Current Time in Istanbul, Turkey

Local time, timezone information, and travel guide for Istanbul - also known as The City on Two Continents

Istanbul
TurkeyThe City on Two Continents

Timezone

Europe/Istanbul

GMT+03:00

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About Istanbul

Istanbul is Turkey's largest city, straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus strait. This transcontinental city was formerly known as Constantinople and Byzantium, serving as capital to Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires.

Population

15,029,231

Metro: 15,500,000

Language

Turkish (official), English in tourist areas

Currency

TRY (Turkish Lira)

Area

5,461 km²

Elevation

40m above sea level

Founded

660 BC

Climate & Best Time to Visit Istanbul

Climate

Hot-summer Mediterranean/oceanic with warm, humid summers and cold, wet winters.

Best Time to Visit

April to May and September to November for mild weather. Summer is hot and crowded.

Top Landmarks & Attractions in Istanbul
Hagia Sophia
Blue Mosque
Topkapi Palace
Grand Bazaar
Galata Tower
Bosphorus Bridge
Local Cuisine & Food in Istanbul
Must-try dishes and local specialties
KebabsBaklavaTurkish breakfastMezeLahmacunTurkish tea and coffee
What Istanbul is Famous For
  • Bosphorus strait
  • Grand Bazaar shopping
  • Ottoman and Byzantine history
  • Turkish baths (hamams)
  • Tea and coffee culture
  • Cats everywhere
Airports Serving Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Sabiha Gökçen (SAW)
Time Difference from Istanbul
Compare Istanbul time with other major cities around the world
Shanghai5 hours aheadDhaka3 hours aheadBeijing5 hours aheadDelhi2.5 hours aheadLagos2 hours behindTokyo6 hours aheadMoscowSame timeMumbai2.5 hours ahead
Quick Info
TimezoneEurope/Istanbul
UTC OffsetGMT+03:00
Coordinates41.0082, 28.9784
Country CodeTR
Tools & Resources
Convert Istanbul time to other zonesSchedule meeting across timezonesEvents in IstanbulBusinesses in IstanbulNews from Turkey

Frequently Asked Questions About Time in Istanbul

What timezone is Istanbul in?

Istanbul is in the Europe/Istanbul timezone, which is GMT+03:00 from UTC (Coordinated Universal Time).

Does Istanbul observe Daylight Saving Time?

The Europe/Istanbul timezone may observe Daylight Saving Time depending on the country's regulations. The current offset shown above reflects any DST adjustments.

What is the time difference between Istanbul and New York?

The time difference between Istanbul and New York varies based on Daylight Saving Time. Use our time converter tool to see the current difference.

What is the best time to call Istanbul?

Business hours in Istanbul are typically 9 AM to 5 PM local time. Use our meeting planner to find the best overlap with your timezone.