Istanbul
Istanbul dating guide advises how to pick up Turkish girls and how to hookup with local women in Istanbul. Travel, enjoy and have fun with hot single girls and you might even meet the love of your life. Read more on how to date Turkish women, where to find sex and how to get laid in Istanbul, Turkey.
Istanbul is the most populous city in Turkey and, in fact, the entire continent of Europe. With a population of almost fifteen million people, Istanbul is a transcontinental city located in Eurasia. The historical and commercial aspects of the city lie on the European side, while one-third of the country's population resides on the Asian side. Istanbul is renowned globally for being a bridge between the West and the East.
| Istanbul Top 10 Overview:
Chance of picking up girls: 3 / 5 Picking up at daytime: 2 / 5 Picking up at nighttime: 3 / 5 Looks of girls: 3 / 5 Attitude of girls: 2 / 5 Nightlife in general: 3 / 5 Locals' English level: 2.5 / 5 Moving around the city: 3 / 5 Budget per day: US$30 - $100 Accommodation: US$25 - $100 | |
Contents
- 1 Girls in Istanbul
- 2 Where to Get Sex Now
- 3 How to Pick Up Girls
- 4 Dating
- 5 Top Dating Tips
- 6 Relationships and Love
- 7 Online Dating
- 8 Live Cam Dating
- 9 What Kind of Guys Have the Best Chances
- 10 Risks while Gaming
- 11 How to Get Laid as Soon as Possible
- 12 Gold Diggers and Sugar Babies
- 13 BDSM
- 14 Swinger Clubs and Naturism
- 15 Costs of Living
- 16 Accommodation
- 17 How to Get There and Move Around
- 18 Digital Nomads and Remote Work
- 19 Internet and Mobile Operators
- 20 Gambling and Casinos
- 21 Weed and Drugs
- 22 Health, Fitness, Gyms and Massage
- 23 STDs and HIV
- 24 Stay Safe
- 25 See Also
Girls in Istanbul
Istanbul, with its considerable population, stands tall among the major cities globally, boasting a thriving educational landscape with a significant number of schools and institutions. At the pinnacle of academia in Turkey, Istanbul University holds a prestigious position as the oldest and most revered university in the country. Alongside this esteemed institution, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University and Istanbul Technical University also contribute to the city's reputation for academic excellence.
Despite the emphasis on education, it is worth noting that while many women in Istanbul have completed their primary schooling, a considerable portion of them face challenges in their English language proficiency. Engaging in fluent conversations in English proves to be a hurdle for these individuals, highlighting the need for continued language development initiatives to bridge this gap and foster greater linguistic fluency in the city. As Istanbul serves as a vibrant cultural hub, enhancing language skills can further contribute to its cosmopolitan nature and strengthen connections with the broader international community.
In Istanbul, local women primarily speak Turkish, and many well-educated girls are proficient in English as well. The women in the city are active in the workforce, with some working part-time and others holding full-time positions, earning their fair share of wages. However, not all of them are the sole breadwinners for their families, and financial independence is not common among many women, except for a few.
When considering the religious demographics of the city, it's evident that most women are Muslim and uphold strong religious beliefs and traditions, adhering to conservative practices. They tend to be reserved, rarely expressing their views and opinions openly. While they are helpful to tourists in need, they maintain a certain distance and avoid overly friendly interactions.
In terms of dating and marriage, most women in Istanbul do not date men before getting married. Their husbands are typically chosen by their parents, and they have little say in the matter. Until marriage, most women abstain from dating and sexual relationships. The society they live in is tightly knit, with households often keeping a close eye on the women and intruding on their privacy. Women have limited freedom, and they are expected to follow strict curfews without much room for negotiation.
It's essential to understand the cultural context and the traditional values that shape the lives of these women in Istanbul. While there are instances of progress and increasing opportunities for women in the city, many still grapple with societal norms that restrict their autonomy and decision-making power. Despite these challenges, the women of Istanbul exhibit resilience and adaptability as they navigate the complexities of balancing tradition with modernity in their daily lives. As the city continues to evolve, it is likely that the role and status of women will also undergo further transformations, presenting new possibilities for empowerment and gender equality in the future.
