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Visit Türkiye · practical guides

🧭 Türkiye travel essentials

The Turkish you'll actually use, and the practical things every traveller asks about: how to ride the metro, call a taxi, get from the airport, buy a ticket, stay online and pay in lira.

by Fatih Koçoğlu, born in Şanlıurfa, raised in Istanbul

A red-and-white Şehir Hatları ferry on the Bosphorus at sunset in Istanbul, Türkiye

Welcome. I'm Fatih, from Istanbul. These pages are written like short Turkish lessons, but they answer the questions you search before a trip: How do I buy an Istanbulkart? Which taxi app works? How do I get from Istanbul Airport to the centre? Where do I buy a bus or YHT ticket? Do I need to register my phone?

Prices in Türkiye change. Where I give a number, it is a range or a figure checked in November 2026, and I tell you to confirm it on the official site or the machine before you go. I never invent a fare. Official links are at the bottom of each page.

English only for now. Start with the topic you need, then learn the phrases — locals really do notice when you try.

🗺️ Choose a guide

A red T1 tram at Sultanahmet in the historic centre of Istanbul, Türkiye🚇Istanbulkart and city cardsHow to buy and top up an Istanbulkart in 2026, plus Ankara and İzmir cards, and how the metro, tram, ferry and Marmaray work.A yellow Istanbul taxi parked in front of the Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet, Türkiye🚕Taxi apps in TürkiyeBiTaksi, Uber in Istanbul, how to hail an official taxi, and the phrases that keep the meter on.The main terminal of Istanbul Airport (IST) in Türkiye✈️Airport to the cityIST and SAW to the centre by metro, Havaist or Havabus and taxi, plus Antalya, İzmir and Kapadokya airports.A red TCDD YHT high-speed train and a Marmaray commuter train at Pendik station in Istanbul, Türkiye🎟️Flights, buses, trains, ferriesHow to buy domestic flights, intercity buses on Obilet, YHT high-speed trains and ferry tickets in Türkiye.Crowds and shops on İstiklal Avenue in Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Türkiye📱SIM, eSIM and IMEITourist SIM and eSIM from Turkcell, Vodafone and Türk Telekom, and the official 120-day IMEI rule for foreign phones.The stone arches and colourful shops at the entrance of the Spice Bazaar in Eminönü, Istanbul, Türkiye💵Lira, cards, ATMs, tippingTurkish lira, paying by card or cash, döviz offices, ATM fees and how tipping works — plus the phrases for the bill.A red-and-white Ministry of Health (Sağlık Bakanlığı) ambulance in Türkiye🚨112, health and useful appsThe 112 emergency number, health and tourist police, plus Yemeksepeti, Getir, Trendyol Yemek, maps and translation apps.Travellers at counters inside Antalya Airport in Türkiye, with a duty-free shop in the background🛂e-Visa basicsApply only on the official evisa.gov.tr site. A short, careful overview — not legal advice.

Common questions

What should I arrange before I travel in Türkiye?

Check whether you need an e-Visa on the official site evisa.gov.tr, plan how you will get from the airport into town, and learn a few Turkish phrases for taxis, tickets and emergencies. A local SIM or eSIM is useful if you will be here more than a day.

What is the emergency number in Türkiye?

Call 112 for police, ambulance and fire. It is the single emergency number. In Istanbul you can also reach the tourist police; the number is on the emergencies page.

Do I need cash, or can I pay by card?

Cards are widely accepted in cities, hotels and restaurants. Carry some Turkish lira for markets, dolmuş minibuses, small cafés and tips. See the money page for ATMs, exchange offices and tipping.

What's next

A red T1 tram at Sultanahmet in the historic centre of Istanbul, TürkiyeMore travel essentials🚇 Istanbulkart and city cardsHow to buy and top up an Istanbulkart in 2026, plus Ankara and İzmir cards, and how the metro, tram, ferry and Marmaray work.

Phrase lessons for this topic

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Practical details checked in November 2026. Fares, hours and rules change, so confirm them on the official site or at the machine before you go.

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