Wikimedia Hackathon 2025/Travel

Istanbul, Turkey – May 2–4, 2025

Visa

Airport of Istanbul.

Istanbul is a global transport hub, mainly an air hub. Istanbul has two international airports (Istanbul Airport and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport), which connect Türkiye with more than 180 locations on the world. Located at the intersection of Asia, Europe and the Middle East, Istanbul Airport is a strategic connection point for all destinations and the second busiest airport in the world.

Istanbul is also connected to European capitals with a railway. There are also bus links with neighboring and European capitals.

Visa requirements

Türkiye has a very flexible visa policy and provides citizens of foreign countries with various options for obtaining a visa. At the moment, citizens of 95 countries can travel to Türkiye without a visa, and in addition to this, citizens of 22 countries can obtain an electronic visa to travel to Türkiye.

Visitors of most nationalities must hold a passport valid for no less than 150 days from the date of arrival. An identity card is accepted instead of a passport for citizens of Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, Northern Cyprus, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, and Ukraine.

Check if your passport is up to date and if you will need a visa (or an e-visa) to travel to Turkey; citizens of most countries can apply for an e-visa online.

As of 2024, Türkiye has embassies and consulates in 252 locations around the world. Turkish diplomatic missions are represented on all continents. Türkiye is the third country with the highest number of diplomatic representations in the world. You can see the full list of Turkish diplomatic missions on this link.

Money

Sign of Turkish Lira (TL)

Turkish lira (TRY, TL, or ₺) is used in Istanbul and throughout Türkiye. You can use your credit, debit, or prepaid card in the city (restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, pharmacies, etc.). However, please note that you should only use Turkish lira (₺) as cash and that you will have to change money at a currency exchange office or use an ATM. There are currency exchange offices and ATMs (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) at Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW). This will allow you not to waste time withdrawing money or converting currencies. You can pay in Turkish lira in cash in all taxis and with your card in most of them.

We recommend paying everywhere in Istanbul with a bank card (Visa, MasterCard). If you prefer digital payment methods such as Apple Pay and Google Wallet, you can also use these methods in most places.

The exchange rate for Turkish lira changes frequently, so be sure to check online for the daily rate. For instance, while doing an internet search on February 6th, the exchange rate for 1 euro to Turkish lira is 37.25 TRY.

Turkish lira banknotes
Turkish lira coins

Important phone numbers

Emergency Hotline

International Calling Code for Türkiye: +90
Police, Ambulance, Fire: 112
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (24/7 Help Desk for transportation, Istanbulkart etc.): 153
Havaist: +90 850 888 33 34
Havabus: +90 444 26 56

Time

Clocks in Türkiye are set to Turkey Time (TRT/UTC+3 hours). In October 2018, it was announced that UTC+03:00 would remain the country's year-round permanent time zone.

Electricity access

Europlug Type C, E, and Type F plug types are used in Türkiye. Plug type C has two round pins, and plug type F has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. The current voltage across the country is 230 V/50 Hz.

If you do not have a type C, E, or F plug, it is recommended that you obtain a converter.

Type C plug (Europlug) and socket
Type E plug and socket
Type F socket

Mobile connection

There are three mobile operators across Türkiye:

Turkcell
Türk Telekom
Vodafone

You can also use the İBB Wi-Fi service provided free of charge by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality in many points of Istanbul (public transportation, city squares, and public areas).

Also, if your mobile supports e-sim, you can activate apps like Airalo or Mobimatter.

Public transport

There are several types of public transport available in Istanbul, which are:

Metro

Istanbul is among the cities with the most metro lines in the world. Weekday function starts at 06:00 and ends at 00:00. However, on weekends (between 06:00 on Friday morning and 00:00 on Sunday), there are 36-hour uninterrupted metro services. The places where you see the and symbols are metro stations. The Istanbul Metro is the fastest and most efficient way to get around the city.

Bus

One of the most effective ways to get from one place to another in Istanbul is by bus. You can access the timetables of the buses, which can be easily distinguished by their yellow color, from this link: https://iett.istanbul/en

Metrobus

Metrobuses, operated by IETT, the public institution that operates the buses, are highly preferred because they are fast, traffic-free, and have their own private highway.

