Istanbul Nutz and Bolts
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)
Other phone tips:
Population: 9.6 million
Languages: Turkish and Kurdish
Travel Information
Neighborhoods:
Attractions: Blue Mosque (Mosque of Sultan Ahmet), Grand Bazaar (Kapali Çarsisi), Hippodrome
Accommodations: http://www.bootsnall.com/hostels/eu/turk/ist/, http://www.cheaphotellinks.com/eu/turk/ist/
Tourist Office: http://www.tourismturkey.org/, http://www.turizm.gov.tr
Off-the-beaten-path:
Health Issues:
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:
How to get around?: Buses and taxis will get you where you want to go.
Good to know:
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