Istanbul Travel Tips for Tourists

Istanbul travel tips for tourists, touriism offices, visa procedure, travel map, airports, regulations, turkish lira exchange rates and more

Travel Tips for Istanbul:

Turkish Lira - Live Exchange Rates

Please remember that the exchange rates on this table are average rates. The exchange offices and banks apply higher rates when you sell a foreign currency, lower rates when you buy it. You can also exchange popular international currencies - mainly Euro and US Dollars - in other places such as big markets, dress shops, restaurants, hotels, night clubs etc if you buy something from them. Tourist hotels would exchange money without buying anything. But note that they will charge extra commissions in these places; roughly around 5- 10 %. For this reason it is wise to change your money during office hours in day time at the banks or private money exchange offices, since there are many of them in central districts. Changing money at private exchange offices is much faster because they only deal with money-exchange, while you will need to wait in line for a while at the banks. Also avoid exchanging a lot of money at the airports, where the rates are also not very favorable. Do not trust taxi drivers with money exchange. If you need a taxi ride to get away from the airport, either bargain for a fixed price in Euros / US Dollars, or buy a small amount of Turkish Lira at the airport, sufficient to reach your hotel or city center.

Tourism Police
Address: Alemdar Mh Yerebatan Caddesi No: 6, Sultanahmet. (across from the main entrance of Basilica Cistern)
Phone: +90 212 527 4503

Tourist Information Offices
Tourism Information Offices provide the information and documents about Istanbul 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 Istanbul from our experts.
Note: All of our offices, except Taksim Tourism Office, serve during official and religious holidays. Visiting hours and days are everyday between 09:00 - 17:30

1 - Sultanahmet
Address: Binbirdirek Mah. Divan Yolu Cad. No:3 Atmeydanı Sultanahmet Fatih / Istanbul
Phone : 0212 518 18 02 / 0212 518 87 54

2- Sirkesi
Address : Next to Sirkeci Train Station Ankara Cad. Hocapaşa Mah. No:140 Sirkeci Fatih / Istanbul
Phone : 0212 511 58 88

3 - Taksim
Address : Next to AKM, Directorate of State Opera and Ballet entrance floor Taksim / Istanbul
Phone : 0212 233 05 92

4 - Sabiha Gokcen Aişrport
Address : International Arrivals Kurtköy / Istanbul
Phone : 0216 588 87 94

5 - Istanbul Airport (IST)
Address : International Arrivals floor Arnavutköy / Istanbul
Phone : 0212 891 62 05

6 - Galataport
Address : Kılıçali Paşa Mahallesi, Meclis-i Mebusan Caddesi Beyoğlu / Istanbul (Customs area)
The hours of the Information Office is planned according to the arrival and departure of the ships.

Important Phones
Governorship : (+90-212) 514 17 50
Municipality : (+90-212) 512 55 00
Hospital : (+90-212) 588 48 00 / 113 / Ambulance: 112
Police : (+90-212) 635 00 00 / 155

Newspapers and Magazines:
Foreign newspapers and magazines are available in big cities and tourist areas. Also there is also Hurriyet's Daily News published in English which covers international and local news .

Tipping:
At various establishments like hotels, restaurants, Turkish baths, barbers and hairdressers, tipping at a rate of 5%-15% of the total is common. Taxi and "dolmus" drivers on the other hand, do not expect tips or even rounded fares.

Visiting a mosque:
Before entering a mosque, Muslims wash themselves and remove their shoes. Foreign visitors should also remove their shoes and show the respect they would any other house of worship and avoid visiting the mosque during prayer time (5 times a day). Women should cover their heads and arms, and not wear miniskirts. Men should not wear shorts. (In certain famous mosques, overalls are provided for those not suitably dressed.)

Local time:
GMT+3 hours all seasons .
Attention: In 2016 Turkey adopted daylight saving time for winter period also which was being adjusted only in summer. The time zone is constantly GMT + 3 thereafter.

Petrol:
Super (peremium) - Unleaded (at some places). Normal (regular) - Diesel.

Electricity:
220 volts AC/50 Hz. all over Turkey. (Industrial:380 V) Plug: European round/ 2-prong plug.

Water:
Although tap water is safe to drink since it is chlorinated, it is recommended to get advice from the concerned authorities of the places resided.

Weights and Measures:
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters , 1 centimeter = 0.3937 inches
1 yard = 0,9144 meters, 1 meter = 1.0936 yards
1 mile = 1,6093 kilometers, 1 kilometer = 0.6214 miles
1 pound = 0,4536 kilograms, 1 kilogram = 2.2046 pounds

Area:
1 acres = 0,4047 Hectares, 1 hectare = 2.471 acres

Capacity:
1 UK gallon = 4.546 litres, 1 litre = 0.2199 UK gallons
1 US gallon = 3.7831 litres, 1 litre = 0.2643 US gallons

Turkish Visa Procedure

Tourist visa procedures for Turkey considerably differ depending on the nationality of visitors, but it is easy in most cases. In 2013 Electronic Visa application system was launched which can be obtained online. The Electronic Visa (e-Visa) Application System was launched on 17 April 2013 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey. This system allows visitors traveling to Turkey to easily obtain their e-Visas online in approximately three minutes. It is possible to obtain e-Visa 7/24 everywhere with an internet connection. The applicants can obtain their visa after they fill in the necessary information concerning their identity, passport and travel dates and pay the visa fee online.

For detailed information please click here

Istanbul Travel Map

Istanbul Travel Activities

Istanbul Travel Info

Daily Tours and Excursions in Istanbul
Daily tours and excursions in Istanbul by reputable travel agency of Turkey

Everyday Turkey Tours from Istanbul
Turkey tour packages which include Ephesus, Pamukkale, Cappadocia, Fethiye, Antalya and more.

Istanbul Hotels

Best price guarantee for Istanbul Hotels by Booking Com

Now you can book all type and quality hotels all over Turkey via our Booking Com affiliate system.
> Instant & secure hotel reservation via Booking Com.
> Free cancellation and special discounts are available!
> No Commission will be changed by us
> Best price guarantee by Booking Com

Attention: The reservation, payment and cancellation procedure of hotels will be handled via Booking Com.

Book Now!
All you need to do is to select your reservation dates below to search all Istanbul hotels.
Booking.com

Please see below for special deals and last minute offers for hotels in Istanbul.
Booking.com

Istanbul Info

Everything you need to know