Congrats! You’ve officially arrived in Turkey, probably a little jet-lagged, totally excited, and maybe wondering, “Okay... now what?” We’ve got your back. In our previous guides, we covered everything you need to know about arriving at Istanbul airport and exploring the city of Istanbul.

In this one, we’ll cover the essentials—like what to do the moment you check into your hotel, some basic Turkish phrases for quick use, and where to find the best real Turkish coffee (hint: it’s not at the airport). Plus, we’ll make sure you avoid the classic tourist traps and overpriced souvenirs.

Turkey is a mesmerizing mix of ancient history, vibrant bazaars, and mouthwatering food, but for a first-timer, it can be a bit overwhelming. This guide is here to help you navigate your first few days in Turkey without getting scammed, lost, or accidentally ordering sheep’s head for dinner (unless you’re into that, no judgment!).

Arriving at Your Hotel: Settling in Comfortably

You’ve made it to your hotel in Turkey, and now it's time to settle in. We’ll walk you through each step to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Step 1: Check-In

The first thing you’ll do when you arrive at your hotel is head to the front desk for check-in. The receptionist will probably ask for your passport for hotel registration. Make sure to get your passport back once they’ve made a copy or entered the details into their system.

Pro tip: Double-check whether you’ve already paid for your room or if you still owe any balance. It’s easy to forget after a long trip, and checking in advance will save you any confusion.

If you booked your hotel via a travel agent like Booking.com or Airbnb, make sure to contact the travel agency directly in case of any issue/discrepancy of information that might arise during your check-in at the hotel.

Get your visa on-time with atlys!
Apply for your Turkish visa in just 5 minutes.
With our on-time assurance, you'll get your visa when promised or your money back.
So you can skip the frustration and focus on exploring all that Istanbul has to offer.

Step 2: Connect to the Wi-Fi

Now that you’ve checked in, you’ll want to get connected. Most hotels offer free Wi-Fi, but you’ll need to ask for the password. This is important because using mobile data without a local SIM card can get very expensive with international roaming charges.

Step 3: Store Your Valuables

Once you’re settled in your room, it’s a good idea to store any important items like your passport, extra cash, or expensive electronics and other valuables in the room’s safe. Most hotels provide a small safe for free, and this way, you won’t have to worry about carrying everything with you while you explore.

If your room doesn’t have a safe, consider hiding your valuables in a less obvious spot or carrying them securely with you, especially your passport.

Step 4: Grab a Hotel Business Card

Before you step outside and start your adventure, stop by the reception desk and ask for a business card. This little card will have the hotel’s name, address, and contact information on it. Why do you need this? Simple:

If you get lost, you can show the card to a taxi driver or ask someone for help finding your way back.

It’s also helpful to have the card in case you need to call the hotel for any reason.

Just pop it into your wallet or bag and you’re all set!

Now that you’re all settled into your hotel, it's time to prepare for heading out and exploring the vibrant streets of Turkey. But before you do, there are a few things you need to follow to make sure your adventure starts off smoothly.

Get a Local SIM Card or eSIM

Mobile connectivity is essential for getting around in Turkey, especially if you plan to use maps or translation apps. If you didn’t get a SIM card at the airport, now is the perfect time to do it.

Where to Get It: Head to a local Turkcell, Vodafone, or Türk Telekom shop (ask your hotel staff or check GoogleMaps for the nearest one). You’ll find SIM card kiosks in malls or busy areas like Taksim Square and Sultanahmet.

What You’ll Need: Bring your passport to register the SIM. Turkish law requires all SIM cards to be registered to a passport, and this process takes just a few minutes.

Why You Need It: Having mobile data is crucial in Turkey. Many taxis don’t speak English, and navigating with apps like Google Maps, or ordering food on local apps like Getir becomes easier with an active connection.

Pro Tip: Consider using an eSIM if your phone supports it. This allows you to skip physical SIM cards altogether, and you can set it up online before or after you arrive.

Find Essential Spots Around Your Hotel

Turkey’s cities are bustling with shops and services, but it’s always best to know where your essentials are, especially if you're in a new area. Open up Google Maps and mark a few key spots near your hotel:

Pharmacies ("Eczane"): Pharmacies in Turkey can assist with over-the-counter meds, and many staff speak basic English.

Supermarkets: Look for Migros or CarrefourSA—they’re reliable chains where you can find food, water, and other essentials.

ATMs ("Bankamatik"): ATMs are plentiful in major areas, but try to use ones from reputable banks like Garanti or Akbank to avoid higher fees.

Pro Tip: Download an offline map of the area to your phone through Google Maps just in case you lose connection.

Basic Turkish Phrases to Know

While many people in popular tourist spots speak some English, showing an effort to speak Turkish is appreciated and often leads to friendlier interactions. Here are a few key phrases that will help you along the way. (Don’t worry, Turkish is a phonetic language—words are pronounced exactly as they’re written):

"Merhaba" – Hello

"Teşekkür ederim" – Thank you

"Lütfen" – Please

"Hesap lütfen" – Bill, please (use this in restaurants to ask for the check)

"Ne kadar?" – How much? (useful in markets or shops)

"Evet" – Yes

"Hayır" – No

"Afedersiniz" – Excuse me / Sorry

"Nerede?" – Where? (e.g., "Tuvalet nerede?" – Where is the bathroom?)

"Bakar mısınız?" – Excuse me, can I get your attention? (useful for getting a waiter’s attention in a restaurant)

"Yardım eder misiniz?" – Can you help me?

"İngilizce biliyor musunuz?" – Do you speak English?

"Anlamadım" – I don’t understand

"Üzgünüm, Türkçe bilmiyorum" – Sorry, I don't speak Turkish