Aerial view over the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia toward the Bosphorus
Hotels70

Flexible plans

Free cancellation hotels in Istanbul

In Istanbul the airport often decides the district: SAW points to Kadıköy, IST to Taksim. Keep a cancellable booking until the flight is fixed.

from $16/night3,629 hotels compared

We compare hotels from top providers

/logo/skyscanner.svg logo/logo/kayak.svg logo/logo/trip.com.svg logo/logo/hotelscombined.svg logo/logo/booking.com.svg logo

Istanbul hotels with free cancellation

Cheapest night by star rating

3,629 hotels compared

2-star hotels
from $18257 hotels
3-star hotels
from $211,390 hotels
4-star hotels
from $16761 hotels
5-star hotels
from $32266 hotels

About Istanbul

Istanbul spans the Bosphorus. The historic peninsula is on the European shore, and Kadıköy is across the water. Base yourself by the sights and crossings you’ll use most: Sultanahmet for the monuments, Galata for the Golden Horn, Kadıköy for the Asian side.

In Sultanahmet, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace are a short walk apart. The T1 tram runs from here to Sirkeci, Eminönü and Karaköy. The streets around the big sights are crowded by day.

Sirkeci and Eminönü are where you catch ferries and the Marmaray, with the Spice Bazaar there too. North of the Golden Horn, the streets of Karaköy and Galata climb steeply to Galata Tower. Beyoğlu carries on up İstiklal Avenue to Taksim and stays up later than the old city.

Kadıköy has markets, restaurants and ferries back to Eminönü and Karaköy. Stay there if you’ll spend time on the Asian side or fly from Sabiha Gökçen. Any day in Sultanahmet then starts with a crossing.

Along the Bosphorus at Beşiktaş and Ortaköy, you’re close to the palaces and ferry piers but farther from the historic peninsula. Come in spring or early autumn for long walks and ferry rides. Winter is wetter and cloudier, and midsummer can feel humid.

Country
Türkiye
Waterway
Bosphorus
Time zone
Türkiye Time (UTC+3)
Historic centre
UNESCO Historic Areas of Istanbul
Main airports
Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW)
Cross-city rail
Marmaray
Hagia Sophia seen from Sultanahmet Park
Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet
Galata Tower rising above Karaköy waterfront
Galata Tower and Karaköy
Entrance to the Spice Bazaar in Eminönü, with market stalls and shoppers
Spice Bazaar, Eminönü
Kadıköy City Lines ferry terminal on the Asian shore
Kadıköy ferry pier
Ortaköy Mosque beside the Bosphorus
Ortaköy Mosque
Topkapı Palace seen from the Bosphorus
Topkapı Palace from the water
Photo credits

Where to stay in Istanbul

  • Sultanahmet

    • First visits
    • Historic sights
    • Walking

    Stay near Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace and you can see the old city on foot. T1 is the tram to know. The streets closest to the monuments get busy by day.

    Around here: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, Basilica Cistern

  • Sirkeci and Eminönü

    • Ferry trips
    • Transit connections
    • Markets

    Ferry quays, the Spice Bazaar and the Marmaray station are all here, so crossing the Bosphorus is easy. Expect more commuters and market traffic than in Sultanahmet.

    Around here: Sirkeci station, Spice Bazaar, Galata Bridge, Eminönü ferry piers

  • Galata and Karaköy

    • Cafés
    • Ferries
    • Golden Horn views

    Karaköy is down by the Galata Bridge and the waterfront, at the bottom of the climb to Galata Tower. The lower streets are best for ferries and the T1 tram. Higher up you’re closer to İstiklal Avenue, but the walk home is uphill.

    Around here: Galata Tower, Galata Bridge, Karaköy pier, Istanbul Modern

  • Beyoğlu and Taksim

    • Nightlife
    • Metro access
    • Shopping

    İstiklal Avenue, the M2 metro and plenty of evening venues are here. Come for late dinners and the metro north. Rooms on the busiest streets can hear the nightlife.

