Questions tagged [istanbul]

The largest city in Turkey but not the capital (for the capital see Ankara).

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Tipping in Istanbul when there's already a service charge

Turkey is a tipping culture and I understand it's standard to tip 10-15% on sit-down restaurant meals. However, many nicer places also apply an automatic 10% service charge to your bill. Are you ...
lambshaanxy's user avatar
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What can I do with an Istanbulkart after I hit the 500 lira monthly loading limit?

When travelling in Istanbul, it's possible for up to 5 people to share one Istanbulkart. However, if you're using the "anonymous" cards you can easily buy from vending machines, for some ...
lambshaanxy's user avatar
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Turkish transfer visa for an Egyptian citizen

I am an Egyptian citizen and I am planning a flight from Kazan (Tatarstan) via Istanbul (transfer at the airport 5 hours) to Hurghada, do I need to apply for a Turkish visa for this?
барья бебрачкина's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
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Lounge access at Istanbul flying Indigo as M&S Elite

I am a Turkish airlines Miles and Smiles Elite member. Next week I have a trip from Berlin to Istanbul flying Turkish and then an Indigo airlines flight to India from Istanbul Would I still be able to ...
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Family-friendly hamam in Istanbul with men's and women's sections open at the same time

There are countless hamams (Turkish baths) in Istanbul, but I'm looking for what is apparently an unusual combination of features: Has men's and women's sections open at the same time (many smaller ...
lambshaanxy's user avatar
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Biometric face id at Istanbul airport

Is there a biometric ( face id) based system at Istanbul airport? I know that Star alliance has similar systems at Frankfurt and Zurich ( I had to enrol for those via the Lufthansa app) and I recall ...
curious_cat's user avatar
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Transit visa for 2 layovers

I am an Indian citizen traveling from Delhi to Milan with layovers in Sharjah and Istanbul. Do I need transit visas for both Sharjah and Istanbul airports? The airline are different from Delhi to ...
Anjali Kashyap's user avatar
3 votes
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Transiting Sabiha Gökçen Istanbul from the UK for Kazakhstan. Do I need a transit visa as a British citizen? [duplicate]

I will be flying from the UK to Kazakhstan via Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen airport. I'll have an hour layover there, do I need a Turkish transit visa? I am British and I fly both flights with Pegasus on ...
Steven's user avatar
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How can I use cellular phone in Istanbul airport?

Suppose, I am traveling from India to Munich. My friend is traveling from Warsaw to India. Both of our transit is in Istanbul. We arrived at Istanbul airport, and we want to talk via mobile phone. How ...
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Travel with luggage via Metro or Bus from SAW Airport Istanbul to Europe Side of Istanbul

I will be arriving at SAW airport with 30kg luggage. I want to know if its possible to travel to Europe side from the airport using metro/bus? I am planning to buy Istanbulcard Anonymous Card from ...
user0193's user avatar
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Topkapi Palace Tickets

I am visiting Istanbul from 14th - 20th April. I want to visit the Topkapi palace. When I went 6-7 years ago, there was a long waiting line and we paid a local tourist guide to help us skip the line. ...
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I am a Syrian citizen. I am going to Lebanon, transitioning in Istanbul from UK

I am a Syrian citizen holding a Green Card from the USA . I am going to Lebanon, transiting in Istanbul (SAW) from UK on Pegasus flight. Will I need a transit visa to change flight in Instanbul?
Nabegh's user avatar
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How long should my layover in SAW be

I'm a EU citizen with a German passport. I will be traveling home from Ankara this month and my layover will be at Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) in Istanbul. Both my flights are operated ...
Martin's user avatar
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Recognize a place in Istanbul from an old (1890-1900) postcard

This postcard shows allegedly some place in Istanbul (Constantinople) in 1890-1900. Could you help me to find its location on a map?
georgmierau's user avatar
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Can I open a bank account before traveling in Istanbul?

When I traveled to Australia, I contacted a bank and opened an account, and transferred money, when I got there, I completed the application form and provided the documents. That was so helpful. But ...
Ayyash's user avatar
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Is it normal for GetTransfer.com carrier scheduled to taking me from Istanbul airport to ask me for fullname, nationality and passport number?

