Three numbers. The ones that decide the meeting.
When the world meets at work.
Read the day in both zones.
Crossing the border. Money, language, plugs.
Money changes hands at the border: Istanbul uses the TRY (₺) and Nicosia uses the EUR (€). Conversations can stay in Turkish, which is official in both countries. Be careful behind the wheel: Istanbul drives on the right, Nicosia on the left.
- Country
- Turkey
- Capital
- Ankara
- Currency
- Turkish lira (TRY · ₺)
- Language
- Turkish
- Calling code
- +90
- Drives on
- Right
- Country
- Cyprus
- Capital
- Nicosia
- Currency
- euro (EUR · €)
- Language
- Greek, Turkish
- Calling code
- +357
- Drives on
- Left
Quick answers. Before you book the call.
What's the time difference between Istanbul and Nicosia?
Istanbul and Nicosia share the same offset (GMT+3), so there's no difference right now.
When's the best time to schedule a meeting?
There are 8 hours where both cities are inside a 09:00–17:00 workday. Aim for the middle of that window so neither side is starting or closing out.
Does daylight saving time change the difference?
Yes, if either city observes DST. When one side shifts and the other doesn't, the gap changes by one hour. The DST badges under each clock show whether each zone is currently shifted and when the next transition lands.
How far is Istanbul from Nicosia?
About 753 km as the crow flies (great-circle distance). A non-stop commercial flight cruises that in roughly 1h 23m, not counting airport time, winds, or routing around restricted airspace.
Can I send this meeting time as a calendar invite?
Yes. Pick a time on the slider above, open the meeting card, customize the title and duration, then download the .ics file. It imports cleanly into Google Calendar, Outlook, and Apple Calendar with the correct timezone attached.
What currency do Istanbul and Nicosia use?
Istanbul uses the Turkish lira (TRY, ₺); Nicosia uses the euro (EUR, €). Check the live rate before transferring money or paying with a card abroad — most banks add a 1–3 % FX margin on top of the mid-market rate.
How do I call Istanbul from Nicosia?
Dial the international prefix used by your carrier (often 00), then +90, then the local number — drop any leading zero of the city or mobile code. For free calls, WhatsApp, Signal, and FaceTime work over Wi-Fi regardless of country code.
What language is spoken in Istanbul and Nicosia?
Both Turkey and Cyprus count Turkish among their official languages, so business meetings often skip translation. Istanbul also has no other official tongue; Nicosia adds Greek.
Do Istanbul and Nicosia drive on the same side of the road?
No. Turkey drives on the right, Cyprus on the left. If you're renting, expect a learning curve on the first day — especially at roundabouts and when judging the centre of the lane.