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Last updated · 31 articles in the guide

The free starter pack

Your first 7 days
in Istanbul.

7 short emails over 7 days. The practical stuff that gets foreigners stuck in their first week, without sending you to 8 different websites to figure each one out.

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What's in the pack

Seven topics to help organise your first week.

1

Day 1 · Get connected

Compare a local SIM with a travel eSIM, and check what changes if you need a Turkish phone number.

2

Day 2 · Understand the tax number

What a Turkish tax number is used for and where to find the application steps.

3

Day 3 · Plan your banking

Documents to prepare and questions to ask your chosen bank before visiting.

4

Day 4 · Look for an apartment

Where to search, what to check at a viewing and how to assess a request for a deposit.

5

Day 5 · Work out your regular journeys

Plan the routes between your accommodation, workspace and the places you will visit often.

6

Day 6 · Find healthcare information

How to contact providers, ask about costs and check your insurance cover.

7

Day 7 · Check your residence plans

Find the application information and deadlines relevant to your stay.

Arrived before check-in?

Ask your accommodation to hold your bags first. If that does not work, find storage near where you want to spend the day.

Where to leave your luggage in Istanbul →

Getting from the airport? Compare transfer options from IST and SAW →

No data yet? Most eSIM apps are blocked in Turkey. The one that still works, with a 15% reader code →

The guides behind each day

Send the pack →

First email lands within minutes. Day 2 the next morning, Istanbul time.

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