Visiting Turkey

Best Day Trips from Istanbul

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If you have more than three or four days to spend in Istanbul, consider taking a day trip from Istanbul to one of the surrounding cities or somewhere further afield.

Below is a list of some of the best day trips from Istanbul:

Ephesus
If you're not daunted by the prospect of flying to and from Ephesus in one day, an Ephesus day trip from Istanbul is a great way to see the ancient city.

Gallipoli
For lovers of military history, Gallipoli makes for one of the best day trips from Istanbul. Enjoy a visit to the historic Gallipoli battlefields, trenches, and tunnels for a day.

Bursa
The historic city of Bursa makes for one of the best day trips from Istanbul. Visit the first Ottoman capital to see the historic sights of the Green Mosque and Tomb, the Grand Mosque, the Silk Market and the Covered Bazaar.

Iznik and Nicea
Iznik and Nikea are a great day trip from Istanbul. You can spend the day seeing the famous tiles and location of the first Ecumenical Council.

Black Sea Beaches
For sun worshippers, the Black Sea beaches make for one of the best day trips from Istanbul. Enjoy swimming and sunbathing for a day before returning to city life in Istanbul.

Hotel Nars Ilica in Alacati Turkey

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Alacati

Hotel Nars Ilica
Address: Tosun Pasa Yalisi 5066 Sk Number 12, Cesme, Izmir Turkey
Phone: +90 232 729 0001

The Hotel Nars Ilica is a boutique hotel in one of Turkey's best beach towns.

With just seven rooms, Hotel Nars Ilica is a gem of a boutique hotel located in a restored 19th century mansion in Cesme. Decorated in neutral earth tones and offering luxury amenities, the Hotel Nars Ilica is the perfect place to stay on a visit to Alacati in Cesme, Turkey.

NB: Don't miss excellent restaurant, Mesa Luna, next door to the hotel.

How to Get from Istanbul to Goreme

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Goreme, Cappadocia, Turkey

To get from Istanbul to Goreme in Turkey, you have to take several modes of transport: train and bus.

First, take a train from Istanbul to Ankara. You can either take an overnight train from Istanbul to Ankara or a day train from Istanbul to Ankara.

From Ankara, you must take a bus to Goreme. It is a four hour bus ride from Ankara to Goreme.

Low Cost Airlines in Turkey

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Flying over Turkey

Like almost every country in Europe, Turkey has its share of low cost airlines that offer domestic flights within Turkey.

Sun Express, Pegasus, Atlas Jet, and Onur Air are the four major low cost airlines in Turkey. Competition among the airlines means that prices are very low on certain domestic routes.

Car Hire in Izmir

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Izmir, Turkey

Car hire in Izmir is offered by a number of different car hire companies, both domestic and international.

There are car hire desks at Izmir airport and car hire offices in the Izmir city centre that are run by the following car hire companies:

aa Izmir Airport Car Rental

ABC Car Rental

Alanya Car Rental

Avis

Eldur Turizm

Elit Car Rental

Hertz

JetCarRental

Kusadasicars

National Car Rental

Pegasus Rent a Car

Proper Car Rental

Sixt

T&T Car Rental

Top 10 Places to Visit in Turkey

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Istanbul sunrise

10. Nemrut Dagi
Located in eastern Turkey, Nemrut Dagi is one of the most stunning historical monuments in Turkey. Dating from the 1st century BC, Nemrut Dagi is a burial place known best for the huge statues that surround it.

9. Pamukkale
Located in the Denizli Province, Pamukkale is famous for its hot springs, which feature limestone and calcium. Pamukkale is a UNESCO World Heritage site and well worth a visit.

8. Bodrum
One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Bodrum has long been on the list of top places to visit in Turkey. Home to the famous Castle of Saint Peter and located in beautiful surrounding countryside, Bodrum is not to be missed.

7. Kusadasi
A port town on the coast of Turkey, Kusadasi is best known for being close to the ruins of Ephesus and the place where cruise ships dock. But look further and you'll discover that Kusadasi has an allure of its own, particularly with its great nightlife and pleasant beaches.

6. Ankara
The capital of Turkey, Ankara is full of museums and other cultural attractions. Culture vultures and history buffs alike will find a lot to fill their days when visiting Ankara.

