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| General Information |
Istanbul, the only city in the world built on two continents, stands on the shores of the Istanbul Bogazi (Bosphorus) where the waters of the Black Sea mingle with those of the Sea of Marmara and the Golden Horn. Here on this splendid site Istanbul guards the precious relics of the three empires of which she has been capital; a unique link between East and West, past and present.
However, Istanbul is not only historic, it is a magnificent city fascinating and vividly alive. Beneath the unchanging skyline of her domes and minarets there is the continual bustle and movement of the crowd, the rumbling of vehicles along the ancient cobbled streets, the incessant coming and going and the cries of street sellers mingling with the sounds of shipping in the busy port.
Istanbul has infinite variety: museums, ancient churches, palaces, great mosques, bazaars and the Istanbul Bogazi (Bosphorus). However long you stay, just a few days or longer, your time will be wonderfully filled in this unforgettable city. Istanbul, Turkey, has a unique situation with holdings in both Europe and Asia. The city is divided by the The Bosphorus with European Istanbul to the west and Asian Istanbul to the east. The majority of the attractions and neighbourhoods that make up cosmopolitan Istanbul are to be found on the European side, where Istanbul has become a popular location with both business and leisure travelers.
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| Istanbul Highlights |
| Palaces, mosques, museums, historical sites and monuments, Bosphorus, Golden Horn (Halic), architecture, old churches, the city walls, cisterns, columns, fountains, fortresses, towers, yatching, shopping, good foods, beautiful and varied scenery are Istanbul's foremost attractions |
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| How To Come |
| There are flights from almost every capital and major city in the world to Istanbul's Ataturk Airport. From any part of Europe there are train connections to Sirkeci Station and from the Middle East and Asia to Haydarpasa Station. The E80 highway from Europe enters Turkey from the Bulgarian Kapikule frontier. |
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| Transportation |
Istanbul is accessible from both Europe and Asia by a number of methods, although passport and customs checks can be frequent. If arriving in Istanbul from an area where air travel is possible then this option should be taken.
Transportation vehicles are at work in every part of Istanbul, by bus, minibus and cabs. However the ideal transportation vehicle for the tourists is the taxi.
The cheapest but relatively slow means of transport is the bus. On the European side the main bus lines start from Taksim Square, Eminönü (near the Galata Bridge) and Beyazit (near the Covered Bazaar). On the Asian side there are departures from Uskudar and Kadikoy. Bus tickets are sold at designated kiosks and must be purchased before boarding a bus. There is also regular bus service every half hour between Ataturk Airport and the THY Airline Terminal at Sişhane.
The "dolmuş" is a practical and cheap means of transport, especially when compared with the taxi. Each passenger pays according to the distance travelled and the fares are fixed by the municipality. The main dolmus stations are Taksim, Eminonu, Sirkeci, Besiktas, Aksaray, Uskudar, and Kadikoy.
Taxi stands are everywhere in the city and taxis are easily recognized by their yellow colour and "taxi" signs on top. They are equipped with taximeters. (Note: Bridge crossing tolls'are the responsibility of the passenger) The ferryboat is a practical, enjoyable and cheap means of transport. There are several departures from Eminonu to the Istanbul Bogazi, the Golden Horn, Uskudar, Kadikoy, Haydarpas.a (railway station), the Istanbul Adalari and Yalova. Travel agents' boat tours leave from Kabatas. to Istanbul Bogazi and to the islands. There are also sea bus services between Europe and Asia. On the European side the local trains run from Sirkeci Station to the suburbs of Atakoy and Florya (camping facility). On the Asian side they run between Haydarpasa Station and the suburbs.
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Taxis Taxis are yellow and have a "Taksi" sign. Taxi charges are determined officially. Taxis have a Taximetre that works when the customer gets in the car. Taxis have two charges tarrifs, daytime (gunduz) and night (gece). Night tarifs starts at 24.00 and end at 6.00 a.m. Night time is more expensive than daytime. Please check when you get in the taxii whether the taxi driver opens the taximeter night tariff or day tariff. (Also note: Bosphorus Bridges crossing tolls are the responsibility of the passenger) |
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Public Transportation in Istanbul public transportations is carried out by Istanbul Municipality.
