Istanbul DIY 5D4N: Complete First-Timer Travel Guide
After a few trips around Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia, Win finally made it to Istanbul – the city where crossing just one bridge takes you to a different continent.
Have coffee in Europe in the morning, take a ferry to Asia for kebab in the afternoon, then listen to the call to prayer at night with the sound of waves on the Bosphorus. Istanbul truly feels like visiting three different worlds in one place.
In this post, Win shares a fully updated Istanbul travel guide: visa, money exchange, transport, where to stay, what to eat, suggested itinerary, plus important tips to avoid common tourist traps. Before going, Win was pretty nervous about Turkey – but this trip turned out smooth and incredibly charming.
Preparation Before Your Trip
- Passport: Valid for at least 6 more months.
- E-visa: Apply on the official website https://www.evisa.gov.tr (double-check the domain – there are many scam sites).
- Travel insurance: Highly recommended (Win usually prefers Pacific Cross / AXA). Around 20–30 USD for 2–3 weeks.
- Money exchange: Change your money to USD/EUR first, then exchange to TRY in Turkey. Avoid airports and big tourist streets because the rates are bad. Walking around, Win found the best rates in markets inside the Grand Bazaar. At the time: about 1 EUR ~ 49 TRY.
- SIM / Internet: E-SIM is the most convenient. Internet in Turkey is generally great, except for some mountainous areas in Cappadocia where it can be unstable. Do not rely on hotel Wi-Fi.
Important Notes (Before You Go)
- Print out your e-visa to show at immigration.
- Do not exchange TRY at the airport due to low rates.
- Avoid taxis that do not turn on the meter – most are scams. Use Uber or Bitaksi for clear pricing.
- Do not trust "free tour – free drink" offers around Sultanahmet.
- Use public transport as much as possible:
- Buy an Istanbulkart on your first day (very convenient and essential). One card can be tapped for the whole group.
- Wear good walking shoes – you will walk a lot in Istanbul.
- Be careful with pickpockets on trams and in crowded areas (Grand Bazaar, Eminönü). Just stay aware – overall, Win felt Turkey was quite safe and people were polite.
- Food tip: Turkish food is beautiful and refined, but after 1–2 days you may feel overwhelmed by the cheese and lighter seasoning. Consider bringing your own sauces like Chinsu or some instant noodles/dry food, because eating out is quite expensive and the options can feel limited.
How to Get There & Around
Flight to Istanbul
For this Istanbul trip, Win chose AirAsia, flying from Tan Son Nhat with a layover in Kuala Lumpur to save money. Compared to flying directly to Europe or the Middle East, this route is much cheaper, but the flight from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul is about 11.5 hours.
Note About Budget Airlines
- Pre-book your inflight meal because cheap fares in economy do not include food.
- Download movies, music, and podcasts in advance as the onboard entertainment is not as extensive as full-service airlines.
From Win's experience:
• Planes are fine and cabin crew are friendly.
• Flights were on time.
• Cabins were clean and comfortable enough for a budget-friendly journey.
Getting Around Istanbul (Very Important)
Istanbul's public transportation system is very developed. You can comfortably get around all day for the equivalent of about 4–500k VND using public transport. Avoid taxis as they are very expensive.
Istanbulkart
• Buy from ticket machines at the airport or metro stations.
• Card fee: around 130 TRY.
• Usable on: metro, tram, bus, and ferry. One card can be topped up and used for the whole family by tapping multiple times.
Tram & Metro
Key lines:
• T1: Sultanahmet – Hagia Sophia – Grand Bazaar – Eminönü.
• M2: New city center (Taksim), where Win stayed.
Ferry (A Must-Do)
• Eminönü ⇄ Üsküdar (Asian side)
• Karaköy ⇄ Kadıköy
• Price: around 15–30 TRY.
Sitting on the ferry watching the Bosphorus at sunset is one of the most beautiful moments you can have in Istanbul.
Best Time to Visit Istanbul
- April–May: Springtime with tulips blooming all over the city.
- September–October: The best months – pleasant temperatures, soft sunlight, fewer tourists.
- December–February: Wintertime, often with snow. Very romantic but quite cold.
Where to Stay in Istanbul
- Sultanahmet
• Close to Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
• Great for first-time visitors and quiet at night. - Karaköy / Galata
• Young, artsy, full of cafes with a European vibe.
• Easy walk to Galata Tower.
• Beautiful Bosphorus views. - Taksim
• Central, lively, and convenient for getting around.
Where to Go & What to See
I. Old City – Sultanahmet
- Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
– The number one symbol of Istanbul.
– Has been a church, a mosque, a museum, then a mosque again.