Most of the women in Istanbul, irrespective of their age, are extremely shy. They are seldom outspoken about their feelings, views, or opinions on various topics such as politics, religion, or the country. While many of these women may have strong ideas and beliefs, they tend to keep them to themselves, so don't be surprised if your date doesn't reveal much during your conversation.
The women in Istanbul come from diverse ethnic backgrounds, and therefore, they don't have a similar physical appearance. The mixture of genes from different ancestral roots, including south-eastern Europe and Slavic women, contributes to their unique and varied features. When walking through the bazaars of Istanbul, you'll encounter women belonging to different ethnicities, each with distinct characteristics, making the city a melting pot of beauty.
Typically, Istanbul women have a medium height and are not too lean. Many of them have a voluptuous body type and are known for their attractive assets, particularly their large breasts and buttocks. Their faces are generally longish, almost oval, with long noses, thin eyebrows, and plump lips. Most women prefer keeping long, well-styled hair. They often have fair or pale skin and may even blush at times, adding to their charm.
Despite having access to some of the best fashion brands from Europe, the majority of Istanbul's population is conservative. As a result, these brands often launch more modest offerings in the city. Many Muslim women in Istanbul choose to wear a Burkha, covering themselves from head to toe, except for their feet, hands, and eyes. Others opt for the hijab along with traditional dresses, allowing their faces to be visible.
In conclusion, Istanbul's women possess a diverse range of appearances, reflecting the city's rich cultural blend. Their conservative fashion choices and reserved nature are influenced by the city's traditional values and beliefs. Embracing these unique aspects adds to the allure and enchantment of dating in this remarkable city.
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Looks of girls: 3/5 |
The women who are natives of Istanbul are absolutely stunning. There are a host of women who hail from different backgrounds, but every time you see them, you are truly captivated. The above rating is given only after due consideration to all factors.
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Attitude of girls: 2/5 |
The girls in the city of Istanbul most certainly do not have the best attitude in the world. Many of the women hail from conservative backgrounds and are shy to talk to men, while there are quite a few women who are liberal and outgoing. Most of the women will help you if you need it, but beyond that, it depends upon whom you have asked for help. The above rating represents the attitude of the women in the city of Istanbul, Turkey.
Where to Get Sex Now
It is easy to get sex online in Istanbul. You just need to find the best available girls. See Girls Online Here!
How to Pick Up Girls
Istanbul is the biggest city in the country of Turkey, and it is one of the better places to pick up girls in the entire country of Turkey. It can be attributed to a host of factors, the foremost being a large number of tourists that visit the city throughout the year. Then it can be attributed to the large number of places that one can visit to pick up girls. The women of Istanbul are known to be immensely beautiful, and you shall find different types of beauties in the entire city. All you have to do is to be calm and sensitive towards the women in the city and eventually with some charm and a good conversation you can pick up girls without putting in the extra effort. Given below are a list of tips and tricks that you must follow to pick up girls with minimum effort in the city of Istanbul.
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Chance of picking up: 3/5 |
The chance of picking up horny girls in the city of Istanbul is decent as there is a right blend of locals and tourist. Your chances of picking up the women depend on the type of woman you approach. The above rating justifies the point being made here.
Tips for Daytime
The daytime game in the city of Istanbul is not too great. During the daytime, most of the women are busy with their daily chores if you see them walking the street or at the bazaar or even a shopping mall, they are most likely there to shop for groceries, household items, and so on. The city of Istanbul doesn’t have a culture where you can directly approach a woman on the streets. The women as mentioned repeatedly in the above sections as well are from extremely conservative backgrounds, and it is less likely that they will respond well to your advances. However, if it must be done and you have to approach a woman, follow the tips and tricks given in the section below.
How to approach the girls?
