r/istanbul_tips

​

Hi everyone,

I’m traveling from Algeria to Russia and I have a 2-hour connection in Istanbul Airport (IST).

The problem is that in Algeria I can get money through my Visa card, but I need cash for Russia because I’m expecting to need euros in cash for my trip.

My question: Is there an ATM inside the Istanbul Airport transit area where I can use my Algerian Visa card and withdraw around €800 in EUR cash?

I only have 2 hours between flights, so I cannot leave the airport.

Is this realistically enough time to find a EUR-capable ATM, withdraw the money, and get to my gate? Or is 2 hours too risky?

If anyone has recently done this at IST, I’d really appreciate knowing which ATM/bank and where it is in the terminal.

Thanks!

Hi guys i am travelling to turkey in September mid and looking to meet some locals or any travellers to have fun. Go around explore. I am 27M from UK. Would love to hangout with any local Turkish woman. If anyone is travelling let me know we can meet up.
Thanks

Hi everyone !!! I have a flight with TAROM landing at IST at 22:25 on 6th August. I am British citizen (no checked luggage). I then have a flight from SAW at 04:35 on the 7th (again, no checked luggage). There’s a bus from IST to SAW at 00:00 to arrive at SAW at 02:10. Is that possible to make the connection ??

Thank you so much

Hey guys I’m going to Istanbul for 4 nights next month as a solo traveler. It is my first time solo traveling and wanna live the full experience without risking my sanity, do you locals or frequent travelers have any recommendations on where to stay?

For context I’m a 21yo gay male, I’m not stereotypically feminine but for obvious reasons I wanna be in a safe space for my stay 🥹

I have a central 1+0 apartment in Mecidiyeköy (all bills included, fully furnished). I speak English and German fluently. Which forums or groups do foreigners in Istanbul use most to find flats?"

I’ll be visiting Istanbul for a very short trip and,
I arrive Saturday around noon and leave Sunday afternoon, so I basically have Saturday afternoon/evening and Sunday afternoon.
Since it’ll be August and probably very hot, I’d especially love suggestions for what to do between roughly 12–4 PM without spending too much time walking outside, anything that’s good for escaping the heat would be perfect.

A few questions:

1. If you only had this amount of time, what are the absolute must-sees?
2. Any good indoor/air-conditioned activities for 12–4 PM?
3. Any recommendations for good local restaurants around Aya Sofia
4. Would you stay mostly around Sultanahmet/Eminönü/Galata, or is it worth fitting in a ferry to Kadıköy/Asian side?

I’m more interested in experiencing Istanbul, eating really well, seeing the highlights and enjoying the atmosphere than rushing through a huge checklist.
Also, if there’s something particularly nice to do after sunset when it cools down, I’d love recommendations.
Thanks!

Hi I am traveling next week, first time, have a few questions would really appreciate help! I am an anxious traveler but turkey has been a dream for a long.

1. I land at IST around 1 AM, I am planning to book a direct airport transfer to my hotel. Staying in Faith area. If my hotel is not able to accommodate my airport shuttle request what’s my next best option? I don’t want to use any taxis or public transportation at that hour.
   Does booking.com or priceline provide any airport transfer options?

2. I want to know where locals eat? What places actually worth visiting. I am a foodie and having the luxury of halal food is incredible.

3. All the meat in turkey is halal?

4. How reliable is Pegasus airline I have to go to Antalya for 3 days then back to Istanbul for my flight back home?

I would appreciate any advice!!

Thank you 😊

Hey guys,
We arrived in Istanbul two days ago and are currently staying at Niles Hotel Istanbul. We’ve had a great time exploring the old city, walking around and seeing a lot of the historical side.
For our final 3 nights, I feel like changing the scenery completely.
I’d love to stay somewhere more modern and lively, where you step outside in the evening and there are restaurants, terraces, bars, music and plenty of people around. Somewhere with a bit of energy rather than another quiet tourist area.
I’m here with my girlfriend and my 15-year-old nephew. We spend the days together, but in the evening I also enjoy heading out alone for a drink, talking to locals and seeing a different side of the city.
I’ve come across Beşiktaş, Nişantaşı, Karaköy, Cihangir and Kadıköy. Budget is roughly €80–150 a night.
For those who actually live here: which of those areas has the atmosphere I’m describing?
Curious to hear your experiences!

