What currency is used in Istanbul?

Istanbul uses the Turkish lira (TRY).

How much does a day in Istanbul cost?

Roughly $35-55 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $80-140 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Istanbul?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Istanbul without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Istanbul travel guide

Türkiye

Two continents, one city: Byzantine domes, Ottoman bazaars and a ferry ride across the Bosphorus that costs less than a coffee.

Essentials

Language: Turkish; English is common in tourist areas
Currency: Turkish lira (TRY)
Plugs: Types C and F, 230 V
Emergency number: 112
Tipping: Around 5 to 10 percent in restaurants is usual; check whether a service charge has already been added.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $35-55, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $80-140, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Istanbul

Kadıköy: on the Asian side: a food market, bars and a younger, local crowd.
Balat: colourful old houses, antique shops and steep cobbled streets.
Cihangir: a café-filled corner of Beyoğlu with Bosphorus views.

Getting around Istanbul

An İstanbulkart covers the metro, trams, buses and ferries. Ferries are often the fastest and most beautiful way between the two sides.

Best time to visit Istanbul

April to May and September to October.

Top things to do in Istanbul

See Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, timing visits around prayer times
Walk among the columns of the underground Basilica Cistern
Get lost in the Grand Bazaar, then wander downhill to the Spice Bazaar
Tour Topkapı Palace and its harem, the old seat of the Ottoman sultans
Take the public Bosphorus ferry cruise up towards the Black Sea

What to eat in Istanbul

Simit: a sesame-crusted bread ring sold from street carts
Balık ekmek: grilled fish in bread, sold near the Galata Bridge
Meze: small hot and cold plates, shared slowly over rakı
Künefe: shredded pastry and melted cheese soaked in syrup, served hot

Day trips from Istanbul

Princes' Islands: car-free islands of wooden mansions, about 90 minutes by ferry
Bursa: the first Ottoman capital, with old mosques and a silk market, about two to three hours by ferry and bus
Edirne: Sinan's Selimiye Mosque, about three hours by bus

Local etiquette

In mosques take your shoes off and cover shoulders and knees, and women cover their hair; scarves are often lent at the door. Avoid visiting at prayer times, especially Friday midday.

Staying connected

Turkcell, Vodafone and Türk Telekom sell tourist SIMs with a passport, though a foreign phone on a Turkish SIM may be blocked after about 120 days unless registered; Wi-Fi is widespread.

Staying safe

Watch for the dropped shoe-shine brush trick and friendly strangers who suggest a bar where the bill turns out huge. Pickpockets work trams, ferries and İstiklal Avenue, and taxis are best taken through an app or with the meter running.

A local tip

Take the ferry from Eminönü to Kadıköy at sunset and have dinner on the other side.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Istanbul on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Istanbul for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Istanbul, you could be one of the first hosts.

Join free

Questions about Istanbul

What currency is used in Istanbul?: Istanbul uses the Turkish lira (TRY).
What is the emergency number in Istanbul?: In Istanbul, call 112.
When is the best time to visit Istanbul?: April to May and September to October.
How much does a day in Istanbul cost?: Roughly $35-55 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $80-140 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Istanbul?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Istanbul without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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