Nuts-and-bolts information to plan your trip, plus a checklist of essentials to include when you pack.
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Planning:
Entry Requirements: U.S. citizens need a valid passport; visa ($20) purchased upon arrival.
Security: Istanbul is generally quite safe; however, pickpockets target tourist areas and crowded places such as ferry terminals and ticket lines. Keep handbags and camera bags in front of you and wallets secured. Accepting offers of free tea or refreshments in shops and bazaars is normal and even expected, but friendly strangers offering drinks outside these circumstances (especially invitations to bars), can be a ruse to extort cash or “drug-and-mug.” Not common, but it does happens.
Getting There: Local and international airlines fly to Atatürk International Airport (European side), or Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (Asian side). From airport: Taxis, Havaş shuttle bus, hotel shuttles.
Time: Istanbul is seven hours ahead of U.S. eastern standard time.
Money: The Yeni Türk Lirası (YTL, New Turkish Lira) dropped six zeros in 2005. Prices are sometimes quoted in “millions” out of habit, but million bills are no longer legal tender. Check the Turkish Central Bank for current exchange rates.
Phone Calls: Istanbul has two city codes—212 on the European side and 216 on the Asian side. Dial 0 before local mobile numbers or other area codes. International calls require 00 before the country code.
When to Go: Avoid July-August tourist rushes and heat waves (topping 115°F/45°C). April to mid-June is balmy, with occasional rain. Sunny and mild mid-September through November. Winters are typically rainy or snowy.
Getting Around: Ubiquitous yellow taxicabs cost $1.42 plus $1.00 per half mile. Make sure the meter is running. Rates increase by 50 percent after midnight, indicated by meter flashing “gece” (night) rather than “gündüz” (day). Tipping cab drivers is uncommon. Spotless Metro connects major shopping areas; inclined railway and tramways cover downtown and historic district. Bus services abound; dolmuş (shared vans) pack up to 8 people, stopping anywhere along designated routes. Quickest travel is by water via ferries across the Bosporus, Golden Horn, and Sea of Marmara.
Checklist:
Tips: “Pack for function, but don’t forget style,” advises Kathy Hamilton, culture reviewer, TimeOut Istanbul. “Blending in among both the modern and traditional crowds will make you more a part of the Istanbul adventure.”
Passport/Visa Photocopies: Leave original in a secure place, such as hotel safe. Keep a copy on hand.
Toiletries: Most over-the-counter medicines are inexpensive and available. Pharmacy hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday with only one 24-hour “nöbetçi eczane” (on duty pharmacy) per neighborhood (location changes weekly). Pocket-pack tissues and wet wipes are invaluable for public toilets.
Sturdy, Fashionable Footwear: Steep hills, cobbled lanes, and uneven pavement make Istanbul an urban adventure. Rubber-soled shoes are a must, and will be more versatile if fashionable. Socks are useful for mosques, where shoe removal is required.
Conservative Clothing: Istanbul is Western in attire, though neighborhoods range from conservative to couture. Clothes should be modest but fashionable. Even during hot summers, above-knee shorts are conspicuous. If you prefer it short, opt for a miniskirt instead. Pedal pushers are common for women; most men don’t wear shorts, though below-knee cargo shorts are sometimes seen. “Dressing for dinner” is common for nighttime events—a shift and a shawl for women, a long-sleeve linen shirt and chino trousers for men.
Lightweight Shawl for Women: Nights become cool and windy once the sun sets. A shawl is also useful for covering your head in mosques; some mosques frequented by tourists no longer require it, but most do.
Forget Traveler’s Checks: Finding a place accepting traveler’s checks will consume more time than it’s worth. Instead get cash from ATM with a credit or debit card. Be sure to notify your bank when you travel overseas to avoid having your account frozen due to “suspicious” activity.
