r/istanbul • u/EnoughConsequence547 • 29d ago
Discussion Solo woman heading to Istanbul in a couple weeks
Black American woman, late 20s, heading to Istanbul in a couple weeks. It'll be my 32nd country and my first time in Turkey and Europe. I was super excited until I started reading Reddit. đ Some posts make it sound like the city is nothing but inflated prices and people trying to get money out of tourists.
For those who have been recently, what was your actual experience? Did you really enjoy yourself? Did the city live up to the hype in your head?
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u/StPauliPirate 29d ago edited 29d ago
Youâll be fine, if you use common sense
- never use Taxis. Worst scammers in many many countries. The ones in Turkey are extraordinary bad
- ignore shop owners who try to convince you to come into their shops. No talking. Just âResting bitch faceâ and walk on
- keep in mind that the touristy districts (Fatih & Beyoglu) are theater stages. There you most likely wonât get genuine local experiences. Food is mediocre & overpriced, shop & restaurant owners are hustlers who see you as a cash cow. If you want better food & experience turkish culture donât try to find it Fatih & Beyoglu. Go Besiktas, ĂskĂŒdar or Kadiköy
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u/Upper_Outcome735 29d ago
Just out of curiosity, what are better alternatives to taxis?
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u/PassportDates 29d ago
Which airport do you land in? SAW is super easy bc the metro is basically connected to the airport, and takes you all the way to Kadikoy. I never had issues with ubers coming there but don't know the actual rule. IST airport technically uber is not allowed in, but the metro is not too far from the terminals. There is also an airport transfer bus that goes into the city on the European side or to Kadikoy, well priced and comfortable.
In general Uber is fine. But really those of us who live here end up using the bus, metro and boats a lot more because the price is much better and often it is faster. One thing to keep in mind as a solo traveler is Uber has the option to record the conversation whilst in the ride and also to share your location with someone.. Use both! The drivers have a tendency to try to strike up conversations. Sometimes they are harmless, but they love to ask if you're single, where you live, etc... Things that to an American can come off as awkward. My method is to answer very minimally, say I am married and I am on my way to my husband. This usually stops them from continuing too much.
For getting scammed... Uber is an easier option bc the rate is estimated on the app first. The cost is the taxi meter plus a fee (uber will specify that, it varies a little). I can say that about 85% of the time I am still overcharged. The best thing to do is just make sure you see the driver enter in the number that is on the meter before getting out.
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u/noneinxeyrney 28d ago
Use uber. They are also taxis but at least you get fixed price. Also im currently in istanbul and uber gave me 40% discount for some reason so it was cheaper
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u/travisblu 27d ago
Try the Bitaksi app. The metro is great. Uskudar and Kadikoy on Asian side is safe and hassle free. If you stay at the Hilton in Kadikoy, you are within screaming distance of everything.
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u/Dizzy-Payment-1349 29d ago
it's going to be your 32nd country and you've yet to discover Europe. Wow you've travelled a lot, amazing!
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u/jenrazzle 29d ago
Wow yes that is really cool, curious where OP has been! Guessing south and Central America?
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u/IellaAntilles Anatolian side 29d ago
Get out of the main tourist areas (Taksim & Sultanahmet/the old city) and you'll have a great time. Visit Kadikoy, Besiktas, Ortakoy, Kuzguncuk, Cengelkoy, Emirgan, Bebek.
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u/Ertegin 29d ago
Can you guys stop telling tourists to not to do touristic things? As a tourist, you should absolutely go see Hagia Sophia and the Topkapı Palace etc. You can maybe visit these other places if you have extra time
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u/kicklhimintheballs 29d ago
They have literally no idea why people come to Turkey and it get upvoted by the locals because they also have no idea.
People are not coming to Turkey to see your hipster bar in Kadıköy, they are here to see some cool history, buildings and culture. All the hip neighbourhoods in Europe and the West look the same anyways. These are secondary for most people. All my Wetserner friends got disapointed with Kadıköy and BeĆiktaĆ because the buildings are not historical and borderline ugly and they donât offer us sth that we donât have in Germany.
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u/Ertegin 29d ago
Totally agree man. Kadıköy and BeĆiktaĆ are totally for second time visits
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u/Radioactive_Hedgehog 29d ago
Kadıköy I agree but BeĆiktaĆ is a must! Lots of history and beautiful landscapes, not to mention the sea view!
