Lonely Planet İstanbul Guide

Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com /istanbul) Destination ifnromation, hotel bookings, traveller forum and more. Not Only İstanbul (www.notonlyistanbul.com) Curated guide to the city’s art, food and culture, with plenty of video content. Yabangee (www.yabangee.com) Expats’ guide to the city, with loads of events listings. YellAli (www.yellali.com) Useful site for expats and long-stay visitors.

WHEN TO GO

Spring and autumn are ideal, as the weather is good and festivals are in full swing. Summer can be unpleasantly hot and winter bone-chillingly cold.

Arriving in İstanbul İstanbul Airport Havaist (aka Havataş) buses to destinations including Sultanahmet ( ₺ 18, every 30 to 45 minutes 5am to 4.15am, 60 to 100 minutes depending on traffic) and Taksim ( ₺ 18, every 15 to 30 minutes 5.10am to 4.30am, 40 to 80 minutes depending on traffic). Taxis to Sultanahmet (50 minutes) cost around ₺ 135; taxis to Beyoğlu (40 minutes) around ₺ 130. Sabiha Gökçen International Airport Havaist (aka Havataş) buses to Taksim ( ₺ 18, every 15 to 30 minutes 4am to 1am, 40 to 90 minutes), from where a funicular ( ₺ 5) and tram ( ₺ 5) travel to Sultanahmet; Havabüs bus to Kadıköy ( ₺ 14, every 30 minutes 4am to 1am, one hour). Taxis cost ₺ 175 to Sultanahmet and ₺ 165 to Beyoğlu.

For much more, see Arrival