The women in the city of Istanbul are busy minding their work during the daytime they are incredibly conscious about any judgment being passed on them as they walk in public. Usually, they are even worried about the kind of judgment that is passed on their clothing. In such an atmosphere imagine the kind of panic that would ensue if she began getting too friendly to a strange foreign man in the public domain. Therefore, most of the women avoid having a conversation with tourists. Besides, most of the local women are not well versed with English and can only speak in Turkish. Thus, approaching such women would be an utter and complete waste of time. Instead, it is highly advisable to observe the women first when you see women in traditional hijabs and burkas, it is better to stay away from them.
If you spot women in modern clothing such as denim, t-shirts, shorts, skirts, and so forth, you could consider it to be a safe bet to approach them directly. They shall have no inhibitions in talking to strange foreign men and even flirt with them. It isn’t guaranteed that they would know English, so it is advisable to brush up on your basic Turkish. If you make a conscious effort to talk to the women in Turkish, perhaps an opening statement to break the ice or even a compliment, you are likely to have a game even when the sun shines brightly.
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Chance of picking up at daytime: 2/5 |
Chances of picking up women at daytime are decent, and it is recommended to screen the women before approaching them to ensure that you use your time efficiently. The above-given rating is sufficient to describe the situation in Istanbul, Turkey.
Best Places to Meet Girls
The city of Istanbul has much to offer, and this is in the form of the very rustic bazaars, culturally rich places, and the heritage sites which are world renowned. As a tourist you can visit many of these places if you wish to meet and interact with women, this is primarily because these places have many single female tourists who don’t mind talking to strange fellow tourists and even possibly hooking up with them. They are extremely open-minded, friendly, and themselves are looking for a suitable company to hang out with for the duration of their stay in this historically rich and exciting city of Istanbul. Given below is a list of some of the best places to visit in the city of Istanbul to pick up horny girls:
- Akasya Acıbadem shopping mall at Acıbadem Mahallesi, Çeçen Sokağı
- Mall of İstanbul AVM at Ziya Gökalp Mahallesi, Süleyman Demirel Blv
- Istinye Park Shopping Center at Pınar Mahallesi, Katar Cd No:73
- Istanbul Cevahir shopping and entertainment centre at 19 Mayıs Mahallesi, Büyükdere Cd. No:22
- Marmara Forum shopping mall at Osmaniye Mahallesi, Çobançeşme Koşuyolu Cd. No:3.
- The Grand Bazaar at Beyazıt Mh., Kalpakçılar Cd. No:22. It's one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 60 covered streets and over four thousand shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily.
The places mentioned above are huge shopping centers and bazaars that have some of the most excellent restaurants, bars, and party places. While some have a peaceful environment, some markets are incredibly chaotic. These places are strategically the best place to hit on single women considering if they say yes, you can take them for coffee or a meal almost instantaneously.
Apart from the places mentioned above, you can also visit the areas such as:
- Istiklal Street, also known as İstiklal Avenue is a busy shopping street.
- Eminonu harborside.
- Topkapi Palace Museum at Cankurtaran Mh.
- Taksim Square, a busy nightlife, shopping and dining district.
- Sultanahmet, a famous neighborhood in Istanbul.
These places are also immensely popular for the large female tourist footfall. You can find naughty females right from the age of 20 to 50 in such areas.
Tips for Nighttime
The daytime game in the city of Istanbul is undoubtedly dicey; there is very little assurance about getting laid with any woman, the best you could do is rely on your charm and wit to seduce female tourists as most of the local women are shy and unapproachable. But this changes as the sun sets on the land of Istanbul and the stars start shining brightly. Now, most of the conservative folks have made their way back home, and now the open-minded, the liberal thinkers, the carefree spirits are the ones that are seen in the public domain.
The city of Istanbul has always been perceived as a city of average nighttime culture much like some of the middle eastern countries. But this is far from the ground reality, and the city does manage to surprise almost every tourist in the world with its highly energetic and active nightlife. As a tourist, you must visit some of the best nightclubs, pubs, and bars in the happening areas if you wish to have met some horny girls. Apart from this ensure that you are dressed well, wear cologne, and be ready to host a good conversation. Be prepared with some one-liners in Turkish and show off your pearly whites throughout the night. Avoid talking about politics and religion. Most importantly make women believe that you can view all cultures and traditions with an open mind.
