City Guidebook

İstanbul is one of the most visited cities in the world and it is not surprising: it was the capital of three empires: Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman !! Let yourself be conquered by the history of ancient civilizations and its natural treasures: the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. İstanbul has abundant, glorious remnants of its historical and cultural sites, such as Aya Sofya, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar. If you plan to visit most of its mosques, churches, and museums, you will likely require 5 to 7 days in the city. If you just want to see a few historical and cultural sites as mentioned above, you can get by with 2 or 3 days visit of our city.

All men and women must comply with certain clothing rules when visiting places of worship. These rules apply to churches and synagogues as well as mosques. These visiting etiquettes are clearly displayed at each public entrance of places of worship.

Useful Information:

For electronic visa (evisa) information and submitting an application please visit following official websites, http://www.mfa.gov.tr/ , https://www.evisa.gov.tr/. You are kindly advised to have a travel document/passport valid for at least 6 months as from the date of your arrival. Its mandatory to carry ID or Passport at all times during your visit.

The currency of Türkiye is Turkish Lira TL (sign: ₺ code:TRY), for banknote information and exchange rates visit official webpages of Turkish Central Bank: https://www.tcmb.gov.tr/Banknotes   https://www.tcmb.gov.tr/Today. Exchange offices (Turkish "döviz bürosu”) operating hours are mostly from 09:00 to 17:00. İstanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport have 24/7 operating exchange offices, shopping malls and touristic areas (Sultanahmet and Taksim) are open later than regular office hours but exchange rates are often not competitive. ATMs can be found all around the city and touristic districts with foreign language options and pay out Turkish Liras.

Electrical supply is 220 Volts - 50 Hertz and plugs & sockets (two-pin plugs) types (european-style plugs that fit into recessed wall sockets) are C and F. You may need some special converters, adapters to allow the appliances or devices to work properly. Please be advised that damage to the electrical devices will probably occur if you attempt to use a 110 volts rated electrical device with a 220 volts supply.

Time zone in Türkiye and İstanbul is UTC/GMT +3 which means 3 hours ahead of GMT/UTC, and have no DST (Daylight Saving Time). Türkiye used to follow EU rules but it has decided not to revert back to winter time and to remain on Eastern European Summer Time = GMT+3 since October 2016.

Smoking is banned in all public places including government offices, workplaces, restaurants, cafés, bars, shopping malls, schools, hospitals, and all forms of public transportation systems.

Transportation:

Driving is on the right hand side and driver sits on the front left of the car. Visitors can drive with their international driving license. If you choose to rent a car and drive in Türkiye, you should have your driving license, passport and insurance documents of vehicle. Police officers do occasional roadside check stops for your security. If this happens, present above mentioned documents to officer.

Visitors who prefer public transportation network to get around the city, IETT (İstanbul Electric Tram and Tunnel Enterprise) has an online route planner webpage https://nasilgiderim.iett.gov.tr/en/ and mobile application for straightforward and convenient travel. İstanbul card (İstanbulkart-Anonim Kart) can be purchased from biletmatik (automatic ticket vending machines) which valid for boarding whole transportation systems via this contactless (RFID) card. You don't need to buy multiple cards because only one İstanbulkart can be used for up to 5 passengers. After first passenger scans the card and passes through the turnstile gate, wait a few seconds, and rescan the same card in front of the reader for the second passenger. İstanbul municipality provides a website https://istanbulkart.istanbul/ which serves up-to-date and detailed information about how to use, load credit, current price, etc. of the card. Public toilets operated by the municipality of İstanbul can be paid with İstanbulkart.

İstanbul has a bike-sharing system called isbike.istanbul, which allows you to rent bicycles from various locations throughout the city. Bicycle stations groups 10/20 bikes with their distinctive blue and white colored palate. Although the renting system works with foreign credit cards, a Turkish cell phone number is still required to create an account for login to website or application. There are also multiple private bicycle renting stores around the old city Sultanahmet area and Beyoglu district.

İstanbul Airport Transportation Services:

Public Buses: There are two bus companies that operate between İstanbul Airport and the city center: hava.ist and iett.istanbul. HAVAIST buses are specially designed for airport passengers, offering comfortable seats, luggage space, free Wi-Fi, and USB charging ports. They run 24/7 and have multiple routes that cover the main tourist areas of İstanbul, such as Taksim, Sultanahmet, Besiktas. The ticket price varies depending on the destination, and you can pay with a credit card or cash on board. You can find the HAVAIST and IETT bus stops at the arrivals level (-2 lower level) of İstanbul Airport.

