3 Days in Istanbul: Perfect Itinerary for First-time Visitors (2024)
Istanbul is a vibrant city straddling the continents of Europe and Asia, intertwining the history from the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman eras. By spending a few days in Istanbul, you will have the opportunity to discover the amalgamation of old and new, displayed through its majestic mosques, bustling bazaars, opulent palaces, and rich stories. We spent 3 days in Istanbul after seeing some of the most incredible views in Cappadocia and in Kas on the Turkish Riviera and were amazed by the intensity and charm of this metropolis. Having extensively researched how to optimize spending 72 hours in Istanbul, this itinerary will allow you to experience the main attractions, local foods, and authentic traditions.
Let’s jump right in!
If you’re short on time and want a quick summary of the 3 day itinerary, and what you’ll be doing each day, we have made a quick summary below:
Istanbul Itinerary summary
Day 1:
Join a Food Tour and enjoy a sunset on the Galata bridge, with optional whirling dervish show
Day 2:
Tour the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Grand Bazaar
(choose 3-4 sites)
Day 3:
Visit Galata Tower, Shop Istiklal Street, sunset at Ortakoy Mosque, optional Hammam experience
How long should you stay in Istanbul? Is 3 days enough?
In short, yes!
3 days is sufficient in Istanbul to get a good feel for the city. We stayed 3 days and felt like we were able to properly explore the food, the history, and a couple of the main touristic sites. If you have 2 more days, then you could see more of the museums like Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, or Suleymaniye mosque, but that depends if it is a priority for you.
Overall I would say 72 hours in Istanbul is the minimum amount of time you would want to visit.
When choosing how long to stay, it also depends on where else you are planning to visit in Turkey. We spent 5 days in Cappadocia, 3 days in Kas, and 4 days on a blue cruise in the Turkish Riviera.
This provided us with 3 days in a busy city, 5 days in the beautiful desert landscape with history, 3 days in a relaxed seaside town, and 4 days sailing, which was the perfect varied itinerary.
Preface about our itinerary Oftentimes, suggested itineraries are crammed full of the main attractions, where visitors are expected to see 4-5 main sites within one day. Although possible, it truly leaves you no time to truly enjoy each site, learn about the history, and just take in the whole feeling of the place. You will end up simply rushing from point A to point B. When traveling, I believe it is essential to take your time at each place, hear the stories, admire the details, and sometimes just sit there quietly observing. At the blue mosque, we sat there on the marble steps watching the people pray, watching a father teach his son the proper ritual etiquette, the respect and interactions between the comers and goers, and listening to the call to prayer. It truly gave so much more meaning to our experience there. This suggested itinerary allows you to experience Istanbul at a comfortable pace, all the while discovering the food, the history, and the local culture. I have also included alternative options for certain activities, so you can swap activities in and out to your liking.
Detailed Itinerary in Istanbul
Below is our suggested 72 hour itinerary to experience the best attractions Istanbul has to offer. You may choose to change the order of the activities or swap in-out activities based on the alternatives I have provided.
Day 1 in Istanbul
Summary: On your first day in Istanbul, you will embark on a food tour to enjoy strolling through the neighbourhoods of the city, visiting both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul and savouring countless food stops!
🎟️ Istanbul access passes
Don’t want to worry about which attractions to visit, how to get to the city from the airport, and how to get around the city? There is a very convenient Istanbul Tourist pass as well as Istanbul E-pass that allows you to purchase a pass for your stay and gives you access to all the tourist sites. If you will be visiting many of the attractions, this pass provides you with huge savings up to 70%!
First Stop: Food Tour of Istanbul
One of the best ways to first explore a country’s culture is through food. For that reason, we often recommend starting your trip with a food tour. By way of a guided food tour, you will get to experience so much of the food you would otherwise miss, go to the spots where locals frequent thus giving you a glimpse of the local lifestyle, explore areas of the town off the beaten tourist trail, and have an informative guide sharing insightful details about the culture and history.
🧆 To learn more about our food tour experience and top tips, check out our food tour post!
With our Istanbul food tour, we were guided through both the European and Asian side of Istanbul, were brought through the Egyptian market and surrounding local market, took the ferry across to the Asian side, and strolled the streets of Kadikoy.