The places where you see the symbol are Metrobus stations.

Taxis

Applications such as BiTaksi and Uber can be used to find taxis in Istanbul.

Please be aware that, like many other touristy cities, Istanbul taxis are driven by profit and may try to scam tourists. Regrettably, Istanbul taxi drivers are not reputed for their honesty, so we suggest minimizing the use of taxis. If needed, consider using taxi apps or relying on public transportation.

Payment

Istanbulkart

You can make your public transportation expenses with İstanbulkart or your own debit card or credit card (You will pay more if you use your card; Bus: ₺30, Metrobus: ₺60).

Istanbulkart price: ₺130
Boarding fee (for one person): ₺27

If you do not want to buy an İstanbulkart, you can get one of the limited pass İstanbulkarts:

Single ticket: ₺40
Two-pass ticket: ₺70
Three-pass ticket: ₺110
Four-pass ticket: ₺135
Five-pass ticket: ₺160
Ten-pass ticket: ₺305

From Airport to hotel

From Istanbul Airport (IST)

Option 1 (Buses)

To reach the hotel from Istanbul Airport, you can follow this route:

Go to bus stop İstanbul Havalimanı Peron 12
- Take the Havaist bus with the code HVL-1 (1 hour ride for four stops)
- Get off at Aksaray Metro bus stop
Walk to Yusufpaşa bus stop (3 min walk)
- Take the bus with the code 72T in Yeşilköy direction (30 min ride for 25 stops)
- Get off at Sipahioğlu bus stop
Walk about 3 minutes

Option 2 (Bus + Marmaray)

To reach the hotel from Istanbul Airport, you can follow this route:

Go to bus stop İstanbul Havalimanı Peron 10
- Take the Havaist bus with the code HVL-4 (1 hour ride for three stops)
- Get off at Ataköy 3. Kısım bus stop
Walk to Ataköy Marmaray station (6 min walk)
- Take the B1 in to Halkalı direction (3 minute ride, for one stop)
- Get off at Yeşilyurt station
Walk 850 meters (12 minutes)

Option 3 (Bus + Marmaray)

To reach the hotel from Istanbul Airport, you can follow this route:

Go to bus stop İstanbul Havalimanı Peron 2
- Take the İETT bus with the code H-3 (1 hour ride for 25 stops)
- Get off at Halkalı Marmaray bus stop
Walk to Halkalı Marmaray station (4 min walk)
- Take the B1 in Gebze direction (15 min ride for six stops)
- Get off at Yeşilyurt station
Walk about 12 minutes (850 m).

Option 4 (Metro + Marmaray)

To reach the hotel from Istanbul Airport, you can follow this route:

Go to İstanbul Havalimanı (Peron 12) bus stop;
Take the Havaist bus with the code HVL-1;
Get off at Ulubatlı bus stop;
Walk to Topkapı-Ulubatlı metro station to Yenikapı direction; (3 min)
Get off at Yenikapı station;
Walk about 5 minutes;
Transfer to Yenikapı Marmaray station;
Get off at Yeşilyurt station;
Walk about 12 minutes (850 m).

From Sabiha Gökçen International Airport

To reach the hotel from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, you can follow this route:

Option 1 (Metro + Marmaray)

To reach the hotel from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, you can follow this route:

Walk to Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı metro station; (10 min)
Get off at Ayrılık Çeşmesi station;
Transfer to Ayrılık Çeşmesi Marmaray station to Halkalı direction; (3 min)
Get off at Yeşilyurt station;
Walk about 12 minutes (850 m).

Option 2 (Metro + Metrobus + Bus)

To reach the hotel from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, you can follow this route:

Walk to Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı metro station; (12 min)
Get off at Ünalan station;
Walk to Uzunçayır metrobus stop; (9 min)
Go to Metrobus to Beylikdüzü direction;
Get off at Zeytinburnu station;
Walk to Kocatepe bus stop; (2 min)
Take the bus with the code 72T; (to Yeşilköy direction)
Get off at Sipahioğlu bus stop;
Walk about 3 minutes (240 m).