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Chance of hooking up at nighttime: 3/5 |
The chances of hooking up at night time are pretty good in the city of Istanbul, and a majority of this can be attributed to the young and liberal public that visits nightclubs and pubs, they are extremely chilled out and have no qualms about casual sex. More so, there are many foreigners visiting clubs at this hour. The above rating justifies all the above points.
Best Nightclubs to Meet Girls
The nightlife in Istanbul is quite famous across the country of Turkey. It is widely referred to as the party capital of the entire nation. You shall see parties happening at most pubs, bars, and nightclubs throughout the night. It shall be straightforward for a tourist to find a good party to go to at any given point and time of the night. Istiklal Street is one of the most popular places a tourist must visit if he wishes to go to a nightclub to meet horny girls. Some of the other areas a tourist can visit to meet naughty females in the city of Istanbul are given below:
- Besiktas
- Levent
- Bebek
- Yenikoy
- Sultanahmet
- Sisli
- Beyoglu
- Taksim Square
- Eminonu
- Topkapi
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Nightlife in general: 3/5 |
The nightlife in the city of Istanbul is wild, and the clubs are filled with party animals who won’t stop raving until the sun shines on the city once again. Until then have a drink, flirt with some naughty females and try to get laid with her. The above rating justifies the nightlife in the city of Istanbul, Turkey.
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WARNING: Watch out for bar and club scams:
Sometimes a local person or persons might ask you on the street if you would like to join them for a drink. If you will fall to this trick, they will bring you to a bar which staff or bouncers have a deal with the women. After a couple of drinks you will ask for the check. The total amount of the check might be several hundreds of US dollars. Obviously you don't want to pay this ridiculous amount, but then the badass bouncers will start to threaten you. If you don't have cash they will escort you to the nearest ATM. Basically you don't have many options in this case. None of the following options are nice, but if you feel a real danger, do not risk your health:
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Mature Ladies and Cougars
The culture in the city of Istanbul is exceptionally conservative, most of the women belong to families that keep a strict tab on them. These women have defined roles to be played in society. If these women stray from those roles, they could land themselves in a soup. It is primarily because the women are always expected to be elegant, diligent, dignified, and ideal role models, so straying away from their roles would set a bad example for the generations to come.
Most of the women in the city of Istanbul, despite their age would seldom indulge in activities such as drinking and partying, thus, extramarital affairs and having casual sex with tourists would be definitely off the table. It does not hold entirely true for everybody then, there are a few women in Istanbul who are liberal and have open thinking. You shall rarely seem them in conservative clothing or even being too religious. It is with mature women from such backgrounds that you shall stand a chance to hook up with. So, do not try flirting with married women irrespective of their conservativeness or open-mindedness, it is always recommended to try and meet women who are divorced, widowed, or unmarried. These women are a pretty much open game. Apart from meeting mature women at bars, nightclubs, fine dining restaurants, the best way to meet them and interact with them is on online dating websites and applications.
There are a lot of women registered on these websites and apps, looking to have an anonymous sex chat before actually meeting and hooking up. The simplest way, however, to hook up with mature women would be to hook up with the mature ladies who are in town as tourists, these women are in Istanbul to soak in the culture, drink some wine, and party their way into the morning. Thus, by visiting all the touristy areas and you shall surely have a game.
Dating
When visiting Istanbul, dating can be a fun and interesting experience. AdultFriendFinder.com, lets you meet local members in Istanbul and get to know them on a personal basis before you arrive. It just takes a few minutes, you simply create an account, upload a few images and tell a little about yourself. Since time in your destination may be limited, get to know each other’s desires beforehand so when you do meet, you can skip the awkward introductions and start having some real fun.
Top Dating Tips
Dating in Istanbul is the best choice for men who are visiting the city for a long period. It is during this visit that they shall be looking forward to having a deep meaningful relationship with the women in the city. For those who are looking to forge a bond with women, you are in the correct place as most of the women in the town are looking for long term relationships, as mentioned earlier, most of these women are averse to one-night stands and hookups, they are extremely shy and express themselves rarely. However, if you manage to ask out a local woman and date her for an extended period, she shall most certainly shed that shy personality of hers and become an outspoken person. The women of Istanbul are undoubtedly loving and caring; they make for ideal partners as well. They shall most certainly look forward to each day of the relationship, but this shall not continue for long as most women are under immense pressure from their families and they will want to get married to you if the relationship continues for too long, so while getting into a relationship, keep these aspects in mind.
