10 Things to Know Before Visiting Istanbul

Istanbul is one of those cities that can feel overwhelming when you first arrive. The sheer scale of it, the noise, the energy, the layers of history stacked on top of each other. But once you know a few things going in, everything clicks into place and you can actually enjoy the chaos instead of fighting it.

First, get an Istanbulkart as soon as you land. It is a rechargeable transit card that works on buses, trams, ferries, and the metro. You can pick one up at any metro station or kiosk near the airport. Single ride tokens exist but they cost more per trip and you will burn through them fast. The Istanbulkart pays for itself within a day.

Second, do not exchange money at the airport. The rates are terrible. Walk into the city and find a döviz office in Sultanahmet or Beyoglu. Better yet, just use ATMs, most Turkish banks do not charge withdrawal fees and you will get a much better rate. Bring a card with no foreign transaction fees if you can.

Third, the Grand Bazaar is not as intimidating as it looks. Yes there are over 4,000 shops but you do not need to see them all. Go in with a rough idea of what you want, whether it is ceramics, leather, or Turkish lamps, and let yourself wander in that direction. Vendors will call out to you but a polite no thanks is all you need. And yes, you should bargain. Start at about half the asking price and work from there.

Fourth, learn a few words of Turkish. Merhaba (hello), tesekkur ederim (thank you), and hesap lutfen (the bill please) will get you surprisingly far. Locals genuinely appreciate the effort even if your pronunciation is rough.

Fifth, tea is everywhere and it is almost always free. If a shopkeeper offers you cay, accept it. It is not a sales trap, it is just Turkish hospitality. Some of our best conversations in Istanbul happened over a tiny glass of tea in the back of someone's shop.

Sixth, plan your mosque visits around prayer times. The Blue Mosque and Suleymaniye Mosque are open to visitors but close during the five daily prayers. Check the schedule for the day and plan accordingly. Also, women should bring a scarf to cover their hair and everyone needs to remove their shoes.

Seventh, do not skip the Asian side. Kadikoy and Moda are where a lot of locals actually hang out. The food is arguably better, the pace is slower, and the ferry ride across the Bosphorus is one of the best things you can do in Istanbul. It costs almost nothing with your Istanbulkart.

Eighth, Turkish breakfast is a whole event. Find a place that does a proper serpme kahvalti, a spread of cheeses, olives, eggs, honey, kaymak, jams, bread, and tea that covers the entire table. It is not a quick meal but it is the best way to start a morning in Istanbul.

Ninth, be careful with taxis. Uber works in Istanbul but drivers sometimes call and ask you to cancel so they can take you off the app for cash. If you do take a regular taxi, make sure they turn on the meter. Short trips around Sultanahmet should cost no more than a few lira.

Tenth, Istanbul rewards slow travel. You could spend a week here and still feel like you have barely scratched the surface. Do not try to cram everything into two days. Pick a neighbourhood, walk around, eat everything, and let the city surprise you. That is when Istanbul is at its best.