Istanbul City Break: Airports, Istanbulkart, What to See and Staying Connected
Istanbul is one of the world's great city breaks: two continents, layers of history and a city that never runs out of things to do. Here is what you need to know to get around without stress, from the airport to the ferry across the Bosphorus.
Before you go
- Entry: many nationalities can visit Turkey visa-free or with an e-Visa bought online before the trip. Check the rules for your passport before you fly.
- Money: Turkey uses the Turkish lira. Cards work almost everywhere in the centre. Exchange offices (döviz) in the city give much better rates than the airport.
- Mobile data: roaming in Turkey is expensive for most foreign SIM cards. A Turkey eSIM costs €2.19 for 3 GB and works from the moment you land. More in internet in Turkey.
Which airport?
| Airport | Side of the city | Getting to the centre |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul Airport (IST) | European side, far north | M11 metro, then M2 to Taksim (about 1 hour); Havaist airport buses to Taksim, Sultanahmet and more; taxi 45 to 75 minutes |
| Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) | Asian side | M4 metro to Kadıköy, then a ferry to the European side; Havabus to Taksim and Kadıköy |
Low-cost flights often use Sabiha Gökçen. It is further from the old town, but the ferry from Kadıköy to Eminönü or Karaköy is a lovely way to arrive.
Getting around: the Istanbulkart
- One card for everything: metro, tram, buses, the Marmaray rail line under the Bosphorus and the public ferries.
- Where to get it: machines at metro stations and piers. Top it up with cash or card at the same machines.
- Travelling together: one card can usually pay for a companion too, so a couple can share it.
- Taxis: use the BiTaksi app or Uber, which books ordinary yellow taxis. Both need mobile data, and you see the route on the map.
What to see
- Sultanahmet: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and Topkapı Palace are all within walking distance. Foreign visitors pay an entry fee for Hagia Sophia, and mosques close to visitors during prayer times.
- Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar: go in the morning before the crowds. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
- Galata and Karaköy: Galata Tower, cafés and the walk down to the Golden Horn.
- A Bosphorus ferry: the public ferries cost a fraction of a tourist cruise and give the same views.
- Kadıköy: the Asian side's food market and streets, where locals actually go out.
Opening days and entry fees change. Check the official sites before you go, and book Topkapı and the Basilica Cistern online in high season to skip the queues.
A 3-day plan
- Day 1: Sultanahmet: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, then the Grand Bazaar in the afternoon.
- Day 2: Topkapı Palace in the morning, Spice Bazaar, a ferry to Kadıköy for dinner.
- Day 3: Galata Tower, Istiklal Street and Taksim, a Bosphorus ferry to Ortaköy or Üsküdar at sunset.
Staying connected in Istanbul
| Trip | Plan | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Long weekend | 3 GB, 30 days | €2.19 |
| One week | 5 GB, 30 days | €3.29 |
| Two weeks or lots of video | 10 GB, 30 days | €4.39 |
Prices as of October 2026. Current prices are always on the Turkey eSIM page.
- Install it before you fly. Free Wi-Fi at Istanbul Airport often asks for a text to a Turkish number or a passport scan.
- You will use maps a lot. Istanbul is huge and the old town's streets are a maze.
- No 120-day phone rule to worry about. A travel eSIM connects as roaming, so the IMEI registration rule for Turkish SIM cards does not apply on a holiday.
Buy it on rrugo.com/esim or in the RruGO app, and follow our installation guide.
Buses and rides, in one app
Check bus times, compare shared rides and book a seat with verified drivers across Kosovo. Free, in English, no commission.