Couch surfing in Istanbul

Istanbul is a vibrant city full of culture, history, and stunning architecture. From the iconic Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque to the bustling Grand Bazaar, there is something for everyone to explore. The city is home to some of the best food in the world, with a variety of traditional Turkish dishes and international cuisine.

Stay with locals in Istanbul

Meriç

Meriç

Speaking

You can stay for:

3 days

I can host:

1 guest

About me

Hi, My name is Meriç and I'm interested in swimming, skiing, books, culture, dancing, education, food & cuisine, fashion, live music, running, shopping, cycling, health and nature

Countries I’ve Visited

🇩🇪 Germany, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic

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Seda

Seda

Speaking

You can stay for:

3 days

I can host:

1 guest

About me

I live in Istanbul. I am 25 years old. I work at the airport and travel whenever I can. I visited 26 cities in Turkey. I'm here for more.

Countries I’ve Visited

🇹🇷 Turkey

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Ayfer

Ayfer

Speaking

You can stay for:

3 days

I can host:

1 guest

About me

Hey guys, I m Ayfer from Türkiye. I m 48 y.o and I like travel. But our economy is very bad and I can't stay a hotel. If you are good host I can stay with you. I am adaptable, affectionate and friendly a woman. Will you accept me as your guest?

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇺 Australia, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇨🇺 Cuba, 🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇪 Georgia, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇳 Honduras, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇸 Iceland, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇽🇰 Kosovo, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇲🇹 Malta, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇲🇩 Moldova, 🇲🇨 Monaco, 🇲🇪 Montenegro, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇸🇲 San Marino, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇸🇿 Swaziland, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇺🇦 Ukraine, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇻🇦 Vatican City, 🇻🇳 Vietnam

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Maşe

Maşe

Speaking

You can stay for:

3 days

I can host:

1 guest

About me

I live in Istanbul, Turkey . I am a veterinarian. I love seeing new places, swimming, reading, poetry, dancing and nature. I don't like racist and religious people. I'm a realist. I am Kurdish and agnostic. I love meeting new people. If the subject is good and I'm not tired, I like to chat. I don't like to cook, but my house is tidy. I don't like disrespectful rhetoric and attitudes. I'm a humanist.

Countries I’ve Visited

🇩🇪 Germany, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇫🇷 France, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇳🇱 Netherlands

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Bahriye

Bahriye

Speaking

You can stay for:

4 days

I can host:

1 guest

About me

I am 29 years old, working in a airline campany, ı like to discover new places, food, people, culture, languages, ı am passionate about this very much, traveling is a way to meet yourself again and again so lets go🎉

Countries I’ve Visited

🇨🇦 Canada, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇰🇷 South Korea

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Dilay

Dilay

Speaking

You can stay for:

4 days

I can host:

1 guest

About me

I am an 18 year old engineering student in Istanbul, Turkey and I like to travel when I can spare time from school. I am also a part time musician and I play the flute in a youth symphony orchestra. I would like to meet new people around the world and become friends. I enjoy hosting the people I met and and showing them around. I would also be very excited to visit them in their country.

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇹 Austria, 🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇱🇻 Latvia, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇭🇺 Hungary

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ezgi

ezgi

Speaking

You can stay for:

2 days

I can host:

1 guest

About me

I am a biology student at university. I am traveling alone in Europe. this will be a great experience for me!

Countries I’ve Visited

🇹🇷 Turkey

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Zeynep

Zeynep

Speaking

You can stay for:

3 days

I can host:

2 guests

About me

I'm just starting to travel the world and I really want it. My goal is to meet new friends, new cultures. My favorite feature that makes me me is that I am fun and positive. Finally, the woman is the friend of the woman. Are you ready to join forces and travel and have fun?

Countries I’ve Visited

🇰🇿 Kazakhstan, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇨🇾 Cyprus

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Berre

Berre

Speaking

You can stay for:

2 days

I can host:

1 guest

About me

Hi! This is Berre. I am studying software engineering. I live in Istanbul with my brother. I have a three-year-old golden dog named Vera. I like to travel. I am interested in movies and music. I love spending time with my pet and, have a phobia about foreign language. The reason why i would like to be a host is to overcome this phobia and speak more fluently. I'm excited to meet you!

