ISTANBUL for THE FIRST TIME: Useful Tips | Accommodation, food, what to see, transport - TURKEY 2023

🕌 How to go to Istanbul on your own? In this video I will tell you everything that a tourist needs to know. I will give advice to those who are going to Istanbul for the first time. Where to stay, where to go, how to relax in Turkey without a tour operator in 2023 - all the most important things in one place.
✈️ Rules and flight
To travel to Turkey, you only need a passport - a visa is not required. Insurance at the border is not checked. You can buy a policy for your own peace of mind (for example, if you are planning a trip to Istanbul with children or are at risk). Buy inexpensive travel insurance on the Cherehapa website - cherehapa.tp.st/SmkmNW5G
Look for tickets from Russia to Turkey on the Aviasales website - aviasales.tp.st/hFLuefTQ
🚕 How to get from the airport
Istanbul has two airports: New Airport (İstanbul Havalimanı) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (İstanbul Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı). Flights from Russia usually take the first one.
How to get to the center of Istanbul:
• Use a transfer instead of a taxi. Istanbul Elite Transfer has good prices and service - / istanbul_elite_airport...
• From the airport "Sabiha Gokcen" you can get to the center of Istanbul by metro
• HavaIst buses run from the airport to Taksim Square. If you have an international bank card, you can pay for tickets in advance here - tiqets.tp.st/Da5AWnj7 (if you don't have one, buy on the spot)
• Use LocalRent service to rent a car in Istanbul - myrentacar.tp.st/1Zh8TPSX
🚍 Public transport
Buy an Istanbulkart pass (you can use one for the whole family) at a special machine or kiosk. Refill as needed. "Istanbulkart" operates on buses, metro and metrobuses, cable cars and funiculars, trams and ferries. If you change from one type of transport to another, the second ticket will be paid for at a special discounted rate - this is beneficial.
🏨 Where to stay in Istanbul?
The three best areas for tourists in Istanbul are Fatih (near Sultanahmet Square, next to Suleymaniye or in the Eminonu quarter), Kadikoy and Beyoglu (near the Galata Tower and Istiklal Street).
The best Istanbul hotels I have been to:
1. The And. Hotel in the center of Istanbul near Sultanahmet Square - sletat.tp.st/IG31clUY
2. The WestIst. Hotel near Istiklal Street and Galata Tower - travelata.tp.st/LBNn1kj9
Look for hotels on the websites of Travelata, Yandex Travel and Sletat.ru. These are Russian services through which you can pay for accommodation in Istanbul with a bank card (for rubles). If you have no problems with cash in dollars or euros, book hotels on Booking - choose the "pay on the spot" option.
You can rent an apartment in Istanbul through the Russian service Sutochno.ru - sutochno.tp.st/mv8hxZBg
🍽️ Where to eat
• The most famous expensive restaurants in Istanbul are the Nusr-et chain (Chef Salt Bae), CZN Burak and Hatay Medeniyetler Sofrasi (the owner is the "smiling chef" Burak).
• From mid-range establishments I recommend Şehzade Cağ Kebap (the best kebab in Istanbul according to NY Times). And also a fairly budget Ortaklar Kebap Lahmacun.
• The best pastry shops in Istanbul - Hafız Mustafa, Safa, Lokum Atölyesi
• Istanbul supermarket chains - Bim, A101, Sok, Migros
• My video about street food in Istanbul: what a tourist should try - • УЛИЧНАЯ ЕДА В СТАМБУЛЕ...
😍 Attractions
• Look for individual excursions in Istanbul on the Tripster website - vk.cc/ckEAEb
• Book group tours in Istanbul on the Sputnik8 website - sputnik8.tp.st/4hpbjNoE
• Inexpensive walking tour of the main attractions of Istanbul, which I was on - sputnik8.tp.st/ECrqFzWD
• My video with an overview of the sights of Istanbul (filmed on the tour) - • СТАМБУЛ ЗА 1 ДЕНЬ: Что...
• Video about Istanbul in winter: Turkey right now - • СТАМБУЛ зимой: куда по...
🎥 All my videos from Turkey - • ОТДЫХ В ТУРЦИИ: Аланья...
✍ If you have questions or need advice on vacation or moving to Turkey, write to me on social networks!
⏰ Timestamps:
0:00 - In this episode
0:29 - Turkey entry rules 2023
1:27 - Air tickets
1:44 - Istanbul airports - how to get to the center
4:12 - Public transport
5:28 - Districts of Istanbul
7:24 - Where to stay in Istanbul
9:10 - How to book hotels
10:00 - Where to eat
11:17 - Excursions in Istanbul
12:28 - TOP-10 attractions
14:35 - Household little things and useful tips
#turkey #turkey2023 #istanbul #istanbul2023 #travel #tourism
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