Istanbul

Currency

The lira has been highly volatile, so exchange small amounts frequently rather than all at once. Independent exchange shops in Eminönü and Grand Bazaar give far better rates than banks or the airport — look for the ones with no commission and a tight spread.

ATMs & cards

Use Garanti BBVA, İş Bankası or Ak bank machines. Many Turkish ATMs now charge substantial foreign card fees, so exchanging cash often beats withdrawing. Always decline conversion.

Turkish ATMs now charge substantial foreign-card fees, so exchanging cash at a reputable office often beats withdrawing.

Wherever you are: if the machine offers to charge you in your home currency, decline. That is dynamic currency conversion and the rate is set by the ATM's operator, not your bank.

Safety

Violent crime against visitors is rare and walking the city at night feels comfortable in the areas travellers use. What you actually need to watch for is scams: the shoeshine brush drop, over-friendly men steering you to a bar where the bill turns out to be enormous, and taxi meter tricks — use BiTaksi or Uber. Dress modestly for mosques and cover your head as a woman.

Our own assessment, not a sourced index.

Entry & visa

Health & emergencies

Required to enter

No vaccinations are required for entry from Europe or North America.

Worth having

• Routine vaccinations up to date
• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid if you will eat widely outside restaurants

Getting treated

Private hospitals in Istanbul are genuinely excellent and a fraction of Western European prices, with English spoken in the international departments. State hospitals are free for emergencies but slow and rarely English-speaking. Insurance is strongly advised — you will be asked to pay up front at private hospitals.

Tap water is chlorinated but heavily mineralised; almost everyone drinks bottled.

Orientation, not medical advice. Entry rules change and what you need depends on your own history and where you have been — check with a travel clinic or your national health service four to six weeks before you go.

Food tip

Breakfast (kahvaltı) is a proper spread and a highlight — do it in Beşiktaş or Kadıköy. Skip restaurants with touts outside in Sultanahmet; cross to the Asian side for far better prices.

Getting around

• Istanbulkart — one rechargeable card for metro, tram, bus, funicular and ferry, far cheaper than single tickets
• Tram T1 — runs through Sultanahmet past most of the historic sights
• Ferry — crossing the Bosphorus by public ferry is cheap and the best sightseeing in the city
• Metro — expanding fast, connects both airports
• Airport: M11 metro from IST to Gayrettepe (35 min) or Havaiş bus to Taksim

Must-see

Things to do

• Visit Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque
• Tour Topkapı Palace and the harem
• Ride the public ferry up the Bosphorus
• Get lost in the Grand and Spice Bazaars
• Cross to Kadıköy on the Asian side
• Experience a traditional hamam

Nearby day trips

Say a few words

Turkish

• HelloMerhabaMER-ha-ba
• PleaseLütfenLOOT-fen
• Thank youTeşekkürlerte-shek-koor-LER
• Yes / NoEvet / HayırEH-vet / HA-yuhr
• Excuse meAffedersinizaf-fe-DER-si-niz
• How much is it?Ne kadar?neh ka-DAR
• The bill, pleaseHesap, lütfenheh-SAP
• Cheers!Şerefe!sheh-reh-FEH

Religion

Sunni Muslim, secular state

Around 99% Muslim by heritage, but the state is constitutionally secular and Istanbul is cosmopolitan. Women cover their heads to enter mosques, everyone removes shoes, and mosques close to visitors during the five prayer times.

Do's and don'ts

Do

• Accept the offered tea — refusing it outright dismisses the gesture
• Take shoes off entering a home or mosque
• Cover shoulders and knees at mosques; women cover their hair, and scarves are lent at the door
• Haggle in the bazaars, politely and with humour

Don't

• Do not point the sole of your foot at anyone, or cross your legs so it shows
• Do not blow your nose at the table
• Do not make jokes about Atatürk; insulting him is a criminal offence
• Do not photograph people, especially women, without asking