Istanbul
Everything you need for your Istanbul trip: where to stay, landmarks, weather, currency, and a ready-to-follow daily plan.
TerhalIstanbul
https://trhal.app/en/istanbul.html
Quick facts
CurrencyTurkish Lira (₺)
Best monthsApril, May, September, October
Suggested trip length5-7 days
Quick conversion
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Convert from SAR
Power plug
Type Type C
Coming from Saudi Arabia: Needs a shape adapter (from Saudi type G to Type C)
Most modern chargers (phone/laptop) automatically support 220-240V — check the label on the back of the charger before use.
Type Type F
Coming from Saudi Arabia: Needs a shape adapter (from Saudi type G to Type F)
Same note as Type C — check that the charger supports 220-240V before use.
Airports & getting there
Istanbul Airport (IST)
The most used for international flights, about 50km from the city center (European side).
M11 metro to Gayrettepe station then M2 to the center — about 50-70 lira, 60-90 minutes
Havaist buses to areas like Taksim and Sultanahmet — about 300-426 lira, 75-90 minutes (price varies between sources)
Official taxi from the airport rank — roughly 300-500 lira, 45-90 minutes depending on traffic
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
Serves the Asian side, the better fit for those staying in Kadıköy or the Asian-side areas.
Havaist buses or taxi — the most practical option for most arrivals
M4 metro to Bandık then the Marmaray train — possible but longer and needs walking with luggage
Transit & the transit card
IstanbulkartA single card for the metro, tram, buses, and ferries, with a one-time issuance fee then top-ups; recent restrictions apply to anonymous cards (a monthly top-up cap and no refunds on some lines).
Metro and tramAn extensive network covering most tourist areas; the T1 tram runs directly through Sultanahmet.
FerriesA comfortable, scenic way to move between the European and Asian sides, and a worthwhile tourist activity in its own right.
Taxis and ride-hailing appsWidely available; it's best to make sure the meter is running or use a trusted app to avoid haggling over the price.
Connectivity & eSIM
⚠ Important notice
Since July 2025, several travel services and reports have said that some international eSIM providers' websites and apps can't be reached from inside Turkey. A pre-installed eSIM may still work, but buying a new plan or renewing one may not be possible after arrival — so buy and install the plan before you travel. (This is based on multiple travel-service reports, not an official statement from BTK or a Turkish government body reviewed directly.)
Airalo
Saily
Roamless
Holafly
Practical recommendation
Cheapest for a short tripRoamless or Saily — 1GB plans starting around $3.95-3.99
Best for heavy dataLarge fixed plans (Roamless up to 200GB, or Saily/Airalo 20-50GB) instead of relying on an undocumented daily-cap "Unlimited" label
Best for a family (hotspot)Roamless (no stated sharing restrictions) or Saily (unlimited sharing on its regional pages)
Activate before travelAll four — buy and install the plan before you travel, since multiple reports indicate some providers' apps or plan renewals may be unreachable after arrival in Turkey.
For those who need a Turkish numberAn actual local SIM from Turkcell, Vodafone Turkey, or Türk Telekom — none of the four eSIM providers reviewed offers a real Turkish phone number
Recommendation by trip length
3-5 daysA small fixed plan (1-3GB) from Roamless or Saily — cheaper than opening a large plan you won't fully use
7 daysA medium plan (5-10GB) depending on usage; Roamless 10GB at $14.95 is a good value example
10-14 daysA larger plan (20GB or more), or consider a local SIM if the trip includes other cities needing local calls
More than two weeksA local SIM from a city store (not the airport) is usually cheaper long-term, especially if you need a real Turkish number
A traditional local SIM
Local SIM prices vary a lot between the airport and city branches, and airport deals are usually pricier; compare price and data allowance before buying. Local SIMs are usually unaffected by the access issue with some international eSIM providers' apps, since they're bought and activated locally.
Istanbul weather month by month, and the best time to travel
January
High/Low10° / 5°
Rainy days18
WalkabilityLow
CrowdsLow
Seasonal price levelLow
February
High/Low10° / 5°
Rainy days15
WalkabilityLow
CrowdsLow
Seasonal price levelLow
March
High/Low12° / 7°
Rainy days12
WalkabilityMedium
CrowdsLow
Seasonal price levelLow to medium
April
High/Low16° / 10°
Rainy days9
WalkabilityHigh
CrowdsMedium
Seasonal price levelMedium
May
High/Low21° / 14°
Rainy days7
WalkabilityVery high
CrowdsMedium to high
Seasonal price levelMedium to high
June
High/Low26° / 18°
Rainy days5
WalkabilityHigh
CrowdsHigh
Seasonal price levelHigh
July
High/Low28° / 20°
Rainy days3
WalkabilityMedium (hot at midday)
CrowdsVery high
Seasonal price levelVery high
August
High/Low29° / 22°
Rainy days5
WalkabilityMedium (hot at midday)
CrowdsVery high
Seasonal price levelVery high
September
High/Low25° / 18°
Rainy days5
WalkabilityVery high
CrowdsHigh
Seasonal price levelHigh
October
High/Low20° / 14°
Rainy days7
WalkabilityVery high
CrowdsMedium to high
Seasonal price levelMedium to high
November
High/Low16° / 10°
Rainy days9
WalkabilityMedium
CrowdsLow to medium
Seasonal price levelMedium
December
High/Low12° / 7°
Rainy days17
WalkabilityLow
CrowdsLow
Seasonal price levelLow to medium (except New Year's)
Best months
For familiesApril, May, September, October — mild weather reduces the strain of long walks with children
For budgetJanuary and February — cheapest hotels and fewest crowds, but cold, rainy weather
For the mildest weatherMay and October — among the most balanced months for heat, rain, and crowds
Approximate daily budget
BudgetRoughly SAR 150-300/day per person — hostel, public transport, local food, free activities (about €35-70)
Mid-rangeRoughly SAR 350-700/day per person — 3-4 star hotel, restaurants, a mix of metro and taxi, paid landmarks (about €90-175)
LuxuryStarting from SAR 750+/day per person — 5-star hotels, upscale restaurants, private tours (about €185+)
Where to stay
Sultanahmet — price 4/5 · families 5/5Details ›
Taksim — price 3/5 · families 3/5Details ›
Sirkeci / Eminönü — price 2/5 · families 4/5Details ›
Karaköy / Galata — price 3/5 · families 3/5Details ›
Nişantaşı / Osmanbey — price 5/5 · families 4/5Details ›
Beşiktaş Center — price 4/5 · families 3/5Details ›
Kadıköy / Moda — price 2/5 · families 3/5Details ›
Ortaköy — price 4/5 · families 3/5Details ›
Religious landmarks
Historic & cultural landmarks
Markets & public places
Activities
Shopping
Restaurants & cafes
Other
Ready-made Istanbul itineraries
Istanbul 3-Day Itinerary
Istanbul 5-Day Itinerary
Istanbul 7-Day Itinerary
Hotels in Istanbul by area and budget
Sultanahmet
Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel — 5★High ›
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet — 5★Luxury ›
Hotel Amira Istanbul — 4★Mid-range ›
Hotel Empress Zoe — 3★Mid-range ›
Karaköy / Galata
10 Karakoy Istanbul - Special Class — 5★High ›
Novotel Istanbul Bosphorus — 4★Mid-range ›
Beşiktaş Center
Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul — 5★Ultra-luxury ›
Ortaköy
The Stay Bosphorus (formerly The House Hotel Bosphorus) — 4★High ›
Kadıköy / Moda
DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul - Moda — 4★Mid-range ›
Holiday Inn Istanbul - Kadikoy — 4★Mid-range ›