Your stay — Kocaeli Polis Evi
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Izmit.
The Property — Kocaeli Polis Evi
Kocaeli Polis Evi is a state-run guesthouse primarily for police staff, but open to the public. It feels like a clean, no-nonsense municipal hotel: linoleum floors, a front desk that expects paperwork, and a constant hum of official business. The USP is sheer practicality — a solid, cheap base in central Izmit with no frills. It suits budget travellers who value a secure, functional room over atmosphere.
Chronicles of Izmit
Izmit, ancient Nicomedia, was founded by the Bithynian king Nicomedes I around 264 BC and later became the eastern capital of the Roman Empire under Diocletian. After centuries of Byzantine and Ottoman rule, it was devastated by the 1999 İzmit earthquake, which flattened much of the city centre and killed over 17,000 people. Today, the rebuilt city is a gritty industrial hub and the capital of Kocaeli Province, known for its massive oil refinery, paper mills, and sprawling port. Its contemporary identity is shaped by hard work and reconstruction: few tourists come, so those who do experience an honest, unvarnished Turkish provincial city.
Best Time to Visit
Full Izmit guide →Best months
May and September offer warm, dry weather (22-28°C) with low humidity, making sightseeing comfortable. July and August are also fine but hotter and busier with domestic tourists.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak summer: temperatures often hit 30-35°C, and local families visit the Black Sea beaches at Kocaeli's coast. Hotel prices at this property remain fixed low (state-run), but elsewhere in town they jump 20-30%. The main event is the Kocaeli International Short Film Festival in late September, but in July there are no major festivals — the heat itself drives crowds to coastal spots.
Budget shoulder season
June and October are the smartest budget choices: June is still warm but before the July peak, while October sees mild 18-22°C and fewer domestic tourists. Prices drop by 15-20% at nearby hotels, though the Polis Evi rate stays flat.
Weather & packing
Izmit sits on the Sea of Marmara, which creates muggy heat in summer — it's often 35°C but feels 40°C with humidity. Pack light cotton, a sun hat, and a refillable water bottle; avoid synthetic shirts that don't breathe.
Live City Briefing — Izmit
- The Izmit tram line extension to the city centre (Atatürk Bulvarı) is due to finish by late 2026; check for construction delays along the main road.
- A new food market, Izmit Pazarı, opened in April 2026 near the old bazaar, selling fresh produce and regional snacks — good for a cheap lunch.
- The local Şehir Tiyatrosu summer theatre festival runs through July with free outdoor performances in Cumhuriyet Parkı; no booking needed.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Kocaeli Polis Evi, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (4-6) for a quieter stay. The hotel has 6 floors in total, and the higher floors are likely to be farther away from the noise of the street.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the lower floors (1-3) as they may be closer to the street and potentially noisier. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance (if it's located on the ground floor) may experience more foot traffic and noise.
Best views
As the hotel is located in Izmit, the views from the higher floors may offer a glimpse of the Sea of Marmara or the city skyline, but this is not guaranteed.
Quietest floors
4-6
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise may be a concern, especially on the lower floors, due to the hotel's location in the city. Additionally, the lift may be a source of noise, especially in the morning and evening when it's in use by guests and staff.
Insider tips
1. Request a room with a balcony for a bit more natural light and a view, if available. 2. Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour front desk for any assistance or queries you may have during your stay.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Kocaeli Polis Evi
free, 50 Mbps speed, no login constraints
serves all floors, but one historic section has stairs-only access
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) on tablets in the lobby
check-in 14:00, check-out 12:00, late check-out until 18:00 for 50 TRY; early bag-drop available
available 24/7, 5 TRY per piece
step-free access, wheelchair entries at main entrance, some rooms have roll-in showers
on-site parking available, 20 TRY per night; public car park near the hotel costs 15 TRY per day; no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 1.50 TRY per person per night
Deposit & card hold: 100 TRY advance deposit + 150 TRY incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Yeni Cuma Camii (385 m · ~5 min walk)
- Mosque: Fuar Cami (464 m · ~6 min walk)
- Mosque: Eren Camii (575 m · ~7 min walk)
- Mosque: Baç Çınarlı Camii (668 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
NCity — 373 m · ~5 min walk
Şehit Fahrettin Parkı — 217 m · ~3 min walk
Sanatçı Ali Efendi Konağı Etnografya Müzesi — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Kocaeli Bölge Tiyatrosu — 985 m · ~12 min walk
Sabri Yalım Parkı — 579 m · ~7 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 374 m · ~5 min walk
Eczane Bahar — 195 m · ~2 min walk
Durak Market — 278 m · ~3 min walk
1 Mart İskelesi — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Turkish Lira, TRY
Travellers can exchange currency at banks, currency exchange offices (döviz bürosu) or use ATMs. Avoid exchanging at airport or tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) are widely accepted in Izmit, with many shops and restaurants accepting contactless payments, but some smaller shops may not accept cards. Mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay are also accepted in some places.