I have scheduled a transfer on GetTransfer.com from Istanbul's Ataturk airport to my hotel for two adults (me and my wife) and two infants under two years old and got the following message from the ...
Abdalla's user avatar
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Do I need visa for sightseeing in Istanbul, April and May 2021 [duplicate]

Not-so-young but still adventurous American woman traveling alone with two layovers in Istanbul airport: Wednesday April 7, 2021, 4:55 pm to 1:30 am that evening - 8+ hours Tuesday May 4, 4:55 am to 6:...
Colleen's user avatar
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1 answer
324 views

I have a flight from Istanbul to Vancouver with overnight layover at Montreal. Where do I need to do my quarantine if I decide to spend night at hotel

I have a flight from Istanbul to Vancouver with long overnight layover at Montreal. Where do I need to do my quarantine if I decide to spend night at hotel? Or can I stay at the airport for a night to ...
MHZ's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
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How can I find a big pharmacy in Istanbul?

I'm currently staying in Istanbul and need to buy an over-the-counter medicine that is a little rare. I went around a few pharmacies around my hotel, but they're all relatively small and don't carry ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
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1 vote
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Turkish visa required for layover? [duplicate]

I am an Indian passport holder. I shall land in Istanbul (IST) airport and within next 4 hours from the same airport I shall take another flight to Greece. Airline companies for these two flights ...
soumita's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
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Changing planes (and airlines) in Istanbul

If I (US citizen) come into Istanbul on one airline (Turkish) with a checked bag, and then fly out later to Kazakhstan from the same airport that day on a separate ticket on another airline (Astana), ...
Faithfog's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
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Can I pay for the Havaist bus with a credit card?

So I'm going to visit Istanbul soon and planning to take a Havaist bus from the airport to the SultanAhmet square. I know I can pay with an IstanbulKart for the ride but I don't want to buy it. So I ...
Andrey Chernukha's user avatar
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805 views

Buy Lonely Planet guides in Istanbul

I am in Istanbul and I would like to buy or get the Lonely Planet guidebook of Turkey. Do you have any hint on where I can find it? Thanks
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Denied Boarding

On the 21st of November I had a connecting flight on Turkish Airlines from Lahore (Pakistan) to Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) via Istanbul amd Panama City. In Istanbul, when the Panama City ...
Mashood's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
100 views

How to get to Sultanahmet from Istanbul New Airport?

Can someone give me instructions on how to get to Sultanahmet from the new airport. I found out about the bus route IST-20 but I couldn't find if it really exists or how much is it and should we buy ...
someone12321's user avatar
1 vote
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27 views

Taiwanese traveling to Europe via Istanbul, do I need a transit visa or e-visa? [duplicate]

I am a Taiwanese passport holder , will travel to Europe transit in Istanbul for 2 hours (inside airport only) , do I need to apply for a transit visa or an e-visa?
huang xie jie's user avatar
5 votes
4 answers
371 views

What are the places that sell coffee beans called in Turkey?

What should I search for on the google maps for such a store; I already tried "kahve çekirdekleri" and "kahve" but the results seem to be mere coffee shops. I'm in the Beylikduzu zone in Istanbul.
kamyar haqqani's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
124 views

Can you get two Turkish e-Visa Single Entry Visas within a one month period?

My wife and I are travelling to Istanbul. She has a Pakistani passport and a green card for the US, so we were able to get single entry visa for her. But the issue is that we are planning to travel ...
aa2019's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
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Baggage pick up in transit in Istanbul airport [closed]

I will be traveling by Atlasglobal and I'll have a connecting flight with IndiGo. Since these are two separate flights booked, Atlasglobal is not ready to book my checked in baggage directly to ...
Prabhakar Addala's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
89 views

About long layover at Istanbul

We have 13 hours layover at Istanbul while traveling to Europe by Turkish Airlines. We don’t have a transit visa. Can we book a room night at any hotel within the airport premises?
Karuna Sharma's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
75 views

Do I need a transit visa for Istanbul? [duplicate]

I am planning to fly from Delhi to Dublin-Ireland, transit will be at Istanbul for about 4 hrs. Do I need transit visa for Istanbul?
Shahid Hasan's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
629 views

Does a Filipino flying from Vietnam to Brazil need a visa or transit visa to layover in Istanbul or Doha Qatar?

Planning to travel from Vietnam to Brazil via Turkish Airlines with a layover in Istanbul, or via Qatar Airways with a layover is in Doha Qatar. Is it possible to layover in Istanbul or Doha without ...
lexi's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
104 views

Transit Visa / Stopover in Istanbul

I am a US citizen traveling on Turkish Airlines I will have an 8-9 hour layover in Istanbul. How do I apply for a transit visa for this stop over?
kimisha.Li's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
46 views

Do I need a transit visa for Turkey if I have an onwards flight from IST

I am an Indian citizen flying from Glasgow to New Delhi. I am changing planes in Istanbul Airport, with a layover of about 4 hours before going to New Delhi in India. My issue is that I am using 2 non ...
AGB's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
802 views

Where can i buy propane/ butane gas cylinder for camping in Turkey?