Through over 6 hours of walking and 11 stops of food, our guide explained to us the secret ritual with Turkish coffee when asking for a hand in marriage, read our fortune with the finished cup of coffee ground, told us about the national stance of independence through their street food, and so much more.
The food tour is the perfect way to learn more about the country, get your bearings on navigating the city, and start figuring out what foods you’ll love to eat more of during your stay. For a breakdown of the food tour experience and all the amazing foods you will eat on the food tour, check out our top tips before joining an Istanbul food tour.
Food tour
Opening hours: 9am-3pm (evening option available as well)
Cost: 130 CAD per person
Time required: 6 hours
Where: starts at the Spice Market in Eminönü
👉 We did our tour with Latif from AirBnB tours and thoroughly enjoyed our experience.
If Latif’s tour is full, check out these two highly recommended options below:
🧆 Taste of Two continents tour
Taste the amazing Turkish food from both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul on this full-day small-group tour!
🥘 Istanbul Foodie by night tour
Discover the Turkish culture and foods through this half-day Istanbul Night Tour. You will be venturing through Beyoglu with a small group and enjoy samplings from mezes such as Baklava to kebabs.
Evening: Enjoy the sunset on Galata bridge
Enjoy your first sunset at the Galata bridge (connecting Galata to Sultanahmet) where you can watch the numerous locals fishing, and enjoy the backdrop of the city of Istanbul. To the South, you’ll be able to see the Yeni Cama Mosque beautifully lit up.
To top it off, enjoy one of the many street foods in Turkey such as Turkish ice cream, roasted chestnuts, or some steamed/fried oysters stuffed with rice, a local delicacy.
Fun tip: I'm sure you have seen those videos online where the Turkish ice cream vendor pranks the customer by dodging the ice cream when the customer reaches for it. The ice cream in Turkey is commonly called Dondurma and is very dense and chewy, thus allowing for it to be flipped around without falling to the ground. Not only is it fun to experience this game yourself, but the Dondurma is actually very delicious! So be sure to try it out!
Galata Bridge Sunset
Best time: Sunset hour
Cost: free (except if you buy street food)
Time Required: 1 hour
Where: Galata Bridge (Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, Galata Köprüsü, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye)
Alternative activity for day 1
If you want to end the evening with a show, you can watch the Whirling Dervish. The Whirling Dervish show offers a mesmerizing performance by the Mevlevi Order practitioners who combine graceful whirling movements, enchanting music, and storytelling, to symbolize their deep connection with the divine.
The performance is truly captivating and the purpose is to detach the dancer from worldly preoccupations and rise into a higher spiritual state.
Whirling Dervish Show
Show time: usually 7pm
Cost: around 50CAD
Time required: 1 hour
Where: many venues. Check out the recommended option below.
Whirling Dervish Show
Enter the HodjaPasha Culture Center, a restored 550-year-old Ottoman Turkish bath to see the spectacular Whirling Dervish Mevlevi Sema Ceremony.
Day 2 in Istanbul:
Summary: Your second day in Istanbul will be spent visiting the historic district of Istanbul, Sultanahmet, also known as the “Old City”. Here you will find some of Istanbul’s most captivating architectural wonders from its rich history, including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, and Basilica Cistern.
Fortunately, all these sites are within a 10-minute walking distance from each other and can be properly done in a circular loop. We recommend taking the tram to Sultanahmet and start exploring from there.
Full-Day Istanbul Guided Experience
If you would prefer to have the expertise of a guide to show you around the main sites, and learn more about the history, then we would recommend booking a full-day Istanbul guided tour experience! This tour also includes a sunset yacht on the Bosphorous and visits to many of the highlights in Sultanahmet!
First stop: Blue Mosque
Your first stop will be the Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. It is recognizable from the intricate blue and white Iznik tiles adorning its walls and domes, which were the pinnacle of Ottoman pottery craft. It was built between 1609-1616 during the rule of Sultan Ahmed I and showcases the synthesis between the Ottoman and Byzantine architectural styles.
As you ascend the steps and walk through the golden doors, you will enter a beautiful white spacious central courtyard where you can admire the towering 6 minarets surrounding the massive blue cascading domes. Make sure to take some time to sit along the periphery of the courtyard to take in the magnitude of this architectural wonder, as well as observe the coming and going of the visitors.
