Organize your stay Istanbul
Covid-19 : current situation Istanbul
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, entry and travel restrictions may apply Istanbul. Remember to visit the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave for the latest information
Money Istanbul
The currency in use is the Turkish lira(türk lirası). Its international bank code is TRY, but its local abbreviation is TL. In Turkey, cash will be your primary means of payment. The many ATMs in the city center will allow you to withdraw Turkish Lira regularly while avoiding the sometimes high commissions of the exchange offices. The exchange rate of the Turkish lira is quite unstable but generally speaking 1 € = 20 TL.
Budget & Tips Istanbul
The cost of living in Turkey is very cheap for European tourists. On average, one should count on a budget of 200 TL per day, for accommodation, food, transportation and sightseeing. Tipping is widely practiced and amounts to about 10% of the bill, provided of course that you are satisfied with the service. Tipping is a custom in Turkey, mostly in bazaars and markets, but more rarely in stores.
Passport and visas Istanbul
No visa is required for citizens of the European Union. A valid identity card or passport is sufficient to travel to Turkey. Only stays longer than 90 days require a visa or residence permit.
Driver's license Istanbul
The French driving license is accepted by the police authorities for temporary residents, that is to say during 6 months as from the date of entry on the Turkish territory. After this period, it is necessary to exchange the French driving license for a Turkish one. It is possible to rent a car in the numerous rental agencies or to reserve a car with a driver to make, for example, the transfer from the airport to the hotel.
Health Istanbul
To receive advice before your trip, do not hesitate to consult your doctor. You can also contact the travel medicine society at the Pasteur Institute medical center at ✆ 01 45 68 80 88 (www.pasteur.fr/fr/sante/centre-medical) or visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website under the heading "Advice to travelers" (www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs). In case of illness contact the French Consulate. They will help you, accompany you and provide you with a list of French-speaking doctors. In the event of a serious problem, the consulate will also notify the family and decide on repatriation. To find out about emergencies and establishments that meet international standards, consult the websites www.diplomatie.gouv.fr and www.pasteur.fr.
Please note! Tap water is not drinkable in Istanbul. You can of course wash, rinse your teeth and even cook your rice in this water, as long as you don't swallow too much.
Mandatory vaccination Istanbul
No vaccinations are required to come to Turkey.
Security Istanbul
Crime is not very high in Turkey. Istanbul is considered one of the safest megacities in Europe. Therefore, there is no problem of violence or theft in cars (as long as you do not leave valuables in plain sight, of course). Nevertheless, and especially in the tourist areas, there are "tricksters", so you have to be a bit vigilant. Some "hot" areas should be avoided at night: Aksaray, the area around the walls, the entire lower part of Tarlabaşı Avenue, famous for prostitute bars.
Time difference Istanbul
Turkey no longer changes time, so it has a two-hour time difference with France in winter and one hour in summer. When it is 11 am in France, it is 1 pm in Turkey in winter and 12 am in summer.
Spoken languages Istanbul
The official language is Turkish. But Kurdish and Arabic are also widely spoken. In the tourist areas, salesmen, restaurant owners and hoteliers generally speak many languages: at least English, German and sometimes French. However, if you go off the beaten track, everything can quickly become complicated, and suddenly nobody around you will speak any other language than Turkish. But it is not unlikely that a whole family will be looking for the only parent who speaks a little English to help you!
Communication Istanbul
There is no network problem in Istanbul, you get good enough reception everywhere and in some neighborhoods (Beyoğlu, Beşiktaş, Kadıköy...), the wifi is self-service; the speed is not extremely powerful.
Electricity and measurements Istanbul
The metric system is de rigueur in Turkey, as well as weighing in grams and kilograms. For the voltage, the standard is the same as in Europe, 220 V. Electricity interruptions are rare but can occur.
Luggage Istanbul
Istanbul is a city that can be visited mainly on foot. The first thing you'll need is a good pair of shoes. In Turkey, you can visit almost any mosque, as long as you are properly dressed (women should cover their heads, and men should avoid shorts). If you forgot to pack a headscarf, most mosques give them to visitors. In the chic or trendy establishments of the modern city, a certain dress code is sometimes required. So take along a suitable outfit if you are planning to go to a large restaurant or a trendy nightclub. In the summer, sunscreen will be your best friend, as will a hat and sunglasses. In winter, don't forget warm clothes and waterproof shoes to face rain and/or snow.
