The major monuments and museums of Istanbul are state-owned and charge a moderate entrance fee. Students and senior citizens are entitled to reduced or free entry to most sights, and should always carry proof of their status with them. In some museums there is a separate charge for a special section within the building, for example the Harem in Topkapi Palace . Most sights are closed at least one day a week, usually Monday or Tuesday. Exhibits in museums are generally labelled in Turkish only, but some are labelled in English as well. If you intend to visit mosques remember that they close regularly for prayer, although people may be worshipping in them at any time of day.

TOURIST INFORMATION

The sign for a tourist information office is a white "i" on a light green background in a white box. The offices themselves are named in English and Turkish. They rarely have much printed information to give out, least of all public transport timetables, but the main office in Sultanahmet Square, in particular, will be able to answer questions on all aspects of your stay in Istanbul. The Directorate of Tourism in Beyoğlu does not give out information to casual passers-by, but if you book an appointment with them they will help with planning longer trips to places outside Istanbul and with mountaineering, walking and yachting expeditions. It is open on weekdays only.
Edirne, Bursa, İznik and Çanakkale all have tourist  offices near the town centre. Most information offices are open from 9am to 5pm, Mon-Sat. Some stay open later in summer, while the one at the airport is open 24 hours every day of the year.

OPENING HOURS

Museum opening times are generally 8:30 or 9am to 5:30 or 6pm, with a break for lunch in smaller establishments. Private businesses are open from 9am to 6pm. and government offices from 8am to 5pm. Shops open from 8:30 or 9am to 7 or 8pm . Sign showing Most banks are open 8:30am to noon and 1:30 to 5pm, Monday to Friday, while exchange offices (cioviz) are usually open until 8 or 9pm .
Public offices are closed on Saturdays and Sundays, and most shops on Sundays, although small grocers' are often open seven days a week.

GUIDED TOURS

Several tour operators run special-interest tours of Istanbul, as well as general guided tours of the city and further afield. Plan Tours has a variety of tours, including trips to Gallipoli, Troy and Bursa, Jewish heritage tours, and private yacht cruises along the Bosphorus. Genf^tuT, which does "green" tours of Istanbul, offers discounts for young people. Companies ninning city tours include Fest Travel and Turkland Travel Agency.
While sightseeing, you may be approached by people offering their services as tour guides. Some of these will be official guides licensed by the Greater Istanbul Municipality. Others may not be. Before you go anywhere with a guide, make it clear what you want to see and agree the fee. If you have little time, or do not wish opening hours    to travel by
public transport, it is often worth negotiating a private tour or visit to a sight with a taxi driver.

VISITING MOSQUES

Although large mosques are open all day, closing after last prayers in the evening, smaller ones open only five times daily, at prayer times (namaz). At these mosques it may be difficult to gain entrance outside prayer times unless there is a caretaker around to open up for you. Non-Muslims should not enter any mosque during prayers. Instead, wait until most of the worshippers have left.
The times of prayer change throughout the year. They may be chalked up on a board outside the mosque, but they are always signalled by the call to prayer (ezan) from a loudspeaker fixed to the minaret of the mosque.
When visiting a mosque women and men should dress appropriately . Some mosques can provide suitable attire at the door. Take your shoes off before entering and either leave them outside or carry them in with you. Make as little noise as possible inside and show consideration for anyone who is praying there.

STUDENTS

A Federation of International Youth Travel Organisation (FIYTO) Card will usually ensure free entry to sights, and an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) a 50% reduction. Reduced-price bus tickets are only available to those attending Turkish educational institutions, with a card to prove it. Non-Turkish students can get discounts on inter-city trains with an ISIC card, officially, there are no discounts on coaches for non-Turkish students, but if you say you are a student when buying your ticket, you may be given a small reduction. Budget accommodation is easy to find. In July and August you can get a bed in a student dormitory through Sultanahmet tourist information office. There are also a few youth hostels , and some cheap hotels and guesthouses in the city centre.

DISABLED VISITORS

Istanbul has few facilities for disabled people and the poor state of the streets can make it difficult to get around. Most mosques will not allow wheelchairs in, and very few museums have disabled access. Toilets with special facilities are also very rare. Conversely, museum staff and the public will go to great lengths to assist with entry to buildings, and there are some low-level public telephones and special-access buses.
The Turkish Tourist Office in London publishes a guide to facilities for the disabled in Turkey. This contains specific details of hotels as well as general information. The Turkish Association for the Disabled (Türkiye Sakatlar Derneği) helps disabled people living in Istanbul, and can arrange bus tours around the city for small groups of disabled tourisis.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Museums often charge for the use of a video camera, and sometimes even for cameras. Check whether or not a flash is allowed before paying. Flash is often forbidden in mosques, but discreet photography is usually allowed.
Avoid paying extortionate prices for film at tourist sights; you can buy film much cheaper in camera shops.