5. Lycian Coast
Located in southwest Turkey at the intersection of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, the Lycian Coast is known for its gorgeous beaches, beautiful countryside, and perfect weather.

4. Cappadocia
Another of Turkey's UNESCO World Heritage sites, Cappadocia is famous for its amazing geological formations, the "fairy chimneys". Cappadocia is A UNESCO World Heritage site.

3. Ephesus
Dating back to Greek and Roman times, the historic ancient city of Ephesus offers some of the best preserved ruins anywhere along the Mediterranean. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and is not to be missed.

2. Antalya
Featuring heavenly beaches with turquoise waters, Antalya has good reason for claiming to have the best beaches on the Mediterranean. Add to that the many archaeological treasures in Antalya and you've got yourself a great holiday destination.

1. Istanbul
One of the most well loved European cities and boasting of some of the best nightlife in Europe, Istanbul is the number one place to visit in Turkey. With cultural treasures in spades and the beautiful Bosphorus around it, Istanbul is worth a special visit to Turkey in its own right.

Day Trip from Istanbul to Ephesus

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Ephesus - Temple of Hadrian

It is possible to take a day trip from Istanbul to Ephesus in Turkey.

There are daily charter flights from Istanbul airport to Izmir, which is a short train or bus ride away from Ephesus.

Trains and buses from Izmir to Ephesus arrive at Selcuk, which is walking distance from the historic ruins of Ephesus.

Alternately, you can hire a taxi or hire a car to drive from Izmir to Ephesus.

There are plenty of package tours from Istanbul to Ephesus that will arrange a day trip with flights and airport transfers. This is one of the easiest and most convenient ways of visiting Ephesus on a day trip from Istanbul.

Airport for Cappadocia Turkey

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Goreme, Cappadocia, Turkey

If you're planning to visit Cappadocia in Turkey, you can take a flight to Kayseri.

The Kayseri airport is used for domestic and international flights to Cappadocia. This includes Turkish Airlines flights. Turkish Airlines offers three daily flights from Istanbul to Cappadocia, one in the morning and two in the evening.

Flights from Istanbul to Ephesus

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TC-ANA

To take a flight from Istanbul to Ephesus, you can fly from Istanbul airport to Izmir, a coastal city near Ephesus.

From Izmir, you can take a bus or train to Selcuk, which is in walking distance of the ruins of Ephesus.

There are around charter ten flights a day from Istanbul to Izmir, all of which depart Istanbul between 7am and 11:45pm. If you take an early flight to Izmir, you can do a day trip from Istanbul to Ephesus.

If you don't want to fly from Istanbul to Ephesus, another option is to take a bus. Overnight buses leave from Istanbul every night, and arrive in Selcuk each morning.

Buses from Istanbul to Ephesus

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Istanbul Tour Bus

To get from Istanbul to Ephesus by bus, you should take a bus from Istanbul to Selcuk, which is in walking distance of the ruins of Ephesus.

Night buses run daily from Istanbul to Selcuk, and the bus takes around 10 hours. From the bus station at Selcuk it is a short walk to historic Ephesus.

If you don't want to take a bus from Istanbul to Ephesus, you can take a charter flight instead. Some tour companies allow you to make a day trip from Istanbul to Ephesus if you fly between the two.

How to Get from Istanbul to Ephesus

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Blue light bus

There are a number of different ways to get from Istanbul to Ephesus in Turkey. While there are no trains that run between the two cities, there are regular flights and buses between Istanbul and Ephesus.

Buses from Istanbul to Ephesus

Flights from Istanbul to Ephesus

Trains from Istanbul to Konya

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Haydarpaşa Istanbul

Trains run regularly from Istanbul to Konya, Turkey.

Trains from Istanbul to Konya are called the Meram Ekspresi train. The Meram Ekspresi train departs from Istanbul's Haydarpasa train station daily at 19:40, arriving in Konya the next morning at 8:21.

The 13 hour train journey is long, but trains have sleeper cars, so you can book a couchette. There is also food available on the trains from Istanbul to Konya.

Trains from Istanbul to Ankara

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Overnight train from Istanbul to Ankara

There are two types of trains that travel from Istanbul to Ankara: high speed trains from Istanbul to Ankara, and overnight trains from Istanbul to Ankara.

