Istanbul Travel Facts
The Basics
City Name: Istanbul
Where is it located?: Istanbul is in the western third of Turkey, near the border of Bulgaria.
Why do people go there?: It’s close to Europe, but when you arrive in Istanbul, you know you’re not in Kansas anymore. Constantinople, Istanbul’s former namesake, was once the base for one of the most powerful empires in the world and still reigns as the city where “East meets West”.
How do travelers get there?: Ferries from Greece will get you to Turkey, and then overland it via bus to Istanbul.
Currency: Turkish lira (TRL)
City Code: 212 (European side) 216 (Asian side)
Population: 12.6 million
Languages: Turkish and Kurdish
Travel Information
Neighborhoods: Sultanahmet, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, Yerabatan, Covered Bazaar
Attractions: Blue Mosque (Mosque of Sultan Ahmet), Grand Bazaar (Kapali Çarsisi), Hippodrome
Accommodations: Istanbul Hostels, Istabul Hotels
Tourist Office: http://www.tourismturkey.org/, http://www.turizm.gov.tr
Off-the-beaten-path: Ottoman Houses, The Walls of Istanbul, Kariye Museum
Health Issues: Istanbul has developed to be the global destination both for plastic surgery and laser eye surgery.
Tips for Visiting
When to go: Spring and fall are the best seasons to see the west, as summer can be very hot and uncomfortable.
Common Phrases: Yes = Evet, No = Yok, Please = Mutlu etmek, Thank you = þükran
City Specific Events: International Film Festival, International Theatre Festival, International Istanbul Music Festival, Efes Pilsner One Love Festival, International Jazz Festival, Akbank Jazz Festival, Istanbul Arts Fair, Efes Pilsen Blues Festival
How to get around?: Buses and taxis will get you where you want to go.
Good to know: Istanbul is known as the megacity as well as the financial and cultural hub of Turkey.
Cheapest airport to fly into: The cheapest airports to fly into Istanbul are the Atatürk International Airport and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.
Need more information?: Check out the Istanbul travel guide for more on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.
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