Istanbul

After you land in Istanbul: temporary base, city side and first decisions

Use this after landing: choose a flexible temporary base, test your real daily route, keep documents safe, and delay a long lease until you understand the commute.

Pick a temporary base by what you'll actually be doing

For the first few days, being near a useful metro, Marmaray, ferry or bus line usually beats staying in the trendiest neighborhood. Before you commit to anything longer, map out where your work, university, appointments or house-hunting will actually take you.

European side or Asian side?

Judge it by your actual daily route

  • Actually test the door-to-door trip at the time of day you'll really be making it.
  • Factor in transfers, whether you're stuck depending on a bridge or ferry, getting home late at night, and what the occasional taxi will cost you.
  • Don't assume one side is automatically cheaper, safer or better — compare the actual neighborhood and the actual route, not the reputation.

Keep your documents and communication safe

First-week must-dos

  • Keep your passport, entry stamp, accommodation address and key contacts saved somewhere that works offline.
  • Find out whether your Turkish SIM needs identity verification, and keep a backup way to be reached plus a way to recover your accounts.
  • Scan your rental, education and ID documents before you hand the originals to anyone.
  • Get appointment and document requirements straight from the official institution — not from a group chat forward or someone's voice note.

Related links

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