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Istanbul


Istanbul Travel Guide


Entertainment Quality: 4 / 5
Safety: 3 / 5
Nightlife: 5 / 5
Walkability: 5 / 5
Living Standards: 4 / 5
Free WiFi: 3 / 5

Istanbul in Prices & Facts

$5.8 $5.76
Quick Lunch for One
$27.9 $27.85
Dinner for Two
Currency
Turkish Lira // TRY

View All Istanbul Prices
$0.4 $0.38
Public Transport Ride



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Getting Around

Tram
Istanbul's tram system costs 15 TL per ride (paid with an Istanbulkart for seamless transfers) and covers key areas like Taksim and Sultanahmet until midnight. For a quick route, take the T1 tram which connects Bağcılar to Kabataş, offering stunning views along the Golden Horn.
Ferry
Istanbul's ferries cover key routes like Eminönü to Üsküdar for just 15 TL, operating from early morning until midnight; use an Istanbulkart for easy boarding and discounted fares. Pro tip: take the sunset ferry to Kadıköy for breathtaking views of the Bosphorus that tourists often miss.

Istanbul Airports

Ataturk  /  IST

41 minutes
average time to city center
$25 
Average taxi ride
$3 
bus
Other Airports:

Tourist Reviews

All photos and texts belong to their authors
@ya_lublu
« Absolutely special journeys - returning to the place where you once were. There’s no novelty effect, but such a tenderness in your mind and heart. Ah, familiar streets, come here, dear, let me give you a hug 😄

Traveling is not only about discovering new things, but also about feeling something that resembles love ❤️. »
@ya_lublu
« If you ask locals what to see in Kadikoy, the answer will be unanimous - the Moda neighborhood 😎. This is the trendiest area on the Asian side (yes, it's not just the name that suggests it 😂). Locals will tell you that everything here feels very European, and don't be surprised that "European" in Istanbul has a distinctly Asian vibe 😅😅😅. »
@jz_marz
« Istanbul greeted us with a mixed bag: rain and a rather questionable hotel. Due to a hiccup with our booking, we spent our first night in a room without a window and an unpleasant smell. By morning, we felt even worse when we stepped outside. It was like we were in a different world. No single woman in sight, just people in dark clothing, litter, and dirty children.

We were relocated to another hotel, but the vibe was still the same. That's how it felt back then. Honestly, we found ourselves in a perfectly normal area. We realized this when we ventured into another neighborhood. 😄 »
@o_kovalski
« Dolmabahçe. The palace of Ottoman sultans. Interestingly, Mustafa Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, lived there during contemporary times.

The palace is incredibly beautiful and grand!! A lot of tourists, so there’s a queue to get in. We spent about 4.5 hours there without noticing the time passing. The views are simply breathtaking! Inside, it's really stunning! However, photography is not allowed. There’s a great atmosphere that captures the essence of Turkish culture :) On the grounds, there’s also a clock museum and a glass pavilion. The territory is huge! »
@dashulya_ulash
« Who said that the Netherlands is just a country of tulips? 🌷 The birthplace of tulips is actually Istanbul! Here, you can enjoy stunning beauty with tulips of various types. There’s a famous tulip festival that takes place here, and I definitely recommend visiting it to feast your eyes and soul on the extraordinary beauty 🌻🌼🌸. »
@yury_kirichenko
« The Blue Mosque. Istanbul. A place where every meter is steeped in history, and you can feel it in every fiber of your being. The bazaar here strongly reminds me of the local markets, vibrant and full of life. It leaves a stunning impression that you can buy everything your heart desires. »
@
« The bronze statue in Altiyol square serves as an orientation point. Here you'll find the intersection of six roads, and it's exactly from here that you should start your stroll along Kadikoy. 😎 Just to make sure you don't get lost! 😅 »
@polinaveglina
« I fell in love with Istanbul without a doubt! ❤️ Just like that, I’m head over heels 💖 on Valentine's Day 💕👩‍❤️‍👨😊😍. This is absolutely a different Turkey 🇹🇷. The atmosphere is just so captivating 😍 - it's hard to put into words! I could call Istanbul "Eastern Petersburg" 😄. There’s something uniquely similar about the two... ✨💖 You definitely feel it 🌈 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ »
@alenatraveller
« In Istanbul, you never feel the lack of sunshine... ☀️ If the sun doesn't shine over your head, you can always find a spot nearby - it’s easy to look around! Colorful steps, vibrant houses, bright souvenirs, exotic lamps, and fragrant flowers! 🌸✨

