[Turkey Travelogue] 7 Points of Caution You Should Be Aware Of

In September 2024, I traveled to Turkey with a friend for a 5-day, 3-night trip.
Knowing my own lack of luck, I didn't go to Cappadocia,
but I fully enjoyed Istanbul!!

Among those experiences, focusing on
things that were a bit troublesome
and things I wish I had known beforehand,

I will introduce 7 points of caution for those
who are going to travel to Turkey from now on.

I don't want you to have an unpleasant experience while on your trip.
I hope this experience will be useful to someone.
*The photo journal of the trip is published in a separate article!

Please take a look at that as well!

1. Be careful when topping up your transportation card!

If you issue an IC card, you can conveniently use the subway, buses, and trams.
We issued and topped up an IC card at the subway station right after leaving the airport.
It was convenient to be able to travel with one card for two people.
(Tapping the gate twice processes it for two people)



However,be careful of people who talk to you when topping up!
I fell victim to a scam where someone pretended to kindly teach me how to use the machine,
but in reality, the top-up didn't go through.

It was a situation where they lifted the card from the machine and only took the cash.
Let's do the top-ups by ourselves!

2. Buses don't arrive on time?

Buses and trams are convenient for getting around the city.
The fares are cheap, and it's efficient if you master them.

However,please assume that buses will not arrive on time.
I was trying to follow the transfer directions on Google Maps,
but the bus didn't come even after waiting for nearly an hour,
so I eventually walked to the station and transferred to a tram.

It is safer to act with plenty of time to spare.

3. Cruise ships: if you get it wrong, you can't get back

I thought I had boarded a sightseeing cruise of the Bosphorus Strait,

but it didn't return to the port even after an hour.
It seems I had boarded a regular ferry heading to an outlying island.

By the time I realized it, it was already too late.
I was dropped off on an unknown island and ended up spending an hour there until the return trip.

On the way back, it took another 2 hours to get to the city center while looking at the same scenery...


The tourist family sitting next to me,
who probably made the same mistake,
were fast asleep without even looking at the scenery.

"Check the type of ship before buying a ticket" is a golden rule.

4. "Market price"—that is, a trap

On the island where I was dropped off by the wrong cruise ship,
I enjoyed a fish dish at a seaside cafe.

The food was delicious, but
all the items on the menu were "market price."



It was our own mistake for ordering without asking the price,
but there is a possibility that the amount will be no laughing matter later, thinking "It costs this much!?"
Always confirm the price in advance!

5. Which souvenirs should you choose?

When it comes to Turkish souvenirs, "Lokum (Turkish Delight)" is a classic.
It looks colorful and cute, but
I don't really recommend the Eho-maki sized Lokum.
It's heavy, hard to distribute, and it's a disaster if it doesn't suit someone's taste.

Another famous sweet is "Pişmaniye," which looks like cotton candy, but
my friends gave it terrible reviews, calling ita "hamster"or"vacuum cleaner dust."The taste is sweet and delicious, though...
Don't forget that "Instagrammable" doesn't always mean "popular."

6. Should you make an immediate decision at the Grand Bazaar?

The Grand Bazaar, Istanbul's largest market, is an irresistible space for souvenir lovers.


However, you can never return to the same shop twice.Because there are countless similar aisles and storefronts,
it is essentially a labyrinth.
If you think, "I'll look around elsewhere and come back," consider it the end;



be prepared that you will never be able to find that shop again.
Buy what you want on the spot! That is the rule!

7. Is turquoise almost always fake?

The Turkish specialty "Turquoise" is
sold in many places even at the Grand Bazaar.

However, the only way to judge whether it is real or fake
seems to be to break it open.
In other words, there is no way to verify it!

According to the locals, the turquoise at the Grand Bazaar is
mostly fake...
I don't know if that's true or not...



It is best to buy from a reliable shop.
I bought a turquoise stone about 1cm in diameter
at a jewelry store near the Blue Mosque.

I bought it for about 10,000 yen.

Bonus: Cash is essential for a Hamam

The traditional Turkish steam bath, the "Hamam."
I dared to try a local Hamam.
Even though Google Maps said "cards accepted," it was actually cash only.


I didn't have any cash on me, so I had to dash to a currency exchange with my luggage held hostage...
Always bring cash when you go to a Hamam.

Finally

Theft and pickpocketing were fine as long as I took basic precautions
(like wearing my backpack on my front).

More than that, there were many small traps I fell into
because I "didn't know" or "let my guard down."



Turkey was a truly charming country.
That is exactly why I don't want you to have a disappointing memory over something small.
I hope you have a wonderful trip!!

If you have any concerns, please feel free to leave a comment.