Turkey Practical Tips for April 2025
Following the principle that travel scenery is for you to discover yourself, here only provide some small tips to make your trip more convenient, without overly recommending where to go. So there are no beautiful photos, only practical stuff. No more nonsense, tips coming up.
Istanbul Tips
1. After landing, exchange cash at the airport, but only exchange $20 USD – that's enough to get you into the city. There are many exchange shops in the city, and every shop has a better rate than the airport. The airport rate is just... appalling. Also, rates vary between shops in the city.
2. Buy a transportation card at the airport. The card itself costs 75 (exact price might be off as I didn't remember). Then you can take a shuttle bus to the city for 275 one way. You can also use it for the return trip. Later, you can top up the card at any metro station in the European side. Each ride costs 27 regardless of distance. Just tap when entering; exit directly without tapping out (different from domestic systems where you tap out or insert card). The transportation card is sold by staff at the airport bus stop.
3. Definitely choose a hotel near the metro – it makes travel much easier. Most attractions in the European side of Istanbul are connected by metro, and the airport card is very convenient. Hotel hardware in the European side can be vastly different from what you expect. I booked a 4-star on Agoda, but the hardware was very old and felt like a 2- or 3-star in China, closer to a 2-star.
4. For attraction tickets, you can book on Agoda or Trip.com (Hong Kong). It's best to avoid peak hours, otherwise you'll queue for a long time with tour groups. I went early to those paid attractions, and the experience was good – few people and good for photos (also because I stayed near the metro, so I could get up early and arrive quickly). One special note: I don't know why both websites require a specific time for tickets, but the actual confirmed tickets are valid within the validity period regardless. I tried it – indeed, you can enter even if you don't follow the booked time.
Two attraction tips: Hagia Sophia – when using the e-ticket to enter, scan the QR code; the machine will turn green, then you can go in. Do NOT scan and then not enter, then scan again – it will say the ticket has been used and you can't enter. However, you can talk to the staff; they will verify, but you'll have to wait a bit.
Basilica Cistern (note: the 'Underground Palace' and 'Underground Water Palace' are different places. When I bought tickets, maybe due to translation, it was hard to distinguish them). The Basilica Cistern is essentially a light show. Overall it's nice, but the light show runs in loops, so you might not catch the beginning. It's a good idea to allow enough time to watch one full loop.
5. Food. First, the small desserts – they are absolute price assassins compared to China. So buy a little to taste, but control your hand! Don't order randomly!!! I ordered three pieces, three flavors, each piece about the size of two thumbs together – cost over 80 RMB!!!
For main meals, I don't really like Turkish food. Compared to China, it's really a little brother. I don't know if they have a misunderstanding about food! And the prices are quite touching (one reason might be the European side, another is that when I went, the mayor of Istanbul was arrested, causing some political instability and high prices. I've read that the Asian side has more realistic prices, but I didn't go there, so not many tips. However, I do recommend one place: Öz Adıyaman Kebap Salonu. It's in an inconspicuous location, go up to the 3rd floor, full of locals. Prices are relatively fair – I think it was about 70+ RMB per person. The reason I specifically recommend it: the boss is honest. According to the Google Maps picture, I wanted to order a meat platter, but the boss said one person can't finish it (he speaks very little English, all gestures), then he gestured and switched me to a lamb skewer rice. When it arrived, it was indeed enough for one person, and very filling. Also, it was one of the better-tasting places I found in Istanbul.
6. The smell of Istanbul! This smell is not about food – it's the smell of Turkish people themselves. No offense intended, but a minority of Turkish people like to use some kind of perfume or aftershave that smells like pure musk applied directly – it's overwhelming!!! In my limited knowledge, it is absolutely not a nice scent! If you are sensitive to smells, I strongly recommend bringing a mask!!! (Strangely, this smell seems more common in Istanbul; I rarely encountered it in places like Izmir. The number of exclamation marks I used here shows how much I dislike it.)
7. Ferry tours: There are many options on Agoda. I chose one that only includes drinks (price). The whole trip goes around the Bosphorus, seeing the buildings along the shore – worth a look. But remember to bring extra layers; I went in April and it was still quite cold!!!
8. Branch route: Izmir + Denizli (Pamukkale) + Kuşadası (Library of Celsus). This was my self-planned route: flew from Istanbul to Izmir, rented a car at Izmir airport, drove to Kuşadası to stay, then visited the Library of Celsus. Then drove to Pamukkale, could return the same day. I chose to stay in Kuşadası because hotels there seemed more value for money than in Izmir, plus driving from Izmir to Kuşadası takes about 50 minutes. From Kuşadası to the Library of Celsus is 20 minutes by car. Round trip to Pamukkale takes 4 hours. Since Pamukkale is usually either with a tour group or staying one day, and transportation is not convenient, I chose this plan. Also, renting a car for 4 days cost under 1000 RMB – car rental $110.81, tolls (Pamukkale round trip 460 lira), fuel 1500 lira. Having a car made transportation very convenient.
Car rental tips: I used Green Motion (downloaded from Google Play) without buying any insurance. For the driver's license, I created an account on Hertz rental website, uploaded my license, and they made a translation document. I showed this translation document when picking up the car at Green Motion (I previously read many saying you need notarization in China, which costs money). I chose this rental because it seemed good value, and the pickup process wasn't super strict. I checked – it's a big company. The pickup and return were similar to previous rentals with Hertz, Avis, etc. The staff took photos with you present, then confirmed the photos with you. Then you can drive off. When returning, they roughly check for new damage. If you really didn't damage the car, the return is quick. Also, I read that some other companies have mileage limits, but this company gave 500 km for free on new registration, so I didn't worry about mileage. And when returning, they didn't seem to care about mileage.
One more thing: When I drove to Pamukkale, the tire pressure warning came on. It was hard to find a place to inflate, but I discovered that Turkish gas stations have self-service air pumps, similar to our charging station shapes. If you can't figure it out, the staff will help – they are very friendly.
9. Airplane luggage. I specifically mention this because on this trip I visited three countries. Most airlines allow 23 kg checked baggage, but Turkish Airlines does not – international flights 18 kg, domestic flights 15 kg. So be careful of overweight. If you expect to be overweight, buy extra luggage in advance, otherwise the excess fee is sky-high. I'll complain again: Turkish Airlines is like the recently criticized China Southern! Thin seats, bad food. Even more disgusting: when checking in, you have to pay for seat selection. Yes, pay. No matter which seat you choose, you pay extra! And different seats cost different amounts. (Maybe I misunderstood, but my real experience: I intended to go to the counter, but before I reached it, a staff member told me to use the self-service machine. When I did, seat selection immediately asked for payment! I went back, but they still said I had to use the machine first. The most ordinary seat – window, aisle, middle – cost 150 lira. Emergency exit 250 lira, first row 450 lira. Ugh…! Next time, if I can avoid it, I will never choose Turkish Airlines again.
That's all my tips for Turkey. Hope they help you!