While going dating a fellow tourist in Istanbul remember to have minimum expectations from the relationship as it is bound to end sometime soon because both of you hail from different countries and shall have to go your ways until one of you is ready to make certain life-defining sacrifices.
The women in Istanbul are extremely secretive about her relationships, in all likelihood she won’t even speak about it to her parents and siblings. They won’t even take you anywhere around their houses nor shall your name be mentioned. If the two of you are out on a date, you might have to begin early to have sufficient time to wrap up the date on time, because she might have to get home within the allotted deadline. It shall also mean that if your date hails from a conservative family, she might have to hand in her phone before bedtime or she might not use it much to text or call you while she is at home around her parents. It may lead you to believe that she isn’t exactly interested in you, but that isn’t the case, she is probably working hard to ensure that you remain to be a secret as far as possible.
Relationships and Love
Thousands of single women in Istanbul are searching for a partner and potential future husband. Check out an ultimate guide for dating local girls, relationships, love and marriage: Relationship & Love Guide to Istanbul
Online Dating
The dating culture in Istanbul hasn’t been simple. Asking women out face to face hasn’t been a common occurrence here, but recently the internet and the online dating apps have changed the entire game. The women in Istanbul have started cozying up to the whole concept of finding suitable men online and chatting with them before actually meeting them as it helps them judge men before actually even taking the plunge, besides they can flirt without any restrictions by being anonymous. Therefore, tourists who wish to use online apps and websites in the city of Istanbul to find a date at the earliest can try the given below dating apps:
- Tinder: The app has been a rage amongst the youngsters, and for the last half-decade or so, ever since it was launched, the app has gained immense popularity while helping like-minded individuals bond with one another. It could either be used to find a one night stand, a date, or even a life partner, the app has widened the horizons. Much like the other countries, it is popular and immensely famous in the city of Istanbul as well, besides being one of the best apps in the country of Turkey too. It is the app which is used by most of the people in the entire country as well and should be the first choice for those looking to enlist the help of online dating to find a match. The app is the best option for those who are under the age of 35 and single, though you might find a few women who are single as well.
- Happn: The app is extremely famous in Istanbul, it is quite similar to Tinder, However, the app has a salient feature where you can only swipe left or right for the profiles of women who are within a 250-meter radius with respect to your position. But the biggest plus point of this app is that as soon as a new female is within 250 metres of your location, it alerts you and you can swipe left or right for her profile as well.
- Siberalem: This is one of the oldest online dating apps in the city of Istanbul. The app was launched in the year 2009 and has one of the largest numbers of active female users in the entire city of Istanbul. The local people frequently use this app but might serve a challenge to tourists who want to use it as most of the women on the app converse in Turkish only.
On most of the above websites and apps, there shall not be prostitutes and ladyboys, but there it is better to confirm before jumping into bed with a woman you met online.
Live Cam Dating
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What Kind of Guys Have the Best Chances
Men who are deeply religious and dedicated to following their traditions with sincerity tend to do well with women from conservative backgrounds. These women appreciate men who are considered marriage material. On the other hand, foreign men often have the best chances with more liberal women in Istanbul who are attracted to outgoing, outspoken, and charming personalities.
Besides these common traits, men who own personal cars for transportation, can afford fancy accommodations like hotel suites in 5-star hotels, and have substantial financial resources tend to succeed in Istanbul as well. However, above all else, the men who truly excel are those who can understand women without hurting their sentiments and can embrace cultural differences with respect and acceptance. Being sensitive to women's feelings and open-minded about diverse cultures greatly enhances their appeal to women in the city.
Risks while Gaming
Gaming in the city of Istanbul can come with certain risks that one should be aware of. While the city has a conservative approach, there are some important points to consider.