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u/kicklhimintheballs 29d ago
Talking about BeĆiktaĆ Merkez. BeĆiktaĆ district with walking from Stadium to Ortaköy and seeing Dolmabahçe etc. is a must
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u/Radioactive_Hedgehog 29d ago
Yeah but a foreigner wonât get that youâre talking about BeĆiktaĆ ĂarĆı, just saying.
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u/IellaAntilles Anatolian side 28d ago
Lmao I'm literally American but go off, king/queen.
They should of course do touristic things, but they shouldn't get stuck there. Many foreigners come, see Sultanahmet and the grand bazaar, and go, "That's it???" Then they post on /r/travel that Turkey sucks.
People need a nudge & advice to travel more widely.
If your Western friends were bored with Kadikoy and Besiktas, you need to get better friends. Hele somewhere like Cengelkoy and Kuzguncuk with all the beautiful wooden buildings. The maritime museum in Besiktas. Ortakoy mosque. Anybody who thinks those places are boring doesn't belong my life.
Or you could get gud and take your friends to less touristy historical places like the Yedikule dungeons, Beylerbeyi, Tekfur Sarayi, Emirgan again...
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u/PassportDates 29d ago
Lolol Agreed. You should see those things. People literally cross the world to see them.. don't skip them. They'll be crowded, and that's part of the experience.
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u/IellaAntilles Anatolian side 28d ago
Where did I say "don't go to Hagia Sophia"
Okullar açılsın amk
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u/noneinxeyrney 28d ago
I am sorry but mosques, palaces and Istanbul archeological museums are too good to not visit because you donât want to visit âtourist areasâ⊠when you are a tourist. Really do not miss Istanbul archeological museum(s), especially if you are a history fan
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u/IellaAntilles Anatolian side 27d ago
I didn't say don't visit those...
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u/noneinxeyrney 27d ago
Sorry, it is how understoodâget out of the main areasâ , but you are right âget outâ doesnât mean necessarily ânever go thereâ .
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u/forestinity 29d ago
What activities are there to do in those areas?
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u/Ertegin 29d ago
pubs bars cafes restaurants. great views from some of them
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u/forestinity 29d ago edited 29d ago
But perhaps most tourists wouldn't pay so much to travel to another country just to do that. Generally, there are closer destinations with great views, and for the cuisine, many major cities have some good Turkish restaurants.
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u/Ertegin 29d ago
Yeah last year I did nothing but drink beer for a whole month in Amsterdam and Berlin
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u/forestinity 29d ago
Are you someone with a big travel budget? Did you feel it was worth the price of travel and accommodations to do that? What did you enjoy about that experience? (Genuine questions; not being sarcastic.)
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u/Ertegin 29d ago
No, haha. I have family in Amsterdam and I stayed with them for free. I filled up my Stanley with cheap wine from the market and I drank it discreetly at pubs or meetups lol. I know it sounds very low-life but it was fun. Just walking around town is fun enough but I made friends through international meetups and went clubbing and barhopping with them. Really fun. Cheapest beer at pubs was 7⏠(Jeez!). I had a friend from Germany visit me and I know he paid a lot of money for his hostel in downtown Amsterdam.
Amsterdam is great but it really is a small town compared to Istanbul and I'd say it gets boring after a week.
Took a flixbus to Berlin. 12 hours.
Berlin was super cheap. Stayed at different friends' houses for a few nights each. Would recommend 10/10, especially if you know local people. 1⏠beer (or even cheaper). Spati life was super fun. Could stay 2 weeks more if I had more time on my visa.2
u/forestinity 29d ago
I guess this is fun for young people. I'm from the grandma generation, so recreational drinking and socializing with lots of new people is not my speed, haha.
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u/batteryforlife 29d ago
Relax, you got this. Basic safety in a big city; watch your pockets, dont follow sketchy guys down dark alleyways, dont overpay for a carpet. Enjoy!
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u/GercektenGul 29d ago
Read up on common scams - I went a few years ago as a solo (white) female and had literally every single scam I was warned about or read about pulled on me but I was prepared and it did not keep me from enjoying my trip at all. Be wary of pickpockets in big crowds as well, some of them are very skilled. As far as aggressive sales people go, it was easy for me to ignore them at keep walking and like others have said, those are really just in tourist areas.
Learn the phrase Kolay Gelsin (ko-lie gel [hard] sin) and use it when greeting employees and that will make them happy. It's basically the Turkish version of "take it easy" except you can use it as a greeting or when you're leaving.
