Travel & logistics
Travel to Istanbul
Getting here, where to stay, visas, and how to reach both summit venues. Delegates cover their own travel and accommodation — this page is here to make that as cheap and simple as possible.
The venues
Two buildings, two sides of the city
Türkiye İhracatçılar Meclisi (TİM)
Dış Ticaret Kompleksi, Yenibosna, Bahçelievler — European side, close to Istanbul Airport and about 30–40 minutes from Taksim. The M1B metro to Yenibosna is the reliable way in at rush hour.
Galatasaray Üniversitesi
Ortaköy, on the European shore of the Bosphorus beneath the bridge — one of the most striking campuses in the city. Easiest by taxi or ferry to Ortaköy. There is no parking on campus, but public parking is available nearby.
Across Istanbul
Ecosystem visits by coach: StartGate in Maslak, MEXT in Ataşehir on the Asian side, and The Peninsula Istanbul in Karaköy. Delegates receive the meeting point and departure time directly. Itinerary →
The city
Where continents meet
Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus. With a history spanning more than 2,500 years, it has been the capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires.
Today it is Türkiye's economic and cultural heart — 16 million people, and a technology ecosystem that exports software and services worldwide. It is a fitting setting for a summit about bridges.
October weather
Pleasant autumn days, cooler evenings on the water. Light layers, and something for rain.
Currency
Turkish Lira. Cards are accepted almost everywhere and ATMs are plentiful.
Power
Type C/F plugs, as in most of Europe. Bring an adapter from the UK or US.
Getting there
Flights to Istanbul
Istanbul Airport is one of the largest international hubs in the world, with direct connections to virtually every major city.
Istanbul Airport
The main international airport, on the European side and Turkish Airlines' hub, with 300+ destinations. Roughly 40–60 minutes to the city centre, and closer still to the day-one venue at Yenibosna.
Havaist buses reach most city districts cheaply; official taxi ranks run 24/7; private transfers can be pre-arranged.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport
On the Asian side, serving mostly low-cost carriers and domestic routes. Further out — 60–90 minutes to the centre depending on traffic, and longer again to Yenibosna.
Accommodation
Where to stay
Anything from luxury hotels to small guesthouses. Stay somewhere with good transport links rather than somewhere close to one venue — the two are on opposite ends of the European side.
Taksim & Beyoğlu
Central and lively, with the best transport links in the city. The safest default if you are only booking once.
Beşiktaş & Levent
The business district, with modern hotels and the shortest run to Galatasaray Üniversitesi at Ortaköy.
Sultanahmet
The historic quarter — Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar on foot. Several delegates are staying in the Old Town.
Kadıköy
Asian side: independent, excellent food, and a ferry commute that is genuinely one of the best parts of the day.
Entry requirements
Visa information
Requirements vary by nationality. Most delegates will either need nothing or an e-Visa that takes minutes.
e-Visa
Available to many nationalities online, usually approved quickly. Apply at evisa.gov.tr — the only official site.
Visa-free entry
Citizens of more than 90 countries can enter without a visa for short stays. Check your own case before booking.
Passport validity
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your stay. This catches people out — check it now, not in October.
Verify before you travel. Always confirm current requirements with your nearest Turkish embassy or consulate. If you need a formal letter of invitation for a visa application, contact the organising team and we will issue one.
Local transport
Getting around
Buy an Istanbulkart at any station on arrival. One reloadable card covers the metro, trams, buses, funiculars and the ferries.
Metro
Modern and still expanding, on both the European and Asian sides. The M1B runs to Yenibosna for day one.
Tram
Best for the historic quarter — the T1 line runs straight through Sultanahmet.
Ferries
The practical way between continents, and the most scenic commute in Europe. Ortaköy is on the water.
Taxis
BiTaksi is the local app of choice. Uber operates here too, dispatching licensed yellow taxis. Insist on the meter.
Next
Bridge Day, 8 October
The Opening Day has taken place. Bridge Day at Galatasaray Üniversitesi in Ortaköy is next; registration has closed.