Since the Blue Mosque is an active place of worship, you will be able to hear the call to prayer and see the prayer rituals performed by the locals.
Do take note that during certain times of the day, the mosque will be reserved for prayer time and thus closed to tourists. Also, when entering the Blue Mosque, make sure to take off your shoes and prepare appropriate clothing to cover.
Blue Mosque
Opening hours: 8:30-18:45
Cost: Entry to all mosques in Istanbul is free
Time required: 45-60 minutes
Where: Blue Mosque (Binbirdirek, At Meydanı Cd No:10, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye)
Note: You need to remove your shoes before entering. Women should bring a scarf to cover their shoulders or legs if they are wearing skirts/shorts. Men may also need to wear a shawl around their waist if their shorts do not cover their knees.
Second stop: Hippodrome and Egyptian Obelisk
Next, just a 5-minute walk West of the Blue Mosque is the Hippodrome, also known as Sultanahmet Square, where you can find a 3500-year-old Egyptian Obelisk.
The Hippodrome was once a grand chariot racing circuit during the Byzantine Empire and served as a central meeting point for the people of Constantinople. In addition to the races, The Hippodrome also hosted other forms of entertainment, athletic contests, political and religious events, and public demonstrations.
Now today, you will find there an impressive Egyptian Obelisk which stands approximately 67 feet tall and is adorned with intricately carved hieroglyphics that depict the religion, historical events, and accomplishments of the Pharaoh Tuthmosis III.
Seeing this in person is a must as it is difficult to grasp just how massive the obelisk is and to wonder how the Roman emperor brought it over all the way from Egypt. Spend some time admiring the hieroglyphics and try to comprehend the messages and stories they tell. Then a few steps away you will find the Serpent column, yet another impressive obelisk.
Hippodrome + Egyptian Obelisk
Opening hours: all day, in a public park
Cost: free
Time required: 20-30 minutes
Where: Hippodrome (“Sultanahmet square”) (Binbirdirek, At Meydanı Cd No:53 D:68, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye)
Third stop: Hagia Sophia
Next, just another 5-10 minutes walk away is the famous Hagia Sophia.
It was initially constructed in the 6th century as a cathedral and served as a centre of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. However, after the Ottoman conquest, it was converted into a mosque, and now today it stands as a museum open to visitors.
One of the things that makes the Hagia Sophia stand out is the architectural and engineering marvel behind its massive dome, which fascinated architects and scholars for centuries. The Hagia Sophia also stands as a testament to the fusion of Byzantine and Ottoman artistic architecture, and the intertwining cultures of the Western and Eastern civilizations. In 1985, the Hagia Sophia was declared a UNESCO heritage site.
Interesting fact: Did you know that the Hagia Sophia was built with material sourced all over the Byzantine Empire, with some pieces originating from one of the seven wonders of the world? Some of the stones used to build the Hagia Sophia originated from Ephesus, the decorative stones from Greece and Syria, while the marble came all the way from Egypt. This again truly highlights the influence and synergy of cultures in Turkey's architecture.
Hagia Sophia
Opening Hours: 9:00-22:00 other than during prayer hours. For more information on the prayer hours, check out the Presidency of Religious Affairs page.
Cost: free
Time required: 40-60 minutes (there may be a big lineup though so make sure to arrange accordingly)
Where: Hagia Sophia (Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydanı No:1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye)
Fourth Stop: Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı)
Next, again only a 5-10 min walk away is the Basilica Cistern.
The Basilica Cistern, often referred to as the “Sunken Palace”, is a vast subterranean water reservoir that once supplied water to the Great Palace of Constantinople. It covers a massive space of around 105,000 square feet, composed of 336 columns that were repurposed from other structures, thus displaying an impressive variety of architectural designs and styles.
One of the most iconic pieces in the cistern is the two Medusa heads, which were placed upside down. It was believed to be done on purpose whether to repel evil spirits or potentially to show that they no longer feared the gods. Walking down into the cistern has a very mysterious and eerie ambiance, the dim lights reflecting off the water’s surface, an ominous echo from the structure’s acoustics.
