Practical Information: Istanbul

Language:

The official language in Türkiye is Turkish. However, English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, restaurants, and museums, especially in Istanbul.

Currency:

Turkish Lira (₺ - TRY) Türkiye uses the Turkish Lira. Coins are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 kuruş, and 1 lira. Banknotes come in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 lira denominations. Currency exchange is available at airports, exchange offices ("Döviz"), and banks. ATMs are widely available across Istanbul and support most international cards. Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and larger stores. Smaller businesses may prefer cash.

Consulates:

Sixty-one Countries have consulates in İstanbul. You can find the list and the contact information using this link: https://visit.istanbul/consulates

Time Zone:

Türkiye Time (TRT), UTC +3 Türkiye does not observe daylight saving time.

Climate:

Istanbul has a transitional Mediterranean climate, with hot, humid summers and cool, wet winters. spring and autumn are mild and ideal for travel.

For up-to-date weather forecasts, you can visit the Turkish State Meteorological Service: https://mgm.gov.tr

Telephone Codes:

The country code for Türkiye is +90. To call Istanbul from abroad, dial your international access code +90, followed by Istanbul’s area code (212 for the European side, 216 for the Asian side) and the local number.

Health & Safety

Türkiye has modern healthcare facilities in major cities, including Istanbul. Pharmacies are widely available.

Emergency Services (Ambulance, Police, Fire, Coast Guard, etc.): 112

Operators can provide assistance in multiple languages, including English.

You can find important phone numbers using this link: https://visit.istanbul/important-phone-numbers

Travel Documents, Passport & Visa:

• Passport: Valid passport is required for all foreign visitors.
• Visa: Türkiye offers an e-Visa system for many countries. You can apply online before your trip via https://www.evisa.gov.tr. Citizens of some countries may enter visa-free for a limited period.

Transportation Apps & Local Mobility:

• Istanbulkart: A contactless public transport card used for trams, metros, buses, ferries. You can purchase and top it up at kiosks and metro stations.

You can find detailed information about Istanbulkart using this link: https://visit.istanbul/istanbul-card

• Public Transit Apps: Moovit and Google Maps: For metro, bus, and ferry schedules.
• Taxi Apps: BiTaksi and Uber: Common apps for calling taxis.
• Navigation: Google Maps and Yandex Maps are both widely used and reliable.

Electrical Devices:

Türkiye uses 230V / 50Hz electricity with Type C and Type F plugs (two round pins). Travelers from countries with different plug types may need an adapter or converter.

Tourism Offices:

There are six tourism offices in İstanbul. Here are the main official Tourist Information Offices across Istanbul—ideal for picking up free brochures, maps, and getting help with directions, tour bookings, and other travel advice: https://visit.istanbul/tourism-offices

Official website of İstanbul Tourist Information Center: https://visit.istanbul/