41 ReviewsWhile on my second trip in Istanbul I decided to go to the grand bazaar by myself, while I was shopping around, this guy ask me if I wanted to purchase leather bags and I said no, but he would not...
24 ReviewsEverywhere you walk in Istanbul, the roads and sidewalks are being ripped up. Walking through Istanbul has never been relaxing given the mentality that puts a car before a human, but the situation has...
46 ReviewsI have just returned from my 6th visit to Istanbul in 15 years and was shocked by the way some Taxi drivers have become so unreliable. Tired after a day's shopping with my partner we went to a Taxi...
18 ReviewsI think this tip is applicable in all the major touristy areas, but especially in the Grand Bazaar. Do not ignore warnings! The risk is great. Luckily I read warnings before I ventured in the Bazaar,...
16 ReviewsThere are some shoe polisher crooks in town, especial around the Grand Bazar area.
The trick is simple:
-Shoe polishers will pass you in a quiet narrow street and "accidentally" drops a brush
-Of...
24 ReviewsThe traffic in Istanbul is quite heavy. You would do well to avoid taxis and use the tramway or walk, especially in the Sultanahmet area. Not only are the places situation nearby, it is interesting to...
8 ReviewsHey all. I've noticed that everyone is being quite vigilant about using bottled water for things. I moved to Istanbul a couple of weeks ago, and I've used the water to wash all of my fruits and...
As it can be observed in every big city, there are also unsafe areas in istanbul. It is not possible to list them easily, but some general rules can be written. During the day, you are not likely to have any problem in any area. However during night, there is some risk in certain situations. Try to walk always in crowded, well illuminated streets. If you happen to enter a dark alley or an isolated street, be cautious and try to reach a crowded main street rather than walking on side streets.
Young kids working as shoepolishers
by muratkorman
I really feel so upset whenever I see kids on Istanbul streets doing shoe polishing instead of going to school. Unfortunately, these kids are forced by their parents (!) to do so. It is a pity that there are so many people who abuse their children for some profit. The kids will try to polish your shoes even if you don't need to. Their parents (!) wait money from them at the end of the day and if they don't bring enough, probably they get beaten. If you feel sorry about them, you can give some tips, but finally all the money will go to those heartless people who claim to be the parents of these innocent kids.
Homeless people
by muratkorman
There are many homeless people living in the streets of Istanbul. Unfortunately a major part of them are youngsters who are addicted to some drugs and they beg money from passers by. For example, you are likely to see them on Istiklal street. As they may be under the influence of drugs, don't expect them to behave rationally. Try to avoid any direct contact with them. If you are alone, leave the area immediately. Although Istanbul municipality and the government try to provide some of them shelter and rehabilitation possibilities, they are huge in numbers. Best thing to do is to be cautious and alert.
Will this traffic jam ever end?
by muratkorman
Around 2 million vehicles are in Istanbul traffic everyday. Of course, you expect to be caught in a traffic jam somewhere along the way. Recently, municipality is working on extending underground lines and improving mass transportation. Also there will be a tube connecting asian side to european side under Bosphorus. Perhaps in 5 years, there will be less traffic problems in Istanbul. For a city which never sleeps, prepare yourself to be caught in traffic at an unexpected hour such as 3 am in the morning.
Pickpockets in Istanbul
by muratkorman
Pickpockets are quite common in Istanbul just like other big metropolises. Especially on crowded public transport vehicles, always keep your wallets and mobile phones secured. Don't keep valuable things in your backpacks. You may not feel if someone comes from behind and takes something from inside. Distribute your money in various places (various pockets in trousers, shirt and coat). If someone pickpockets you, you will still have money in the other places.
Money exchange
by muratkorman
When you arrive in istanbul, try to avoid money exchange in the airport and in the hotels as they will apply lower rates. The best place to exchange money is the exchange offices you will see all around the city. Most of them will apply almost same rates so you can exchange money without any doubt. They don't charge any commission.
Istanbul Taxis
by muratkorman
Istanbul is very crowded and this reflects on taxi numbers too. You will see a lot of taxis everywhere. As you will witness almost everywhere in the world, taxis tend to overcharge their customers either making tricks on taximeter or extending the route. I suggest you have a brief idea on taxi fares and distances before taking any taxi. There is only one taxi fare now which lifted off all the suspicious charging incidents which used to happen when there were day and night fares in previous years. If you cross the Bosphorus bridge or use highway, the toll belongs to passenger. There is no surcharge for luggage or reservation. It will cost you around 70 YTL (35 Euro) from Ataturk Airport to Kadikoy located on Asian side of Istanbul. Tourists favorite hotel center Sultanahmet will cost around 40 YTL (20 Euro) from airport. Be sure that taximeter is on. Ask the taxi driver estimated cost of...
Caution on the Roadways
by hatalia
When walking the streets in Istanbul (or anywhere in Turkey for that matter) know that if a car is driving...it expects a pedestrian to get off the road. Unlike Western culture, a road is for driving...not walking at a leisure pace. So if you're crossing the street get out of the way of any moving vehicle. You can easily cause an accident.Most Taxi drivers are honest and professional at what they do. Meaning: if they dont have a clean and fresh smelling cab, dont help you with your luggage, or dont do as you ask them...you don't have to take that cab. Embrace the thousands of choices you have in Turkey...and chose the one that makes you happy, then negotiate!! Thats the general philosophy : )
Taxi Drivers etc
by zagrosso
Be careful specially about taxi drivers. they even systems of cheating..:) for example on taxi meter you see that u r in charge for 20 lira, when 1 time taxi driver pushes a button or beep, price at once ll be 30- 40. and when you get on the car make sure that the driver turn the taxi meter on. if its possible find out how u r supposed to get the place that u ll go, through which street n places. otherwise he is gonna extend the way make u pay more..many restaurants n shops sell stuff more expensive to tourists so its better to travel with a person that can speak turkish or / when u make shopping compare prices firstly n later buy..
Traffic jams and rude taxi dfrivers!
by carrysa
The only tip i would give travelers to istanbul is to be careful of the taxi drivers and cars that can knock you down. It seems that they have no respect for pedestrians crossing the roads. The citizens i have met in turkey was at least knocked down once in istanbul because of no care drivers. The second tip is not to buy any perfumes etc on the street as the bottles might contain water but its packaged in expensive name brand bottles!
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