Flights from Dubai to Istanbul

A vibrant meeting point of East and West

Located at the meeting point of Europe and Asia, Istanbul has a hint of the exotic, millennia of history and all of the facilities that modern travellers could need.

When is the best time to visit Istanbul?

The winter months between November and April can be chilly, but between May and October, Istanbul sees solid sunshine day in, day out. May is festival time in Istanbul, with the city commemorating Turkish hero Kemal Atatürk on 19th May. Head over for the Republic Day celebrations on 29th October or during Eid at the end of Ramadan, for which dates vary (check the date to be sure).

Things to remember before you travel

Any British visitors to Istanbul will need to get hold of a Turkish visa, which you can apply for online. Check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your planned arrival date as well. It is also recommended to vaccinate against Hepatitis A, Typhus, Tetanus and Diphtheria before visiting Turkey. Istanbul is only 2 hours ahead of GMT, so jet lag should not be a problem.

British visitors will find that the cost of living is relatively cheap. Fast food is one of the city's great attractions. Expect to pay about 8 TRY for a spectacular kebab, although street snacks start from 2 TRY. A beer will set you back about 6 TRY, and expect seafood to be a little bit more expensive. When you visit the bazaars, be aware that haggling is normal and the goods are often overpriced to accommodate this, so don't be shy and drive a hard bargain.

Local travel information about Istanbul

From Istanbul Airport, the HAVAIST or IETT shuttle buses provide a convenient connection to the city centre and cost about 50 TRY per trip. The buses stop at the airport on floor -2. The fare for a taxi, on the other hand, is about 200 TRY. The journey time is at least 40 minutes but exact times depend on the time of day and traffic.

Expect one night's accommodation in a guest house to cost approximately 30 TRY, although there are luxury options available. Different accommodation choices can be found in areas like Beyoğlu (around Taksim Square) and Eminönü (near the Blue Mosque).