High Speed Trains from Istanbul to Ankara

High speed trains from Istanbul to Ankara starts on a regular train from Istanbul to Eskisehir, then switch to a high speed train from Eskisehir to Ankara.

High speed trains depart Istanbul Haydarpasa train station four times a day, at 7:10, 11:00, 14:00, and 17:50. The total train time from Istanbul to Ankara is 4h39m.

A new section of track is being laid that will eliminate the stop at Eskisehir and shorten the high speed train time between Istanbul and Ankara to 3 hours.

Overnight Trains from Istanbul to Ankara

Overnight trains from Istanbul to Ankara are called Ankara Express trains. They provide both seats and couchettes for sleeping.

Overnight trains depart from Istanbul Haydarpasa train station three times a day, at 22:00, 22:30 (sleeper), and 23:00. The train journey on the overnight train from Istanbul to Ankara takes 9h12m.

Istanbul Cruise Packages and Deals

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Cruise ship in Istanbul

Istanbul cruises are one of the most popular ways to visit Istanbul and other parts of Turkey and the Greek islands. With features like centuries old mosques, the ruins of Ephesus, and beautiful whitewashed Greek island towns, Istanbul cruises offer a great way to see the best Turkish coastline and Mediterranean islands in one trip.

Istanbul cruises vary from large boats to smaller ones, and the length of time of Istanbul cruises differs depending on where you would like to go and how much time you have to visit Turkey. Most cruises last from three days to two weeks.

Whichever Istanbul cruise itinerary you choose, you will see some of Turkey's most famous sites and historic towns.

Some Istanbul cruises are tour packages that include flights, transportation from Istanbul airport, and day excursions at the ports of call. Other Istanbul cruise packages only include the cruise itself, with other parts of the trip coming at an additional cost.

Whatever Istanbul cruise you choose for your holiday in Turkey, you can either book your cruise through a tour operator or make a direct cruise booking yourself. Either way, make sure to shop around for Istanbul cruise deals and compare what each cruise package or independent cruise includes.

Crewed Yacht Charter Turkey

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Gulet sailing

Sailing vacations are a very popular activity for people visiting Turkey. Some people who go on a sailing holiday in Turkey choose to charter a yacht and do all of the sailing themselves. Others choose a crewed yacht charter in Turkey.

If you want to book a crewed yacht charter in Turkey, make sure to shop around before choosing which company to go with. The best crewed yacht charter companies are the ones that provide all of the services you want without extras you don't need, the size and type of yacht you want, and a reasonable price that offers the best value for money.

Crewed yacht charters in Turkey are available from many different companies. They differ by time of sailing, port of departure, and the services provided on board the yacht (for example, some crewed yacht charters in Turkey include cooking and cleaning, while some only provide a crew to sail the yacht).

Kempinski Hotel Istanbul

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Ciragan Palace Hotel Kempinski

Ciragan Palace Hotel Kempinski
Address: Ciragan Caddesi 32 Besiktas, 34349 Istanbul, Turkey
Phone: + 90 212 326 46 46

The Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel in Istanbul is arguably the most opulent luxury hotel in Istanbul.

Situated right on the Bosphorus in a Ottoman imperial palace, the Kempinski hotel is one of the top accommodations in Istanbul. The beautiful Besiktas neighborhood in which the hotel is located is full of luxury shops and cafes and is the perfect antidote to the bustling crowds of the Sultanahmet quarter.

With 313 luxury hotel rooms, 16 conference rooms, a luxury shopping arcade, the award-winning Tugra restaurant, and swanky bars and lounges, the Kempinski hotel in Istanbul is worth a visit even if you're not staying as a guest.

Rooms at the Kempinski hotel in Istanbul start at 323.20 EUR per night if you book online in advance with the Early Booker room rate.

Best Time to Visit Istanbul

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Blue Mosque, Istanbul

The best time to visit Istanbul is in the late spring, summer, and early fall.

From April through October, the weather in Istanbul is warm (in the 70's and low 80's F, mid teens to high 20's C) and rain is more scarce than in the wet winter months.

Spring in Istanbul is particularly beautiful because of all of the flowers that are in bloom. Tulips are particularly striking, especially if you visit the Topkapi Palace gardens.

