Magical, historical Istanbul, a tale of two continents. 

Sitting on the tip of the East, with western Europe just a stone's throw across the water, Istanbul is a city that has been through many cultural and religious changes, but has a truly modern, 21st century feel. However, it is still one of the world's best cities for amazing history, buildings and romantic tales, and somehow the atmosphere remains romantic and almost mystical. 

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The best time to see Istanbul

With a Mediterranean climate, the best months to visit are between May and October, and although it can get very hot in the Summer, the waters of the Black Sea and the Bosphorus keep it pleasant. Try a visit in spring, and get swept up in the celebrations on the 19th May, for the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. Or perhaps leave it until October and join in Ramadan or Eid, and finish off with the republic day on the 29th of October.

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Things to do before you travel 

Turkey is on GMT+2 hours, and British nationals need a visa, but it's available online. Also, passports should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entering Turkey. Check these vaccinations are up to date: Hepatitis A, Typhus, Tetanus and Diphtheria. There are some fabulous markets, like the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Bazaar, but goods are often overpriced, because haggling is a tradition, and usual, so get some practice in first perhaps. Food wise, Istanbul is a fast food paradise, with street vendors and wonderful eastern European and middle Eastern dishes. Snacks are available from 2 TRY, kebabs from 8 TRY. Fish is expensive, and beer costs from 6 TRY.

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Local information on transport, getting about, and accommodation.

Metro M1 to Aksaray - cost ca. 4 TRY. HAVATA shuttle bus to Taksim Square, every 30 mins. There are no buses between from 1am to 4am; cost: around 11 TRY. Taxi to Taksim ca. 60 TRY. Good, cheap public transport network: bus, metro, minibus, ferry, metrobus, tram. Istanbulkart: rechargeable and valid for all public transport. Taxis are more expensive than public transport but cheaper than in the UK. Accommodation starts from 1 night in a Hostel/Guesthouse from 30 TRY. Wide choice of accommodation in the districts: Eminönü (Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar) & Beyoğlu (Taksim Square,  İstiklâl Caddesi). Finally, 'The Prince Islands' are worth visiting: car free only horse drawn carriages are allowed.

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Flights from Edinburgh to Istanbul

IDEALO: 76 Flight Offers from £238
Outbound flight: 19/06/18
05:55 EDI
03:15 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
1 Stopover
Air France
Return flight: 26/06/18
17:00 IST
21:35 EDI
Istanbul Atatürk
Edinburgh
1 Stopover
KLM
£237.80
20 days ago*
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Outbound flight: 20/06/18
06:25 EDI
19:30 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
1 Stopover
easyJet, AtlasGlobal
£238.00
7 days ago*
Check
Outbound flight: 20/06/18
05:55 EDI
03:15 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
1 Stopover
Air France
£253.71
7 days ago*
Check
Outbound flight: 20/06/18
20:15 EDI
10:35 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
1 Stopover
easyJet, Turkish Airlines
£260.00
7 days ago*
Check
Outbound flight: 29/06/18
13:25 EDI
16:00 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
1 Stopover
KLM
Return flight: 20/07/18
17:00 IST
07:35 EDI
Istanbul Atatürk
Edinburgh
1 Stopover
KLM
£273.50
84 days ago*
Check
Outbound flight: 20/06/18
10:10 EDI
22:55 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
1 Stopover
flybe, Turkish Airlines
£274.00
7 days ago*
Check
Outbound flight: 19/06/18
08:45 EDI
03:15 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
1 Stopover
Air France
Return flight: 27/06/18
17:00 IST
08:25 EDI
Istanbul Atatürk
Edinburgh
1 Stopover
KLM
£283.66
7 days ago*
Check
Outbound flight: 29/06/18
12:45 EDI
01:35 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
1 Stopover
Deutsche Lufthansa
Return flight: 20/07/18
17:45 IST
17:25 EDI
Istanbul Atatürk
Edinburgh
1 Stopover
Deutsche Lufthansa
£288.05
84 days ago*
Check
Outbound flight: 19/06/18
07:25 EDI
22:00 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
2 Stopovers
Ryanair, Sun Express, Onur Air
Return flight: 27/06/18
12:15 IST
21:45 EDI
Istanbul Atatürk
Edinburgh
2 Stopovers
Turkish Airlines, Ryanair
£292.00
7 days ago*
Check
Outbound flight: 19/06/18
12:45 EDI
01:35 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
1 Stopover
Deutsche Lufthansa
Return flight: 26/06/18
17:45 IST
17:25 EDI
Istanbul Atatürk
Edinburgh
1 Stopover
Deutsche Lufthansa
£293.40
20 days ago*
Check
Outbound flight: 19/06/18
05:55 EDI
19:05 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
2 Stopovers
Air France, KLM
Return flight: 27/06/18
17:00 IST
08:25 EDI
Istanbul Atatürk
Edinburgh
1 Stopover
KLM
£294.83
7 days ago*
Check
Outbound flight: 19/06/18
07:25 EDI
22:00 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
2 Stopovers
Ryanair, Sun Express, Onur Air
Return flight: 27/06/18
18:35 IST
01:15 EDI
Istanbul Atatürk
Edinburgh
1 Stopover
Onur Air, easyJet
£301.00
7 days ago*
Check
Outbound flight: 19/06/18
05:55 EDI
19:05 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
2 Stopovers
Air France, KLM
Return flight: 26/06/18
17:00 IST
21:35 EDI
Istanbul Atatürk
Edinburgh
1 Stopover
KLM
£304.83
20 days ago*
Check
Outbound flight: 20/06/18
06:00 EDI
19:05 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
1 Stopover
AtlasGlobal
£305.24
7 days ago*
Check
Outbound flight: 19/06/18
07:25 EDI
18:00 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
1 Stopover
Ryanair, Turkish Airlines
Return flight: 26/06/18
15:10 IST
23:10 EDI
Istanbul Atatürk
Edinburgh
1 Stopover
Turkish Airlines, easyJet
£316.00
20 days ago*
Check
Outbound flight: 19/06/18
12:45 EDI
01:35 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
1 Stopover
Deutsche Lufthansa
Return flight: 26/06/18
06:20 IST
17:25 EDI
Istanbul Atatürk
Edinburgh
1 Stopover
Deutsche Lufthansa
£319.42
20 days ago*
Check
Outbound flight: 19/06/18
12:45 EDI
01:35 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
1 Stopover
Deutsche Lufthansa
Return flight: 27/06/18
17:45 IST
07:25 EDI
Istanbul Atatürk
Edinburgh
2 Stopovers
Deutsche Lufthansa
£329.05
7 days ago*
Check
Outbound flight: 29/06/18
13:25 EDI
16:00 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
1 Stopover
KLM
Return flight: 20/07/18
17:00 IST
21:35 EDI
Istanbul Atatürk
Edinburgh
1 Stopover
KLM
£333.87
84 days ago*
Check
Outbound flight: 19/06/18
05:55 EDI
03:15 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
1 Stopover
Air France
Return flight: 26/06/18
07:20 IST
09:50 EDI
Istanbul Atatürk
Edinburgh
direct
Turkish Airlines
£338.36
20 days ago*
Check
Outbound flight: 20/06/18
18:10 EDI
13:00 IST
Edinburgh
Istanbul Atatürk
1 Stopover
Deutsche Lufthansa
£338.95
7 days ago*
Check
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