How to get from Istanbul airport to Istanbul city center?

Outside the arrivals hall, are queues of yellow taxis that all run on meters. When coming out of the airport, use the bank machines to get Turkish lira so you are sure of exactly how much you are paying. Unfortunately, the Internet is rife with traveler’s tales of how they were ripped off by Istanbul taxis.

It seems the most common stories are unnecessary detours and lack of change. It is easily done with tourists who are not familiar with Istanbul and also the currency. We pay 120 Lira from Istanbul airport to Taksim area.

Can you drink the water in Turkey?

It is generally not safe to drink tap water in Turkey. Tap water is safe for cleaning purposes but not safe for drinking in general. In some smaller cities tap water may be clean enough to drink, but generally big cities (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir etc.) are out of this scope.

Must have app for travel

1. BiTaksi app (iOS/Android)

In the world of Istanbul taxies, accountability and reliability are key. While these qualities can be difficult to find, BiTaksi makes things a whole lot better. You just pin your location and just like that, a cab comes to you within minutes. You’ll have the cab’s information, as well as the driver’s name and phone number, so you’ll know who to contact if need be. After the ride, you’ll rate your ride from one to five stars. This serves as an incentive for drivers to be dependable. Lastly, you’ll be able to use the fare calculator to check whether or not the cost of the ride is accurate.

 

2. Grand Bazaar app (iOS/Android)

The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and busiest marketplaces on the planet, so it’s helpful to have an app to guide you. With Grand Bazaar App You can search for particular shops within the bazaar as well as specific items and restaurants. You can use the app to locate facilities you may need to access while inside, such as ATMs, bathrooms, an information point, or (just in case) the police. This app is fairly new to the game, so they’re still ironing out some kinks. Nevertheless, it’s worth including.

3. Yemeksepeti food delivery app (iOS/Android)

This is the bread and butter of Istanbul apps—no pun intended. Yemeksepeti allows you to fulfill all your wildest food ordering dreams.  You input your address, and the app gives you a large list of restaurants that will deliver to your home. The options are endless. You can opt for delicious Turkish food, or order McDonald’s to indulge the North American fast-food glutton within. You can even order dessert – only dessert. It’s user-friendly, efficient, and reliable. It’s a must-have.

Helpful Turkish Travel Phrases

The official language of Turkey is Turkish. Turkish is its own language and, contrary to popular belief, has very few grammatical similarities with other Arabic or European languages. The language of Turkey is Altaic in origin, meaning that is actually more similar to some Central Asian ones.

Learning a few local expressions is always a good idea. So to make your life easier, I have written the pronunciations for a few helpful Turkish phrases with English translations.

Hello - Merhaba
How are you - Nasılsın
Yes - Evet
No - Hayir
Thank you - Teşekkür ederim
Please - Lutfen
Cheers - serefe

Is Turkey safe?

Turkey is, and basically always has been, a popular tourist destination. Despite the terrorist threat looming over the country, and despite potential political upheaval on the horizon, currently, Turkey is doing well. At the end of the day, terrorists can strike whenever they feel like it. Paying attention to the current situation, making sure you can leave if everything changes – this will help you stay safe in Turkey.

Do’s and Don’ts

1. Do Dress Appropriately

As a Muslim country, women should keep their knees and their shoulders covered. When entering a mosque, you must remove your shoes, and you must have yourself well covered. Make sure to heed any instructions, as sometimes women cannot go into certain mosques at certain times of the day.

2. Do bargain.

It’s regarded as a polite gesture and a form of dialogue to negotiate the price. However, do be careful with what you say. If you say to a shopkeeper that you will think about it and come back; they take you at your word and will berate you if you walk past the next day.

3. Do Drink Tea and Coffee

Do drink the apple tea that you will be offered everywhere in Turkey. It is delicious. Also try Turkish coffee and get the grounds read by a fortune teller.

4. Do visit a hammam, a Turkish bath.

This is one of those quintessentially Turkish experiences, much as an onsen is in Japan. Çemberlitaş, Galatasaray, Kılıç Ali Paşa, Haseki Hürrem Sultan in Istanbul are some of the best hammams in the world.

5. Don’t take pictures of people without asking permission.

Older people, in particular, are afraid of the camera and consider it “the evil eye.” We had permission. Don’t take pictures of any woman wearing a veil, people praying, or any military facility.

6. Don’t do PDA’s

Do remember that public displays of affection are not considered appropriate in Turkey.

7. Don’t buy stones or fossils.

They are considered cultural artifacts, and it’s illegal to export them. Many people will openly try and sell them to you. Chances are you are buying a fake anyhow, but being on the safe side is better.

Also check out Things to do in Istanbul 🙂