Weather in Istanbul

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Bosphorus cruise - some fortress

Weather in Istanbul follows a "cold winter, hot summer" pattern with mild spring and fall weather.

Winter weather in Istanbul is cold, with lots of rain, wind, and snow. While winter weather temperatures don't fall too far below freezing, it is a good idea to bring heavy winter clothes with you if you are visiting Istanbul in the winter.

Summer weather in Istanbul is hot and humid. Temperatures rise into the 80'sF (high 20'sC) and rainfall is intermittent but not unheard of.

Spring and autumn weather in Istanbul is temperate with rainy periods, so make sure to bring an umbrella when you are visiting Istanbul.

The best time of year to visit Istanbul is April through October.

Best Luxury Hotels Istanbul

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Spice Market, Istanbul, Turkey

With its hip vibe and plethora of historic sights, Istanbul is one of Europe's best cities to visit. And why not visit in style by staying at one of the best luxury hotels in Istanbul?

Here are some of our favorite luxury hotels in Istanbul:

W Hotel Istanbul

Swissotel Istanbul

Kempinski Hotel Istanbul

Swissotel Istanbul

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Istanbul 06 27 09_0378

Swissotel The Bosphorus
Address: Swissotel The Bosphorus, Istanbul, Bayildım Cad. No 2, Macka, Besiktas 34357, Turkey
Phone: 90 212 326 1100

The Swissotel Istanbul is one of the best luxury hotels in Istanbul.

Situated on a hill in the middle of the chic Besiktas district, the Swissotel Istanbul's location is perfect for boutique shopping and offers amazing views of the city.

Rooms at the Swissotel Istanbul feature luxury amenities and the lower floors offer a range of restaurants, a cigar bar, conference rooms, and WI-FI Internet access.

The Swissotel Istanbul also offers an outdoor swimming pool overlooking the Bosphorus, the award winning Amrita Spa and Wellness, and a location that is ideal for visiting the historic sights of Istanbul.

Istanbul Taxi Tips

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Istanbul_Taxi_3

Istanbul taxis are bright yellow and have a "Taksi" sign on top. Don't use any other kind of taxi when you are visiting Istanbul.

All Istanbul taxis have meters. Ask the driver to turn the meter on before you get in the taxi and definitely before they start driving. Otherwise they might not use it and will charge you whatever they want to when you arrive at your destination.

Don't try to agree on a price up front instead of using a meter. No "deal" they will offer you will be better than the price from the meter, and often Istanbul taxi drivers will lie to you about the distance from one place to another in order to get more money from you.

Make sure to look at the meter in your taxi when it starts running. During the day and evening it should say "Gunduz", which means daytime. At night it should say "Gece". The night meters are only supposed to run between 12am and 6am and the night tariff has a 50% premium.

Many Istanbul taxi drivers will try to set the meter to "Gece" even during the day, so be very careful that you check the meter when you get into the taxi. Watch the meter for the entire duration of the taxi ride, as some drivers will try to switch it from "Gunduz" to "Gece" when you're not paying attention.

If you cross the bridges while in an Instanbul taxi, you will have to pay the toll. This is true even if you cross a bridge in the no toll direction.

The last Istanbul taxi tip is to wear your seatbelt at all times while in the taxi. Drivers are often aggressive and minor accidents are common.

Top 10 Things to Do in Istanbul

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Spice Market (Mısır Çarşısı) Istanbul

10. Istanbul Nightlife

With great bars, clubs, and lounges that stay open late, Istanbul's nightlife scene is something that must be experienced on any visit to the city.

9. Basilica Cisterns

Underground and with eerie music playing throughout your visit, the Basilica Cisterns are a great way to escape the heat and see an amazing feat of historic engineering. The visit takes around 30 minutes.

8. Hammams

Turkish baths are known throughout the world, so why not experience a hammam when you're in the birthplace?

7. Sultanahmet Camii (aka Blue mosque)

The Sultanahmet Camii (Blue mosque) is a stunning mosque across the plaza from the Aya Sofia. The visit takes around 30 minutes.

6. Suleymaniye Camii (Suleyman Mosque)

The Suleymaniye Camii (Suleyman Mosque) is the second largest mosque in Istanbul. The visit takes around 30 minutes.

