19 Tips I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Istanbul 

If you want a weekly travel tip and an update from where I am, feel free to follow my newsletter: bit.ly/TheTuesdayTravelTip

I’m Turkish, from Istanbul born and raised and NEVER EVER got shitted on by a bird. I’m sorry to say that you are extremely unlucky my guy 😸

I love the fact that you accidentally called Fatih "the Faith district" because it is really one of the most religious districts in istanbul

Great video! I've watched a lot of what's on youtube about istanbul and your videos have the most genuine and unique tips

Kadikoy! YES! With the ferries right there, THAT'S the place to stay. I took the subway a few stops to Maltepe and was blown away. Great park!

Good tips thanks. But my god the music was driving me a bit mad 😂

Such a great advice, thanks indeed, i am from the Philippines, base in Dubai UAE. I am travelling in Turkey next month. You made me super excited to travel in turkey more.

Thank you, great tips, just what we were looking for!

Im local and can say this is pretty on point and good analysis especially in such a short time. I can also add all the places he listed relatively expensive Turkey can be much cheaper. If you are a budget tourist instead of Cihangir , Moda you can go to neighbouring areas which is way cheaper , you can even stay in same discrict but not the top spots like Moda . Fatih as well touristic spots expensive but close by areas can be way cheaper. Quality might go down little but if you look at it in price/performance perspective you gain lot.

This is awesome. Thank you for the sharing and this helps a lot. Will be visiting Istanbul next coming Nov. I can't wait ☺

Such a helpful video! Thanks so much

Super super helpful video, thanks David !

The mosques gets cleaned everyday and the carpets gets cleaned as often as possible dude

Very Insightful, Thank you

I was born and raised in Kadiköy and when I was in college in the European side about 20 years ago, my friends that lived in the European side wouldn’t know much about Kadiköy, they would belittle it. It’s a nice feeling now that it is earning its deserved place

thanks, great interview

Thank you so much for making it to the point. 👍

Before i start my comment i need to say, please chill the music. I can barely hear you. I couldn't focus to video cause of music so i will try to comment as i understand. As a someone lives in Istanbul, yes i'm thinking same about the Galataport it's just a place which is a money trap for tourists. About the cats and dogs and of course about their mess, i think there is not such a big deal about that. I mean i don't remember when i was see a dog poo in a busy road. About Taksim Square and why that's so crowded, it's because of the Istıklal Street and it's the busiest road in Turkey. You said there is nothing in there, but you probably didn't look the shops. There is a lot of things, like cinema, hotels, beatiful small places and more of them. And probably you aren't in Istanbul in these days, but i will say, if you loved Moda and Kadıköy, you must look the Uskudar, Beykoz and Sarıyer too, they are also beautiful with the view of Bosphour and of course with the bridges. Also these places aren't crowded as like the Galata, Karaköy or Eminönü. And if i come to the end of my comment, it's a great video, there are many useful tips. Thank you for video! Have a great day.

I lived in Moda for 6 months. Loved it - expensive rent now though. Been in Besiktas as well (reccomended) and now live further out in Bakirkoy - also has a charm (although less bars and nightlife etc).

thankyou sm for this ❤

Hey, thanks for the advices! Great video! Would you please explain how/from where to get the E-sim?

Not the “Faith” area, that would be “Fatih”

Amazing thank you

Had to watch this 3 times cause of the loud background music 😂😂😂 you’re welcome 😂

Just was at galata port, food was great and relatively priced.

Thank you Camden. Very informative & excellent presentation. Could you please tell me where you got the World Map ( on the background of this video)? Cheers

Great video 👌

Your tips were very helpful man. Thanks a lot cuz I’m going there in September.

Man i am in Istanbul right now! You are all right!!!!! Great tips man!!!!!! Thank you!!!!

Going tomorrow for 1 month in Moda and the next on in Cihangir. Good to be aligned hehe. Thanks for the video!

Great recommendation for the virtual sim wish I'd known before. Agree with almost everything on this great video but I cant agree on Kadikoy; just as expensive as everywhere else and no focal points of interest. In contrast I have enjoyed Uskudar on the Asian side for its Bosporus vibe and Mosques.

I enjoy the instructive video recording. However, I wonder what enticed you most to pay a visit to Istanbul? Or do you habitually retain other videos for various cities worldwide? Many thanks.

