Türkei

Top 5 Orte

1. Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque · Istanbul

   Two of the world's great religious buildings facing each other in Sultanahmet.

2. Topkapi Palace · Istanbul

   Ottoman sultans' palace with the harem, treasury and Bosphorus views.

3. Cappadocia · Goreme

   Fairy chimneys, cave hotels, rock-cut churches and sunrise balloon flights.

4. Ephesus · Selcuk

   One of the best preserved Roman cities in the Mediterranean.

5. Pamukkale and Hierapolis · Denizli

   White travertine terraces above a Roman spa city.

Unterwegs vor Ort

• Öffentlicher Nahverkehr

  Istanbulkart

  Rechargeable card for metro, tram, bus, Marmaray, funiculars and ferries in Istanbul. Much cheaper than single tickets. Buy and top up at station machines and kiosks. Contactless bank cards also work on many lines (varies).

• Taxi

  BiTaksi

  Turkey's main taxi app, approved by the Istanbul municipality. Books licensed taxis with driver and plate details, route tracking and an English interface.

• Fahrdienst-App

  Uber

  Works in Istanbul and some other cities but only with licensed taxis, not private cars. Useful for price estimate, tracking and card payment.

• Taxi

  Street taxis

  Yellow taxis are cheapest; turquoise/blue are about 15% more and black are premium. Insist on the meter (taksimetre) and note the plate number. Drivers often try to agree a fixed price with tourists.

• Fähren

  Sehir Hatlari and Bosphorus ferries

  Commuter ferries cross the Bosphorus for the Istanbulkart fare, a cheap alternative to tourist cruises.

• Züge

  YHT high-speed train (TCDD)

  Fast trains link Istanbul, Ankara, Eskisehir and Konya. Buy in the TCDD Tasimacilik app or at stations; book ahead at weekends.

• Busse

  Intercity buses

  Comfortable long-distance coaches (Metro Turizm, Kamil Koc, Pamukkale and others) cover the whole country and are often cheaper than flying; Obilet and the operators' apps sell tickets.

Geld und Bargeld

Währung: TRY · Turkish lira

Cards are widely accepted in cities, hotels and most restaurants; keep lira cash for small shops, markets, tips, public toilets and some taxis. Prices change often because of inflation. Always choose to pay in lira, not your home currency. Some banks and exchange offices refuse old or high-value US dollar notes (50 and 100) because of counterfeits.

Wechselkurs nach TRY prüfen

Trinkgeld

Tipping is customary but modest in Turkey: about 5-10% in restaurants, rounding up in taxis and small amounts for hotel staff and guides. Since 30 January 2026 restaurants and cafes are not allowed to add a service charge, cover charge (kuver) or table charge to the bill, so any tip is voluntary.

Nützliche Sätze

• Hesap, lütfen. The bill, please.
• Servis ücreti var mı? Is there a service charge?
• Üstü kalsın. Keep the change.

Umgangsformen

• At mosques: women cover their hair, shoulders and legs; men wear long trousers; remove shoes; avoid visiting during prayer times, especially Friday midday prayer.
• Greet with 'Merhaba'; a handshake is normal. Some religious people may not shake hands with the opposite sex, so let them offer first.
• Accepting tea when offered in shops is polite and does not oblige you to buy.
• Bargaining is normal in bazaars and carpet shops, not in supermarkets or chain stores.
• Remove shoes when entering someone's home.
• Avoid public displays of affection outside big-city nightlife areas, and dress more modestly outside resorts.
• Insulting the Turkish nation, flag or Ataturk is a criminal offence.

Maschen und wie du damit umgehst

• Shoe shine drop

  Wo: Sultanahmet, Taksim, Galata Bridge in Istanbul

  So funktioniert’s: A shoe shiner drops his brush; when you hand it back he insists on shining your shoes for free, then demands a high price.

  So vermeidest du es: Do not pick up the brush; keep walking. If it happens, refuse to pay more than a small amount.

• Friendly stranger bar scam

  Wo: Taksim and Beyoglu in Istanbul

  So funktioniert’s: A friendly local or tourist invites you for a drink at a bar they know. Women join, drinks arrive, and the bill is huge with bouncers forcing payment.

  So vermeidest du es: Choose your own venue, see the price list and decline invites from strangers. If forced, pay the minimum possible and report to police (112).

• Taxi meter tricks

  Wo: Istanbul airports, Sultanahmet, Taksim

  So funktioniert’s: Drivers refuse to use the meter, quote a high fixed price, take long routes or swap a large note for a small one when you pay.

  So vermeidest du es: Use BiTaksi or Uber, insist on the meter, count notes aloud when paying.

• Fake guides and carpet shop steering

  Wo: Around the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar

  So funktioniert’s: A helpful man says the mosque is closed for prayer or offers a free tour, then leads you to a relative's carpet or leather shop with high-pressure selling.

  So vermeidest du es: Check opening times yourself and politely decline. Only buy carpets if you planned to, and compare prices.

• Street money changers and counterfeit notes

  Wo: Tourist areas

  So funktioniert’s: Strangers offer to change money and pass fake or old notes.

  So vermeidest du es: Change money only at banks or reputable exchange offices (doviz) and count it at the counter.

• Restaurant extras

  Wo: Tourist restaurants, especially without prices on the menu

  So funktioniert’s: Unordered bread, appetisers or fish priced by weight appear on the bill at high prices, or a 'service' line is added.

  So vermeidest du es: Ask prices before ordering, send back items you did not order and check the bill. Service and cover charges are banned since 2026.

• Counterfeit alcohol

  Wo: Bars and shops nationwide

  So funktioniert’s: Illegally produced spirits containing methanol have killed tourists and locals.

  So vermeidest du es: Drink in reputable places, avoid very cheap spirits and seek medical help fast if you feel unwell after drinking.

Sicherheit

• Most visits are trouble free. Governments advise against travel near the Syrian border; check your government's current advice before going, as it changes (varies).
• Pickpocketing and street robbery are common in busy parts of Istanbul: Sultanahmet, Grand Bazaar, Istiklal Avenue, trams and metro at rush hour.
• Watch out for drink spiking and do not accept drinks from strangers.
• Use registered taxis or apps and note the plate number.
• Carry your passport or a copy; police may check ID.
• Earthquakes happen; learn the hotel's emergency exits.

Wie verbreitet Englisch ist

Good in tourist areas, hotels and with younger people in Istanbul, Antalya and the coast; limited elsewhere and among taxi drivers. Russian and German are common in resort areas.

Quellen

• GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: Turkey, safety and security
• Wikivoyage: Istanbul
• Memurlar.net: Restoranlardaki servis ucretine yeni duzenleme
• Onedio: Restoranlarda kuver ve servis ucreti yasaklandi
• Expat Focus: Turkey taxis and ride-hailing services
• Turkey Travel Planner: Tipping in Turkey

Wir prüfen diese Guides anhand offizieller und bekannter Quellen, aber Regeln und Preise ändern sich. Etwas ist veraltet? Schreib an support@tourits.app.