Know before you come to Turkey ...
Turkey has a lot of places to see, and visit. With its history, nature, and milongas Istanbul is one of the highlights you must see. I encourage you to visit each section of this page, and print it before you come to Turkey, and keep this page with you untill you leave Turkey.
Turkey's international countyr code is 90. Area codes for Istanbul European Side is 212, Istanbul Anatolian side is 216, Ankara is 312, and Izmir is 232. When you are in Turkey if you want to make intercity calls, first get the outside line from the hotel and dial 0 (zero) and the city code, then after 7 digit phone number.
All individual, corporate phone numbers are 7 digits in Turkey. This includes mobile phones. When you dial a mobile phone, you should first get outside line from the hotel, and dial 0 first, then depending on the GSM provider its 3 digit area code and then the 7 digit phone number.
There are numerous number of international cuisine in Istanbul, including sushi, indian, korean, chineese, etc., as well as the international franchasing such as Burger King, Pizza Hut, KFC, etc.
Staying in the car for one hour in Istanbul quite normal, especially when you have to drive between the continents during the rush hours.
Istanbul has a limited subway lines. They are currently in the European side.
The US dollar exchange rate is around 1,500,000 TL. All major credit cards are accepted in every restaurants, bars, and hotels, etc.
| Detailed information on Turkey |
| Detailed information on Istanbul |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey |
Istanbul is as secure as any European monopol. Although there are no highlight of security incidents, (to be on the safe-side) stay away from walking alone off-central streets.
Always carry your passport with you.
If you carry a backbag, ensure that it is secured. If possible use bellybag, or keep your backbag in the front.
Every central location is guarded by the police. The police cars are colored white, and you could easily locate the officials through their uniforms.
Keep your car doors locked everytime.
| Police Emergency 155 (Turkish) |
| Health Emergency 112 (Turkish) |
The official colors for the taxis in Turkey is yellow. They have to have a TAXI sign on top of the cars. Do not accept any taxi offers other than these cars. The plate numbers of the taxis has T (as a single letter) in between the two numericals, such as 34 T 1234.
Most of the taxi drivers do not speak foreign language.
Each taxi should have an electronic counter inside. Do not use any taxis who do not have the display. Taxis are tax covered and they can give you the receipt. Do not hesitate to ask it for your expense reports.
The counters are able to distinguish the day, and night tariff automatically. When it is before 12:00am the display blinks the word "GUNDUZ" to indicate that the tariff is counting the daytime rate. After 12:00 am it blinks "GECE" for the night tariff.
The daily openning rate is 625,000 TL, and the night rate is 50% more than the daytime rates.
The counter ticks in every 250 meters.
To be on the safe side, ask your hotel to arrange your taxi, and be sure that the driver knows where to go, before you get in to the car.
To call an emergency number after you have a dial out line, you should dial the numbers below directly. Please note that the numbers below may not work from the mobile phones.
All emergency numbers are answered in Turkish.
| Police Emergency 155 |
| Health Emergency 112 |
| Fire department 110 |
| Unknown number 118 |
| Natural gas department 187 |
Some of the private hospitals in Istanbul
| (*) | Name | Phone | Address |
| A | Academic Hosp. | (0) (216) 341-2841 | Nuhkuyusu cad. No:88 Altunizade |
| A | Acibadem Hosp. | (0) (216) 544-4000 | Tekin Sok. No:18 Acibadem |
| E | Alman Hosp. | (0) (212) 293-3150 | Siraselviler Cad. No:119 Taksim Beyoglu |
| E | American Hosp. | (0) (212) 231-4050 | Guzelbahce Sok. No:20 Nisantasi |
(E) European side, (A) Anatolian side.
Some of the private ambulance companies in Istanbul.
| (*) | Name | Phone | Address |
| A | Anadolu. | (0) (216) 341-2841 | Nuhkuyusu cad. No:88 Altunizade |
| A | Acibadem Hosp. | (0) (216) 544-4000 | Tekin Sok. No:18 Acibadem |
| E | Alman Hosp. | (0) (212) 293-3150 | Siraselviler Cad. No:119 Taksim Beyoglu |
| E | American Hosp. | (0) (212) 231-4050 | Guzelbahce Sok. No:20 Nisantasi |
(E) European side, (A) Anatolian side.
The Association of Turkish Travel Agencies
Turkey Tourism (com)
Turkey Tourism (org)
The Association of Turkish Travel Agencies
Turkey Tourism (com)
Turkey Tourism (org)
Istanbul city guide
Tourism agent in European side
Tourism agent in Anatolian side