Firstly, it is advisable to avoid getting too close to committed or married women, as their partners might react strongly, leading to potential verbal or physical altercations. Men in Istanbul can be very possessive of their wives, and it's essential to respect their boundaries.
Secondly, men flirting with women in public places should ensure they do not come across as too aggressive. If women feel threatened, they may involve law enforcement authorities, creating a difficult situation.
Thirdly, it's crucial not to get involved with a woman whose family disapproves of the relationship. Families in Istanbul can be extremely protective of their women, and this may lead to serious complications.
Moreover, for those seeking casual encounters with women in bars or through online dating apps, it is essential to verify that they are not prostitutes. Although prostitution is legal in the city, being caught with one as a tourist can lead to complicated and messy situations.
Lastly, as a tourist, it is essential to keep important documents like passport and visa in a secure place, and also have some cash hidden safely for emergencies.
Being aware of these factors will help you have a safer and more enjoyable experience while gaming in Istanbul.
How to Get Laid as Soon as Possible
To get laid with some of the hottest women in the city of Istanbul, as soon as possible, the best thing a tourist can do is to register on some of the online dating apps that are mentioned above; these apps have scores of single women who are sexually available.
Visiting some of the most densely populated bazaars and shopping places at night might yield you some luck. The posh nightclubs and restaurants in town are an excellent place to visit if you wish to get laid as soon as possible as the clubs, post-midnight are filled with the hottest women in town, sexually charged up and ready to hop into bed.
Gold Diggers and Sugar Babies
Istanbul is full of hot girls looking for a mutually beneficial hookup with travellers. There are lots of girls who don’t charge by the hour but who will do anything for a guy who is willing to help them pay their bills. If you are looking for a more personal and less transactional alternative to escorts, a good place to find these sexy open-minded girls in Istanbul is SecretBenefits.
There are quite many gold diggers and sugar babies in the city of Istanbul, most of the women try to make use of the rich men to fund their lavish and luxurious lifestyles. These women are mostly migrants who are liberal and often headstrong, they don’t bother much about gossip as long as their goals are met.
BDSM
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Swinger Clubs and Naturism
There are quite a few swinger clubs in the city of Istanbul. Most of the swinging activities involve people who are liberal and tourists. Seldom shall you see traditional Muslim men or women taking place in such activities! Swinging and Naturism take place only behind closed doors. Tourists can find out more about these via local connections, websites, and apps.
Costs of Living
The city of Istanbul is quite cheap for Western tourists and even after a lavish trip, your wallet won’t be too light.
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Single traveler’s budget per day: US$30 - $100 |
The single traveler will not end up spending more than 30 USD if he is on a budget trip to Istanbul, and if he wishes to pay more to have a better quality trip, he may end up paying around 100 USD.
The daily expenditure of a simple traveler who eats local meals and stays at simple or shared accommodation options is not more than 30 USD. The estimate includes a few visits to local places of sightseeing and entertainment which have an admission fee of less than 5 USD. If you wish to enjoy a comfortable trip with clean amenities and services, the budget shall be utilized as follows:
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Accommodation per night: US$25 - $100 |
The tourists who are traveling to Istanbul on a budget can survive at a per day average of 25-30 USD if they live in shared spaces.
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Beer in a grocery shop: US$1.5 - $3 |
There is a regular grocery shop costs not more than 1.5 USD a pint.
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Beer in a bar or restaurant: US$2 - $5 |
A pint of beer at a restaurant does increase the cost to 2 - 5 USD; if you choose international brands, it may cost you 8 USD.
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Meal in a restaurant: US$3 - $25 |
The food in Istanbul is actually worth the money, and if one wishes to eat from simple outlets, the daily food bill shall not exceed more than 8 USD as a simple breakfast is not more than 1 USD, while the lunch and dinner won't cost more than 3-4 USD each meal. Dinner at a traditional good quality restaurant shall end up costing you at least 10-15 USD per meal.
Accommodation
If one chooses to upgrade the accommodation, to enjoy amenities and impress the women who you bring back home, that 3-star hotel cost 60 USD and upwards per night and the 5-star hotel room for two is minimum of 100 USD per night.
