Facts & figures: Turkey
Climate
Citizens enjoy all four seasons. The weather is a somewhat cooler version of the Mediterranean climate: a short spring, ideal summer temperatures, a long autumn with blue skies and a rainy winter.
Average temperature during February ranges between 2-9 oC (36-47 oF)
Language
Turkish is the official language. English, German and French are widely spoken in cities & resorts
Time
Turkey is two (2) hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and two (2) hours ahead of Eastern European Time.
Currency
The unit of currency is the Türk Lirası (Turkish Lira; TL). Coins come in amounts of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 kuruş and 1 lira, and notes in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 lira.
Visa information
Find out if you need a visa for your trip to Turkey by visiting Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs e-Consulate pages http://www.e-konsolosluk.net/Visa/Visa_Welcome.aspx or http://www.e-konsolosluk.net/.
Taxes & refunds
Turkey has a value-added tax (VAT) known as the katma değer vergisi (KDV). Don’t forget to ask the shopkeeper for the Global Refund Check for your purchase over 100TL+VAT in one store. Some shops display a blue, grey and white ‘Tax Free Shopping’ sign in their window.
ATMs
Automated teller machines (ATMs, cashpoints) are common in İstanbul. All of the banks and some smaller banks have ATMs. Virtually all of them offer instructions in English, French and German and will pay out Turkish liras when you insert your bank debit (cash) card.
Money exchanges
There are 24-hour exchange bureaux (döviz bürosu) in the arrivals halls at International Airports that offer rates comparable to those offered by bureaus in the city. US dollars and euros are easily changed at exchange bureaus. They are also often accepted as payment without being changed. Rates are similar whichever bureau you go to, with the possible exception of those in the tourist precinct of Sultanahmet. Bureaux are open long hours (at a minimum, between 9am and 7pm). You will usually need to show your passport when changing cash. As Turkish liras are fully convertible, there is no black market.
Credit cards
Most hotels, car-rental agencies, shops, pharmacies, entertainment venues and restaurants will accept Visa and Mastercard; Amex isn’t as widely accepted as the others and Diner’s isn’t accepted often. Budget hostels and hotels, and basic eateries usually accept cash only.
Banks & shopping hours
Banks are open weekdays (08.30 a.m-noon & 1.30 p.m-5.00p.m)
Shops are open daily but closed during Sundays.
Dialing codes
International country code: +90
Area code for Istanbul: (Asian Side) 216/ (Europe Side) +90 212
Electricity
Electricity is 220 V.
Getting to Istanbul
Getting to Istanbul is easy. There are two international airports, two otogars (cenral bus stations) from which international services arrive and depart, and two international rail stations.
DHMİ Atatürk Airport
Sabiha GÖKÇEN International Airport
İstanbul İntercity Central Bus Station (Büyük İstanbul Otogarı)
Turkish State Railways
Intercity & international buses
The International İstanbul Bus Station (Uluslararası İstanbul Otogarı; 212-658 0505) is the city’s main bus station for both intercity and international routes. Called simply the otogar (bus station), it’s in the western district of Esenler, just south of the expressway and about 10km west of Sultanahmet.
Local transportation
City buses
The bus system in İstanbul is extremely efficient. The major bus stands are at Taksim Square, Beşiktaş, Aksaray, Rüstempaşa (Eminönü), Kadıköy and Üsküdar, and most services run between 6.30am and 11.30pm. Destinations and main stops on city bus routes are shown on a sign on the right (kerb) side of the bus (otobüs) or on the electronic display at its front.
Subway & light railway Metro
From Taksim there is a service stopping at Osmanbey, Şişli, Gayrettepe, Levent and Levent 4. The full trip takes 25 minutes. Services run every five minutes or so from 6.15am to 12.30am Monday to Thursday, 6.15am to 1am on Friday and Saturday and 6.30am to 12.20am on Sunday. Tickets cost TL1.30 and Akbil can be used.
Taxis
İstanbul is full of taxis. All taxis have digital meters and must run them. A base rate (drop rate, flag fall) is levied during the daytime (gündüz); the night-time (gece) rate, from midnight to 6am, is 50% higher. Base rate 2TL, 1,30TL per km, 0,26 per min for waiting, under 50kg luggage is free of charge. If you catch a taxi over either of the Bosphorus Bridges, it is your responsibility to cover the toll. The driver will add 3,25TL to your fare.
Click here for detailed information about public transportation in Istanbul.
Airports
The city’s main airport, Atatürk International Airport (Atatürk Hava Limanı; flight information 212-465 3000, 212-465 5555; http://www.ataturkairport.com/), is in Yeşilköy, 23km west of Sultanahmet (the heart of Old İstanbul). The international terminal (Dış Hatlar) is polished and organised. Close by, the domestic terminal (İç Hatlar) is smaller but no less efficient.
The city’s second international airport, Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (216-585 5000; http://www.sgairport.com/) at Kurtköy on the Asian side of the city.
Relevant links
http://www.tourismturkey.org
Turkish Ministry of Turism