The question pretty much says it; I tried a couple of gas stations and stores but didn't find anything; I'm in Istanbul Buyukcekmece zone/
kamyar haqqani's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
769 views

How to see the light show at Galata Tower?

I've seen a few videos of light shows being projected onto the Galata Tower in Istanbul, Turkey. eg. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=158296795064721 I'll be in Istanbul on Nov 25 and Nov 26 of ...
neubert's user avatar
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1 vote
2 answers
86 views

Transit in Istanbul

I travelled from Philippines to UK transit in Istanbul. I bought some diamonds in Philippines properly declared with customs to bring out and will pay VAT in UK. Q: Do I need to declare in Istanbul ...
Rosalind Klass's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
180 views

Transit for 19 hours in Istanbul airport, can I go to a hotel [closed]

I will be in airport turkey for 19 hours en route to Bishkek and Mongolia. Can I go to a hotel to sleep?
Jill Spruyt's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
63 views

Is the M4 extension to Sabiha airport (SAW) open yet?

The promised M4 extension to Sabiha aiport (SAW), in Istanbul, is it open yet? or do we still have to drive to Pendik to get on it? https://www.metro.istanbul/YolcuHizmetleri/AgHaritalari (is out of ...
Ayyash's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
464 views

When visiting Istanbul, is pre-booking city tours from known web sites better than on arrival?

I am going alone to Istanbul this Saturday for 3 days. I found a website (booking.com) with discounts on activities. For example, "Tour Haga Sofia with a guide" for $15. Or a tour in a city bus and a ...
Moudiz's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
151 views

Arrival-side amenities at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport for waiting

I had seen more than a few airports having really meagre facilities landside, so I thought I will ask: I will land at 14:55 at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) from Zurich and will ...
user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
465 views

Istanbul: how long and complicated is it to go from ISL to SAW?

Edit: be aware that Istanbul now has a new airport, so what follows can be considered deprecated How long and complicated is it to go from Istanbul Atatürk Airport to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen ...
John's user avatar
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-1 votes
1 answer
122 views

Can I leave airport in 3 hours 15 min transit [closed]

Hi I have a 3 hours 15 minutes stay in Instanbul. Can I go out for an hour to meeting a friend also will I need a visa?
ayesha's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Transit visa at Istanbul, Turkey

I'm a Bangladeshi citizen, currently studying in Moscow, Russia. Willing to fly to Abu Dhabi by Turkish airlines and get a transit at Istanbul which will be more than 12 hours. I want to take the '...
Wara Tasmia's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
133 views

Traveling via Turkey

Do I need a transit visa at Istanbul Airport to enter Istanbul for city sightseeing? I am Malaysian citizen and I booked Turkish Airline flights to Malaysia (from Nice to Kuala Lumpur) with a 10-hour ...
Shahidan Husain's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
241 views

5 hour layover in Istanbul on separate tickets, is it enough time?

I will be traveling from the USA to Istanbul airport. My flight leaves from Denver and I have a connection in Frankfurt, Germany. I will arrive in Istanbul around 1730. I then take a flight to Tunis, ...
Lorraine H.'s user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
228 views

Flying from Stockholm to Paris via Istanbul with French National ID Card

Since I won't have my French passport, I'll have to fly from Stockholm (ARN) to Paris (CDG) via Istanbul (IST) with my French National ID card. I called the Swedish police and Turkish Airlines who ...
Fehmi 's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
226 views

Local markets in Istanbul

We once happen to arrive at a Sunday market in allies while wandering around where locals sell their items from food to kitchenette and clothing. We loved the atmosphere and everything about that ...
Gigili's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
55 views

Traveling through Istanbul on two different airlines do I need a visa? [duplicate]

I'm having difficulty figuring out my visa situation going through Istanbul. I'm a US citizen. I'll be traveling from Mumbai, and connecting through Manama, on Gulf Air before changing airlines to ...
user79635's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
585 views

Transit Visa for going out of Istanbul Airport travelling by Turkish Airlines [duplicate]

I'm a citizen of Bangladesh holding Bangladeshi Passport. I have a residence permit for both Finland and Sweden. I'll be traveling to Stockholm by Turkish Airlines which has a layover in Istanbul ...
fatCop's user avatar
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