Istanbul Travel Tips: Common Tricks and Easy Mistakes to Avoid

In short: Istanbul is a friendly, busy city, and most visitors have no problems at all. As in any big tourist city, a few tricks target newcomers: the “dropped brush” shoe-shine trick, taxis without the meter, and overly friendly invitations to bars. Knowing about them is usually enough to avoid them.

Last checked: 10 November 2026

Common tricks

• The dropped shoe-shine brush: a shoe-shiner walking ahead of you drops a brush. When you pick it up, he thanks you with a “free” shine and then asks for money. Just let the brush lie and keep walking.
• Taxis: make sure the meter is on from the start, or use a taxi app that shows the route and fare in advance. If a driver refuses the meter, take another taxi.
• Friendly strangers and bars: if someone you have just met invites you to “a great bar”, politely say no. Some visitors have been handed a very large bill. Choose places yourself and check the menu prices before you order.
• Carpets and “antiques”: it is fine to visit carpet shops and enjoy the tea, but don’t feel pressured to buy. Take your time, compare, and ask for a proper receipt. Genuine antiques need export paperwork.
• Pickpockets: keep bags closed and phones off café tables in crowded places such as the Grand Bazaar, trams and İstiklal Street.

Easy mistakes to avoid

• Paying cash on transport: you can’t. Buy an Istanbulkart or use a contactless bank card. See getting around Istanbul.
• Visiting the big sights at midday: queues for Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace and the Basilica Cistern are shortest early in the morning.
• Mosque visits at prayer time: mosques close briefly to visitors during the five daily prayers, longer around Friday midday prayers. Cover shoulders and knees; women should bring a scarf.
• Travelling at rush hour: trams and the metro are packed on weekday mornings and evenings.
• Paying in foreign currency: paying in Turkish lira, or choosing lira when a card machine asks, is usually better value.

What time is it in Istanbul?

Turkey uses Turkey Time (UTC+3) all year round and has not changed its clocks since 2016. So when the UK and most of Europe move their clocks back in late October, the time difference grows: Turkey is 2 hours ahead of the UK in summer and 3 hours ahead in winter (1 and 2 hours ahead of Germany). Times on flight tickets, transfer bookings and tour pick-ups are always local Turkish time; your phone will normally switch automatically when you land. Source: timeanddate.com.

What real travellers say

• “Istanbul felt safe.” Most visitors say the city felt friendly and safe, with the usual big-city common sense.
• “Ignore the brush.” The shoe-shine trick is the one most people mention.
• “Use the meter or an app.” Taxi fares are the most common complaint.

Summarised in our own words from travel guides and holidaymaker reports, researched in November 2026. See also the official advice for visitors: UK government travel advice: Turkey safety

Istanbul tips: questions

Header photo: the Grand Bazaar. Photo: Ank Kumar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons