Withdraw money in Turkey: how to avoid fees! A few thoughts about withdrawing money will pay off before you go on a trip. Can I withdraw money with a normal EC card in Turkey? What are the fees? Are there tourist traps? Here I have answers to the most common questions. 5 things you should know when you want to withdraw money in Turkey! 1. Do normal debit cards work in Turkey? You can use normal EC cards in Turkey. You usually have to activate them for use outside the EU. A call to your bank is usually sufficient for this. When withdrawing money, fees are similar to those in…

Transfer money to Turkey: How to avoid unnecessary fees! This is my guide for cheap transfer money to Turkey. You have probably already noticed the high fees for international transfers. You often pay more than € 50 to send € 1,000 to an account in Turkey. That’s a lot of money in the long run. This is about solutions for regular and one-time cheap transfers to Turkey. How to transfer money to Turkey cheaply ? With ongoing transfers to Turkey or from Turkey to UK, the fees add up quickly. I have income from Turkey and, conversely, I sometimes send money to Turkey. The problem is that most banks’ fees…

Shopping in Istanbul: The 10 best shopping centres, markets & streets Istanbul is a shopping paradise. The choice in the city is huge. There are dozens of large and small shopping centres on the European side of Istanbul alone. Here I have collected the best shopping centres,  street shopping and the most beautiful markets. I will start with the shopping centres and continue with the markets and  street shopping. Contents: Shopping centres Markets (bazaar) Street shopping Shopping in Istanbul : 10 best shopping centres in Istanbul There are dozens of shopping centres in Istanbul. Only a few of them are interesting enough for shopping during a city trip. This is…

Taxi in Istanbul: How to drive safely and without a tourist trap Before I get to the “but!” I can assure you that most taxi drivers in Turkey do a good job. Unfortunately, in Istanbul and other parts of the country there are also a good number of small crooks at the wheel. I first had to learn that myself. So that the typical taxi scams do not happen to you during  your trip to Turkey, I have written down my experiences. First of all, taxi rides, along with public transport in Istanbul, are a safe and cheap way to get from A to B. Most taxi drivers usually do…

Poshtel in Istanbul: Is were the city’s chic boutique hostels are located ? The wooden villas are situated on the banks of the Bosphorus. Under the second Bosphorus bridge is a hostel. Poshtel is a word creation from: Posh “Schick” and “Hostel”. That’s what it’s all about . Chic hostels in Istanbul: have  original interiors, good food and at a good price. 5 original hostels in Istanbul all situated  in good locations Rickety bunk beds and bad food – with bathrooms in the hallways. This is how far the hostel cliché goes. There is another way. Istanbul’s hostels are young. This can be seen in the hip district of Beyoglu:With…

Istanbul card : How to save money on Istanbul’s public transport system The card is a rechargeable battery for public transport in Istanbul. With it you get a discount on the normal price of a single trip or connecting trip on the metro, tram, buses, S-Bahn and ferries in Istanbul. I will briefly explain where you can buy and top up your rechargeable battery, then I will  introduce you to the other options of payment  for the Istanbul’s public transport system. Istanbul card and its alternatives in the Istanbul public transport There are several ways to pay for public transport in Istanbul 1. Istanbul card is the cheapest The card…

Are you wondering where to try Istanbul Street Food ? Here you will find everything about Istanbul street food and the best places to try it – tested and approved! Istanbul Street Food Guide : best dishes 1. Midye Dolma: mussels with rice, cinnamon and lemon … Midye dolma are mussels stuffed with rice, cinnamon, pine nuts, dill, mint, garlic and tomatoes. You can either buy the clams on the street or from the stalls. The residents of Istanbul tend to buy the mussels at restaurants and stalls who offer take away as they are well known for their freshness .  One shop I can highly recommend is Midyeci Ahmet…

The Istanbul Museum Pass is an entry ticket to the top attractions in Istanbul. The pass costs 220 Turkish Lira and is valid for 5 days.The fourth attraction you visit will be cheaper then usually with this pass. Here I will explain for whom the Museum Pass is worthwhile having and how it works. Does the Istanbul Museum Pass pay off? What is included in the Museum Pass: The Istanbul Museum Pass is an entry ticket to Istanbul’s top attractions, with a validity period of 5 days, at a price of 220 Turkish Lira (around € 35), saves time at the ticket office. You can buy the Museum Pass at…

Dolmus in Turkey : 7 tips for traveling with the Turkish collective bus Dolmus is the name for a Turkish minibus that works similar to a  shared taxi. The minibus drives along set routes and travel times. Along the route, the dolmus usually stops at any location to allow passengers to get on or off. In small Turkish cities, it is the most important  local transport. Here I briefly explain the special features of a first time trip with the Dolmus and what to watch out for! 7 tips for your first dolmus in Turkey ride 1. Stops Specially designated stops for a dolmus are rare along the routes in…