When Do Offices Open and Close in Istanbul?
Private sector offices open Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 18:00, with a mandatory one-hour lunch break between 12:00 and 13:00. Some companies shift to 08:30-17:30. The lunch pause stays. Do not expect to reach anyone by phone between 12:00 and 13:00.
Friday afternoons can run shorter. Many men attend Cuma namazı (Friday noon prayer) around 13:00-14:00, so meetings may pause for 30-60 minutes. This is not an official closure. Check with your contact.
What to do: Schedule calls for 10:00-11:30 or 14:30-17:00. Avoid 12:00-13:00 entirely.
Government Office Hours
Government offices open Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00. Closed weekends and all Turkish public holidays. No lunch closure. Staff eat in shifts. Service windows may slow down near 12:30.
For passport, visa, or residency applications, arrive before 10:00. Queues build fast.
Banking Hours: When Do Banks Open and Close?
Banks follow a split schedule unique to Turkey:
| Day | Morning | Lunch Closure | Afternoon | Total Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, Friday | 09:00-12:30 | 12:30-13:30 (closed) | 13:30-17:00 | 7 hours |
That is 09:00 to 12:30, then 13:30 to 17:00. The one-hour lunch closure is strict. Do not walk into a bank at 12:45 and expect service.
Currency exchange offices (döviz bürosu) do not follow this schedule. They open 09:00-19:00 or later, seven days a week, especially in Sultanahmet, Taksim, and Kadıköy. Use them instead of banks for cash transactions.
Saturday Banking: What Services Are Available?
Some bank branches in high-traffic areas (Istinye Park, Kadıköy, Taksim) open Saturdays 10:00-13:00 or 10:00-12:30. Services are limited: deposits, withdrawals, and basic inquiries only. No loan approvals, account openings, or international transfers.
Do not rely on Saturday banking. Call the branch first. Most ATMs are 24/7 and accept foreign cards.
Shop and Mall Opening Hours
Shops in Istanbul are open seven days a week, 10:00 to 22:00. This applies to:
- Shopping malls (Istinye Park, Zorlu Center, Cevahir, Akasya)
- Chain stores and boutiques on Bağdat Avenue, İstiklal Street, and Nişantaşı
- Supermarkets (Migros, CarrefourSA, Şok): most open 09:00-22:00, some 24h in central areas
Smaller independent shops may close Sunday or open half-day (12:00-20:00). In tourist zones (Sultanahmet, Eminönü, Taksim Square), expect 09:00-23:00 daily.
Exception: Street markets (pazar) operate one day per week in each neighbourhood, usually 07:00-18:00. Check local listings.
Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar Hours
| Market | Days | Hours | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) | Monday, Saturday | 08:30-19:00 | Sundays & public holidays |
| Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı) | Monday, Saturday | 08:30-19:00 | Sundays & public holidays |
Arrive at 08:30 for a quiet stroll. 11:00-16:00 is packed. Haggling is expected. The Spice Bazaar is smaller but busier. Go early for the best selection.
Both bazaars close entirely on religious holidays (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha) and Republic Day.
What Time Do Restaurants Serve Lunch and Dinner in Istanbul?
| Meal | Typical Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast (kahvaltı) | 07:00-10:00 | Extended to 12:00 on weekends for "serpme kahvaltı" (spread breakfast) |
| Lunch (öğle yemeği) | 12:00-14:00 | Fixed-price "iş yemeği" (business lunch) menus common |
| Dinner (akşam yemeği) | 19:00-22:00 | Many restaurants serve until 23:00 or midnight |
Lunch is a sit-down meal, not a desk sandwich. Business lunches often run 1.5 hours. Dinner starts later than in Northern Europe or North America. 20:00 is normal for reservations.
Late-night eating: In Beyoğlu, Kadıköy, and Beşiktaş, restaurants and kebab shops serve until 01:00-02:00. Street food (balık ekmek, döner, midye dolma) is available until late.
Friday Prayer and Business Schedules
Friday is not a weekend day in Turkey. Weekend is Saturday-Sunday. Friday noon prayers cause a 30-60 minute pause in many workplaces. Banks and government offices stay open, but expect slower service between 12:30 and 14:00.
Tip: Avoid scheduling meetings from 12:30 to 14:00 on Friday.
Ramadan Business Hours: What Changes
During Ramadan (18 February to 19 March 2026), business hours shift:
- Government offices: May close 30-60 minutes earlier (16:00-16:30 instead of 17:00)
- Banks: Same hours but afternoon queues shorten; many close doors 15 minutes early
- Restaurants: Some close during daytime and reopen for iftar
- Shops and malls: Stay open 10:00-22:00 or later; malls see crowds after iftar until 01:00
- Grand Bazaar: May close at 18:00 instead of 19:00
For exact iftar times and Ramadan-specific schedules, see the Ramadan in Istanbul guide.
School Hours and Academic Year
| Level | Hours | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Primary & secondary | 08:30-15:30, Monday, Friday | Half-day Wednesday in some schools |
| Universities | 08:00-18:00, varies by department | No fixed lunch break |
Academic year: September to mid-June. Summer break is mid-June to mid-September.
Public Transport Operating Hours
| Mode | Typical Hours | Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Metro (M1, M2, M4, M7, M11) | 06:00-00:00 | Some lines 24h Friday, Saturday night |
| Tram (T1) | 06:00-00:00 | Extended to 01:00 on weekends |
| Metrobüs (bus rapid transit) | 24 hours, every day | No night closures |
| Ferries | 06:30-23:00 | Reduced service after 22:00 |
| Buses (İETT) | 06:00-23:00 | Night buses (N... lines) run 00:00-05:00 |
Metrobüs is the only fully 24-hour system. Metro and tram stop at midnight. If you are out after 00:00, use Metrobüs, night buses, or taxis.
First and last trains: Check specific line schedules. The M11 (to Istanbul Airport) runs 06:00-23:00.