AirAlo was a lifesaver!

Hey, great video. I did a similar video a couple months ago and never heard of Airalo, so I learned something new today. I spent $60 on a Turkish Telecom tourist card for 10 days, when all I needed was Airalo for $11. 3 GB of data is more than enough for Googlemaps, Moovit, hotmail and a few address lookups. I went through a gig and a half and used the hotel's wifi for uploading. I'll probably use it on my next trip to Rome.

Super informative and very helpful highlights. Well done, Camden! One small thing: How about suggesting that visitors learn a few words and phrases in Turkish before visiting? It's just basic good manners and showing respect. Plus it makes any interaction more pleasant. Who agrees with me that a flight or train ride is enough time to practice hello, please, thank you, in any language? Teşekkür ederim !

I’m so looking forward to my trip to Iscambul and then coming home with a nervous twitch from looking out for pickpockets,Shops & restaurants trying to overcharge,Taxis doubling the fare,being befriended by a friendly stranger trying to get me in a bar where I’ll get scammed for hundreds of euros and on and on and on.

Hello. Since I am going to spend just 3-4 days in Istanbul I am thinking to stay in Sultahnamet. Can I find bars/restaurants/grocery stores in this area at night ? ...or should I think about Karakoy ? I believe Karakoy is more expensive than Sultanahmet ?!?!

Heading to Istanbul in 10 days! I'll be in the Faith area! I googled some gyms- any recommendations?

Tip #20: bring a plastic bag to carry your shoes inside when entering mosques. That way, you can be sure that your shoes are safe.

I would like to go to istanbul for topkapi palace. Is it a digital city,i mean,do tourists have install all sorts of apps if they enter the country?

love your tips for the list...I don't know when we can go prob. during the colder/rainier season like Dec-Jan...But you did not cover if we need MORE cash in hand (besides the Istanbul card) vs. credit cards to pay for FOOD, Bazaar - I am guessing "YES"?! Guess depends where we'll go - def. 1st time more touristy area for 3-4 days max tho.

Hiii helllppp I booked for July I just want to know how was the weather in there? Please

I’ve been here one month and He nailed everything on head with exception most mosques are free but Hagia Sophia museum entry ticket as of Mid-January 2024 is $35.00 USD. And it’s true almost everywhere you stay it’s extremely loud and most Airbnb don’t have fan or a/c so you’ll have to keep windows open… no sleep 😵‍💫

Turkish tea > Turkish coffee... Can we agree on this?

spot on about taksim :D

Is epass helpful? Would you recommend any specific link to get epass?

Im thinking of going to Istanbul for April 2025. I will most likely book my flight around September and i would likely go solo, in terms of safety, what can you say about Turkey other than the general guidelines which applies to everywhere you travel like not flashing valuables. Is there anything in particular to look out for or is Istanbul like any other european country ive travelled to which is not to worry about other than using common sense?

Very informative thank you! Just some feedback for your video as a viewer would be to lower the background music a little :)

I love turkey, and it’s good to know someone from there or hire a tour guide for a day or two..

I will go there in September wish me happy road trip

Please what are the documents do I need to present at the airport or turkey airport before entering apart from evisa and passport..as a USA citizen..

May as well be called faith 🙃 I enjoyed this video. Nicely and respectfully done. The background music however wasn’t loud enough.

Istanbulkart has a top up limit of 500 TL, after which you can buy another one.

Can you adjust the background music to 1/3 getting drowned out by the background noises

Hi. Would you recommend staying in a hotel or airbnb? I only have 2 days transit in Istanbul and I wanted to maximize my visit.

Ugggh my neck hurtss 😂😂😂

I see someone in Cihangir appreciates "Piazza Mattei" by Joseph Brodsky at 6:56. "...yet freedom hasn't been abandoned, whose daughter is the art of language."

ABSOLUTELY 💯 ❤ISTANBUL TURKEY 🇹🇷

Just got back and I was surprised that there were so many nice clubs and bars from Gay Bars to Nightclubs, there's a nice big nightlife aspect to the city as a whole.

Subscribed you after watching this video, only music is too loud had to listen multiple times to hear what you are saying, but nice concent.

I'm not a light sleeper but your video background music is actually disturbing.