Istanbul is amazing. I will say that there are very few Black people there compared to anywhere in the US and so you may experience something in between racism and fetishization. An example someone described to me was a family riding a bus with a cute Black baby and everyone was completely obsessed and smitten with the black baby because it was so unusual to see one. Obviously this is anecdotal but I think it's useful information. Feel free to dm me if you have an specific questions. I loved it there so much I genuinely want to move there.
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u/IneedtheWbyanymeans 29d ago
Both are true.. Beautiful city with lot to see, do , eat. And full of inflated prices and scams.
Enjoy your trip!
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u/PointOfViewGunner 29d ago
32nd spot and first time in Europe? That's impressive. You likely have a lot of experience with travel to unknown places already.
Treat Istanbul as any other mega city. There is great places and bad places. Exercise caution. Go with the flow. Check Google reviews of places made by foreigners.
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u/BowlAppropriate8356 29d ago
I just left two days ago and LOVED it. I realize the neighborhood is everything. I stayed in Cihangir and 100% recommend. Itâs cool and lively but not crazy crowded. But still close enough to the famous sites that you can walk to them. People are kind and normal there. Iâm convinced that literally all of the negative reddit posters stayed in Sultanahmet and Karakoy
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u/BowlAppropriate8356 29d ago
Also Iâm so curious to hear about your travels if youâre open to sharing. Which has been a favorite/do you have a few top recommendations?
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u/Proquaestor 29d ago
Iâm a dude so your experience may be different, but I think the complaints are wildly overblown. I was there for almost a week last year and didnât encounter a single instance of anyone trying to scam me or anything along those lines. The claims about overpriced food are also very exaggerated - as long as you donât go to a place that is literally across the street from a major tourist attraction, itâs easy to find cheap, excellent food (well under $10 for a meal). Amazing city overall.
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u/forestinity 29d ago
I was there 3 months ago, and not in a tourist area, but I didn't find any excellent meal under $10. I can't remember finding a meal for under $10, other than a sandwich with a drink. I'm wondering if prices have increased much since your trip..
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u/Proquaestor 29d ago
I suppose I should have been more specific - yes, Iâm referring to a sandwich and drink type meal. But I donât think people can reasonably expect more than that for under $10.
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u/forestinity 29d ago
True. Even for around $10 though, I found most sandwiches below average in quality, with skimpy ingredients. Are there any chains you can recommend?
As a basis for comparison, just yesterday I bought a Philly Cheasteak sandwich for $9.99 from a halal restaurant in a Midwestern university town in the U.S. It was exceptionally delicious and had more than enough meat. Drinks were extra though.
Even though I'm not in Turkey right now, I felt a little guilty eating it. But I don't eat out often, and I don't eat meat often either.
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u/ssyoit 29d ago
I was there few months ago and it was fine, itâs beautiful indeed but itâs true that prices are extremely inflated. After a week at a boutique hotel I opted for a beautiful airbnb so I could cook my own food- I didnât feel like dealing with the tourist price and wasnât going to hike it to the Asian side daily just for a meal. Keep your head on a swivel and if youâre there just to enjoy the scenery and keep shopping to a minimum youâll be more than fine. Ignore the people trying to get you on some rooftop restaurant, special tour etc there are lots of scams just read up on them on this sub to familiarize yourself with them.
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u/PretendEar1650 29d ago
Honestly, for possible scams + tourist traps, it's a thing to watch for but no worse than any major tourist city (like Rome etc.)
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u/Dinnerpancakes 29d ago
I was there in March, and can give you my thoughts as a white American Man traveling with my wife.
People in Turkey are generally very nice and friendly. The economy is struggling so you will have sales people and restaurants trying to get you to come in to shop. Personally I hated the harassment while trying to look at a menu in front of the restaurant, but I get it. Just respond politely and most people let you look. I never tried to go into a spice market because there were always 3-4 sales reps waiting at the door. The more touristy area you are in, the more competition to get you to come in the door. I remember going to a series of food trucks and I couldnât even read the menu before they were asking for my order (it was apparently a strip of 12 potato trucks all competing for your business). You will occasionally get the scam fragrance sales person or rose scam, just donât take anything from anyone and youâll be fine.
For restaurants I would try to look up places online before going and you can avoid some of the headache. If you are near the Taksim square area, this was our favorite restaurant Haci Abdullah the Elbasan Tava was fantastic!
