Why go to Istanbul
Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace are a short walk from each other in Sultanahmet, with the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar close by. Take a public ferry across the Bosphorus to the Asian side for the best view of the city: it costs about the same as a metro ride.
Many trips add Cappadocia, famous for sunrise hot-air balloon rides over strange rock valleys. It’s about an hour’s flight from Istanbul.
Best time to visit Istanbul
April to May and September to October are the best months: mild, with fewer crowds. June to August is hot and busy. Winter is cool and rainy, but cheaper, and the city is quieter.
- January: off season
- February: off season
- March: good time
- April: best time
- May: best time
- June: good time
- July: off season
- August: off season
- September: best time
- October: best time
- November: good time
- December: off season
Istanbul visa for Indians
Visa before you flyLast checked October 2026
Most Indian passport holders need a visa from a Turkish consulate or its visa centre before they travel. Apply a few weeks ahead.
If you hold a valid US, UK, Schengen or Irish visa or residence permit, you can apply for an e-Visa online instead, which is much quicker.
Apply only on the official site, evisa.gov.tr, or through a trusted agent. Look-alike sites charge extra. Rules change, so check again before you book.
Flight time and fares from Delhi
Nonstop flights from Delhi take about 6½ to 8 hours. Indian airlines currently fly a longer route around Pakistani airspace, so their flights take longer than Turkish Airlines on the same route.
Istanbul is one of the world’s biggest transfer hubs, so a cheap fare to Istanbul can also be a good start to a wider Europe trip.
Getting from the airport
Istanbul Airport is far from the old city: about an hour by taxi, longer in traffic. The M11 metro line and the Havaist airport buses are much cheaper.
How many days you need
Four or five days for Istanbul. With Cappadocia, plan a week: four nights in Istanbul and two or three in Cappadocia.
Food for Indian travellers
Vegetarians do well here: lentil soup, stuffed vegetables, pide, simit (sesame bread rings) and mezze. Ask for “etsiz” (without meat). Indian restaurants are easy to find in Sultanahmet and Taksim.