IETT buses are the regular public buses that serve the local population of İstanbul. They are cheaper than HAVAIST buses, but they are less comfortable and have fewer luggage space. They also have fewer routes that connect İstanbul Airport with the city center, for IETT lines and stops information please visit Access to Airports page.

Shuttle Service: Shuttles are one of the best options to get to and from İstanbul Airport. They offer convenient and reliable door to door service that saves you time and hassle. You can choose from different types of vehicles to suit your needs and budget, such as sedan, minivan, minibus, or coach. You can book your İstanbul airport shuttle online or by your hotel concierge service in advance and enjoy a smooth ride. The shuttle price varies depending on the company, vehicle type, destination, and number of passengers.

Metro: The M11 metro line connects İstanbul Airport with Kagithane station (current end station) in about 25 minutes. From Kagithane station, you can transfer to M7 metro line that cover the main areas of İstanbul such as Mecidiyekoy and Beşiktaş. The metro operates everyday from 06:00 to 00:00 and runs every 8 minutes.

The M4 metro line connects Sabiha Gökçen Airport with Kadikoy in about 50 minutes. From Kadikoy station, you can transfer to other metro lines that cover the main areas of İstanbul, such as Taksim, Sisli-Mecidiyekoy, Uskudar, Levent, Mahmutbey. The metro operates from 06:00 to 00:00 and runs every 5 minutes during peak hours.

Private Transfer: Private transfer is the most comfortable and luxurious way to get to İstanbul Airport from and to the city center. You can book a private transfer service from reputable companies online or request from your hotel concierge service. You can choose from different types of vehicles, such as sedan, limousine, SUV, or van. You can enjoy a personalized and smooth ride with a driver who will meet you at the airport or your hotel. The private transfer price depends on the company, vehicle type, destination, and number of passengers.

Official City Guide Services:
Official city tourist guides in İstanbul are should own government tour guide's license. It is against the law for someone who has not received a university education and training to work as a tourist guide in Türkiye. Union of Turkish Tourist Guides Chambers (TUREB) http://www.tureb.org.tr/en is the national federation, which was set up among professional organizations of Turkish tourist guides. TUREB declares that tour guides without certification are providing false information about heritage sites, museums etc. and they are smearing İstanbul's heritage and alienating those who visit, illegal tour guides can easily take them to the shops they cooperate to earn a commission.

Tourist guides have priority to buy tickets to museums and historical sites and avoid their customer from crowds. They are are not licensed to make reservations and cannot be drivers by law. If you hired a private tour guide in İstanbul and you wish to share your exprience with Tureb please send an email to: iro@iro.org.tr.

İstanbul has a transitional climate between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, and is one of the cities that receive the most precipitation in the Marmara Region. İstanbul experiences significant seasonal variation in the perceived humidity. Although all months of the year are humid in İstanbul, the period when the city has the highest humidity was determined as December-January with a rate of 80-85%.

The warm season lasts for 3.5 months, from June 10 to September 14, with an average daily high temperature above 25℃ [77℉]. The hottest month of the year in İstanbul is August, with an average high of 28℃ [82.4℉] and low of 21℃ [69.8℉]. The cool season lasts for 4 months, from November 29 to March 25, with an average daily high temperature below 12℃ [53.6℉]. The coldest month of the year in İstanbul is February, with an average low of 4℃ [39.2℉] and high of 9℃ [48.2℉]. Best time of year to visit İstanbul is clear, rainless days with temperatures between 18℃ [64.4℉] and 26℃ [78.8℉], general tourist activities occur from late May to early October, with a peak score in the last week of June. In the below picture you can view the weather forecast for İstanbul.

İSTANBUL WEATHER AVERAGES BY MONTH: Data=1991/2022

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTERS:

Tourism Information Offices provide the information and documents about İstanbul like brochures, leaflets maps etc. for local and foreign tourists. Both the firstcomers and repeat visitors have the opportunity to learn about the developments about İstanbul from our experts. Note: All of our offices, except Taksim Tourism Office, serve during official and religious holidays.