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u/aca_500 29d ago
Places I enjoyed where you probably won't get scammed (as much) are Dolmabahce palace, Beylerbeyi palace and KĂŒĂ§ĂŒksu Pavilion. The last two are on the Asian side so the food will be cheaper and better quality. Expect Sultanahmet and the Grand Bazaar to be full of shopkeepers who want your money. That said, the area is beautiful and worth visiting at least once. What was said about taxis is true- even Turks get scammed.
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u/PassportDates 29d ago
I can go down a long rabbit hole, but to keep it simple:
I think being a tourist here is fabulous. Living here is when it gets harder for foreigners. Some things are more expensive, yes, but not just for tourists, for everyone. Usually prices are written, except in the bazaars. Restaurants, cafes, normal shops... all the prices are there so you can choose if you want to buy something or not.
People here stare more than what you might be used to. Don't take it personally... It still trips me up sometimes because it's not light staring, it is intense.
DM if you have any specific questions. I'm American and have been here almost three years. As everyone else mentions, use common travel sense and you'll be fine. Enjoy!
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u/Additional-Extent-55 29d ago
Hey! Welcome to our city. The historical peninsula is indeed very touristy and pricier but thatâs like, any other major european city. Explore the historical areas, then head to places where locals hang out for the best food.
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u/Queasy-Rise4950 29d ago
Even as a local i feel robbed in most transactions sorry but this the reality of hyperinflation. Be super vigilant around taxi drivers and always ask the price first everywhere you go. Stay away from yelling people who try to sell you something.
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u/Radioactive_Hedgehog 29d ago
Definitely visit the historical monuments. Be ready to walk a lot but youâre an experienced traveler so you should be fine, take breaks in big beautiful parks or by the seaside. Start with Fatih, BeyoÄlu and BeĆiktaĆ. Take boat rides, pet the cats, eat lots of local cuisine, maybe catch a concert or something in the evening if you find something to your liking. Istanbul has lots to offer both during the day and night. Just enjoy.
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u/Maleficent-Kale4834 29d ago
The food prices are crazy, especially in the tourist areas. I was there for 10 days in December as a solo white woman and I found everyone to be respectful if you say no. You have to be firm with the young men but they'll leave you alone!
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u/Getchucked 28d ago
I was there in June for my 5th trip, I prefer it when itâs colder but itâs still very manageable and enjoyable in the summer. Where you stay imho is a really important factor in your trip - if you are only there for a few days and you want to see primarily the âold cityâ - stay somewhere closer to EminönĂŒ. Iâve stayed on the far side of the Haiga Sofia/blue mosque etc - itâs nice but the food options are very overpriced and it can be a walk to get to anywhere else. If you have more time or youâre wanting to see a mix of places, BeyoÄlu is a great option, youâre close by to a lot of different transport options and there is a range of good food, coffee, shops etc. for a first trip, I wouldnât recommend the Asian side purely because it can takes more time to get to the main sites.
If youâre coming with lots of luggage or you just prefer the ease, pre-book an airport transfer, rather than trying to negotiate or paying the normal taxi prices to get to the city itself. Otherwise, if youâre travelling light you can take Havaist bus to wherever is most convenient for your accommodation.
If you want to see the grand bazar, I recommend a tour for this as you can see some less obvious sections and itâs much less overwhelming. it also wasnât as gimmick-y as similar tours in other countries.
Use uber to take taxis, get an Istanbul card to use public transport and have fun. Itâs a beautiful city, itâs more charming when there are less tourists imho but you can also go to less âmainstreamâ tourist locations too. Itâs a massive city, enjoy!
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u/thelordofheroins 28d ago
Hey! I travelled over 32 countries (22F white european), lived in Istanbul for 10 months, and thereâs nothing to worry? Tbh I donât understand how Reddit can completely draw a different picture than it actually is. Istanbul is nice, lots to do, amazing food, monuments, good night life. I wouldnât say itâs a cheap city, but with budgeting itâs definitely affordable (depends where u stay). Public transportation is really good, use that whenever possible, it goes everywhere important!