Interesting fact: Since the Basilica Cistern supplied water to the Great palace of Constantinople, one important fear was if someone would poison the water in order to kill the emperor. An ingenious solution was to put fish in the water. If the fish stayed a live, then the water was safe to drink!
Basilica Cistern, “Yerebatan Sarnıcı”
Opening hours: 9:00-22:00
Cost: about 23€ for skip-the-line tickets
Time required: 1 hour
Where: Basilica cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) (Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye)
Guided Tour of Basilica cistern
For a Guided tour experience of the Basilica Cistern, where you learn about the intricate history and signifcance of the site, check out this tour! You will get to benefit from skip-the-line entry tickets, have the guided tour, then have time to freely explore all you want.
Final optional stop: Grand Bazaar
For the final and optional stop, you can walk 10 mins west towards the Grand Bazaar.
The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets. It is a labyrinth of narrow alleys lined with shops selling a beautiful variety of goods ranging from jewelry, textiles, ceramics, delicious sweets and spices.
We were told by locals that visiting the Grand Bazaar should be taken as more of a cultural/historical experience as the place is quite touristic and the merchandise is usually overpriced. Also be prepared to haggle, be hassled, and sweet-talked by all the merchants as you walk through.
Interesting fact: Within the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest sections is known as the "Bedesten" and was used for storing the most valuable goods and treasures. For that reason, the construction of the Bedesten was such that it had exceptional sound insulation. If you stand in one corner of the room and whisper, it can be heard on the other side of the room.
Grand Bazaar
Opening hours: 8:30-19:00
Cost: Free to visit
Time required: 1 hour but may be longer if you love shopping
Where: Grand Bazaar
Guided Tour of Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Bazaar
If you want a more guided experience to learn about the history of the Grand Bazaar and spice market, you can check out this tour. It lasts 4 hours and you can explore many of the over 4000 stalls. They will even teach you how to properly haggle!
Evening: Enjoy the sunset near Blue mosque
Between the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia are several beautiful garden courtyards where you can spend time relaxing and people-watching. A lot of local families seem to go there and you can enjoy the sunset lighting up the surrounding mosques as you enjoy grilled corn, grilled chestnuts, or fresh pomegranate juice from the food stands.
Guided tour for day 2
If you would like to learn more in-depth about the history of each place, then you can do this entire day as a guided tour. One significant advantage of having the guided tour is that you can skip the lines at Hagia Sophia as well as Basilica Cistern, which were quite long when we had gone.
Here are a couple of guided tour options I would highly recommend:
- 🏛️ Full Day Istanbul Guided tour + Bosphorus Cruise: This tour includes visiting most of the main sites at Sultanahmet, providing lunch, and also a beautiful sunset cruise on the Bosphorus!
- 🏛️ Istanbul Full-Day Highlights Tour: A cheaper option without the Bosphorus cruise, also touring around Sultanahmet.
Full-Day Istanbul Guided Experience
If you would prefer to have the expertise of a guide to show you around the main sites, and learn more about the history, then we would recommend booking a full-day Istanbul guided tour experience! This tour also includes a sunset yacht on the Bosphorous and visits to many of the highlights in Sultanahmet!
Istanbul Full-Day Highlights Tour
A cheaper option without the Bosphorus cruise, also touring around Sultanahmet to visit most of the highlights including: Hagia Sophia, Sultan Amed Mosque, German Fountain, Egyptian Obelisk, Topkapi Palace, and more!
Day 3 in Istanbul
On your 3rd day, visit the Galata Tower and the charming surrounding neighbourhood, then walk and shop along one of Istanbul’s most popular streets, Istiklal. Finally, finish off the evening enjoying the sunset at Ortakoy mosque or relaxing at a Hammam bath.
First stop: Galata Tower and surrounding area
The Galata tower was built in the 14th century and served as a fortification of the settlement, and provided protection and a vantage point to defend its city. Nowadays the tower stands as a testament of Istanbul’s architectural marvel and cultural heritage.
Roaming the neighbourhood surrounding Galata on its cobbled pedestrian streets lined with restaurants and cafes is very charming. Take the time to enjoy a cup of Turkish coffee and some baklava in one of the restaurant’s outdoor terraces and watch as the people go by.
For lunch, I highly recommend going to F&B culture.
If interested, you can even go up the Galata Tower to get a beautiful vantage point of the entire city of Istanbul.
