Istanbul is one of the world's great cities, where Europe meets Asia across the Bosphorus, with millennia of history, world-class universities and a nightlife that never stops. It is huge and intense, but the cost of living is low for such a global city, and ferries between continents are part of the daily commute. For sheer atmosphere and energy, little compares.

• Bogazici and Koc universities rank among Turkey's best, teaching in English.
• Ferries across the Bosphorus turn your commute into a sightseeing trip.

Student life thrives in Kadikoy on the Asian side and Besiktas on the European, both packed with cheap bars, live music and young crowds. Taksim and Istiklal Avenue offer the big-night energy, while Moda and Cihangir provide laid-back cafe culture. It is a huge, diverse and famously affordable scene.

• Bar-hop through Kadikoy's backstreets on the Asian side for the best-value nights.
• Head to Besiktas and around Istiklal in Beyoglu for lively student nightlife.
• Ask the Istanbul group on Studcasa which neighbourhoods suit your budget and vibe.

Istanbul is remarkably cheap for a global megacity, though pricier than Ankara, most students live comfortably in the Turkish band. Street food, transport and shared flats cost little, while trendy bars and imported goods cost more. The volatile lira means budgeting in euros keeps you on track.

• Eat balik ekmek (fish sandwiches) by the Galata Bridge or doner for a euro or two.
• Share a flat in Kadikoy or Besiktas to keep rent within the band.
• Load an Istanbulkart for cheap metro, tram, bus and ferry travel across the city.

Students favour Kadikoy and Moda on the Asian side (hip and student-heavy), Besiktas and Sisli on the European side (central, lively), and Beyoglu's Cihangir. Flats are found via sahibinden.com, Facebook groups and agents. Decide which side of the Bosphorus your campus is on before you sign.

• Search sahibinden.com and Facebook groups, and post in the Studcasa Istanbul group for rooms.
• Kadikoy suits Asian-side students and nightlife; Besiktas is central for European-side campuses.
• Factor in your Bosphorus crossing, living on the wrong side means long daily commutes.

Istanbul's transport is vast: metro lines, trams, the Marmaray undersea rail linking the continents, the Metrobus bus rapid transit, funiculars and the iconic Bosphorus ferries, all paid with a single Istanbulkart. The ferries are the loveliest and often fastest way between sides. Traffic is heavy, so rail and boats beat the roads.

• Buy an Istanbulkart and use it for metro, tram, bus, funicular and ferry alike.
• Take the Bosphorus ferries between Europe and Asia, cheap, scenic and quick.
• Use the Marmaray or Metrobus to cross the city when the ferries do not fit your route.

Istanbul's top universities include Bogazici (widely rated Turkey's best, teaching in English on a Bosphorus hillside), Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Koc and Sabanci, plus the huge Istanbul University and Marmara. English-taught programmes are common at the leading institutions, and the international and Erasmus community is large and active.

• Campuses sprawl across both continents, confirm which side yours is on before renting.
• Bogazici, Koc and Sabanci teach largely in English and have strong exchange support.

What you need depends on your nationality and how long you stay, so treat this as a guide and confirm with the Turkish consulate for your country. Many nationalities can enter visa-free or with a simple e-visa as a tourist for up to 90 days, which can cover a short exchange. For a full semester or year of formal study, you'll usually need a student visa arranged before travel, then a residence permit obtained after arrival.

Registering for the residence permit (ikamet) once you're in the country is the step students most often leave too late.

• Short stay under 90 days, often visa-free or a simple e-visa for many nationalities
• Full semester or year, apply for a student visa at a consulate before you travel
• After arrival, register for a residence permit (ikamet); do not delay this
• Requirements vary by nationality; always confirm with your Turkish consulate

Istanbul is a street-food paradise: balik ekmek from the Eminonu boats, simit, doner, kokorec, midye dolma (stuffed mussels) and the endless spread of a Turkish breakfast. Baklava, kunefe and cay round off any meal. The Grand and Spice Bazaars and Kadikoy's market are feasts for the senses.

• Eat a balik ekmek fish sandwich by the Galata Bridge at Eminonu.
• Linger over a full Turkish breakfast (serpme kahvalti) in Besiktas or Moda.
• Explore Kadikoy market and the Spice Bazaar, and finish with baklava and cay.

Kadikoy and Moda on the Asian side are hip, student-friendly and full of bars; Besiktas is central, lively and young; and Beyoglu, with Istiklal and Cihangir, is the nightlife and cafe heartland. Sultanahmet is the historic tourist core, while Nisantasi is upmarket. Choose your side of the Bosphorus wisely.

• Kadikoy and Moda: hip, affordable and student-heavy on the Asian side.
• Besiktas: central and lively, handy for European-side universities.
• Cihangir and Beyoglu: cafe culture and nightlife around Istiklal Avenue.

Istanbul opens up north-west Turkey and beyond. The car-free Princes' Islands are a 1.5-hour ferry for a day of cycling and beaches, Bursa (the first Ottoman capital, with Uludag skiing) around 2.5 hours, and the Black Sea villages of Sile and Agva an easy escape. Cappadocia is a short flight for a longer weekend.

• Ferry to Buyukada in the Princes' Islands for a car-free day by the sea.
• Head to Bursa for Ottoman history and winter skiing on Uludag.
• Fly to Cappadocia for a weekend of balloons and cave hotels.

Istanbul is enormous, so choosing the right side of the Bosphorus and a home near transport saves you hours. Get an Istanbulkart at once, embrace the ferries, and keep some cash for street food and markets. Budget in euros given the fast-moving lira, and stay aware of your belongings in the busiest tourist crowds.

• Buy an Istanbulkart immediately and use the ferries as your commute.
• Keep cash for street stalls, markets and dolmus, alongside your card.
• Watch your belongings in packed areas like Istiklal, the bazaars and Sultanahmet.