About Istanbul

Istanbul is a smorgasbord of scent and sound, infused with the character of two continents.

The city of Istanbul offers a trip unlike any other, encompassing Asian and European cultures to create a heady mix of art, music and food. The amazing Old Town and the Sultanahmet are home to iconic Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. More history is hidden in the Topkapi Palace, where you can glimpse the splendour and opulence of Turkey’s Ottoman heritage.

Just before dawn, there’s an eerie silence in Istanbul before the city erupts into life, when the call to morning prayers reverberates through the ancient markets and winding alleys. Ferry across the Bosphorus to experience a startling contrast between East and West.

Istanbul’s main airport lies 20 kilometres from the city centre. Taxis are readily available and are the most convenient way to reach the centre – they cost around 45 TRY and take 30 minutes in mild traffic. The Havatas Bus to Taksim Square is more cost effective. It departs every 30 minutes on the hour between 04:00–01:00, costs around 10 TRY and takes around 30 minutes. From Taksim Square, catch either a taxi or metro to your end destination.

The ‘Hafif Metro’ is very efficient. There are two main lines: Yenikapı to Ataturk Airport (M1A) and Yenakapi to Haciosman (M2). The M1 runs every 5 minutes from 06:00–00:30 from Monday to Saturday, every 8 minutes on Sunday. The M2 line runs from 06:15–00:30 Monday to Saturday (from 06:30 on Sunday). To use the metro, purchase a token from a machine to pass the turnstiles, or swipe in with an ‘Istanbulkart’ (available at some Biletmatik machines).

Taxis are easy to find – simply stop at a taxi stand or hail one from the street. They’re reasonably priced when compared to those in Western Europe and the US, making them an affordable way to travel. Official taxis are bright yellow with the words ‘taksi’ on top and always have digital meters. Language is often an issue, so always have your destination written on a piece of paper. If you incur toll charges, these will be added to the final charge.

Inner-city bus service hubs can be found in Taksim Square, Aksaray and Beşiktaş on the European side, and Üsküdar and Kadıköy on the Asian side. Bus shelters are easily available on the main routes. Services operate from 06:30–23:30 and destinations are displayed at the front of the bus. Ticket prices vary by destination and must be bought from the white booths near major stops before boarding. Purchase an Akbil or ‘Istanbul Kart’ to save on fares.

Ferries and ‘sea-buses’ are a fun and fast way to move between the European and Asian sides. There are four ferry companies in operation; the fastest and most popular is ‘IDO’. The major docks on the European side can be found in Eminönü, Sirkeci and Karaköy. Tickets cost around TRY 3.00 for a single ‘economy class’ ticket (around 1.95 TRY with an Istanbul Kart), which can be purchased at the ferry terminal. Note that timetables change seasonally.

more About Istanbul at Europe Downtown Apartments. What you should bring to Istanbul. What you should do and visit. Everything for

having a nice trip Istanbul touristic info about information touristic information travelling to

to expect tourist Want to know more about Istanbul. Get the

more accurate info

for travellers here!

Find more About Istanbul at Europe

you should bring to Istanbul. What you should do and visit. Everything for having a nice trip Istanbul touristic info about information

information travelling to cautions to have what to expect tourist Want to know more about Istanbul. Get the more accurate info for travellers here!

Istanbul at Europe

you should bring to Istanbul. What you should do and visit. Everything for having a nice

Istanbul touristic info about information touristic

information travelling to cautions to have what to expect tourist Want to know more about Istanbul. Get the more accurate info for travellers here!

Find more About Istanbul at Europe Downtown Apartments. What you

bring to Istanbul. What you should do and visit. Everything for having a nice trip Istanbul touristic info about information touristic information travelling to

cautions to have what to expect tourist

to know more about Istanbul. Get the more accurate

Find more About Istanbul at Europe Downtown Apartments. What

to Istanbul.

What you should do and visit. Everything for having a

nice trip Istanbul touristic info about information touristic information travelling to cautions to have what to expect tourist Want to know more about Istanbul. Get the more accurate info

travellers here!

more About Istanbul at Europe Downtown

to Istanbul. What you should do and visit. Everything

for having a nice trip Istanbul touristic info about information touristic information travelling

cautions to

to know more about Istanbul.

Get the more accurate info for travellers here!

more About Istanbul at Europe

should bring to

should do and visit. Everything for having a nice trip Istanbul touristic info about information

touristic information travelling to cautions to

expect tourist Want to know more

Get the

more accurate info for travellers here!

About Istanbul at Europe Downtown Apartments. What you should bring to Istanbul.

and visit. Everything for having a nice

touristic information travelling to cautions to

accurate info for travellers here!

for having

more about

accurate info for travellers here!

Find more About

About Istanbul

Booking

TRAVEL TIPS

TAG CLOUD

Video of the week: Watchtower of Turkey

The world’s most expensive macaron, along with your own private butler

SUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER

About Istanbul

Where Attractions Other Destinations About Istanbul Istanbul smorgasbord scent

infused with character continents city Istanbul offers trip unlike other encompassing Asian European cultures create heady music food amazing Town Sultanahmet home iconic Blue Mosque

dawn there’s eerie silence Istanbul

before city erupts into life

prayers reverberates through ancient

markets winding

Ferry across Bosphorus experience startling contrast between East

kilometres from

readily available most convenient reach centre they

cost around take minutes mild traffic Havatas Taksim Square more cost effective departs every

04:00–01:00 costs around takes around minutes From Taksim Square catch either taxi metro your destination ‘Hafif Metro’ very efficient There main

lines: Yenikapı

Ataturk Airport Yenakapi Haciosman runs every minutes from 06:00–00:30 from Monday Saturday every minutes Sunday line runs from 06:15–00:30 Monday Saturday from 06:30 Sunday metro purchase token from machine pass turnstiles swipe with ‘Istanbulkart’

Taxis easy

simply stop

from street They’re reasonably priced when compared

them affordable travel Official taxis bright yellow with words ‘taksi’ always have digital meters

Language often issue always have your destination

Kadıköy Asian side shelters easily available main routes Services operate from 06:30–23:30 destinations displayed front Ticket prices vary destination must bought from white booths near major stops before

‘Istanbul Kart’ save fares

Ferries ‘sea buses’ fast move between European Asian sides There four ferry companies operation; fastest

most popular

‘IDO’ major docks European side found Eminönü Sirkeci Karaköy

Tickets cost around single ‘economy class’

with Istanbul Kart

purchased ferry

terminal Note that timetables change seasonally Booking CHECK CHECK

CITY Istanbul APARTAMENT

Nouveau Galata Away Suites Brickpalas Easyhomeistanbul

Apartments Heirloom Istanbul Hendek Apartments Hocazade