1- Sultanahmet Tourism Information Office
Address: Binbirdirek Mah. Divan Yolu Cad. No:3 Atmeydanı Sultanahmet Fatih
/ İSTANBUL Tel: 0212 518 18 02 / 0212 518 87 54
E-mail: turizmisleri34@ktb.gov.tr
Working hours and days: Everyday - 09:00 - 17:30
2- Sirkeci Tourism Information Office
Address: Next to Sirkeci Train Station Ankara Cad. Hocapaşa Mah. No:140 Sirkeci Fatih
/ İSTANBUL Tel: 0212 511 58 88
E-mail: turizmisleri34@ktb.gov.tr
Working hours and days: Everyday - 09:00 - 17:30
3 - Taksim Tourism Information Office
Address: Next to AKM, Directorate of State Opera and Ballet entrance floor Taksim
/ İSTANBUL Tel: 0212 233 05 92
E-mail: turizmisleri34@ktb.gov.tr
Working hours and days: Everyday - 09:00 - 17:30
4 - Sabiha Gokcen Airport Tourism Information Office
Address: International Arrivals Kurtköy / İSTANBUL Tel: 0216 588 87 94
E-mail: turizmisleri34@ktb.gov.tr
Working hours and days: Everyday - 09:00 - 19:00
5 - İstanbul Airport Tourism Information Office
Address: International Arrivals floor Arnavutköy / İSTANBUL Tel: 0212 891 62 05
E-mail: turizmisleri34@ktb.gov.tr
Working hours and days: Everyday - 09:00 - 19:00
6 - Karaköy Tourism Information Office
Address: Kılıçali Paşa Mahallesi, Meclis-i Mebusan Caddesi Beyoğlu / İSTANBUL (Customs area)
E-mail: turizmisleri34@ktb.gov.tr
Working hours and days: The hours of the Information Office is planned according to the arrival and departure of the ships.

	Date	English name	Local name
1	January 1	New Year's Day	Yılbaşı
2	April 23	National Sovereignty and Children's Day	Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı
3	May 1	Labour and Solidarity Day	Emek ve Dayanışma Günü
4	May 19	Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day	Atatürk'ü Anma, Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı
5	July 15	Democracy and National Unity Day	Demokrasi ve Millî Birlik Günü
6	August 30	Victory Day	Zafer Bayramı
7	October 29	Republic Day	Cumhuriyet Bayramı
8	After the end of the Islamic month Ramadan.	Ramadan Feast	Ramazan Bayramı
9	Begins on the 10th day of the Islamic month Dhu'l-Hijjah.	Sacrifice Feast	Kurban Bayramı

Postal Service: PTT (Posta Telefon Telgraf) www.ptt.gov.tr is the national post and telegraph directorate of Türkiye.

Drug Stores / Pharmacies “Eczane”: Pharmacies open from 09:00 to 19:00 on weekdays and Saturday. Pharmacies on duty (Nobetci Eczane), which operate on Sunday and throughout the night can be located from https://istanbulsaglik.gov.tr by selecting your district name.

Weights & Measures: We use the metric system in İstanbul and Türkiye, which can be problematic for visitor who use Imperial/US system. C° to F° Formula: Multiply by 1.8 (or 9/5) and add 32. Example: (34°C x 1.8) + 32 = 93.20°F. F° to C° Formula: Subtract 32 and multiply by .5556 (or 5/9). Example: (50°F - 32) x .5556 = 10°C. Wiki Voyage Metric and Imperial equivalents

Emergency Phone Numbers: Police: 155, Gendarmerie: 156 (if you are in a rural area), Ambulance: 112, Fire: 110, Forest fires: 177, Social Support / Women’s helpline: 183 İstanbul Tourism Police: +902125274503 mob: +905051876614 email: istanbulturizm@egm.gov.tr

International Dialling Codes: İstanbul (European side) city code ; +90 212 *** ** ** , İstanbul (Asian side) city code ; +90 216 *** ** **

Intercity Dialling Codes: İstanbul (European side) number to dial within Türkiye: 0212 *** ** ** , İstanbul (Asian side) number to dial within Türkiye: 0216 *** ** **

For calling an international phone first dial 00 (or +) then the country code as for Germany 49 and, local area code as for Bremen 421 without 0 lastly local numbers: 0049421*** ** ** or +49421*** ** **. You can make phone calls via public telephone booths which accept credit cards and local phone cards that you can purchase from kiosks or post offices. Please note that, making international calls from these landline phones can be expensive.

Tipping: It’s not necessary to leave more than some changes in the tip plate with small local restaurants. In an average or expensive restaurants, tipping is not compulsory, Although tipping around 5% to 10% is considered customary. Taxis don’t expect a tip, but it’s usual to round up the change to the nearest lira. For housekeeping service, guests tend to leave 5 Euro in the room, especially on the bed. For general household services like concierge, room service, guests usually leaves mostly around 10 Euro tip when checking out. Always tip after your Turkish bath experience around 10% of what you've paid unless you are not happy with the service you received.

Following lists have information about other state owned museums, landmarks for your guidance.

Enjoy Your Visit !!