You are a very charismatic guy 🙂

The area is called Fatih not Faith 😅

subway version thing, this cart 🤣🤣🤣🤣 bro it's called a tram

Istanbul grand market is very expensive. Many not honest shop owners.

omg that clapping in the background makes me go insane - way to loud

Some very helpful tips, thank you. However, there was a loud radio or something playing throughout the video and it made it difficult to follow, particularly as you were talking very fast.

Good tips except the low rating of Turkish coffee. It is one of the best in the world. Pronunciation could be better, but it is ok.

Amazing video! Very beneficial. But too much music that slows down your voice :(

😂😂spare socks. Never would have thought of that

Is the water to do bath in the hotels? Or maybe brush your teeth? Thanks

Wow thanks for the E-Sim rec! I gather all the haters on this thread are the boat tour company owners! Thanks for the ferry tip! 😜

seeing the way the car was parked at 6:53 made me nervous ngl 😂

I was always told Instanbul cheap… well with inflation felt worldwide it’s Jan 2024 I’m disappointed with high prices specially food. Most young locals know 2 words in English so have translator ready. If Cappadocia hot air balloon is a must a Turkish short flight goes for $80 USD round trip and hotels fairly cheap. Hotel schedules airport pick up for approx $20 USD

In fact all three towns you recommended for hospitality are not good for the tourist unless you are looking for a very cheap and low quality hotel and sleep. Perhaps that is why you needed ear plugs to sleep. I recommend Harbiye, Besiktas, Taksim, Bebek in Europe side and Uskudar, Kadikoy, Bagdat st. areas in Asia side. Areas you show on your video is targeting deprived streets where tourist should not even be. There are very nice tours and better places to consider. Also totally avoid public transportation as often as you can especially during peak times. Fifty cents and two dollars you spend on Istanbul card is not always worth the money. It is mostly useful for short distance during none peak hours and if you decide to take the under water tram to cross between two continents (Bosphorus). You will do better with Hop on Hop off buses, Taxis, rental cars and tourist tours are the best way to commute in Istanbul. I visit Turkiye twice a year. Thanks for the video. Despite you actually showed the narrowest streets and three hundred year old recently painted, colored stairs, some cat you searched to find by a two hundred year old house and the pigeons resembling description of a old (The birds) Movie, it was okay to watch.

Nicee

Did you know much of the language before getting there?

Hahahha i relate to the bird shit part but it's very unlucky that you got pooped on. I have lived here 22 years and only got bird poop on me twice

This seems to be a great useful video. But I can't watch it due to the very very loud background music!

Great video but background music is too loud

When i first saw a seal outside of Turkiye i thought it was another bird It was a culture shock for me Our birds a big lol😅

Thank you, Camden, for the lovely tips :) but please hardly i can hear you because the music, if you please next time you can avoid the music that will be great.

Remove the backround music (noise), or reduce it.

10 days was enough, never going back. Scamming shady people.

Fatih, not Faith! The old town district is called Sultanahmet

i book a stay nears aya sophia..hopefully i wont get astray

Thanks for sharing, but in my opinion, Galata Port is not a Tourist Trap. It is quite normal that the prices are a bit higher given the ambience. The rents are also higher.

The music background is too loud 😢

If you really really want to watch this video, turn off the volumen all the way down. Then turn on c.c. Trust me, it's going to be so much much better.😊

Dude you have good content but it's hard to hear you from the background music. Choose a softer/steadier tune maybe and turn it a bit down too.

Is Turkey really Europe?

Very informative but the music in the video IS WAY WAY TOO LOUD!!!

The music is tooooo loud mate

that music on the backround is anoing, makes it hard to understand what are you saying

Galataport indeed has some terrible restaurants. The real goods are tucked further into the city

Your background music is so loud, I can't concentrate on what you're saying 😢

Good content but the music is too loud and annoying

While the advice you provided is quite helpful, you claim that Taksim is not particularly unique. It is among Istanbul's most historically significant locations. Many of the buildings there were constructed by people of different races, as you can tell from the architectural variances. In Taksim, there are numerous consulates as well. It might take you the entire day, even if you only visit the passages. There's even the 1584-built Santa Maria draperies. When you return, I hope you'll find even more things to like. :)

The card limit is 500tl per month then you have to buy another card Don't throw them away

He forgot the most important thing: Turkey is the only country in the world that has continuous loud claps blasted out in public 24/7. Quite an astonishing feat of audio engineering, really.