First Time to Turkey? 12 Things to Know About Traveling to Istanbul
As a first-time visitor to Turkey, you likely already have your itinerary planned and the sites you want to see picked out. So let’s go over the key things you may *not* yet realize about visiting Istanbul. These are all the things I discovered myself, which I think will help you map out your trip!
Did you know Istanbul is the largest city in Europe (by population)? Nearly 16 million people live there!
It’s a beautiful city, full of history, culture, and beautiful sites to visit. I’m not going to focus on the main tourist sites in this post, but rather on key things to keep in mind to help first-time visitors to Istanbul have a hassle-free visit.
Where to Stay in Istanbul
I’d recommend staying near the historic city center, which is walkable to most of the sites you’ll want to see.
This interactive map is centered there, and allows you to plug in your dates to check rates on Expedia, Hotels, Booking, and other top sites:
I centered the map above on the Orientbank Autograph Collection, which is one of the hotels I’ve stayed at in Istanbul. The suites are very nice, and the hotel itself has a unique history!
Best Tours to Book Ahead
Especially for hammams and the historic sites in Istanbul, it’s best to book tours ahead of your visit. I’d recommend these three, which all have excellent 5-star reviews:
➡️ Click to Book: Hammam / Turkish Bath
State Department Safety Warnings
The U.S. Department of State regularly updates its travel advisory for Turkey, including Istanbul. As of the latest update, Turkey is currently at a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.
This is the broad level of caution the State Department issues for most countries in Europe which are popular with American tourists.
I always point people to this map, which visually illustrates the level of perceived dangers in Turkey, compared to France, Spain, and other destinations:
Be Aware of Tourist Scams
You’ll quickly notice overly-friendly guys hanging around the major tourist sites in Istanbul. For the most part, they mean no harm. However, if you’re overly friendly back to them, you could find yourself wasting a lot of valuable time.
They target tourists looking for entrances to different museums and sites, offering to help. Even if you politely decline, they use the same line, something like, “Where are you from?”
From there, if you’re not careful, you could find yourself following them around to their family’s store or restaurant, diverting you from your intended itinerary. They’re talented in being overly friendly, which leads tourists to feel bad about saying “no.”
The Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar isn’t a tourist trap. It plays a major role in Turkish life. While it may just seem like rugs, spices, and jewelry at first glance, the bazaar is central to many Turkish families. They traditionally hold their wealth in gold, and much of that trade is done at the bazaar.
It’s a massive complex, and worth wandering through, as is the nearby spice bazaar.
The Weather in Istanbul
Istanbul is a great year-round destination. Just remember: it’s hot in the summer and it snows in the winter.
- Spring (March-May) – Temperatures ranging from 10–20°C (50–68°F). Occasional rain showers are common.
- Summer (June–August) – Warm and humid, with highs reaching 25–30°C (77–86°F). Evenings are cooler, and the Bosphorus breeze helps balance the heat.
- Autumn (September–November) – Comfortable temperatures between 15–25°C (59–77°F), with decreasing humidity.
- Winter (December–February) – Chilly, with temperatures between 3–10°C (37–50°F). Snowfall is possible, and rain is more frequent.
Taking Istanbul’s Metro / Tram
Istanbul is a massive city, and traffic is horrible. To explore different neighborhoods without getting stuck in traffic jams, you’ll want to take the city’s metro system.
It’s easy to use. The ticket kiosks will change the language to English. You’ll have to purchase a card, in addition to the fare. The first time you use it, put maybe 100 Turkish Lira on as you try it out.
Each ride costs the equivalent of about 75 cents (in US dollars).
The trains run every 7 minutes (or so). Using Google Maps or another map app, you’ll easily be able to find the stations and routes to take.
The Ferries Around Istanbul
I love taking ferries, no matter what city I’m in. They’re a cheap way to see the city’s neighborhoods and skyline.
Istanbul has several ferry terminals. You can take the 15-minute ferry across from the European side of the city to the Asian side for about $2. It’s a beautiful trip, and you can sit inside or out. The breeze will feel good, especially if it’s hot outside.
The ferries will also take you to the Princes’ Islands. They’re more than an hour away, and a longtime vacation destination for people living in Turkey.
The largest island, Buyukada, is 1-hour, 45-minutes on the ferry. The cost is about $6 roundtrip!
Turkish Lira (TRY)
First, the Euro isn’t the main currency in Turkey. It’s the Turkish Lira.
I think there are more ATMs in Istanbul (and around Turkey) than in any other place I’ve been to. There are huge banks of them to choose from (see the photo below).
Expect many to charge 7% withdrawal fees.
Also, if you have Euros (or can easily get some) I’d bring them on a trip, too. A couple of our drivers, especially in Cappadocia, requested payment in Euros rather than Turkish Lira.
As I type this, the exchange rate is: 38 TRY = 1 USD.
Alcohol in Turkey
Turkey is a Muslim-majority country, and generally, alcohol is forbidden in Islam. It’s not easy to find wine in grocery stores in Istanbul, but it’s available at bars.
At one cafe, our beers (the local beer, Efes) were served in glasses wrapped in black tape. The waiter said it was done to respect the mosque down the street.
Turkey has a wine region. They grow grapes in Cappadocia, and produce small amounts of red and white wines. It’s widely available, and relatively cheap, in Central Turkey.
IST Airport is Far From the City
Istanbul’s airport (IST) is quite a distance from the city center, where you’ll be staying.
Without traffic (on one of our drives at 3:00am) it still took nearly 40 minutes to make the drive.
In heavy traffic, it could take longer than an hour. Consider this as a warning, if you’re someone who likes getting to an airport at the “last minute.” It’s not really an option in Istanbul! Budget for a minimum of one hour of drive time.
You can take an Uber or a taxi, and it’ll be around $35-$45 each way.
Turkey Isn’t Cheap
I was surprised by the prices in Turkey. Hotels, taxis, Ubers, meals, and more all cost the same as I pay in the US. Granted, I was mostly in touristy areas, so prices are likely lower in local spots.
The fares for the metro and ferries were, however, far cheaper than what you’d pay in the US for the same transportation services.
Tipping in Turkey
I found tipping is more expected and acceptable in Turkey, compared to other European countries.
Many restaurants will include a 10% charge on your bills. Check to see if it’s there before you add more as a tip. A tip of 10-20% will be appreciated for good service.
Tipping is also common at the hammams (Turkish baths) and in hotels.
Wrap: First Time to Istanbul
Depending on your plans (and how much time you have) I’d consider adding a couple of days in Cappadocia or Bodrum to your trip to Istanbul.
The city has so many neighborhoods to explore, but you might need a break from the crowds. You can find that by taking the ferry to the Princes’ Islands, too.
