Istanbul is a vibrant cosmopolitan destination packed with exciting attractions, natural beauties, activities, museums, entertainment, and world known historical landmarks, eclectic neighborhoods, beautiful parks and cultural diversions.
Whether you are visiting for shopping, art, culinary experience, history, business or clubbing, Istanbul has many to offer for one visit.
Our concierge is dedicated to creating Istanbul experiences help you plan your journey. Contact our concierge for dinner reservations, theater tickets, concert tickets, floral arrangements, golf tee times, and transportation. Get the inside scoop on what’s happening in the Istanbul City.
Transportation: Arrival and departure transfers are available upon prior arrangement at an additional cost.
Sightseeing Tours: We are working with the best professional companies for private or group sightseeing tours to ensure that you don’t miss anything about Istanbul.
Tickets: As some events sell out quickly, please contact us in advance with your preference list of preferred concerts, fashion week invitations or sporting events.
Dining: We provide best recommendations on where to eat local foods or fancy and fashionable restaurants.
Please contact us before your arrival on +90 212 243 69 29 for Galata Hotel and +90 212 243 62 42 for Taksim Hotel; email to concierge@astanhotels.com or submit the below form.
Our concierge will contact you within 24 hours.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Passport / Visa Information:
To enter Turkey, you are required to have a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date you travel to Turkey. In addition, nationals from some countries require a visa to enter Turkey. Depending on your country of origin, you may purchase a visa stamp at the point of entry, or you must apply for the visa before arriving in Turkey. For information on whether you require a visa to enter Turkey, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Currency:
The official currency of the Republic of Turkey is Turkish Lira. The Turkish Lira is divided into subunits called kuruş. The official currency of the Republic of Turkey is Turkish lira. The Turkish Lira is divided into subunits called kuruş. Paper currency comes in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 TRY money notes and metal currency comes in 5, 10, 25, and 50 kuruş and 1 Lira coins. Images of the founding father of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, take place on the front face of money notes while the back sides depict prominent names and places of Turkish culture.
Weather:
Istanbul has hot and dry summers and cold and rainy winters. But generally the ratio of
sunny days is much more than rainy and cloudy days in a year. As the city lays 95Km
from one end to another, the weather can even show different faces inside the city.
While it was raining on European side, you can enjoy the hot sun on Asian side.
You don’t see much of a spring or autumn, summer and winters are longer.
Electricity:
220 volt, 50 cycle. Most hotels have a receptacle with 110 volts. Socket type is European
standards.Communication Public telephones operate with tokens or cards, sold at post
offices or some booths. Through some of the public phones, there is access to AT&T and
some other telecommunication networks – please check with your operator for the
latest information. Fax messages can be sent from major post offices, or from the hotel.
Cellular telephones can be hired.
Communications:
The international country dialing code for Turkey is +90. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Mobile phones work in most of the country; the network operators use GSM networks, which will not be compatible with many US cell phones.
Public Transportation:
Public transport in Istanbul comprises a bus network, various rail systems, funiculars, and maritime services to serve the more than 13 million inhabitants of the city spread over an area of 5712 km².
Istanbul Card:
Istanbul Kart (Istanbul Card) is in essence an all-round public transportation boarding pass. Please visit http://istanbulkart.iett.gov.tr/en to learn about how to get and the advantages of Istanbul Card.
Tunnel:
Tünel connects Karaköy and Beyoglu (Istiklal Street) everyday offering the most enjoyable and intimate journey to its passanger. Public transportation in the city officially started August 30, 1869. In 1871 the construction of the Tünel, a short funicular between Pera and Galata, started. The funicular opened to service on December 5, 1874, the second oldest subway in the world after the London underground.
Nostalgic Tram:
The historical tramline of Tünel-Taksim is serving with restoration of old wagons taken out from the museum. You can take the tram in one direction, then walk back along Istiklal Street for a closer look, or a stop at its boutiques, restaurants, bars or cafes. At Tünel Square you can board the Tünel underground train to get to Karaköy/Galata and the Galata Bridge.
Ferry and Seabus:
Istanbul is divided and surrounded by water. Therefore the city has a strong privately owned (fishing) boats, over regular ferries (vapur), a fleet of high-speed catamaran sea buses (deniz otobüsü) activity in the Bosphorus, the Marmara Sea and the Golden Horn. Most of the typical tourist destinations are reachable by both types of boats. Each destination and every type of boat has its own schedule and dock. Moreover, in wintertime (mid September to mid June) and summertime (mid June to mid September) different timetables apply. Timetable booklets are freely available in Turkish and English at all ferry terminals or online on ido.com.tr.
Aerial Cable Car Lines:
* Eyüp – Pierre Loti: It is designed to conserve the district’s historical-touristic structure and to provide easy access for local and foreign tourists as well as to eliminate transportation and parking problems. Pierre Loti district constitutes the most important observation deck of the Golden Horn. There is also a binocular viewer on the observation terrace up on the Pierre Loti side of the line.
* Macka – Taskisla: Serving between Taksim Taskisla and Macka districts, the aerial cable car passes over the Democracy Park and Beyoglu Register Office, not only easing road and pedestrian transportation between the two locations and saving time, but also offers a special pleasure with its unique panoramic view of the city.
Metro Line:
The Metro Line in Istanbul operates with 16 stops and have access to major shopping malls, financial districts, city centre and historical sites. It is air-conditioned, clean and safe. It is the best way to avoid traffic. Please visit Istanbul-ulasim.com.tr for online metro map.
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