What should I know when traveling to Istanbul?

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I’m going to Istanbul for the first time next month, and I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. The city is huge, everything is unfamiliar, and I don’t know where to begin preparing. I’ve read various articles, but they either contain too much general information or are geared toward people who have already been there.

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I’m primarily interested in the logistics of getting from the airport to the city center—the best way to get there, how long the trip takes, and whether there are any pitfalls to avoid. I also want to understand how to navigate between the two airports, since I see that tickets are sometimes offered through Sabiha Gökçen, which is on the other side of the city. I’m also curious about currency—should I exchange money in advance, or is it better to withdraw lira once I’m there? And do tourists need a visa, or can I fly without preparing any documents?

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I really love Istanbul. I’ve been there three times, and each visit was great. It’s the kind of city where one visit just isn’t enough. The first piece of advice I’d give is to figure out the difference between the airports before you leave. Because half of the logistics depend on it. I once flew into Sabiha and spent two hours and a lot of money just to get to my hotel in Beşiktaş. It’s better to fly into IST. You can read more about it on the website: https://istanbul-international-ist-airport.com/ . The website is a guide with all the transportation options from IST to the city center. The Havaist bus is inexpensive and goes straight to Taksim. There’s also the metro. If you want a taxi, you can book one on the website. It’s best to withdraw lira from an airport ATM—the exchange rate is fair, and there are no extra fees if you use your own bank. Have you decided which neighborhood you’ll be staying in yet?

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