IETT Buses Public transport is run by IETT, a subdivision of Istanbul Municipality. The sign of "IETT" can be seen ,in writing, on all buses,ticket offices,information offices and stations. Ticket and ticket prices are standard and same for all IETT buses. |
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Railvays in Istanbul The railway system in Istanbul is operated by two separate institutions, Istanbul Borough and State Railways (DDY).
The railway system called "Hizli Tramvay" has two separate lines. One of the lines starts at Eminonu and ends at two separate stations, Atakoy and Zeytinburnu. The other line starts at Aksaray and ends at Yenibosna.
Anatolia and European parts of Istanbul have their Suburban Railway System. The centre of the Anatolian Suburban Railway System is Haydarpasa Gari and trains carry passengers from Haydarpasa as far as Gebze. The centre of the European Suburban Railway System is Sirkeci Gari and trains carr passengers from Sirkeci as far as Halkali |
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Ferries, Sea Buses and Boats Turkish Maritime Line operate a service from Venice to a number of ports in Turkey.Some domestic lines are as follows
Istanbul-Izmir
Istanbul-Avsa and Marmara Islands
Istanbul-Bandirma
Maritime Information Tel: (212) 244 74 54
Maritime Reservation Tel: (212) 249 92 22 |
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The ferries are a popular public transport in Istanbul. They travel between the European and Asian sides of the city, Princess islands and the Bosphorus. Detailed information and ship operating times can be obtined at all ferry ports such as Karakoy,Kadikoy,Sirkeci,Haydarpasa etc. For Further Information (0212) 244 42 33 or 252 21 00
These are preferres for their fast transportation between the two side of Istanbul and some seaside districts of Istanbul. You will need to purchase a token to board sea buses. They are more expensive than the ferryboat of City Lines. For further information about sea buses Tel: 0216 362 04 44
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| Istanbul Business Hours, Money and Banking |
In Istanbul, business hours are 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday in Summer.
Some biggest banks web address and phone numbers |
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| Doctors and Hospitals |
| Your best source of information about where to find doctors, dentist or to receive medical care while in Istanbul is your consulate office. You are welcome to ask for hotel doctor from reception of your hotel. English speaking doctors can be found at the private hospitals listed below: |
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Acibadem Hospital
www.acibadem.com.tr/English
Halit Ziya Uşaklıgil Cad. 1 Bakırköy 34140
İstanbul Tel: (212) 414 44 44 |
Ahiym Jewish Hospital
Hisarönü Caddesi 46/48 Ayvansaray
Tel: ( 212) 524 11 56 |
American Hospital
www.amerikanhastanesi.com.tr
Güzelbahçe Sokak 22 Nişantaşı
Tel: (212) 224 40 50 |
Armenian Hospital
Yedikule Caddesi 6 Elmadağ
Tel: (212) 248 47 62 |
Balıklı Greek (Rum) Hospital
Belgrat Kapısı Durağı 2 Zeytinburnu
Tel: (212) 547 16 00 |
Florence Nightingale
www.florence.com.tr
Abide-ı Hürriyet Caddesi Yol Sokak
290 Şişli - Istanbul
Tel: (212) 224 49 50 |
Francais Lape Hospital
(Pyschologie - Nörologie)
Büyükdere Caddesi 22 - Şişli
Tel: (212) 246 10 20 |
German (Alman) Krankenhaus
www.almanhastanesi.com.tr
Sıraselviler Caddesi 119 Taksim
Tel: (212) 293 21 50 |
International Hospital
www.internationalhospital.com.tr/English
Istanbul Caddesi 87 Yeşilköy
Tel: (212) 663 30 00 |
Italian Hospital
Defterdar Yokuşu 37 Cihangir
Tel: (212) 249 97 51 |
Menorial Hospital
www.memorial.com.tr/eng
Piyale Paşa Bulvarı 80270 Okmeydanı
Istanbul Tel: (212) 210 66 66 |
Surp Pırgiçyan Armenian
Zekirbaşı Sokak 32 Kazlıçeşme
Tel: (212) 587 50 50 |
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| Other Istanbul Info |
Istanbul Population: 9,413,000 (Source: UN Population Division 2000 estimate)
Time Zone: GMT + 2 hours
Electricity: The voltage in turkey is 220 volts with a frequency of 50 hertz. |
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