Countries I’ve Visited

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia, 🇹🇷 Turkey

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Yesimsit

Yesimsit

Speaking

You can stay for:

2 days

I can host:

1 guest

About me

Hi!, I'm Yesimsit and I'm interested in camping, cinema, dancing, food & cuisine, hiking, nature, sightseeing, solo travel, sunbathing and trekking

Countries I’ve Visited

🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇨🇭 Switzerland

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Se

Se

Speaking

You can stay for:

3 days

I can host:

1 guest

About me

Hey there, My name is Seçil, I'm a Turkish-Canadian, I work for Doctors without borders in Logistics which allows me to travel to really remote places in Africa and Latin America. I look forward to meeting you beautiful people and share our great stories together!

Countries I’ve Visited

🇨🇦 Canada, 🇨🇱 Chile, 🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo, 🇫🇷 France, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇯🇴 Jordan, 🇵🇦 Panama, 🇵🇸 Palestine, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇲🇿 Mozambique, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇼 Rwanda, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇸🇿 Swaziland, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇹🇿 Tanzania, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇻🇪 Venezuela, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇲🇩 Moldova, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇲🇨 Monaco, 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇺🇦 Ukraine, 🇻🇦 Vatican City, 🇬🇪 Georgia, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇦🇺 Australia

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Kumsal

Kumsal

Speaking

You can stay for:

2 days

I can host:

2 guests

About me

I am 29 years old.I Have a daughter,she is 4 years.I live in Beykoz.I am a Nurse.I like hosting and travel a lot.

Countries I’ve Visited

🇹🇷 Turkey

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Gigi

Gigi

Speaking

You can stay for:

3 days

I can host:

1 guest

About me

I learn English, I was born and live in İstanbul ,in Prince İsland. I' m 50 years old.

Countries I’ve Visited

🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇫🇷 France, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇮🇹 Italy

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Betül

Betül

Speaking

You can stay for:

3 days

I can host:

2 guests

About me

I am living with my little cat and we want to meet people who have a big smiles on their faces.

Countries I’ve Visited

🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇽🇰 Kosovo, 🇲🇪 Montenegro, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇶🇦 Qatar, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇷🇸 Serbia, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇺🇦 Ukraine

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Ezgi

Ezgi

Speaking

You can stay for:

3 days

I can host:

1 guest

About me

I am a 23 year old student who admires slow traveling like staying more in one country and do not rush, enjoy some events there and meets the people. I am a budget traveller I rather stay in hostels and CS hosts or friends that I made across Europe! I am now into travel and go volunteer some festivals in Netherlands and Hungary and it would be amazing if some girls want to join me as well!

Countries I’ve Visited

🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇦🇱 Albania, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇲🇪 Montenegro, 🇲🇰 North Macedonia, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇷🇸 Serbia, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇹🇳 Tunisia, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇻🇳 Vietnam

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Meet locals in Istanbul

Meriç

Meriç

Speaking

About Me

Hi, My name is Meriç and I'm interested in swimming, skiing, books, culture, dancing, education, food & cuisine, fashion, live music, running, shopping, cycling, health and nature

Countries I’ve Visited

🇩🇪 Germany, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic

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Dünya

Dünya

Speaking

About Me

I am Dunya from Istanbul, Türkiye. I am a master student and part time teacher. My department is history and I love to talk to people about Istanbul. If you want, I can help you for your travels

Countries I’ve Visited

🇮🇶 Iraq

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Efsane

Efsane

Speaking

About Me

Hello, I am a psychology student in İstanbul. Besides academia I am a big fan of sports and spend most of my time actively doing a variety of sports, fitness trekking, cycling, climbing and martial arts. What I can offer you is my stories full of adventure and cheerfulness. If I am in Istanbul, I will be really happy to show you around. I know almost every little piece of there and additionally the hidden treasures of the big city.

Countries I’ve Visited

🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇬🇪 Georgia, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇨🇭 Switzerland

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Upcoming visitors to Istanbul

Jacky

Jacky

Speaking

About Me

Hey, I'm Jacky and I'm interested in dancing, events & social, live music, sightseeing, solo travel, swimming, culture, nature and technology

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇱 Albania, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇼 Curacao, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇫🇷 France, 🇬🇲 Gambia, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇮 Gibraltar, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇴🇲 Oman, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇸🇳 Senegal, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States

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Erin

Erin

Speaking

About Me

Hello, my name is Erin and I’m 26 years old. I’m a flight attendant in the US. I’ve traveled around quite a bit but I’ve never done any true solo traveling. I have 2 weeks vacation in October and have a bunch of places I’d love to see. I enjoy sightseeing during the days and dinners/fun night out during the evening. I love learning about different cultures and language learning is always fun. I’m super open and friendly, always ready for a good laugh.