Galata Tower
Opening hour: 8:30 – 23:00 (box office closes at 22:00) open everyday
Cost: 30€ (May 2024). For exact details, visit their website at Gatala Tower
Where: Galata Tower, Bereketzade, Galata Kulesi, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Second stop: Istiklal street
Continue your day walking through Istiklal Street, Istanbul’s iconic pedestrian avenue, where you will find a hub of culture, modern shopping, and entertainment.
On Istiklal Street, you will discover international stores and boutiques, vibrant restaurants and cafes, street performers, art galleries, as well as bars and clubs for the perfect nightlife outing.
Tip: Right in front of the GoldStore is one of the best street stands for roasted chestnuts. The man has been perfecting his chestnut roasting for the past 30 years. We went to try it and it definitely did not disappoint! It should cost around 6$ for a bag.
Istiklal Street
Opening hour: all day
Cost: free (except for what you purchase)
Time required: 1-2 hours
Where: Istiklal street beginning (Şahkulu, İstiklal Cd. No:263, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye)
Evening: Sunset at Ortakoy Mosque or the Bosphorus cruise
Depending on what type of activity you want to do, this evening you can visit the Ortakoy Mosque or spend a romantic evening on a Bosphorus cruise.
The Ortakoy mosque is located along the Bosphorus strait and is more elegant as compared to the Hagia Sophia. What makes it stand out is that it is located right by the water, with the beautiful backdrop of the Bosphorus bridge, making it a picturesque area perfect for sunset photos. It is also located in a very lively area with street performers, restaurants, and bars.
If you would prefer a more quiet and romantic evening, the Bosphorus cruise would be perfect for you. As you cruise along the Bosphorus, you can enjoy a meal, a dance show, and the beautiful skyline of the city.
Romantic Bosphorus Cruise Dinner
Enjoy a 3-course meal on this mega-yacht cruise sailing along the Bosphorus, while listening to music and watching live performances.
If you want a budget and less touristy option, then you can simply take the public ferry linking the different areas of Istanbul. It costs only a few dollars, and even though there are no meals or shows included, you still get to enjoy the beautiful city skyline.
Alternative activity for day 3
If shopping is not your thing, you definitely need to experience a local Turkish Hammam bath.
This practice dates back centuries and is rooted in Roman bathing traditions that were later adapted by the Ottomans. The Turkish hammam bath offers a rejuvenating spa-like experience. It starts with steam room relaxation, then body scrubbing, foam bathing, exfoliation, and a massage on a traditional ornate marble stone.
This experience was different from any other massages we’ve had in our lives and beautifully integrates tradition and relaxation into one.
Moreover, if you take the full package including massage, you could spend approximately 2.5 hours at the Hammam. Since you will be walking a lot during your stay in Istanbul, this is the best way to unwind. We also experienced the Hammam in Cappadocia and it was one of the top 10 things to do there.
Note: Many Hammams will permit only men at certain hours of the day, and women during the other hours. If you are a couple and would like to experience the hammam together, please look for a mixed or private hammam.
Hammam Bath
Opening hour: Call to book an appointment
Cost: Hammam experience around 60€ and Massage starting around 80€ (Total experience around 130-250€ depending on which hammam)
Time required: 1.0 – 2.5hours
Where: Several options are available
Here are some of the Turkish Hammam bath centres I would highly recommend:
- Private Turkish Bath experience: perfect for if you are a couple!
- Kilic Ali Pasa Hammam
- Hürrem Sultan Hamami
- Aga Hamami
- Cağaloğlu Hamami
5 star Hammam Experience
Try this 5 Star Hamma experience including a 1 or 2 hour Turkish Bath package with the choice of Body and Facial care. The historical Ağa Hamamı was built by Fatih Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. It served as a private bathhouse for Mehmed the Conqueror and his sons.
If you had 5 days in Istanbul
If you have 2 additional days in Istanbul, then you can certainly experience some of the Alternative options mentioned above. This includes the Bosphorus cruise, Hammam Baths, Whirlish Dervish performance, or the not yet mentioned Dolmabahçe Palace or Topkapi Palace.
Finally, if you want a more local experience, you can visit the Asian side of Istanbul by taking the ferry across the Bosphorus. You can also do a cooking class, which I find is always a great way to get a personal touch into the local culture.
