Turkey Travel Guide: Travel Tips for Turkey

As all international flights to/from Istanbul were recently moved to the new airport, when taking a connecting flight of Turkish Airlines you will have to spend some time at Istanbul New Airport (IST). If shopping and dining is not your thing, you might be just looking for a quiet spot and internet connection. Luckily, you can use free Wi-Fi at Istanbul New Airport (IST).

Istanbul is a city with centuries of history dating back to BC. It has also been the capital of three of the world’s greatest empires: Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman. The largest city of Turkey lies between 2 continents Europe and Asia, along the Bosphorus Strait. Top tourist attractions in Istanbul include mosques, palaces, historical buildings, Ottoman landmarks and Byzantine sites.

Istanbulkart, also known as Istanbul travel pass, is an electronic card used for payment on all public transport in Istanbul. If you are planning to take public transportation in the largest city of Turkey, we highly recommend purchasing Istanbulkart. The travel card is pre-paid and easy to top-up.

Istanbul New Airport (IST) started operations on 29 October 2018. All of the passenger flights from/to Istanbul are currently served by Turkey’s newest and largest airport. As the airport is located about 50 km northwest of Sultanahmet, the heart of historic Istanbul, it’s useful to know how to get from Istanbul Airport to City Center.

Our plane from Bangkok landed at Istanbul New Airport (IST) around 4:00, as scheduled. We had an international fight with a layover of over 6 hours in Istanbul so we have decided to try Touristanbul - free Istanbul tour with Turkish Airlines.

Touristanbul is a free layover service offered by Turkish Airlines for their international transfer passengers. Turkish Airlines passengers who fly via Istanbul and have a layover of 6-24 hours there are able to tour the largest city of Turkey for free.

Istanbul New Airport (IST) is the main international airport of Istanbul, the largest city of Turkey. There is a left luggage office at Istanbul New Airport where you can leave your suitcases, travel bags, backpacks and other luggage and explore Istanbul City by public transport easily.

In Istanbul, the largest city of Turkey, you need to use local currency (Turkish Lira - TRY) for your daily expenses. There are plenty of banks and money changers in Istanbul and the best currency exchange rates in Istanbul Center are normally offered by small change offices.

Istanbul Airport (IST) is the main international airport serving Istanbul. As Turkey uses its own currency, you might need some Turkish Lira (TRY) right at the airport. What currency exchange rates can be expected at the new Istanbul Airport?