Hotel Marius · Sirkeci
Your first hours in Istanbul: card, SIM, money
Four practical things that decide how smooth the first day goes. None of them need to be arranged before you arrive, and none of them need a middleman.
İstanbulkart — buy it at the airport
One card covers the metro, tram, Marmaray, ferries and buses, and a single card can be tapped for several people travelling together. Machines stand before the turnstiles at both airports; they take cash and cards and switch to English. Buying tickets one journey at a time costs more and slows you down at every barrier.
SIM card — the shop, not the arrivals hall
Turkish operators sell tourist packages, but airport arrival-hall prices are noticeably higher than the same operator's shop in the city. If your phone takes an eSIM, buying one before you fly is usually cheaper still. Free Wi-Fi covers our hotel throughout, so there is no need to decide in the first hour.
Changing money — never at the airport
Airport exchange rates are the worst you will see in Turkey. Exchange offices in the old city — there are several within a few minutes of Sirkeci — post their rates on the window and take no commission. Change a small amount at the airport if you must, and the rest here. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; cash is mostly for markets and small cafés.
Getting into the city
From Sabiha Gökçen the Marmaray brings you into Sirkeci station with one change, about 50 minutes. From Istanbul Airport it is the M11, M2 and Marmaray, roughly 80 to 100 minutes. Both leave you about 50 m from our door, so no transfer needs booking in advance.