Location is very important when choosing an Istanbul hotel, hostel, or apartment/flat. Each hotel area has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of noise, transport convenience, price and things to see and do nearby.

Istanbul’s Main Hotel Areas
Istanbul‘s two main hotel areas, Old Istanbul and Beyoğlu, are a 20-minute taxi ride, or a 35-minute tram ride apart. Hotels on the Asian shore are 20 minutes away by ferry. There are also hotels north of the city center on the Bosphorus, where transport at rush hours can be long and tedious by any method. Hotels near Atatürk Airport (IST) offer a few advantages under certain circumstances.

Old Istanbul Hotels
If you’re coming to Istanbul primarily for sightseeing, the hotels, inns, pensions, and hostels in the neighborhoods surrounding Sultanahmet Square provide easy access to the major sights in historic Old Istanbul (“Stamboul”) including the Hippodrome, Topkapı Palace, the Blue Mosque, Ayasofya and the Grand Bazaar.

Lodgings are in all price ranges, from cheap hostels to five-star luxury, with most being charming mid-range inns. Some of the best values are in Sirkeci and Beyazıt(see below).