How to Get There and Move Around
The city of Istanbul has a decent network of public transport, including traveling by air, bus, road, train or even by boat. The options of transport are described below:
By air:
The city of Istanbul has two international airports:
- The Istanbul Atatürk Airport is situated 24 kilometers or almost 15 miles west of Istanbul’s center.
- The Sabiha Gökçen International Airport is the second airport that serves the city of Istanbul. The airport is 45 kilometers southeast of the center of Istanbul.
While the Atatürk Airport is one of the busiest airports in the whole of Europe, the Sabiha Gökçen Airport plays a more secondary role.
By bus:
The city of Istanbul is served by the Metrobus which is a bus rapid transit system. It offers enhanced connectivity to all corners of the city.
By car:
The city of Istanbul does have some of the most beautiful highways, and these are the O-1, O-2, O-3, O-4. Tourists can always choose the option of renting a cab to transport them in and around the town, or they can always choose to rent a car if they have a valid international drivers license.
By train:
The rail network in Istanbul is quite vast and spread across the city. The rail network includes intracity travel, Metros, intercity travel, and even an International Rail Network.
Tram system is popular used among tourists in Istanbul because it serves many popular sites of the city.
By boat:
The Istanbul Seabuses are the ones connect different places of the country with Istanbul by making use of its ferries that can carry passengers and cars.
Visas:
Most of the citizens from major countries across the globe don’t require a visa to visit Istanbul as there is visa on arrival in Turkey. You shall get a Visa exemption stamp, and it grants you a 30-day visa. Those citizens from countries that do not have visa on arrival shall have to apply at the Turkey consulate before traveling.
Digital Nomads and Remote Work
The city of Istanbul is an average city for a digital nomad. The city does have decent infrastructure, and the internet speed is not great. There are a few places to work from, but the rental is high, while higher crime rates and lack of freedom of speech inadvertently is an issue. To top it all most of the people do not know English too well.
Internet and Mobile Operators
The city of Istanbul has decent coverage for mobile network and internet access. The infrastructure isn’t too consistent, and you may face a few issues while using mobile services. Some of the biggest telecom operators in Istanbul are as follows:
- Türk Telecom
- Turkcell
- Vodafone
Gambling and Casinos
Gambling in Casinos in Istanbul is a decent experience, there are quite a few casinos that are built in sync with a luxury hotel, so you can stay and gamble at the same time.
Weed and Drugs
The use of drugs in the city of Istanbul is not too rare. Weed is widely popular among the youth while there are cocaine and MDMA users as well. The toughest part is obtaining these though as most of the dealers can be reached out to only if you have appropriate contacts. Cannabis in Turkey is illegal for recreational use, but allowed for limited medical and scientific purposes.
Health, Fitness, Gyms and Massage
Some of the most significant fitness and gym chains have set up shop in Istanbul; these include international fitness chains such as Gold’s Gym. Those who are interested in getting a massage can try some of the famed Turkish spas.
STDs and HIV
Over the past few years, the number of HIV cases in the city of Istanbul has increased almost four-fold. Twenty-two percent of the infected are women, so protected sex is always recommended to all the visiting foreign nationals.
Stay Safe
As with most European cities, but especially in crowded areas of Istanbul, watch your pockets and travel documents as pickpockets have devised all sorts of strategies to obtain them from you. Do not rely too much on the 'safe' feeling you get from the omnipresence of policemen. Taksim Square, Sultanahmet Square, Istiklal Avenue, Kadikoy Square etc. security cameras monitored by police non-stop.
Istanbul is home to three of the biggest clubs in Turkey and maybe European football: Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, and Galatasaray. It is advisable not to wear colours associating yourself with any of the clubs—black&white, navy&yellow, and red&yellow respectively, particularly on the days of matches between the sides due to the fearsome rivalry they share.
In Istanbul, most drivers won't abide any rules. Even if you have priority on a road junction, crosswalk, or even during green light, always be aware of your surroundings. Even if you are in a one way road, check both sides before crossing the road. It is common for Turkish drivers to use shortcuts.
See Also
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