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇹 Austria, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic, 🇪🇨 Ecuador, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico, 🇷🇸 Serbia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇻🇮 U.S. Virgin Islands, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇧🇸 Bahamas, 🇺🇲 U.S. Minor Outlying Islands

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Azy

Azy

Speaking

About Me

Hey, My name is Azy and I'm interested in animals, art, books, culture, cinema, dancing, events & social, fashion, education, food & cuisine, health, languages, history, hiking, live music, nature, nightlife, photography, rafting, science, shopping, sightseeing, swimming and writing

Countries I’ve Visited

🇱🇧 Lebanon, 🇸🇾 Syria, 🇹🇷 Turkey

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Experiences from Istanbul

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 30 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

4.9/5

Safety

4.3/5

Food

4.8/5

Budget-friendly

4.6/5

Solo travel experience

Istanbul has been the only place in the world I felt unsafe and vulnerable as a solo traveler. I’d never go back. I was followed and harassed in the street repeatedly. Couldn’t walk 10 meters after getting rid of one before the next would start to harass me.

Posted: September 30, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 2/5
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Solo travel experience

Last year, I lived in Istanbul for a few months. Alone. On the Asian side. I walked everywhere alone. On weekends, I explored the whole of Istanbul. Alone. Of course, there were instances of men approaching, but I simply didn't react to them. Istanbul is a very beautiful city and, in my opinion, safe.

Posted: September 29, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 4/5
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Family travel experience

I walked alone with my teenage daughter in Istanbul and didn't feel anything disturbing, except for a few standard invitations to enter a restaurant or shop. It's a very cosmopolitan and touristy city, and in my opinion, there's nothing to be afraid of. However, I was only in the touristy part and I don't know what the other neighborhoods are like.

Posted: September 29, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Local discussions

Solo travelShould I go on a solo trip to Istanbul as a female traveler?

I'm considering a solo trip to Istanbul. I've always desperately wanted to go and it isn't too expensive but none of my friends are interested. However, I've been advised by multiple people not to go to Turkey on my own. I was under the impression that (so long as I dressed ok etc) Turkey was very safe for solo female travelers. Any advice?

Posted: May 13, 2023
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Frequently asked questions

How to visit Istanbul on a budget?

Visiting Istanbul on a budget can be a great way to experience the city without breaking the bank. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your trip:

  1. Travel Ladies: Travel Ladies is a couch surfing app for women offering free accommodation as part of cultural exchange. It's a great way to meet locals and get a unique insight into the city.

  2. Take advantage of free attractions: Istanbul is full of free attractions, such as the Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque, and the Hagia Sophia.

  3. Eat like a local: Eating at local restaurants and street food stalls is a great way to save money and get a taste of the local cuisine.

  4. Use public transport: Istanbul has an extensive public transport system, including buses, trams, and ferries. It's a great way to get around the city without spending too much.

  5. Look for discounts: Many attractions offer discounts for students, seniors, and children. Be sure to ask about any discounts before you buy tickets.

By following these tips, you can make the most of your trip to Istanbul without breaking the bank.

How to meet locals in Istanbul?

Meeting locals in Istanbul can be a great way to get to know the city and its culture. Here are some tips to help you get started:

  1. Travel Ladies: Travel Ladies is a travel app where women can meet, share experiences and travel together. It's a great way to meet locals and get to know the city.

  2. Couchsurfing: Couchsurfing is a great way to meet locals in Istanbul. You can find people who are willing to host you and show you around the city.

  3. Local Events: Check out local events such as concerts, festivals, and art exhibitions. These are great places to meet locals and get to know the city.

  4. Language Exchanges: Language exchanges are a great way to meet locals and practice your Turkish. You can find language exchange events in Istanbul.

  5. Local Cafes and Bars: Local cafes and bars are great places to meet locals. You can find locals who are willing to chat and show you around the city.

  6. Local Tours: Local tours are a great way to meet locals and get to know the city. You can find local tour guides who can show you around the city and introduce you to the locals.

  7. Social Media: Social media is a great way to meet locals in Istanbul. You can join local Facebook groups and meet people who are interested in the same things as you.

By following these tips, you can easily meet locals in Istanbul and get to know the city.

Couch surfing in Turkey

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