For your convenience, The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul has provided the following information to help you plan for and enjoy your stay with us.
Climate
The temperature ranges;
from 16 C / 61 F to 9 C / 48 F in Spring;
from 27 C / 81 F to 17 C / 62 F in Winter;
from 20 C / 68 F to 14 C / 57 F in Fall and
from 9 C / 48 F to 5 C / 41 F.
Clothing
- Cotton or lightweight clothing is suitable for day-wear during summer.
- Light coat is recommended in the spring and fall.
- Heavy coats, gloves and hat are suitable during winter.
- Proper evening attire is recommended when dining in restaurants at night.
Visas
- Citizens of many Western European countries and of Japan and New Zealand need only a valid passport for visits of up to three months.
- Citizens of the UK, USA, Ireland, Canada and Australia do need visas. These are obtainable in advance at a Turkish consulate, or upon entry to Turkey.
Health Requirements
No immunization vaccinations are required of U.S. or Canadian citizens traveling from the U.S. and Canada to Turkey.
Language
- The national language of Turkey is Turkish.
- English is widely spoken in Istanbul.
Airports
- Istanbul Ataturk International Airport - located 24 km (15 Miles) west of Istanbul city center.
- Istanbul Sabiha Gocken International Airport - Located on the Anatolian shore of Istanbul between Pendik and Kurtkoy, 50 km (31 Miles) from Taksim.
Taxis
- Taxis in Istanbul are either bright yellow or bright orange. The Orange colored taxis identify them as airport taxis.
- Taxis have two rates - 'day' (between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m.) and 'evening' (between midnight and 5:59 a.m.)
- You do not have to tip taxi drivers; it maybe be appropriate to tip is If you have luggage and the driver has assisted you with them.
Rental Cars
Hotel Concierge providing private car service with driver.
- Airport transfer with BMW735IL (one way) is 90 Euro + VAT.
- 4 hours with BMW735IL is 240 Euro + VAT.
- 8 hours with BMW735IL is 400 Euro+ VAT.
- Airport transfer with Mercedes MiniVan (one way) is 110 Euro + VAT.
- 4 hours with Mercedes Vito MiniVan is 180 Euro+ VAT.
- 8 hours with Mercedes Vito MiniVan is 360 Euro+ VAT.
- Airport transfer with Mercedes Sprinter (one way) is 110 Euro + VAT.
- 4 hours with Mercedes Vito Sprinter is 180 Euro+ VAT.
- 8 hours with Mercedes Vito Sprinter is 360 Euro+ VAT.
The hotel also offer VIP airport transfer service including escorting upon arrival and departure, assistance in passport control and visa process, and delivery of luggage to the transfer car.
VIP airport transfer is priced 135 Euro + VAT per person currently. Second person charge is Euro 40 + VAT.
Parking
Parking is free of charge for hotel guest. Valet parking service is available 24- hour.
- 0 - 1 hour: Free
- 1 - 8 hours: 7 Euro
- 8 - 16 hours: 10 Euro
- 16- 24 hours: 12 Euro
Buses
Some of the buses belong to municipality, while others are run by private companies. Municipality buses accept either tickets or AKBIL (multipurpose pass), whereas private buses accept both money and AKBIL. The destination written on a placard placed in front window. Buses operate between 6:00am and midnight.
Trains
Commuter trains operate between Sirkeci - Halkali on European side, between Haydarpasa - Gebze on the Asian side. Main railway stations are in Sirkeci and Haydarpasa. It is a slow means of transport and the stops are away from tourist attractions. Trains run between 6:00am - 23:00 and tickets stubs need to be kept until the end of the journey.
Ferries
The principal ferry docks are in Eminonu and Karakoy. Most voyages cost less than 1 Euro. Modern "sea bus" catamarans and traditional ferryboats travel convenient shorter routes up, down and across the Bosphorus connecting such districts as Karakoy, Eminonu and Besiktas on the European shore with Usküdar, Haydarpasa and Kadikoy on the the Asian side. Both sea bus catamarans and ferryboats travel to the Princes Islands.
Electricity
220 V – 50 Hz (European plugs: YP-21, YP-24)
Currency
- Transactions are done in YTL. One USD is equivalent to approximately 1.5 YTL currently.
- A currency exchange service is available at the hotel’s front desk.You may also change your money or cash travelers’ checks at banks. Exchange bureaus are widely available.
- Remember to bring along your passport to help facilitate exchanges.
Phone
- The country code is 90, and the city code is 212.
- International calls are made by first dialing 00 followed by the numbers.
- Calls to other states in Turkey are made by dialing the area code before the number.
- For local directory assistance, call the Operator or Concierge.
Tourist Information
Emergency Phone Numbers
- Medical Emergency: 112
- Police: 155
- Police (rural areas): 156
- Fire: 110
Public Holidays
- January 1: New Year's Day
- Sacrifice Feast (moveable dates)
- April 23 : National Independence & Children's Day
- May 19: Youth & Sports Day
- August 30: Victory Day
- October 28-29: Republic Day
- Ramadan Feast (moveable dates)
Hours of Work/Business
Monday to Friday 09.00-18.00.
Banking Hours
Monday to Friday 08.30-12.00 and 13.30-17.00.
Shopping Hours
Shopping hours vary. Modern shops are open seven days a week and during lunch time. The Grand Bazaar, however, is closed on Sundays and holiday. Some shopping malls are open during the holiday.
Tipping
In restaurants 10% tipping is customary if a service charge is not added to your bill.