Useful Information

Internationally recognized credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc.) are generally accepted at most restaurants, stores, travel agencies and hotels. Most ATMs accept international credit/bank cards.

Banks are generally open on weekdays from around 08:30/09:00 until 17:00/17:30; opening and lunch hours may vary by bank.

Stores, restaurants and markets often have different hours of business. Shops and bazaars are normally open from Monday to Saturday from 09:30 to 20:00 and closed on Sundays. However, stores on crowded streets remain open seven days a week.

The Grand Bazaar in Eminönü is open six days a week from 08:30 until 19:00 and is closed on Sundays. Large shopping centres remain open until 22:00. You can find restaurants or cafés open virtually at any time of the day and night.

For hotel accommodation services, a reduced VAT rate of 8% applies. In addition, hotels charge a 2% accommodation tax, which is calculated separately from VAT.

In restaurants, service charges are not compulsory. Some establishments may add a discretionary service charge (typically around 10–15%).

Telephone: Istanbul is divided into two parts. The area code for the European side is 212 and for the Asian side 216. To call the European side from the Asian side, dial 0 followed by 212; to call the Asian side from the European side, dial 0 216. Do not use the 0 or the area code when calling a number on the same shore. From another city in Türkiye, dial 0 and the area code before the number. To make an international call, dial “00” + country code + telephone number (without the first “0” of the area code).

Mobile phones: Most mobiles can connect to the Turkcell, Vodafone or Türk Telekom networks. To buy a prepaid SIM card in Istanbul, choose one of these three networks; you must show your passport to the dealer and fill out an application form to buy and activate it. The international country code for Türkiye is +90.

The sophisticated shops in the Taksim and Nişantaşı districts contrast with the bustle of the bazaars. İstiklal Street and Galata have shops selling fashion items as well as finely designed handbags and shoes, and Nişantaşı is the main area for clothes by top Turkish designers.

For a modern shopping experience, upscale malls include Kanyon, Zorlu Center, İstinye Park, Vadi İstanbul, City’s Nişantaşı and Galataport on the European side, and Akasya, Buyaka and Emaar on the Asian side.

The Istanbul Museum Pass is a convenient and cost-effective way to explore the city’s cultural heritage. With MuseumPass Istanbul you can visit 13 museums of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye; the pass is valid for 5 days from your first museum visit.

Important: Due to high visitor volumes at historical sites, we highly recommend purchasing your MuseumPass or individual tickets online in advance to skip the ticket lines. You can purchase the official pass at muze.gen.tr.

There are many pharmacies throughout the city; look for the sign “E”, which stands for “Eczane”. They are usually open from Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 19:00, and pharmacies in each district take turns to provide 24-hour service. The pharmacies on duty at night and on weekends are listed in the windows of other pharmacies.