Health

Pharmacies

Below are the pharmacies near the hotel.

Deniz Eczanesi

Yeşilköy İstanbul Cd. No:79, 34149 Bakırköy/İstanbul, Türkiye

Tel: +902124000680

Nil Pharmacy

Yeşilköy İstanbul Cd. No:76a D:1, 34149 Bakırköy/İstanbul, Türkiye

Tel: +902126625200

Yesilyurt Pharmacy

Sipahioğlu Cd No: 13/B, 34149 Bakırköy/İstanbul, Türkiye

Tel: +902125731520

Pharmacies in Istanbul are open until 19:00 on weekdays and Saturdays. Click on this link to see the pharmacies on call for the rest of the day and on Sunday. (Select Bakırköy as the district (ilçe)). If you need help, please get in touch with the Organizing Team.

Hospitals

Acıbadem International Hospital

Yeşilköy İstanbul Cd. No:82, 34149 Bakırköy/İstanbul, Türkiye

Tel: +902124684444

Memorial Bahçelievler Hastanesi

Adnan Kahveci Blv. No: 227, 34180 Bahçelievler/İstanbul, Türkiye

Tel: +902124084545

Medipol Bahçelievler Hospital

Çobançeşme, Fatih Cd. No:1/8, 34196 Bahçelievler/İstanbul, Türkiye

Tel: +902124544600

Restaurants near venue

HAVUŞ Restaurant
- Address: Kısım Mah, Ataköy 2-5-6, Yalı, Rauf Orbay Cd. Kapı No-4 İç Kapı No-7, 34158 Bakırköy/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Cuisine: Seasonal, chef-driven regional Turkish dishes

Zennup1844 - Fişekhane
- Address: Zennup1844 - Fişekhane, No:52T2 Büyükyalı Doğal Pazar Yeri, Büyükyalı - Fişekhane, Kazlıçeşme, Kennedy Cad., 34020 Zeytinburnu/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Cuisine: Authentic Anatolian dishes with contemporary interpretations

Palude Restaurant
- Address: Yedimavi Sitesi Safir, Kazlıçeşme, Kennedy Cad. A Blok No:54AB, 34025 Zeytinburnu/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Cuisine: Modern Turkish cuisine

Tourist Attractions

Walking tour of old town (link)
- Walking tour of old town, if you'd like to visit to Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) purchasing tickets in advance is advisable.
Sema Ceremony (Whirling Dervishes) (link)
- Event lasts about 1 hour at the Hodjapasha Cultural Center. Accessible easily via Marmaray (7 stops from the hotel). Tickets should ideally be reserved in advance.
Istanbul Aviation Museum (website)
- Within 30 minutes walking distance from the venue (or accessible by bus). Closed on Monday!

Commitment from Wikimedia Foundation on LGBT+ related issues at the Wikimedia Hackathon

The Wikimedia Foundation in its role supporting the community organizers of the annual Wikimedia Hackathon global conference affirms its December 2020 commitment of support for LGBT+ volunteers. Specifically, the staff supporting each year's Hackathon Organizing Team will make available to them educational and planning resources to encourage efforts to support both in-person and virtual LGBT+ attendees. Additionally, when advisable according to the guidance of the Foundation’s human rights team, the Foundation will facilitate discussions between the Hackathon Organizing Team and local government officials to address the safety of participants, and between the Hackathon Organizing Team and the Wikimedia LGBT+ affiliate to address any other needs identified for LGBT+ participants.

We recognize that no host city can perfectly address all concerns, and will work with the Hackathon Organizing Team and Wikimedia LGBT+ to identify and communicate potential risks which cannot be offset. Finally, the Foundation will also continue "being vigilant that incidents where individuals are targeted for identity factors are properly recognized and addressed in our Trust & Safety systems."

The Wikimedia Foundation invites community organizers and entities to join our commitment and document their commitments and ideas for supporting LGBT+ participants of the Wikimedia Hackathon and other community organized events.