I will be visiting Istanbul after Greece next month, I wonder if credit cards (visa/MasterCard )widely accepted or do I need to prepare cash in advance? Also do I need to convert into turkish lira or is euro widely used or preferred?

Also are money exchangers better or I draw directly from ATM (will they charge hefty fees like some countries)

Thanks.

Istanbul locals, would love your advice! 🇹🇷

Family of 6: wife, mom, sister, 4yo + 1yo. Staying at Grand Hyatt for 10 days. Trying to keep things relaxed.

Fri: Arrive 2pm → hotel/Nişantaşı → dinner
Sat: Grand Bazaar → Eminönü
Sun: Beşiktaş → Ortaköy/Bosphorus
Mon: Blue Mosque → Hagia Sophia → Cistern
Tue: Kadıköy → Moda
Wed: Hotel/pool/spa/relax
Thu: Büyükada
Fri–Sun: Open. Considering Bursa, Sapanca/Maşukiye, Antalya, beach, or more Istanbul.

Any advice is highly appreciated! Anything inconvenient, something you’d rearrange, or something we’re completely missing?
Also food recommendations from locals are very welcome. We’d much rather find smaller/local places than tourist famous restaurants with thousands of reviews.

Thanks! 🙏🇹🇷

Adios everyone,
Me (23M) and my brother are visiting Istanbul first 2 weeks of October, and wanted to get an idea about interacting with locals or fellow tourists there.

How can I make the most out of it since I am very social and extrovert. I have been there previously too but it was too short of a transit to explore so looking for suggestions. Open to going to clubs and drinking or just sitting at quite calm place, I am better of both worlds.

Please help me with your suggestions as I want to make the most out of this trip.
Thanks for reading this far :)

I don’t know where to ask this question so I hope I will find an answer here🙏🏼

im planning my trip to Istanbul in October and am making a list of restaurants near my hotel. I want to add cipriani to the list, but I can’t find any info about whether they use halal meat or not. i don’t know much about the halal food situation in istanbul in general; im currently in morocco and know that I can walk into ANY place and dont even have to ask. is this the same way in Istanbul? and does anyone know if Cipriani uses halal meat or not?

thanks!

Hi everyone, I a going to have a 9 hours layover in Istanbul at night. Is it safe to take a walk around the Hagia Sophia and that square at midnight? I am a woman and travelling alone. I just thought about to travel to the city. I already have been a couple of times in Istanbul but as a tourist who directly travels to Turkey. This time I would have some time to eat something and take a walk.

My brother and I (both men, from Romania) are going on a trip to Istanbul for a few nights. We were wondering if you have any recommendations for nightclubs that are, shall we say, more suitable for tourists. (We don’t want to run into any trouble just because we’re tourists, and we want to avoid being ripped off.) If anyone would like to join us, that’s fine by us. Thank you very much for your replies.

Hello, need a quick fact checking from recent travellers please. I travelled to the US many times and there has always been prohibitions concerning carrying foodstuffs. I was even chastised once for carrying an apple in my backpack… How about baklava like food? Have you ever taken back baklava home and survived customs on arrival?

Hi all, I have a 4 yo toddler and twin infants (1 year old). Travelling with my parents and wife so 4 adults 3 kids. What's the best way for us to get around the city? I'm thinking Uber but let me know if I'm mistaken. Also, any contacts for airport to hotel pickup?

hai i’ve been in istanbul for like two years now, i just wanna go to some nature places i’m lowk sick of cities 💔 where will you recommend and how should i get there

So I'm having a hard time figuring out officially what are the regular (not night museum) hours for Galata Tower in November. The muze.tr website lists

Opening time: 08:30
Closing time: 18:30
Box Office Closing Time: 18:14

But it doesn't specify winter or summer hours. Normally I would consider this to mean that both seasons have the same hours, but there are other sites than I know for sure have different Winter and Summer hours, but the website only lists one set. I'm not local so can't really call, looking for someone who has direct experience who could hopefully help out?

Thanks in advance