Istanbul
Istanbul is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city located in Turkey, known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and bustling markets. One of the most iconic landmarks in Istanbul is the Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once a church, then a mosque, and now a museum. For those interested in Turkish cuisine, Istanbul offers a variety of delicious dishes, from kebabs and baklava to Turkish coffee and tea. The city never sleeps with a thriving nightlife and rich culture. Eat, party, explore and soak in everything Istanbul has to offer.
Tipping.
Restaurants and bars- You are expected to tip at least 5% to 10% at all restaurants, bars and cafes.
Taxi- Tipping is not necessary, but you can round the fare.
Hotels- Depending on their duties hotel staff expect tips between 5 and 20 Turkish Liras.
Lingo in Turkey.
Turkey is one of those cities where getting around maybe a bit difficult if you do not know the language. Locals are not very fluent and may only know very basic english Therefore knowing Turkish will be an absolute advantage. So lucky for you, we got you covered. Here’s a couple phrases to help you get by.
General lingo.
Günaydın= Good morning Tünaydın = Good afternoonİyi akşamlar!= Good evening
Teşekkür ederim= Thank you
Lütfen.= Please
Merhaba!= Hello
Eating out/ shopping lingo.
Ingilizce konuşur musunuz? Do you speak English?
Taksi nerede? = Where is the Taxi?
Ne kadar? = How much does this cost?
AVM nerede? = Where is the mall?
Hesap alabilir miyim?= Can I get the bill?
Get your flirt on!
Adin ne?= What is your name?
Sana bir icki ismarlayabilir miyim? = Can i buy you a drink?
Nasılsın? = How are you? Bu sefer benden olsun = Let me get this round?
Wil je met me uit = Lets go on a date
Dans eder misin? = Do you dance?
Transport from Istanbul Airport.
There are 2ways to get from Airport to city center - by bus or taxi
Bus.
Two bus companies handle the transportation from and to Istanbul International Airport, Havaist Buses and IETT public buses. However, only Havaist shuttles offer a direct connection to the famous Sultanahmet as IETT buses serve mostly less popular parts of the city. Havaist buses run around the clock with every 30-minutes routes (every 45 in the early morning hours) and their ticket costs only 18₺ (2.8€ / 3.1$).
Taxi.
Taking a taxi from Istanbul Airport guarantees a comfortable transfer but not a quick one due to the heavy traffic on Istanbul streets. The fare depends on the distance, the yellow taxis are cheaper while the blue are more comfortable.
Best time to travel.
April, May, September and October are pleasantly warm, with temperatures of 20°C to 30°C, so are typically the best times to visit Turkey's grand array of ancient sites.
