Istanbul is one of the most popular trips from Baku, and it's easy to see why: the flight is about 3 hours, you don't need a visa, and a week isn't enough for the city. History, food, markets, the Bosphorus. On a first visit, though, most questions are about the airport, transport and where to stay. So let's start there.
Documents and time difference
Citizens of Azerbaijan travel to Turkey visa-free and can stay up to 90 days within any 180-day period. You can also travel with the new biometric ID card, but check your airline's requirements before you fly. Istanbul is 1 hour behind Baku. For general information about the country, see our Turkey travel guide.
IST or SAW?
Istanbul has two big international airports, and both will show up when you search for tickets.
Istanbul Airport (IST) is on the European side, about 40 km northwest of the centre. AZAL and Turkish Airlines fly here from Baku.
Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is on the Asian side. Flights from Baku are mostly Pegasus and AJet, and tickets are often a bit cheaper.
Don't choose on ticket price alone; think about where you'll stay. If it's Sultanahmet or Taksim, IST is convenient. If it's Kadıköy, the trip from SAW is much shorter. Our article on 12 ways to find cheap flights will help you find a good fare.
Getting from the airport to the city
From IST. Take the M11 metro to Gayrettepe, change to the M2 line and ride to Taksim. Havaist buses go directly to Taksim, Kadıköy, Beşiktaş and other stops. A taxi is the most comfortable option, but also the most expensive, and traffic can make the trip longer.
From SAW. The M4 metro line gets you to Kadıköy in about 50 minutes. Havabüs buses go to Kadıköy and Taksim. If you're heading to the European side, take the ferry from Kadıköy to Karaköy or Eminönü. It's easy, and you see the Bosphorus on day one.
You'll struggle without an Istanbulkart
You pay for the metro, tram, buses, funiculars and ferries with an Istanbulkart. You can buy and top it up at machines in stations, and one card can pay for several people. Ferries are part of public transport, so you get Bosphorus views for the price of an ordinary ride.
Which neighbourhood to stay in?
- Sultanahmet. The main historic sights are a short walk away, which makes it easy for a first visit. It just gets a bit quiet in the evenings.
- Beyoğlu, Taksim, Karaköy. Restaurants, cafés and nightlife, and transport to everywhere.
- Kadıköy. A lively neighbourhood with real local life on the Asian side. Great if you love food, and close to SAW.
- Beşiktaş. On the Bosphorus shore, close to Taksim and to walks along the water.
What should you see?
- Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque opposite. You need modest clothing to enter mosques, and tourist access is limited during prayer times.
- Topkapı Palace. The residence of the Ottoman sultans; give it at least half a day.
- The Basilica Cistern. A columned underground reservoir from the Byzantine era.
- The Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar. For souvenirs and spices. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
- Galata Tower. For a view of the city from above.
- A Bosphorus trip. By ferry or sightseeing boat from Eminönü.
- Balat and Kadıköy market. For colourful streets and local food.
For more places, see our Istanbul travel guide.
How to save money
- Use the metro, tram and ferries instead of taxis within the city.
- If you plan to visit lots of museums, work out whether a museum pass pays off.
- Have lunch at simple local canteens (esnaf lokantası) a little away from the tourist streets. They're cheaper and often tastier.
- Book in advance and avoid holiday dates.
A few practical notes
The local currency is the Turkish lira (TRY). Cards work almost everywhere, but keep some cash for markets and small shops. The most pleasant months for walking around are April–May and September–October: the weather is mild and it's less crowded than in summer. If you're flying on to another country via Istanbul, our article on connecting flights will come in handy.
One last thing
Istanbul works for a two-day weekend or a long holiday. Choose your airport by where you'll stay, get an Istanbulkart on day one and see the city from a ferry at least once. You can compare Baku–Istanbul tickets on AviaBazaar.
