Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
›
The 24-hour
döviz bürosus
(exchange bureaux) in the arrivals halls of the international
airports usually offer competitive rates.
›
Tip 10% in restaurants and 2 per bag for bellboys; in taxis round up the fare to the
nearest 1.
Money-Saving Tips
›
If you plan to visit three or more museums, purchase a Museum Pass İstanbul (
Click here
)
.
›
The İstanbulkart (
Click here
) offers a considerable discount on public-transport fares ( 1.75 as opposed to the
usual 2, with additional transfers within a two-hour journey window 1).
›
Check if your hotel offers free airport pick-ups and drop-offs.
Public Holidays
New Year's Day
1 January
National Sovereignty & Children's Day
23 April
May Day
1 May
Atatürk Commemoration & Youth Day
19 May
Victory Day
30 August
Republic Day
29 October
Religious festivals are celebrated according to the Muslim lunar Hejira calendar; two of
these festivals (Şeker Bayramı and Kurban Bayramı) are also public holidays. Şeker
Bayramı is a three-day festival at the end of Ramazan, and Kurban Bayramı, the most im-
portant religious holiday of the year, is a four-day festival whose dates change each year.
During these festivals, banks and offices are closed and hotels, buses, trains and planes are
heavily booked.
Safe Travel
›
Theft is not generally a big problem and robbery (mugging) is comparatively rare, but
take normal precautions. Areas to be particularly careful in include Aksaray/Laleli (the
