🇹🇷 Welcome to Istanbul! A Local’s Guide

Hello and welcome to my beautiful city! I’m here to help you have the best experience possible. Here are my top tips for navigating Istanbul like a pro:

🌟 COME MEET US! I personally organize the Weekly Saturday CouchSurfing Meeting at Taksim. It is one of the best ways to meet locals and fellow travelers in a safe, fun environment. I’d love to see you there!

🚇 Transport; Arrival

Airport to City: Good news—the metro now connects both airports (European M11 + M2 & Asian M4) to the city center! It’s the cheapest option ($2–$7).

Istanbul Card: You need this for all public transport. Buy one at station machines for ~165 TL ($4). One card works for multiple people.

Hours: The metro runs from 06:00 to 00:00. Shuttle buses are also available. On Fridays and Saturdays the main metro lines are open for 24 hours within 30-minutes intervals between 1AM-6AM

From Old City to Taksim: T1 to Karakoy + Tunnel or Walk (See Galata Tower)
From Taksim or Metrobus(Mecidiyekoy): M2 - Green Line
From Old City to Balat: T1 to Eminonu + T5(Balat)
From Old City to Besiktas: T1 to Kabatas + Walk 15 mins or Besiktas Buses
From Old City to Uskudar: Follow the Tram line to Sirkeci or T1 + Sirkeci Train Station Marmaray Metro (Uskudar)
From Old City to Kadikoy: Follow the Tram line to Eminonu or T1 + Take Public Ferry to Kadıkoy (Şehir Hatları)

💸 Money; Savings

Exchange: The best rates are at the Grand Bazaar (Old City) for changes, do not change your money on touristic areas.

Inflation Tip: Prices change fast. Always check menus and Google reviews before ordering.

Cash is King: Keep small cash for street food and emergencies. Some places don’t take cards or charge extra commission for card transactions.

Budget Dining: For a high-quality meal under $2.50, try the Municipality Restaurants (Kent Lokantaları).

Old City (Sultanahmet) Location:https://maps.app.goo.gl/VBAR9jUqxqAZUBiK9
Üsküdar Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nFNXog3fwkUfnRFm7

Scenic Dining: Skip the exorbitant prices of famous tourist spots and try the Municipality Social Facilities (İBB Sosyal Tesisleri) instead. Enjoy fresh seafood or grilled meats in a premium setting for just $10–$40 (for a full 4-course meal):

Cihangir(Near Taksim): https://maps.app.goo.gl/z49A6LGcLxXLYMEU6
Haliç(Near Balat): https://maps.app.goo.gl/n4XQpL6VXRjq38Vi8
*They both accept only Debit Cards or İstanbulkart as payment. First-come, first-served basis.

🗺️ Where to Visit

Old City: Needs min. 2 days. Go early to beat the crowds!

Taksim: The heart of the city (where our Saturday meeting is!).

Asian Side: Visit Üsküdar and Kadıköy for a local vibe.

Scenic Walk: Walking from Kabataş to Ortaköy is a must.

Princes' Islands: Go very early in the morning to fully enjoy it.

⚠️ Safety & Scams (Please Read!)

🚖 The Taxi Meter Scam Some drivers claim their meter is broken to negotiate a high tourist price or try to switch your bills when you pay cash. Always insist on using the taximeter or, better yet, use mobile apps to ensure a tracked, fair rate.

🍻 The "Let's Have a Drink" Scam Friendly strangers may approach you on the street inviting you to a "local nightclub," where you will be locked in and forced to pay a massive bill under threat. Never follow strangers to a second location; if you want to drink, choose the venue yourself.

🌹 The Rose Seller Scam Sellers often force roses into your hand or onto your dinner table claiming it’s a "gift," only to aggressively demand payment or try to shame you into buying it. The best defense is to never touch the flower; if they leave it on your table, ignore it completely until they take it back.

Tourism Police: For help, contact them directly:

📞 +90 212 527 45 03

WhatsApp: +90 505 187 66 14

🛋️ Couchsurfing Community We have one of the biggest CS community in the world!

For Women: You may receive unsolicited messages. Always check references carefully and report any suspicious behavior.

Feel free to ask me questions or the Official Ambassadors about the city or the app.

Hope you enjoy your stay in Istanbul. See you at the Saturday meeting! 🤗

Best regards!

👋 Hola Explorers! Call me Sergio. (My real name is Serhat, but I go by Sergio to make life easier for you!)

🚨 PLEASE READ: Couchsurfing is for community, not dating or shakalaka boom boom 🤣. To be absolutely clear: I am here to make friends, network, and enjoy life—not to flirt or funny business.

Ladies: This is not a dating app.

Guys: I am not so "open-minded" in any sense. Let’s keep it respectful! I am looking for genuine, high-quality connections only.

🌍 My Story I’ve been a proud part of the Couchsurfing community since my days in Barcelona. Now, as a passionate local in Istanbul, I find immense joy in providing a warm welcome to travelers from all over the globe. I believe that meeting incredible people like you enriches life in ways we can’t imagine—some of my guests have even become lifelong friends!

What I’m All About:

🗺️ Meetups & Culture Even if I'm not traveling, I love the energy of travelers! I am passionate about organizing and joining gatherings to connect locals with wanderers. I love sharing stories, engaging in deep conversations, and celebrating the mix of cultures that makes this world fascinating.

🏠 Hosting Adventures If you visit my "cozy oasis," expect a smile and genuine interest in your journey. Whether you are a budget backpacker or an intrepid explorer, my goal is to make your stay comfortable and fill it with authentic local experiences.

💬 Let’s Connect Passing through my city? Let's meet up! Whether it's over a cup of strong Turkish coffee, exploring hidden gems, or attending a local event, I’m eager to create unforgettable memories with you.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Because I want some genuine connections. Not shallow people who are trying to benefit me such as using my home as a Free home or getting tips to show off to their friends. This is a BIG NO! I am simply here to share my experiences and being helpful to fellow CouchSurfers to visit and travel my beautiful city Istanbul.

Interests

• dancing
• pub crawls
• history
• language exchange
• food
• meeting new people

Music, Movies, and Books

I love cult movies like Godfather, Taxi Driver, Scarface etc. They taught me a lot about life. Im not interested such as fictional things like Harry Potter or LOTR.

I mostly read self-growth books like Rich Dad,Poor Dad or Atomic Habits.

On my music taste, Im going well with any of them mostly, except it isn't a nonsense or wacky.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can help you how and where you can travel in Istanbul and Türkiye. Also I can gladly help you learn Turkish and Spanish.

Countries I’ve Visited

Andorra, Germany, Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Spain, Turkey