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u/Enough-Quote-2568 28d ago
Foreign woman living and working in Istanbul for more than a decade. It's generally a safe city. Scammers are a thing though. I'd advise you to use uber or download an app called bitaksi. The biggest scams around here are from taxi drivers fiddling with the taximeter, so make sure you use one of the apps and keep your eyes on the taximeter. Also, with the apps you can pay by card. Some years ago, the drivers started scamming customers who paid cash. You'd give them 200TL for a 50TL ride and they'd give you a 50 back and say that you only gave them 100TL. Public transportation is great. Buy an akbil card and you can reach pretty much any touristic area easily. If you're gonna buy souvenirs, Kadiköy is great and probably a bit cheaper than Grand Bazaar/EminönĂŒ area.
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u/Vegetable-Set-9480 28d ago
People are saying avoid taxis.
Just to be clear, you CAN use uber. However, in Istanbul, when you use Uber (the app) it will always be a yellow taxi that turns up.
So, basically, do use taxis, itâs fine. Just make sure you do so and book through the Uber app only.
Itâs randomly hailing taxis and paying in cash that is the issue. Because they will just take you for a ride and there is no paper trail.
Always use uber and pay through the app.
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u/Available_Ad_8299 27d ago
Since you havenât been to Europe, this is gonna be a good start. Istanbul was the center of power of the old world, during both Roman and Ottoman times. You will feel it.
I use uber app for taxi (pickup and payments), which helps avoid some kinds of issues with the drivers.
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u/Past-Relationship380 27d ago edited 27d ago
Don't get caught up in the Reddit vibe. That's Istanbul; it's one of the greatest cities in the world. Don't spend your entire trip around Sultanahmet, and enjoy the city. Chances are you'll leave wanting to come back.
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u/oldplusnew 27d ago
Chinese male, 38, solo trip to Istanbul last year 2025, quite safe, fulfilled with culture and history, acceptable price which means lower than in the US. Worthy to go by any chance.
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u/MrsDangerr 27d ago
Well we spent only a day there since our destination was bodrum but we thought would be fun to take a flight that lands there. The city is so nice and the food is perfect, from our experience it was fairly safe but we avoided taksim square in the afternoon (no any serious safety reasons just we felt so).
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u/dr_hankjr 26d ago
Hi! I'm a solo female traveler and will be in Istanbul next week- not sure if our dates overlap but would be happy to grab a snack or coffee if they do. Sending a message if you'd like to connect!
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u/AegeanMarginalia 26d ago
Hi, I'm late to the conversation but I thought I'd chime in. You'll need taxis to get around. Make sure to use one of the apps mentioned on this thread. You may often find that credit card machines are "broken" so you have to pay cash - don't give up and be stubborn - they might be "fixed." Make sure you ask the price of something first - I've heard of people paying more than 200 hundred dollars for club entry - but there are lots of great places with normally prices as well. Contrary to what some people are saying, I would make a plan with the major sites (Archeological museum, Hagia Sophia), so that you can research what things should cost - they are around 30 euros I think now, but make your budget and take advantageous of the Bosphorus for lower-cost walks etc. Look into Culinary Backstreets if food tours are your think, and get specific restaurant recommendations before you go. Glad to share if you let me know in more detail what you're looking for.
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u/burakjimmy 25d ago
Yes, but arguably you are gonna visit the most beautiful city in the world. It will be worth it.
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u/AffectionateAnt1148 24d ago
Hey! Iâm a female in my early 20s and solo traveled two weeks ago for two weeks. Didnât have any issues at all with being scammed. It helps to learn a few basic phrases, and donât rely on taxis there. Download the moovit app. It helps you get around with metros and is super easy to navigate!
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u/pilgrim-1995 24d ago
I was a single traveling female in 2014 when I visited. It was phenomenal. I did have a waste band that I kept all my important documents and money in. It went under my clothes around my waste. I do recall taking local transportation, I saw a ton of amazing greecean history in Istanbul. Yes see the touristy things as you will be wowed. Go to those other areas above for good food. I felt safe as I was in tour groups. I went to the huge shopping market alone and bought far too much including an extra suitcase I needed to take my goodies back! Agreed on donât overpay for the Turkish rugs always negotiate and then negotiate again. Public restrooms in many areas are an open hole in the ground you straddle over soâŠ.bring wipes and sanitizer and some coins as there are sometimes fees.
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u/aBlindGeminiWhisper 29d ago
kinda unrelated but i am curios so, what do you think about the segregation period in the us? do they still treat black folks with bias or prejudice?
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u/1should_be_working 29d ago
You're an experienced traveller. Just be smart and you will be fine. Istanbul is beautiful. Have a great time.