From the picture with the kid, you might not say so, but regardless, everything here captures the mood and adds charm to this place filled with spirit. ❤️ »
@polinaveglina
« In Istanbul 🤩✌️ I arrived almost at night 🌍🌃 to the hotel, and I managed to take a quick look around 👀 It’s beautiful 😍! Really, it’s such a gorgeous place - that’s a fact ☝️!! I’m sure it will immediately win my heart ❤️! The view from the balcony at the Hagia Sophia left me speechless ✨⛪️🤌🏽 ) Everything else 😃) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ mine »
@ruslanunis
« Istanbul is stunning! Once again, I'm convinced of this as I discover new places in the city. The coolest spot among what I’ve seen has to be the neighborhood of Fatih, particularly the districts of Aivansaray, Fener, and Balat. If you've only experienced touristy Istanbul, these areas will completely change your perception of the city. The photo was taken during a couple of strolls here. 📸✨ »
@ya_lublu
« Even if you don't intend to buy anything, it's worth visiting the Grand Bazaar just to admire the incredible arches and vibrant stalls. 🌟 It's an experience that showcases the rich culture and history in every corner. Enjoy the atmosphere! »
@syra_syr
« Istanbul never disappoints! This winter, I finally fulfilled my dream to visit here. Although the first day was quite stressful because we lost one of our group members(((, the magic of the city made up for it. The whole day was buzzing, but it was absolutely worth it. The vibe is enchanting and I can't get enough of it! 😌 »
@tosik04
« In the photo, one of the vibrant forests of Stamboul, about which I wrote earlier. Such places are plentiful in the area, but many of them have already lost their appeal. 😔

At the moment, there are only 17 days left until spring🌸, which means that it won't be long before the warmth and summer arrive! ☀️ »
@alenatraveller
« Pys-pys-pys!!!
You will hear this everywhere in Istanbul, but don’t think anything bad – it's just how the local cats call to each other)))
Istanbul is truly a cat city! 🐱 Strolling around the streets, you will always encounter them. They will be lounging on car hoods, roaming around the parks, asking for food at your favorite café, lying on sweaters in shops, and trust me, no one will disturb them. Cats are the rightful inhabitants of this place! They are pampered and continually taken care of, leaving cute little reminders with their food and water bowls on the streets.
So, if you're a cat, move to Istanbul and you’ll be guaranteed a hassle-free life))
Dogs 🐶 also love it here, but you will mainly see them coming from their packs... They usually roam around in groups😱. But don’t get scared of them – each one has a collar, indicating that they are spayed, socialized, and completely safe. »
@murzyatka
« Istanbul is a city that's hard to describe. Every street has its own unique vibe, filled with warmth and atmosphere. In this city, you never feel like a stranger; everyone is friendly and helpful. If you need directions, they'll gladly point you in the right way! 😊 You really don’t need to rely on transportation here; walking is the way to go. During my 5-day stay, I only hopped on the ferry four times, took a taxi once, and used the bus that goes to and from the airport. The rest of the time, I was on foot, enjoying the beautiful surroundings and racking up kilometers. 💖 »
@ilya_schultz
« The beach, located near the Golden Horn Bay in the Bosphorus Strait, opens up stunning views of the central districts of Istanbul, like the Beyoğlu area with its iconic Galata Tower. The straight itself and the impressive Bosphorus Bridge can be seen in the distance. Overall, the beach feels closed off, but the atmosphere and local vibe make up for this slight inconvenience.

There are hardly any tourists around, and the beach is not mentioned in any travel guides for Istanbul. Instead, it's mainly frequented by local fishermen who simply want to enjoy some peaceful fishing without much fuss. 🐟✨ »
@kunitza
« 11.02.2018/ I’ve wanted to visit Stambul for a long time… I finally came… Walking around, looking everywhere, taking in the sights, and absorbing everything around me… it feels incredible! Today, I realized that my excitement has many facets: it’s loud, wild, soothing, simple yet deep, overwhelming, just a sound that pulls you in, and of course, it’s essential to share this with everyone around me. The atmosphere in Stambul is just magical, everywhere you look, it captivates you! ✨ »
@altinbekisheva
« Istanbul!!! A place with unbelievably strong energy! ❤️🌸🌸🌸 Charming and cozy little coffee shops! Lively and energetic musicians!!! »
@oksssu
« In Istanbul, shops let dogs inside at night to prevent them from freezing in the cold. A few days ago, a heavy snowfall hit the city, and shop owners and cafe managers started inviting animals in to keep them warm. They didn’t just open their doors; they created a cozy environment. They provided blankets, brought in food so that the pups could be fed rather than left hungry. When the snowfall didn't stop the following day, the dogs were left in a commercial center.

