USEFUL INFORMATION

Istanbul is a huge city with a lot of public transportation options. It is possible to access all public transportation lines and types of vehicles within the city with Istanbulkart which is the official public transportation card (ticket system) of the Municipality. You may purchase Istanbulkart from IstanbulKart Application Centres located at certain hubs within the city, or use the ticket vending machines at stations. You may find further information about the IstanbulKart on www.istanbulkart.istanbul

Public Transport Options

IETT Buses - Being operated by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, IETT buses have a network throughout the city. On the website of IETT you may find routes, time schedules, information on tickets & fares, etc.

Metro / Underground / Tram / Train Lines - Being operated by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality or the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, there are various train, tram, metro and underground systems available throughout the city. You may find routes, network maps, time schedules and information on tickets & fares, etc on the websites of Istanbul Metro and Marmaray.

Ferries - It is quite easy and joyful to travel between continents with public transport ferries operated by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. You may find ferry routes, time schedules and information on ticket & fares on the website of Sehir Hatlari.

Taxi - There are three types of taxis available within Istanbul: Yellow, Turquoise, XL Yellow and Luxury Black.

• Yellow taxis are standard taxis that can accommodate up to 4 passengers. The yellow taxi fares are: 24,55 TL opening + 17.62 TL per km. A fixed fare of 90 TL is applied for short distances than 3,5-4 km.
• Turquoise taxis can also accommodate up to 4 passengers, but fares are 15% higher than the yellow ones. The fixed fare for short distances in turquoise taxis is 105 TL.
• XL Yellow taxis are minivans that can accommodate up to 8 passengers. The fares for XL yellow taxis are 31.92 TL opening + 22,90 TL per km, and the fixed fare for short distances is 115 TL.
• Luxury black taxis are also minivans (Mercedes Vito) that can accommodate up to 8 passengers. The fares for luxury black taxis are 41.74 TL opening + 29.94 TL per km, and the fixed fare for short distances is 150 TL.

Please note that in all taxis, the taximeter can charge slightly higher than the actual km distance during rush hours because of the waiting time fares of the taximeters.

For getting a taxi, you may ask the hotel reception, use the taxi lines at both airports or stop a taxi on the road. You may also use the mobile applications; BiTaksi and Uber to find a taxi. (Uber operates only with official taxis in Turkiye)

Please refer to the Getting There page to find transportation options from / to Airports to the hotel.

Istanbul falls in the Eastern European Time Zone. Eastern European Standard Time (EET) is 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+3).

Current Time in Istanbul:

Currency

The Turkish Lira is the official currency of Türkiye. Bank notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 TL. Coins come in the amounts of 1, 5, 10 and 25 Kuruş and 1 Lira.

Changing Money

Foreign exchange offices, which are known as "döviz bürosu" can be found throughout the country. Operating hours are mostly Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 17:00. In the arrivals section of Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport, there are 24-hour exchange offices. Also the exchange offices located in shopping malls and touristic areas are open later and on Saturdays. US Dollars and Euros are accepted in highly touristic districts like Sultanahmet and Taksim but rates are often not competitive.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are widely used and accepted. Visitors can use their Visa and Mastercards but Amex and Diner's are often not accepted.

Traveller's Cheques

Traveller's cheques can be changed at banks or post offices. Note that you'll need to have a valid passport with you.

There is a lot to be seen in Istanbul and Türkiye. A selection of tours will be available throughout the congress including the famous sites at the Historical Peninsula -also known as the Old City- and the Bosphorus cruises. The Aegean, Anatolian and Mediterranean sections of Türkiye are also packed with archaeological sites of varying ancient civilizations and can be visited in the offered pre and post congress tours.

Istanbul is a culinary delight no matter what your budget. From simple workers' eateries and sidewalk cafes to posh culinary palaces with liveried waiters, Turkish cuisine is good and the value-for-money unbeatable. A typical Turkish dish generally consists of lamb, mutton, and veal with a variety of vegetables. Pilaf, all kinds of pastry, bulgur, haricot beans, rich olive oil, and vegetables are also common side dishes. Meatballs, shish kebab, and doner kebab are also classic dishes. Because of its coastal location, fish is also popular although it is usually cooked simply, such as grilled, or fried with olive oil and lemon juice. Istanbul is the commercial and cultural centre of Türkiye; and there are restaurants of many nationalities such as Korean, Russian, Italian, and Chinese. American-style fast-food outlets are becoming more popular, but for a quick snack it is more appropriate to fill up at the plethora of tiny takeaways offering kebabs and snacks. It is easy to sample good quality regional cuisine in typical small restaurants, usually at low cost, especially in the commercial and business areas.

Turkey's electrical system operates on 220 volts, 50 Hz, and power plugs and sockets (outlets) of type C, E or F are used. If your power plugs do not fit in these sockets, we recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit.

Registration fees do not include the insurance of participants against personal accidents, sickness and cancellations by any party, theft, loss or damage to personal possessions. Participants are advised to take out adequate personal insurance to cover travel, accommodation, cancellation and personal effects.

It is recommended to have a travel insurance policy with a full medical coverage before traveling.

Famed as the City of a Thousand Colours and Fragrances, Istanbul is a paradise for shoppers. A large variety of traditional carpets, jewels, gold, and leather goods can be purchased on the street in the tourist areas, or one can visit the city's modern shopping malls where Turkish brand goods can be found. The shops are open from 8:00 to 21:00 from Monday to Saturday. The Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar open their gates at 8:00 and close at 19:00. The large shopping malls open from 10:00 to 22:00 seven days a week. Shops do not close for lunch.

Service charges are included in the cost of all goods and services. Although it is not mandatory, a small tip is customary for good service. As a guideline, add about 10% to the total bill. When paying by credit card, a cash tip is preferred.