Istanbul Tourist Information
Istanbul Climate
Istanbul's climate is very warm and humid during the summer, but generally cold and wet during the winter. The best months to visit are Spring and Autumn, when the weather is mild. During the summer, temperatures can reach over 85°Fahrenheit, while winter temperatures can drop to around 50°Fahrenheit.
Istanbul Currency
The currency in Istanbul is the Turkish Lira.
Istanbul Local Time
GMT + 5 hours Istanbul Flight Time from London
Flights to Istanbul from London take around 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Getting Around
There are plenty of private and state owned buses in Istanbul. The busy traffic means that bus journeys can often be slow and crowded. A more efficient way of travelling around Istanbul is on the swift underground system, which runs between Taksim and Levent, and between Aksaray to Esenler Otogar and Atatürk Airport.
A speedy commuter tram runs through parts of the city, including the Grand Bazaar and onto Zeytinburnu, where another line connects to the suburbs. A light railway system runs from the airport to the main bus station and Aksaray.
The most enjoyable way to travel around Istanbul is by ferry. Passenger ferries run back and forth across the water between many popular tourist hotspots. A handful of smaller, privately operated boats also serve the waterways, with prices being the same or similar to public ferries (however, these accept cash only).