British Embassy

The British Consulate General is located at Mesrutiyet Caddesi No 34, Tepebasi Beyoglu 34435, tel. +90 (212) 334 6400 or +90 (212) 334 6525 (Visa)

Tourist Info

The main Tourist Office in Istanbul is at Sultanahmet, near the Hippodrome on Divanyolu Cad. There is also a smaller tourist office at the airport (24hrs) and another at each of the train stations.

Cash / Currency Exchange

The currency is the new (yeni) Turkish Lira (ylt) introduced in 2005 and is divided into 100 Kurus. The coins are in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 Kurus and 1 ytl. Notes come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 ytl. Most places display prices in Euros and Turkish Lira and you can use Euros in these places.

Only exchange what you need as it may be difficult to exchange back any Lira you do not use

Banks with ATMs are widespread, especially along Divan Yolu and İstiklal Caddesi. The exchange rates at the airport are as good as those offered in the town centre.

Police Stations

Tourist Police: Yerebatan Caddesi 6, Sultanahmet Tel: 527 4503

Hospitals

The Turkish word for hospital is ‘Hastanesi’. There are two bigger hospitals in Istanbul both located near Taksim station:

Alman Hastanesi, Siraselviler Cadessi 119, Taksim Tel: 293 2150

American Hastanesi, Gűzelbahçe Sokak 20, Nişantaşi, about 2Km northeast of Taksim Square Tel: 311 2000

Internet Access

Most Starbucks and Gloria Jean’s coffee shops in the city have WiFi access

There is an internet café upstairs by the restaurants facing the side of Aya Sofia and behind the entrance to the basilica in Sultanahmet