– Layers of Byzantine and Islamic architecture. - Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii)
– Free entry.
– Famous blue domes, still an active place of worship. - Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayı)
– Underground water reservoir from the Byzantine era.
– Iconic Medusa columns and very cinematic atmosphere. - Topkapi Palace
– Ottoman royal palace.
– Royal treasures, Islamic relics, and the harem section. - Hippodrome of Constantinople
– Ancient Roman square.
– Obelisk and Serpent Column remain. - Gülhane Park
– Green park in the Old City.
– Beautiful tulips in spring, perfect for relaxing.
II. Markets – The Commercial Soul of Istanbul
- Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı)
– One of the largest covered markets in the world.
– Rugs, lamps, ceramics, gold, souvenirs. - Spice Bazaar (Misir Carsisi)
– Famous old spice market.
– Spices, tea, lokum, dried nuts – smaller and easier to walk than Grand Bazaar. - Eminönü
– Busy port area.
– Try the famous fish sandwich (balık ekmek).
– Great ferry departure point.
III. Galata – Karaköy – Beyoğlu
This is Istanbul's young, artsy, cafe-filled area, perfect for walking.
- Galata Tower
– 360° panoramic view of the city.
– Overlooks the Golden Horn and Bosphorus. - Karaköy
– Creative district with stylish cafes and galleries.
– Great area for staying in a homestay or boutique hotel. - Istiklal Street
– Bustling pedestrian avenue.
– Famous red tram runs along the street. - Taksim Square
– Modern city center.
– Major public transport hub.
IV. Bosphorus – Ferries – The Sea
This part is about real experiences, not just check-in photos.
- Bosphorus Strait
– The strait connecting Europe and Asia. - Ferry Eminönü ⇄ Üsküdar / Kadıköy
– Local, budget-friendly and very poetic experience.
– Sunset is the most magical time. - Bosphorus Cruise
– Short boat tours of about 1.5–2 hours. - Ortaköy Mosque
– Mosque right by the water.
– Famous Bosphorus bridge backdrop. - Dolmabahçe Palace
– European-style palace.
– Luxurious Baroque architecture. - Bosphorus Bridge (July 15 Martyrs Bridge)
– Stunning at night when lit up.
V. Asian Side – "Real Life" Istanbul
- Üsküdar
– Look back at Istanbul's skyline from the Asian shore.
– Peaceful and very local vibe. - Kadıköy
– Local market area.
– Cafes, bars, street art.
– Fewer tourists. - Maiden's Tower (Kız Kulesi)
– Small tower in the sea.
– Known for many legends. - Çamlıca Hill
– One of the highest viewpoints in Istanbul.
– Panoramic city view.
VI. Old Neighborhoods – Less Touristy but Very Worth It
- Balat
– Colorful houses.
– Steep streets and very cinematic corners. - Fener
– Greek Orthodox quarter.
– Old, atmospheric architecture. - Pierre Loti Hill
– Cafe with a view over the Golden Horn from above.
VII. Experiences (More Than Just Places)
27. Turkish Hammam (traditional bath)
– Çemberlitaş Hamam
– Cağaloğlu Hamam
– Very Turkish cultural experience.
28. Choose a rooftop cafe to enjoy the Bosphorus view instead of paying around 30€ to go up an old tower.
29. Sip black tea on the ferry.
30. Wander aimlessly around Karaköy and Balat – sometimes the best experiences come without a plan.
What to Eat in Istanbul
Some must-try dishes:
- Kebab
- Döner, Iskender, Adana, Şiş…
– Each region and restaurant adjusts the spice levels differently. - Köfte – meatballs served with rice or bread and salad.
- Börek – flaky pastry with cheese or minced meat filling.
- Meze – small appetizers, perfect for sharing with a group.
- Baklava – sweet pastry with pistachio and syrup, best enjoyed with tea.
- Turkish tea & coffee – you can drink them all day without getting bored.
Win's food tip:
Restaurants in less touristy neighborhoods (Kadıköy, Balat, and residential areas in Karaköy) are usually cheaper and offer more local flavors than the rows of restaurants directly facing Hagia Sophia.
Final Thoughts
For Win, Istanbul is not the kind of city that makes you say "wow" at first sight, but the more you walk it, the more you fall in love. If Europe gives Win a sense of organized chaos, Istanbul feels real and alive.
It is a place where you do not need to rush from sight to sight to feel like you have gone far. Just being there already feels like a long journey. Highly recommended – everyone should visit at least once! 💚💚💚
#WinĐi #Istanbul #FlyAirAsia #AirAsiaTravellerSquad #NewRoute #IstanbulWithAirAsia
Cre: Win Đi (this friend writes a lot of cool stuff… go support them!)