Were they afraid of negative reactions from customers? Surely, they were worried, but they couldn’t just let the dogs freeze outside. Interestingly, the customers turned out to be very understanding. Some of them even brought fresh food and supplies themselves. 🐾 »
@anastasyashestakova
« 🚢⚓ In Istanbul, spring is already in the air 🌱, wonderful musicians create the perfect atmosphere 🎶, and the seagulls cry to the very soul 🥲, while the cats 🐈‍⬛ are everywhere. I continue to stroll, not looking at the map, but going with my intuition...🌈 »
@primjula
« Nostalgia for the Istanbul sunsets! ☀️ You know, a person quickly gets used to good things. When the sun sets, it feels like you have to take a vacation for at least a few days. That's when the real magic starts. It's as if you've drained the batteries or left without charging them.

The city has its own charm, especially during serene days. ☕️ The photos taken here have a special atmosphere, and strolls turn into long sits in cozy cafes. The hugs feel warmer, and every moment seems to last longer. Ah, and leaving behind all the lyrics, it's like capturing time for those homey moments. 🔥✌️ »
@07masher
« Istanbul is not just Sultanahmet Square; as you venture further from the center, you can see old, dilapidated houses, but all of this adds to the charm of this wonderful city. We enjoyed strolling through less touristy spots, getting to know the locals, and discovering a different side of Istanbul. »
@anka_che
« Goodbye, beloved Istanbul! I will definitely be back! »
@jane_lebedinskaya
« "My acquaintance with Istanbul blossomed into deep feelings ❤️❤️❤️. I can't say it was love at first sight, but my heart was captivated by the extraordinary architecture, the impressive history, the breathtaking sunsets, the Bosphorus waterfronts, cozy little restaurants, the panoramas, the rooftops, and of course, the national cuisine and desserts! ☺️☺️☺️" »
@nastya_gudrun
« My work week in Istanbul has officially begun! I took the metro from Ataturk Airport to my hotel for the first time, saving quite a bit. Now I’m lounging in my room, feeling proud of myself, listening to the call to prayer and the shouting of the bagel seller :) Pure bliss! »
@lirusia
« Good morning Istanbul, wait for me, I'll be back. »
@123kristy
« “… This city is truly a land of contrasts))) I even felt it myself: in the first few days of being here, I said I hated this city, but today I can confidently say that I adore it❤️. Conflicting and complex impressions, just like Istanbul itself)…” »
@nadya_sot
« I'm in Istanbul..
And I really like it here!☺️☺️ »
@turkey_invest
« Tea is definitely served everywhere. This is a photo from a boat in Istanbul – crossing the Bosphorus calls for a cup of tea. If someone offers you tea and you say you just had some, they'll suggest it again in about five minutes – it's been a whole five minutes without tea! If you turn it down again, it might be interpreted in various ways – from a light concern for your well-being to deep offense. There's even a saying, "a conversation without tea is like a sky without a moon." By the way, that little glass is called "bardak" in Turkish. ☕🌙 »
@replikator
« Over the years, the city has been the residence of 10 Roman emperors, 82 Byzantine emperors, and 30 Ottoman sultans. And now it has become my residence as well. Though, unfortunately, not for long :)) »
@anna_yurevna_
« Here’s another photo of Istanbul, at the request of a friend. 🌉 It really captures the atmosphere, don’t you think? I wonder what associations people have with this city... For me, when I think of the capital of the Ottoman Empire, I hear the cries of seagulls over the Bosphorus... the horns of massive steamers and cruise ferries... 🚢🐦 There’s something enchanting about it all... The magic of sounds that makes your heart race... The East is indeed a delicate affair...😉 »
@zigulkass
« The cultural itinerary in Istanbul is complete, and we're heading home. We managed to see and try everything we had planned. The city leaves mixed impressions, but it's definitely worth a visit. 🌍✨ »
@toshamoroz
« Today we strolled through the markets, bought a lot of delicious treats, and overall, we're ready to say "thank you" to this city for a wonderful vacation. 😊 »
@anna.lepokhina
« I remember Istanbul as a city of cats and cafes with stunning views, a city filled with the flavor of roasted chestnuts and pomegranate juice, and undoubtedly a magical place, as it calls me back time and time again... ✨🐱🥤 »