Flights from Ercan to Istanbul

Exotic city of Istanbul

This ancient Turkish city, Istanbul, has many reminders of various cultural empires. Explore bazaars, palaces and mosques. Cafes and restaurants are plentiful.

The best time to travel and festivals

The weather is good for travelling to Istanbul in May and October. There are fewer crowds at this time and days are cooler.
Holidays and festivals are fun. On the 19th May  Atatürk, a Youth and Sports Day is commemorated and the 29th of October is Republic Day.  The Festival of Eid and Ramadan have dates that vary each year.

Pre-travel preparation and tips

British nationals require a visa to visit Turkey. Applications can be made online.  A valid passport that extends 6 months from the date of entering Turkey is necessary. It is recommended that vaccinations for  Hepatitis A, Typhus, Tetanus and  Diphtheria are obtained before travel. Goods are often overpriced in markets so haggling is expected. Street food is inexpensive, living in Istanbul is cheaper than other major cities. It is a fast food paradise, with snacks costing from 2 TRY.  Kebabs cost from 8 TRY but fish is expensive. A beer will cost about 6 TRY. Istanbul is at Time Zone GMT + 2.

Getting around and where to stay

HAVAIST or IETT operate shuttles from the airport to the city centre, tickets cost about 50 TRY per trip. Bus stops are on the -2 floor of the airport. Taxi fares are about 200 TRY. Travel from airport to central Istanbul takes at least 40 minutes. However, this can vary depending on traffic volume. 

Accommodation costs vary. A guesthouse or hostel will cost from 30 TRY per person per night. There is a  wide choice of accommodation in the districts away from the city centre. Eminönü has the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar, Beyoğlu the Taksim Square and  İstiklâl, Caddesi. The public transport network is easy to use and cheap. Use local buses, the metro, minibus, ferry, metrobus and trams to explore neighbourhoods. The Istanbulkart, a multi-trip ticket, is rechargeable and valid on all public transport. Taxis are more expensive than public transport but cheaper than in the UK. Located 20 km away from the city in the Sea of Marmara are the Prince Islands. They are a worthwhile place to visit as there are no cars only bicycles and horse drawn carriages.