Istanbul, Turkey is one of the top ten most populous cities in the world. With just over 15 million people, it is the largest city in the country. Istanbul’s history is quite long because of its location. If you are going to travel there, you will have plenty to do. However, you won’t want to use public WiFi networks without connecting to a VPN first. This will help protect your privacy and unblock restrictions. We will explain more in a moment, but first, take a look at our list of the best VPNs for Istanbul.
| Rank | VPN Service | Rating | Server Locations | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | 9.8 | 160 |  |
| 2 |  | 9.4 | 87 | |
| 3 |  | 9.2 | 95 | |
Though pottery dates back to 5500 BCE, ancient Greeks from Megara officially settled the town as Byzantium in 660 BCE. Almost 1000 years later, the Roman Emperor, Constantine, decided to build a Christian city to replace the original one. Though he called it Nova Roma, most people called the city Constantinople. In the mid-1400s, the city became known as Istanbul. However, many people still called it Constantinople into the 20th century.
These days, the city has a major and diverse industrial economy. There are many things that bring people to the city. Those include major companies, museums, architecture, high-end shopping, and more. No matter what reason you are there, there is not a shortage of things to do or see.
With all the industries and attractions in Istanbul, many local establishments offer free WiFi to their patrons. While that may be a great thing, it is also good for cybercriminals. The first reason to use a VPN is to protect your privacy. Whether the threat comes from thieves or from the Turkish government, you will want to use one while there. Simply connect to the secure and encrypted server of your choice, and you are ready. Without doing so, you are vulnerable to prying eyes.
Another good reason to use a VPN while in Istanbul is to help you get around censorship. Turkey has quite a few regulations about what you can and can’t view. They will not hesitate to stop you from seeing anything that they feel is not appropriate. By connecting to a VPN server located somewhere else, you can make the software think you are not in the country.
Those are the two best reasons for using a VPN while in Istanbul. That said, you may discover others when you sign up for the service. Whether you want to get around censorship or protect your actions from prying eyes, a VPN has you covered. Now that you understand why it is important, there are several options you can choose from.
Because VPNs operate by using encryption protocols, there are many options to choose from. The best available protocol to use is OpenVPN. It has a great mix of speed and security. If you are given an option between a TCP and a UDP version of that protocol, UDP is the fastest. You will want to choose the TCP version, though, if you are having connection issues. It is slower but more stable.
1. Best VPN for Istanbul: ExpressVPN
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One of the things that ExpressVPN is good at will allow you to gain access to international libraries of content, such as with Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. Both these popular streaming services offer access to different titles depending on your location. From the massive US library to the UK, Canada, or India, we feel you should be able to access all of the content when you travel outside your home region. You can use the ExpressVPN MediaStreamer feature or connect to a VPN server to help break through those barriers.
If you are in a larger city, especially one that has a top-tier sports team, and you want to watch the game or match online, licensing rights will stop you from doing so. When that happens, the companies refer to it as a sports blackout. To get around this issue, you need to connect to a VPN server provided by ExpressVPN. The easy way to do that is to choose a server that is outside the area. That will make the blocking software believe that you are in another region. Then, you can enjoy the game or match.
Want to learn more? Read our full ExpressVPN review.
Pros:
- Split tunneling on Windows and macOS
- Browser extensions
- Lightway protocol is fast
- Large network with servers in 94 countries
- Supports torrenting
- No data or DNS leaks
Cons:
- Above average prices
- VPN app required for browser extensions
2. Best VPN for Istanbul: NordVPN
If you have watched the news and are a gamer, you may already know what kind of an effect a DDoS (Distributive Denial of Service) attack can have on you. Those types of attacks can spell trouble, no matter what game you are playing. The way to avoid them is to connect to a VPN server with NordVPN. Since they can lock you out of your game based on your current IP address, changing it will stop that from happening. Then, you should be able to play like normal.
Want to learn more? Read our full NordVPN review.
Pros:
- Easy to use VPN apps
- Located in Panama
- Support for multi-hop
- Strong encryption and good performance
- NordLynx WireGaurd protocol
- Firestick app good for streaming
Cons:
- Server breach in 2018
- Slow in some Asian countries
3. Best VPN for Istanbul: PIA
As internet speeds continue to increase around the world, more and more streaming services gain popularity. Fortunately, that means Private Internet Access can help you see the ones you want to. If you have a specific streaming service in mind, the provider makes it easy. With their simple setup, all you have to do is pick a server in the country you want to use. Then, connect to the right one and you are on your way to watching your favorite shows or movies.
Want to learn more? Read our full Private Internet Access review.
Pros:
- Kill switch feature in all apps
- Unblocks Netflix in US and Germany
- VPN app available in 19 languages
- Split tunneling feature
- Supports torrenting (P2P)
- Unlimited bandwidth without any caps
Cons:
- Higher price after first payment term
- Limited servers outside the US
