#dailyvlog #istanbul
During a walking tour of the Grand Bazaar, Egyptian Bazaar and the surrounding area, I narrate 30 things I wish I knew about Istanbul before flying down here as well as give a brief history of the origins of the Metropolis of Istanbul.
Check out my Istanbul playlist for more great videos on Istanbul. • Istanbul
NOTE: SAVE BIG ON YOUR DATA PLAN WITH THE AIRLO E-SIM CARD FOR $8US FOR 3 GB OF DATA INSTEAD OF PAYING $60US FOR THE TOURIST SIM CARD FROM TURKCELL, TURKISH TELECOM OR VODAFONE. Here's the link: airalo.pxf.io/davidgeorge that works on your existing card and is a lot cheaper than spending the min. $60US. During my 10 day trip to Istanbul, I used less than 2 GB of data for the google translator, google GPS, Whatsapp, Uber, Movit for the bus, and emails, so 3 GB should be fine--download the app and just scan the QR code after you pay and you're all set--you don't need another physical SIM card to use it.
A friend of mine told me they changed the cell phone rules yet again since I did the video regarding the Tourist SIM Card from the airport. So, the first time you visit, you can buy the tourist sim card at the airport for $60US (you can''t use a local Turkish sim card without proof of Turkish residency). After 120 days, you have to pay a 6,091 TL ($300 US) registration fee to be able to use the same cell phone with a tourist sim card or it's locked out of the network. The best way to get around this is just to bring a different cell phone the next time you visit if it's over 120 days since your last visit.
BTW--I did notice last time I was at the airport that they rent out portable WIFI units for $80US at a fourth booth that looks like a 20,000mAh portable cell battery and it's supposed to link to your cell phone. From that, you can call people from whatsapp, which most people use in the city. I suspect this might be another alternative to the registration fee if you're down there a second time after 120 days. I'll find out more the next time I visit Istanbul. And bringing two cell phones with you is not an option as I discussed in greater detail in the video, so buy a new cell phone, not a refurb., as you have no idea if a refurb. was already used before in Turkey and is locked out of the system.
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