Time: Istanbul time is 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time and Turks use the 24 hour clock. But in summer time clocks are turned ahead one hour for saving daylight. Summer time application usually begins at 1am on the last Sunday in March ends at 2am on the last Sunday in October.
Water & Electricity: Drinking tap water in Istanbul is not recommended. Only drink water from sealed bottles on sale in all shops and markets to be on the safe side. In Istanbul and also all around Turkey there is 220 V 50Hz Mid-European socket system. Wall outlets take continental type plugs with two round prongs.
Internet access: Countless internet cafes can be found in Istanbul. You should look for internet cafes that advertise having an ADSL connection, others can be slow. In Istanbul roughly all hotels offer wi-fi internet access for their guests. In local internet cafes computers have Turkish keyboard. You will need to make sure you use the correct typing.
Business hours: Most businesses are open 5 days a week (Monday through Friday) from 9am to 6pm in Istanbul. Shops are open from 9am to 6-7pm during 6 days (except from Sunday) in a week. But some shops are open 7 days till late, some are close for lunch. Banks are open at 08:30 to noon and 13:30 to 17:00 Monday to Friday. Post offices are open at 08:30 to noon and 13:30 to 17:30. Government and business offices hours are 08:00 or 09:00 to noon and 13:30 to 17:00 Monday to Friday. Grocery Shops are open at 06:00 or 07:00 to 19:00 or 20:00.
Toilets: All mosques, petrol stations, restaurants, cafes, shops, groceries, airports, bus stations etc in Istanbul have a toilet which is free. In public toilets you must pay more or less 1 Turkish lira. Some toilets are Turkish some European style in Istanbul (some are tiled holes in the ground; some have WC pan to sit down). In all toilets there are toilet paper, soap and bidet.
Consulates: Ankara (the capital) is the place of Embassies but some countries have consulates in Istanbul. Such as:
Australia: Sisli - 0212 243 13 33
Canada: Beyoglu – 0212 251 98 38
Egypt: Levent – 0212 324 21 80
France: Taksim – 0212 334 87 30
Germany: Taksim – 0212 334 61 00
Greece: Galatasaray – 0212 245 05 96
Iran: Cagaloglu – 0212 513 82 30
Israel: Levent – 0212 317 65 00
Italy: Galatasaray – 0212 243 10 24
Japan: Levent – 0212 317 46 00
Netherlands: Taksim – 0212 393 21 21
Spain: Levent – 0212 270 24 65
Syria: Nisantasi – 0212 232 67 21
UK: Tepebasi – 0212 334 64 00
USA: Istinye – 0212 335 90 00