Istanbul travel guides
Everything worth knowing before and during your trip: the city and its people, the places to see, what to eat, and how to get around. Each guide shows when it was last updated.
Know Istanbul
The city's story, its culture and people, the shopkeepers and the districts worth knowing.
Istanbul in Brief: Its Story, Its People and the Districts Worth Knowing
A short guide to Istanbul before you land: 2,700 years of history, a city on two continents, and what each well-known district is like.
Istanbul Culture and Etiquette: Tea, Bazaars, Mosques and Everyday Life
How things work in Istanbul: tea culture, bargaining in the bazaar, visiting mosques, tipping and a few Turkish words that open doors.
Places to visit
The sights, museums and art spaces you should not leave Istanbul without seeing.
Must-See Places in Istanbul: Hagia Sophia, Topkapı, the Bosphorus and More
The places every first-time visitor to Istanbul should see, how much time to give each one, and which days they are closed.
Art and Culture in Istanbul: Museums, Galleries and Performances Worth Your Time
Istanbul Modern, the Pera Museum, Chora's mosaics, the whirling dervishes and more: the city's best places for art, history and live culture.
Taste of Istanbul
Breakfast, street food, classic dishes, desserts and drinks to try.
What to Eat in Istanbul: Breakfast, Street Food and Dishes You Should Not Miss
From a long Turkish breakfast to balık ekmek by the Galata Bridge and dinner in a meyhane: the Istanbul dishes worth planning your day around.
Turkish Desserts and Drinks to Try in Istanbul: Baklava, Künefe, Lokum, Coffee and Boza
Baklava, künefe, Turkish delight, milk puddings, Turkish coffee, tea, salep and boza: Istanbul's sweets and drinks, and where the classics come from.
Getting around & our service
Airports, taxis, ferries, Marmaray, metro and private transfers: how to get where you are going.
Galataport Istanbul Cruise Terminal: Getting There from the Airports (2026)
Where the Galataport cruise terminal is, how far it is from Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen, and how to plan transfers before and after your cruise.
Arriving in Istanbul Late at Night (2026): Getting from IST or SAW to Your Hotel
Landing at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen after midnight? What still runs, what a taxi costs at night, and how a pre-booked transfer works for late and early flights.
Istanbul Airport Transfer with Kids: Child Seats, Luggage and Which Car to Book
Travelling to Istanbul with children? How to book baby and booster seats, which vehicle fits a family with luggage, and what to expect at IST and SAW.
IST or SAW? Which Istanbul Airport to Fly Into (2026)
Istanbul has two international airports. Compare Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW): location, distance to the centre, metro and bus links, and which one suits your hotel.
How Much Is a Taxi from Istanbul Airport? 2026 Fares Explained
Istanbul taxi tariff for 2026: starting fee, price per km, minimum fare, taxi colours at Istanbul Airport, sample fares and how a taxi compares with a fixed-price transfer.
Transfer Between Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW): Time, Cost and Options
How to change airports in Istanbul: distance and time between IST and SAW, the Havaist HVL-10 bus, taxi and private transfer costs, and how long to leave between flights.
How to Get from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet (2026): Metro, Havaist, Taxi or Private Transfer
Four ways from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Sultanahmet and the Old City, with 2026 prices, travel times and which option suits luggage, families and late arrivals.
Istanbul Airport Arrival Guide 2026: Passport, e-Visa, Istanbulkart and Getting to the City
What to expect when you land at Istanbul Airport: visa and e-Visa basics, passport control, where the taxis, Havaist buses and metro are, buying an Istanbulkart and where to meet your driver.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) Arrival Guide 2026: Metro, Havabüs, Taxi and Private Transfer
Landing at Sabiha Gökçen on the Asian side? How to get to Kadıköy, Taksim and Sultanahmet by M4 metro, Havabüs, taxi or private transfer, with 2026 prices and journey times.