    Around here: İstiklal Avenue, Taksim Square, Pera Museum, Şişhane station

  • Kadıköy

    • Asian-side stays
    • Food markets
    • SAW arrivals

    Markets and food streets start right behind the ferry pier. M4 runs toward Sabiha Gökçen Airport. For the European sights you take a ferry or the Marmaray, so leave time for the crossing.

    Around here: Kadıköy ferry pier, Kadıköy Market, Moda waterfront, M4 Kadıköy station

  • Beşiktaş and the Bosphorus

    • Waterfront stays
    • Palaces
    • Ferry rides

    Beşiktaş has the ferry pier and Dolmabahçe Palace, and Ortaköy is farther along the shore. Sultanahmet is not a walk from here. Plan on a ferry and the tram.

    Around here: Dolmabahçe Palace, Beşiktaş pier, Ortaköy Mosque, Bosphorus

Best time to visit Istanbul

April to June and September to October are good for walking and Bosphorus ferries. July and August are warm and humid. Winter brings more rain and shorter days. The chart shows Kireçburnu climate averages.

Average high and low (°F)Days with rainDrier months
  1. Jan: average high 48 °F, low 39 °F, 16.9 days with rain. Cool, rainy
  2. Feb: average high 49 °F, low 38 °F, 15.2 days with rain. Cool, rainy
  3. Mar: average high 54 °F, low 41 °F, 13.2 days with rain. Early spring
  4. Apr: average high 61 °F, low 47 °F, 10 days with rain. Milder walks
  5. May: average high 70 °F, low 55 °F, 7.4 days with rain. Warm days
  6. Jun: average high 78 °F, low 63 °F, 7 days with rain. Summer begins
  7. Jul: average high 82 °F, low 69 °F, 4.7 days with rain. Warm, drier
  8. Aug: average high 83 °F, low 70 °F, 5.1 days with rain. Warm, humid
  9. Sep: average high 76 °F, low 63 °F, 8.1 days with rain. Mild again
  10. Oct: average high 68 °F, low 57 °F, 12.3 days with rain. Rain increases
  11. Nov: average high 59 °F, low 49 °F, 13.9 days with rain. Cooler, wetter
  12. Dec: average high 51 °F, low 42 °F, 17.5 days with rain. Cool, wet
Source: Wikipedia: Istanbul, Kireçburnu climate normals 1991–2020

Getting to Istanbul

Istanbul Airport (IST) is northwest of the European centre. Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is on the Asian side. Crossing the city takes time, so match the airport to your hotel district, or the district to the airport.

ISTIstanbul Airport

25 mi from downtown

To Taksim
About 30 minutes to Gayrettepe, then M2 to Taksim
To Sultanahmet
Allow time for M11, M2 and T1 transfers

The M11 metro runs to Gayrettepe, where you change to the M2 for Taksim and Şişhane. Airport buses serve several districts. A licensed taxi goes direct, but leave time for traffic.

SAWSabiha Gökçen International Airport

20 mi from downtown

To Kadıköy
About an hour by M4 metro
To Sultanahmet
Allow time for M4 and Marmaray or a ferry

The M4 metro runs to Kadıköy and meets the Marmaray at Ayrılık Çeşmesi. Buses also go to Kadıköy and Taksim. A hotel on the European side adds a crossing.

Other ways to arrive

Train
Marmaray crosses beneath the Bosphorus through Sirkeci and Üsküdar. High-speed trains use stations including Söğütlüçeşme and Pendik on the Asian side.
Ferry
Public ferries link Eminönü, Karaköy and Beşiktaş with Kadıköy and Üsküdar. Check the last sailing before planning a late return.
Tram and metro
T1 serves Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Eminönü and Karaköy. M2 links Şişhane, Taksim and the northern business districts.

Questions about Istanbul

Why book with free cancellation in Istanbul?

A change of airport or plans can change the right district. Until the deadline passes, you can still switch between Kadıköy, Taksim and Sultanahmet.

Do all hotels have the same cancellation deadline?

No. Check the selected rate for its cutoff time, local time zone and any nonrefundable charges.

Can I change districts after booking a refundable rate?

Yes, by cancelling within that rate’s terms and booking again. Secure the new room before you let the old one go.

Get more with App

Get real time price drop alerts, faster results and personalised experience along with exclusive deals.

App preview
Hotels70