Alternative short trip to Cappadocia
Alternatively, if you want to explore somewhere outside of the city, we would HIGHLY recommend going to see Cappadocia. This destination is like a fairytale, where one can ascend in a hot air balloon over a valley adorned with pink and orange hues, dotted with towering rock pillars. We would dedicate a whole 4-5 days there but if you are short on time and would like to make a quick 2 day visit, then this tour can be an excellent option:
2 day all-inclusive Cappadocia Tour + Balloon flight
Visit Cappadocia on this 2 day small-group tour including roundtrip quick flights from Istanbul. You will get to stay in a boutique cave hotel, visit the Goreme Open Air museum, see the Fairy chimneys, have the option of flying in a hot air balloon, and much more!
When is the best time to visit Istanbul?
Istanbul is a year-round destination with overall moderate temperatures.
The best times to visit would be mid-April to June, and then September to October. During these months, the weather is mild and temperatures range in the low 20°s Celcius. July and August are good months for outdoor festivals but the temperature is hot and humid.
During the months of January and February, there will likely be snow in Istanbul.
This post is part of our series about Turkey. If you want to learn more about Turkey, planning your trip, and some of the best experiences there, check out the guides below:
Where to stay in Istanbul?
The two areas most commonly recommended to stay in are Sultanahmet and Beyoğlu/Galata.
I would recommend Sultanahmet if you want to visit most of the central attractions (Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar) and be in the old town and Beyoğlu/Galata if you want a more diverse and elevated food scene, a more local and less crowded ambiance, nice cobblestone streets and nightlife.
We personally stayed in Beyoğlu near the Galata Tower and enjoyed the food scene far more than in Sultanahmet. The Galata area had a lot more diversity in terms of restaurants (from Turkish, to Italian, and Asian food) and the cobbled streets around the Galata Tower were very charming and romantic even in the evening. We strolled through the area at 11 pm and the restaurants and cafes were still full of people.
Before going though, make sure to check out the tipping etiquette in Turkey.
Beyoğlu is also just a couple of tram stops (around 12 mins) away from Sultanahmet stop where you have access to the central attractions. These include the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Grand Bazaar. What is great is that the trams are not affected by the intense traffic in Istanbul since they have their own railroad separate from the vehicle streets.
Since you only have a few days in Istanbul, it is important to stay in an area that is closer to the main sites, has easy public transportation, and also has a good assortment of restaurants. For that reason, we would not recommend staying in Kadikoy on the Asian side of Istanbul.
However, if you will be spending several days visiting the central attractions in Sultanahmet, then it makes more sense to stay there.
Top recommended accommodations in Istanbul
📍 Art Nouveau Pera Hotel:
Located in Galata area and boasts an incredible rooftop terrace
overlooking the Galata Tower and the Bosphorus.
📍 Sublime Porte Hotel:
Located in Sultanahmet area, boasts a very modern Art Deco room with
balcony view of the Bosphorous, located only steps away from the main sites.
📍 Meroddi Barnathan Hotel:
Located in Galata area, decorated in a Victorian style, and includes a
complete Turkish breakfast as well as a rooftop terrace.
For more highly recommended hotels in Istanbul, click below:
Things to know before arriving in Istanbul
You need a Tourist Visa
You need to get a tourist visa to enter Turkey.
Fortunately, the process is quite easy and you can get your E-visa as quickly as in 1-2 days. Do make sure that you are purchasing your E-visa from the proper Turkish Government website though as several third-party agencies will charge you extra.
Follow the link below to get the official E-Visa. Your E-visa will last you for a stay of up to 90 days.
Where to take out money
There are rows of ATMs located all over the city as well as right when you come out of the arrivals area in the airport (near column 13). They included the usual banks in Turkey as well as ING and Halkbank.
Certain banks in Turkey do not charge foreign transaction fees when withdrawing money. From our experience, these no-fee ATMs would be from: Ziraat Bankasi, Halkbank, and ING direct.
When in Turkey, they accept both Turkish Lira as well as Euros. If you are coming from a European country that uses Euros, then I would recommend using your Euros and Liras.
However, if you come from a non-European country, I recommend withdrawing Turkish Liras from the ATMs. Liras are the most widely accepted currency in Istanbul.
