of the world.
Furthermore, there is also a wide range of free things to do in Istanbul. For example, visiting mosques and wandering around the Grand Bazaar soaking up the atmosphere doesn’t cost a penny. Budget travellers should budget between 30 – 50 EUR a day which will cover accommodation, a bit of transport around the city, food and some tourist attractions.
On the flip side, Istanbul can be expensive if you want to hit up all the fancy bars and dine at the best restaurants. If you prefer to be a bit more luxurious when you travel, you will want to budget at least 100 – 150 euros a day.
Can you visit Istanbul on a budget?
As I’ve mentioned already, exploring Istanbul on a budget is very doable. Especially if you stay in dorm rooms, eat street food (or cook at your hostel) and take advantage of free activities. In fact, I’m sure you could keep yourself busy for at least a few days without spending any money on top tourist attractions.
I hope that sharing my very best Istanbul travel tips has helped you to prepare for your visit. If you have any more questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below and I will get back to you!
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