First 7 Days Checklist

Kadıköy · Experience date Apr 15, 2026

Essential Turkish apps: BiTaksi (licensed taxis), Getir (grocery delivery in 10 minutes), Yemeksepeti (food delivery, Turkey's Deliveroo), İstanbulkart (transit card top-up), IETT (bus routes and real-time arrivals), Trendyol (Turkey's Amazon, needs Turkish number), Sahibinden (classifieds). For navigation: Google Maps works well in Istanbul, slightly better than Apple Maps for public transit. Download all before needing them — several require Turkish phone number verification.

Beşiktaş · Experience date Mar 10, 2026

Report to the nearest police station (karakol) immediately — you'll need a police report (kayıp belgesi). Then contact your embassy or consulate for emergency travel document. US Embassy Passport Services Istanbul: +90 212 335 9000. British Consulate Istanbul: +90 212 334 6400. Processing time for emergency passport: 2–5 business days. Carry a photocopy of your passport and visa at all times — keep the original in your apartment in a secure location. A police report is required for any insurance claim.

Beşiktaş · Experience date Apr 5, 2026

State hospitals (devlet hastanesi): very cheap (free with SGK, 100–200 TRY without insurance) but queues of 3–5 hours for non-emergency. Private hospitals (özel hastane): Acıbadem, Memorial, American Hospital — 500–2,000 TRY per consultation, shorter waits, good English. For non-urgent issues: neighborhood health centers (aile sağlığı merkezi) are the cheapest private option at 200–500 TRY. Pharmacy (eczane) staff often diagnose and recommend for minor issues — common practice in Turkey.

Beyoğlu · Experience date Mar 3, 2026

Turks are genuinely hospitable — accepting tea (çay) when offered in shops or offices is polite and often leads to better service. Remove shoes when entering traditional homes. Tipping in small cash is appreciated more than card tips (many POS machines don't route tips to staff). 'Buyurun' means 'go ahead' or 'help yourself' — a multi-use polite phrase. Learn 'teşekkür ederim' (thank you) — using it earns genuine warmth. Friday prayer times: shops in more conservative neighborhoods may close briefly around midday.

Üsküdar · Experience date Nov 25, 2025

Turkish is a difficult language and significantly less English is spoken in Istanbul than in major expat hubs like Dubai. In tourist areas (Beyoğlu, Kadıköy, Beşiktaş): English is manageable. In outer neighborhoods, government offices, and smaller shops: Turkish-only is common. Download Google Translate with Turkish offline package before arriving — camera translation is invaluable at pharmacies, offices, and when reading leases. Learning 50 basic Turkish words makes daily life significantly smoother.

Fatih · Experience date Nov 11, 2025

After signing a lease: electricity (BEDAŞ), water (ISKI), and gas (IGDAŞ) accounts must be transferred to your name. Each requires a visit to the relevant office or authorized service point with passport and lease contract. Ask your landlord to accompany you or give a letter of authorization — Turkish utility offices often have limited English. Setting up direct debit (otomatik ödeme) from your Turkish bank account prevents late fees. Total deposit for utilities: 500–1,500 TRY approximately.

Beyoğlu · Experience date Nov 9, 2025

Istanbul addresses include a neighborhood (mahalle), district (ilçe), and postal code. When registering anywhere officially, you'll need the full address in Turkish format. Example: Moda Caddesi No:15 D:3, Moda Mahallesi, Kadıköy İlçesi, İstanbul. The muhtar can confirm your official address format. Google Maps often shows addresses in the wrong Turkish format — always verify with your building's official address on the lease contract.