⭐ Our recommended no-fee ATMs in Turkey: Ziraat Bankasi, Halkbank, and ING Direct
Where to get a SIM card
Instead of buying a local SIM card, I would highly recommend using Airalo. Airalo is an E-sim provider app that you download onto your cellphone and can easily provide you with data when traveling abroad.
There are several options at different affordable price points for the number of GB you would like to purchase.
I have used it in multiple countries around the world and it has always successfully provided reliable internet at a great price point.
In Turkey, I paid around 12 USD for 5GB of data and the best part is that it can be set up in your local country. All you have to do to activate it is by turning on the E-Sim on your phone once you arrive.
No more needing to find a cellular provider at the airport, standing in line, filling out forms, punching out your physical SIM card and risking losing it.
📲 To check out our most highly recommended E-sim cellular data provider for traveling in Turkey, Check out Airalo here.
Tipping culture
To learn more about tipping in Turkey, visit this post where I share my experience and also provide a guide on how much you should tip for each type of activity/service.
Financial crisis (2023)
Since 2023, Turkey has been faced with an economic crisis due to runaway inflation rates and the collapse of their currency, the Lira. Between May and July 2023, the Lira saw a dramatic value decline from 1 USD = 19 Lira to 1 USD = 27 Lira. Since then, the inflation rate has significantly slowed down but its effects may continue to have an impact.
Now more than two-thirds of people in Turkey are struggling to cover their rent and pay for essentials like food (according to a survey by Yöneylem Social Research Centre).
For those traveling to Turkey, this has led to drastic increases in prices for accommodations, activities, and restaurants. As an example, the museum pass used to cost 200 Turkish liras two years ago, and now costs 2250 Turkish liras (December 2023).
Having spoken with other travelers who visited Turkey 1-2 years ago, an average meal would cost 10 USD per person whereas now it is closer to 25-30 USD. Therefore, please keep in mind that when you arrive in Turkey, their economic situation and thus the pricing may change.
Update 2024: The hyper-inflation of the TRY has since stabilized as compared to 2023. However, the average restaurant meal will still be around 20-30USD per person.
Traffic and Taxis in Istanbul
Traffic is very bad in Istanbul and lasts at all hours of the day, so make sure to account for extra time during your travels. Also, if you take a taxi, make sure it has the official taxi logo (the taxis are yellow and called Taksi) and ensure the taxi meter is running.
We have heard a few horror stories from local travelers regarding scams with taxis. Check out this post for more info on Uber and Taxis in Istanbul.
Useful Turkish Phrases
- Hello: Merhaba
- Goodbye: Güle güle
- I don’t understand: Anlamadım
- Please: Lütfen
- Yes: Evet
- No: Hayir
- Thanks: Teşekküler
How to get to your hotel from the airport
Istanbul has two airports: IST (Istanbul International Airport) located on the north side of Istanbul, and SAW (Sabiha Gökçen International Airport) located on the west side of Istanbul.
To get to the city centre from either airports, you have the option:
- Public transportation: 90 minutes
- Car Rental: not recommended in Istanbul
- Taxi/Uber: 45-60 minutes
- Private transportation: 45-60 minutes
Keep in mind that these time estimates can change drastically as the traffic in Istanbul can get very bad, regardless of the time of the day.
So which means of transportation is the best way to get to your hotel?
Uber/Taxis?
First, I would not recommend taking the taxis. During our 3 day stay in Istanbul, we heard from multiple local travelers who had very negative experiences riding the Taxis. Uber in Istanbul is more often than not also a regular taxi so I would also avoid using it.
Renting a car?
I would not recommend renting a car since driving in and circumnavigating the traffic can be quite chaotic. Parking is also a huge challenge in Istanbul.
Public transportation?
If you are on a budget, taking public transportation is another option, however, you would need to first take a bus, then the metro, and likely need to switch to another metro, before walking to your accommodation. To do this with both your backpack and luggage can be quite difficult as the streets in Istanbul are oftentimes cobbled and uphill.
If you are still interested in public transport, then you would need to first procure the IstanbulKart, load it with money, and then take one of the Havaist Buses or Subway M11 line from IST airport. There are several options depending on which destination you are heading to.