5. Dolmabahce Sarayi (Dolmabahce palace)

The Dolmabahce Sarayi (Dolmabahce palace) is a neo-modern palace that the emperor lived in. The palace is situated right on the Bosphorus. The visit takes around an hour.

4. Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi)

The Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) is one of Istanbul's most famous attractions. An old style bazaar, it used to be horse stables during the empire, and now houses countless shops. Make sure to bargain when making a purchase!

3. Istanbul Modern Art Museum

The Istanbul Modern Art Museum is a great new museum right on the Bosphorus. Featuring works from Istanbul's prominent artists as well as artists from around the world, the museum is well worth a trip. The visit takes 1-2 hours, and there is a great cafe in the museum.

2. Aya Sofya (Hagia Sofia)

The Aya Sofya (Hagia Sofia) is a historic Byzantine church dating back over 1500 years. After the fall of the Byzantine empire, the Aya Sofia was converted into a mosque. The church has weathered fires and earthquakes and still retains many of the original mosaics and murals. The visit takes around an hour.

1. Topkapi Palace
The Topkapi Palace is the former Ottoman Palace where the emperor lived. The Topkapi Palace is historic and has several small museums within its walls. The visit takes 2-3 hours.

Best Turkey Guidebooks

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Fragrant and colorful spices at the Spice Market, Istanbul, Turkey

Every major guidebook company from Lonely Planet to Let's Go makes at least one Turkey guidebook.

Most guidebook companies make a book on Turkey as a whole, but the country's territory and diversity of places to visit make for enough material for a full guidebook on specific regions and cities like Istanbul.

If you're only planning on visiting one city, getting a specific guidebook for the city is a good idea. For example, Lonely Planet's book on Istanbul gives good in-depth coverage of Istanbul and the surrounding area.

If you'll be visiting lots of places in Turkey, getting a larger guidebook like The Rough Guide to Turkey is a good idea. If you're handy with scissors, you can cut out the chapters you need and leave the rest of the guidebook at home to save room as you pack your bags.

Once you know what size Turkey guidebook you need, shop around for a guidebook that fits your travel style. If you're backpacking, Lonely Planet, Let's Go, and the Rough Guide are some of the best Turkey guidebooks.

If you're going upscale, look into guides like the Hg2 Istanbul (A Hedonist's Guide to Istanbul), the Wallpaper Guide to Istanbul, or the LUXE guide to Istanbul that offer more high-end suggestions for hotels, restaurants, and shopping.

If you love sightseeing, consider picking up the Eyewitness Travel Guide to Turkey. With photos and illustrations on every page, the Eyewitness Turkey guidebook is great for explaining the details of Turkey's many historic buildings and landmarks.

On a budget? A lot of the best deals on Turkey guidebooks can be found on websites where travelers that have just returned from Turkey are selling their books. If you're lucky you can get a copy with good notes and suggestions written in!

One last tip on finding the best Turkey guidebooks: check the date the guidebook was published. If it is more than a year old, don't buy it. Things change so quickly in Turkey that an old guidebook will be of little use to you today.

Turkish Currency

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Yeni Turkish Lira

Turkish Currency: the Lira

The Turkish currency is the Turkish lira.

For currency exchange purposes, the Turkish lira's code is TRY, while prices in most places in Turkey use the symbol TL.

The Turkish currency is divided into 100 kurus.

Turkish currency bills come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 lira.

Turkish currency coins come in denominations of 1 lira as well as 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 and fils.

Turkish Currency Tips for Travelers

Before you travel to Turkey, you can get Turkish money at most foreign exchange businesses.

When you are visiting Turkey, you can use ATMs, which are common throughout cities. While most ATMs give large denominations of bills, make sure to carry some small bills with you.

NB: Turkey revalued its currency in 2005 and replaced old bills and coins with new ones. A common trick of taxi drivers is to give you your change in old lira notes. Make sure to check any change you receive to make sure that it is in the new Turkish currency, as old currency is no longer accepted.

Google Maps Turkey

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Google Maps is available for Turkey. Google has free maps of Turkey inside Google Maps. These include road and street maps of major and minor cities, towns, and rural areas of Turkey. Check out Google maps of Turkey here:

View Larger Map