Weather

Istanbul enjoys four distinct seasons. The weather is a cooler form of the Mediterranean climate, with a short spring, moderate summer temperatures, a relatively long autumn followed by winter rainfall. The month of March is characterized by cool temperatures and some rainfall. However, April and May have the best weather conditions as this is the heart of the spring season. Although July and August are the main summer months, there may be a few cool and cloudy days. Since there are several water bodies surrounding Istanbul, the weather is quite unpredictable. A day that starts on a cloudy note may clear up by noon to expose the bright, Mediterranean sun.

Autumn is the longest season and is followed by a cold and rainy winter. Winter ranges from December to March and may experience some snowfall.

Average annual temperature: 56.6? F

Coldest months: February (41? F)

Hottest months: July-August (72-74? F)

Average annual precipitation: 691 mm (27 inches)

Average snowy days: 7

1. Best Times to Go

The best time to visit Istanbul is during spring, followed by autumn. Spring stretches from April to June while September and October are the fall months. The temperatures during these months are relatively constant and range between the lower 60s to the upper 70s. The humidity level is also low, making your stay quite comfortable. Since winters are cold have a reasonable amount of rainfall, the months between November and February should be avoided when planning your trip.

2. What to Wear

Since you might encounter occasional rain during spring and autumn, it is advisable to pack a jacket or some appropriate rainwear. These will also keep you warm at night, when the temperatures can be pleasantly cool. Summers require light cotton clothing along with sun block and a hat for protection against the intense heat. Winters can get quite chilly and experience constant rainfall. Hence, winter and rain wear is a must.

Leaving aside the weather conditions, the dress code in the city is usually casual. Jeans and t-shirts are the most commonly worn garments. However, you are required to dress modestly when entering places of worship. Nudity is strictly banned all around the city.

D. Transportation

1. Air

Istanbul is served by two major airports, namely the Ataturk International Airport 23 km west of the city center and the Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the eastern side of the Bosphorus, which is the 32 km long strait that separates Europe from Asia.

The Ataturk International Airport is located on the European side of the Sea of Marmara and is the main terminus in Turkey for a majority of the international flights. An underground passage connects the international terminal to the local one. The Sabiha Gökçen Airport serves primarily local flights and some charter flights.

Turkish Airlines (THY) has a network of domestic flights, connecting seventeen Turkish airports. Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Dalaman and Antalya are the cities that have both domestic and international airport.

Domestic flights connecting major cities are convenient for long distance travel and have reasonable fares between US $ 50-$100 (one way). Onus Air, Fly Air, Atlasjet and Sun Express are some of the major low fare Turkish airlines.

2. Bus

Buses are an affordable and effective way to get around the city. The IETT is the government-run bus service. Although the service is cheap, the buses are usually slow and crowded during rush hours. Tickets usually costing about US $0.60 need to be purchased before the journey commences. These can be purchased at white fiberglass kiosks, labeled ‘IETT' or ‘Bilet', which means ticket. You can also use the Akbil prepaid electronic fare system to purchase the tickets as they cannot be bought once you board the bus.

Besides the government operated buses, several private operators also provide bus services, in accordance with the city rules and regulations. The private buses are known as ‘Özel Halk Otobüsü', which means ‘Private Peoples' Bus'. The buses run the same routes as the IETT counterparts and charge approximately the same fare. However, you need not purchase the tickets in advance and can pay the fare in cash.

Several companies also offer inter-city bus services as well as trips to neighboring Balkan countries such as Bulgaria and Greece. These buses are luxury coaches and offer a comfortable ride during the long trips. Intercity bus fares may range between US $25 to $40 for a one way journey.

3. Car

Renting a car is the best way to explore the sights and sounds of Istanbul. Although it is the most convenient way to move around the city, it can prove to be a bit expensive. While renting a normal car might cost around US $60 per day, one from a more reputed company can cost $75 to $90. Insurance is charged separately and may differ from one company to another.

Cars can be rented on the basis of kilometers traveled or on daily, weekly and monthly basis. A national or international driver's license of at least two years is required and the age restriction ranges from 23 to 25 years and above. Cars can also be hired before your arrival in the city. Several new companies offer online bookings through their personal websites.

Some of the popular car rental companies in Istanbul are mentioned below:

Europcar - Istanbul

Tel: 212 2547710

Website: http://www.europcar.com

Hertz - Istanbul

Tel: 216 3493040

Website: http://www.hertz.com

Rent A Car - Istanbul

Tel: +905323825830

Website: http://www.rentacaristanbul.com

EuroPark Rent-A-Car - Istanbul

Tel: 0090 212 465 5354

Website: http://www.europark.com.tr

4. Ferry

Since the city of Istanbul is surrounded by several water bodies, there is an efficient ferry system in place. Istanbul Deniz Otobusleri A.S (IDO) is the main company that operates both catamaran car and passenger ferries. It serves many of the regions in Istanbul and around the Sea of Marmara.

Istanbul is located on the shores of Europe and Asia. There are several people who travel from one continent to another for their work. For them, commuting by ferryboats is a cost and time-effective option. Most ferry services run from early morning till midnight.

Hizli ferries are catamaran-type ferryboats that provide fast and effective service between Istanbul and other ports on the Marmara seacoast.

5. Ship

Several water bodies surround Turkey, making sea transport a must. Since Istanbul is the largest city, it also serves as the most important port. Everyday, several cruise ships dock at the ‘Passenger Terminal' or the ‘Yolcu Salonu'. Cruise liners also leave Istanbul for various destinations spread across Asia and Europe.

7. Taxi

Taxis can be easily found on the streets of Istanbul. They are recognized by their yellow color and have a lighted ‘taxi' sign on their roof. All cabs charge two different rates, namely a day rate and a night rate that is 50% higher than the former.

Apart from the normal cabs, tourists can also try the cheaper option of a ‘Dolmus', which is a shared taxi. These have fixed routes and can be easily hailed by just waving out to them. You can request the driver to stop anywhere along the route and fares are decided according to the distance traveled.

F. Facts & Figures

- Passport /Visa requirements: It is important to make sure that the passport is valid for six months from the date you come to Turkey. The visitors from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Sweden, New Zealand, Holland, Iceland, Israel, Greece, Japan and Switzerland need only a valid passport for a three-month stay.

Citizens of other countries will require a visa, the validity of which will range from 15 to 90 days, depending on the home country.

- Population: City Proper - 9,631,700

Metro Area - 9,760,000

- Predominant Religions: 99% Islam (primarily Sunni), Christianity and Judaism

- Language: Turkish is the main language. Other languages spoken include Kurdish, Dimli (Zaza), Azeri and Kabardian.

- Time Zone: Eastern European time. 2 hours ahead of London and Coordinated Universal Time (GMT/UTC). 7 hours ahead of New York and 10 hours ahead of Los Angeles.

- Voltage Requirements: 220 V

- Telephone Codes: Country code is 90