The cost for one-way on the Hvaist bus is between 49₺-85₺, and takes an average of 90 minutes. You will then need to switch to the local metro to connect to your hotel.
The cost for one-way on the M11 subway line is 9.90₺ and the ride takes 24 minutes to reach Kâğıthane station. In late 2023, the subway line is planned to be extended to reach Gayrettepe station, which is closer to the city centre. You will then have to connect with the local subway.
For more information, check out the official Istanbul airport transportation website.
Private transfer service
We would highly recommend taking private transport to reach your hotel in Istanbul. Although taking the M11 subway line or the Hvaist bus is decent, you are still required to switch transport lines at least 2-4 times to reach your hotel. If you have luggage, navigating through the multiple staircases and cobbled streets can be challenging.
✅ We booked our private transfer with Welcome Pickups and it costed 40€ with pick-up from the airport. We were picked up in a very spacious and comfortable Mercedes van which allows you to rest up well during the 60-90 minute commute.
How to get around during your stay in Istanbul
Istanbul is very well serviced with public transportation: from buses, metros, trams, to ferries. As long as you stay in the central neighbourhoods such as Sultanahmet or Beyoglu/Galata, it will be easy for you to get around the city.
Make sure to get the re-chargeable Istanbul Card which allows you to pay for all means of public transport with one card. It also provides you with discounted rates on each ride as compared to purchasing rides individually.
Another advantage is that you can share 1 Istanbul Card with several users. However, if you will not be taking public transportation too often, there is also a 3-pass, 5-pass, and 10-pass option.
I highly recommend purchasing the Istanbul Card or the multi-passes since not all bus stops or tram stops have a machine that allows you to purchase a ride ticket.
Do note that recently, many of the buses have allowed payments with a credit card tap, but I would only use this as a backup.
For more details about each public transportation system, our recommended mode of transport, and what type of tickets/pass options there are, refer to Our guide on Uber in Istanbul
Safety
During our 2 week stay in Turkey, we always felt safe, and Istanbul was no exception.
Although Turkey has been shrouded in the past 10 years with incidents of terrorist attacks and some political violence, these are extremely isolated occurrences. In fact, checking Istanbul’s crime index, it is rather comparable to that of Toronto, Canada, close to where we are from.
In Istanbul, we walked around the streets at 11 p.m., took the bus/tram/ferry, interacted with the locals, and always felt safe. The only aspect we were warned against by locals and travelers was taking taxis, so we did our best to stick to public transportation.
Budget for Istanbul
Over the past couple of years, and due to the soaring inflation, the cost of traveling in Turkey and Istanbul has continually risen. However, it is certainly still possible to visit on a budget.
On average, our accommodation was 80CAD/night, a dinner without alcohol would cost around 60CAD for two, public transportation is around 1-2$ per trip, the food tour around 130CAD per person, whereas several of the touristic sites (Ortakoy mosque, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, grand bazaar, Istiklal street, Galata neighbourhood) can be done for free.
The budget starts to increase if you include the Whirling dervish show, Bosphorus Cruise, Hammam Baths, and Basilica Cistern.
Therefore I would recommend a budget of a minimum 95 CAD per person per day if omitting paid tours/activities, and around 160-200 CAD per person per day if including paid activities.
For an in-depth breakdown of how much we spent on our 16 days trip in Turkey, including money-saving tips, check out this post!
🎟️ Istanbul access passes
Don’t want to worry about which attractions to visit, how to get to the city from the airport, and how to get around the city? There is a very convenient Istanbul Tourist pass as well as Istanbul E-pass that allows you to purchase a pass for your stay and gives you access to all the tourist sites. If you will be visiting many of the attractions, this pass provides you with huge savings up to 70%!
Wrap-up: 3 days in Istanbul
Istanbul is a vibrant city and after visiting the Mosques, and bazaars, and tasting the richness of foods, you are sure to want to stay longer. But there is so much more in Turkey beyond Istanbul. If you want to explore outside of the big cities, check out the ancient city of Cappadocia and the coastal town of Kas.
We hope you found this guide helpful and if ever you see any information that is incorrect or no longer up to date, we would really appreciate it if you could let us know. Our goal is to provide our readers with the most detailed and accurate information so that you can plan your perfect trip!