Tips or gratuities are custom in Istanbul, or Turkey for that matter. The good news is that tipping (başiş) won't hurt your wallet since you are only expected to spend rather humble amounts. But Turks don't tip anywhere. Here is the lowdown on where and how much you are expected to tip in Istanbul. You're of course free to raise the bar for excellence. On the flip side, you can … [Read more...]
Border Procedures and Duty Free Allowance at Istanbul (Atatürk) International Airport
The border procedures at the Istanbul International Airports are not that complicated but follow strict rules. And if you're a duty free fan, you'll love Turkey. After you shopped duty free prior to boarding the plane, you're also allowed to buy duty free goods after arriving in Istanbul. Although I've never been asked by the customs to open my suitcases, you better stick to … [Read more...]
Istanbul Money Strategy: Cash Or Credit Card?
You will need cash during your stay in Istanbul, there is no way around it. Sure, credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, bars and stores, but there are occasions that require cash money.So, do you bring cash along or do you withdraw it from an ATM? Do I bring Dollars, Euros or Turkish Liras? Where do I best exchange my money? Here's my safe and practical … [Read more...]