Everything about Istanbul, Turkey, guarantees that you’ll have a fantastic time when visiting this vibrant city. Its rich history, intriguing architecture, and exquisite cuisine will leave you impressed and wanting more. The only way your trip can be anything less than great is if you fall for one of the tourist scams that can be encountered on its streets.
To make sure this isn’t the case, check out some of the most common tourist scams in Istanbul.
Free Food and Drinks
In some bars, coffee shops, and restaurants, you might be welcomed with a complimentary drink or snacks on the table. Then, when you want to pay the bill, you will discover that it isn’t complimentary and that you need to pay for it. That’s why you should always ask if it will cost you extra, and don’t eat or drink “complementary” offerings until you know for sure they are free.
Shoe Cleaner’s Brush
Most shoe cleaners in Istanbul are honest people doing their job. However, there are some that will try to scam you with a sophisticated technique. They will walk in front of you, and it will seem they dropped their brush. Being a kind stranger, you will pick it up and return it to them. As soon as you do that, they will sit down and start cleaning your shoes. You will believe this is their way of thanking you, but it isn’t. They will ask for a cleaning fee after and can get quite loud about it.
Friendly Local
If you are walking alone and look like a tourist, you might get approached by a local who will act super friendly. They will start chatting with you, telling you that you seem like a cool person, and invite you for a drink in the nearby bar. But if you accept, you will most likely be served with a bill that is way pricier than it should be, and the staff and your “friend” will try to pressure you into paying it.