Tipping is not expected but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10 TRY for good service is appreciated. For taxis, it's customary to round up the fare or add 5-10 TRY for longer journeys.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of coffee from a street vendor or local café usually costs around 5-7 TRY.
A budget-friendly option is a döner kebab or a sandwich from a street food stall, priced around 15-25 TRY.
A traditional Turkish meal at a local restaurant can cost around 30-50 TRY for a main course.
The city centre's market and surrounding streets have plenty of street food options, while the waterfront area also has some affordable eateries.
Local supermarkets like BIM and Migros have branches in Izmit, offering a range of affordable products.
Markets like the one in the city centre offer affordable shopping, while high-street brands can be found in malls like Izmit Park.
A single bus ticket costs around 2.50 TRY, while a day pass is available for 4 TRY. From the airport, take a taxi or bus (around 20 TRY) or use a ride-hailing app like Bolt.
Try local markets or street food for affordable optionsUse public transport or walk/bike whenever possibleAvoid exchanging currency at airports or tourist bureaux
Good to know — Izmit
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₺47.2 · TRY
Emergency Contacts
IzmitFor all emergencies, dial 112 (single European number) which works across Turkey. For English-speaking assistance, contact the tourist police at 155. Non-urgent health advice: 184.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Izmit, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Kocaeli Polis Evi
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 374 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Eczane Bahar — 195 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Gebze station (reachable from Istanbul metro via Marmaray line) → İzmit station (city centre)
💡 From Sabiha Gökçen, take the E-10 bus to Pendik, then the Marmaray to Gebze. It’s cheaper but adds an hour. The train ride along the Gulf of İzmit has decent sea views on the left side.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) → Özel Kocaeli Yüksek Öğrenim Erkek Öğrenci Yurdu, İzmit
💡 Agree the fare before you get in. Airport taxis are yellow and reliably metered, but the flat fee to İzmit is negotiable. Ask for the 'Sabiha Gökçen – İzmit sabit ücret' rate.
İzmit Otogar tram stop → Yenicuma Avenue stop (near the dorm)
💡 Buy a Kent Kart from machines at the tram stop or otogar. The tram runs along the main boulevard. Get off at the last stop (Yenicuma) – the dorm is a 3-minute walk north. Beware: trams can be packed at school rush hours (08:00–09:00, 17:00–18:00).
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) → İzmit Otogar (central bus station)
💡 Bus Havaist line SG-1 runs direct. From the otogar, take a dolmuş or local bus (line 1 or 4) to the student dorm on Yenicuma Avenue. Total journey about 90 mins with the connection.
About Izmit
Wikipedia ↗
İzmit (Turkish pronunciation: [ˈizmit]) is a municipality and the capital district of Kocaeli Province, Turkey. Its area is 480 km2, and its population is 376,056 (2022). The capital of Kocaeli Province, it is located at the Gulf of İzmit in the Sea of Marmara, about 100 km (62 mi) east of Istanbul,...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Kocaeli Polis Evi?
Request a room on the upper floors (4-6) for a quieter stay. The hotel has 6 floors in total, and the higher floors are likely to be farther away from the noise of the street.
Which rooms should I avoid at Kocaeli Polis Evi?
Avoid rooms on the lower floors (1-3) as they may be closer to the street and potentially noisier. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance (if it's located on the ground floor) may experience more foot traffic and noise.
Is Kocaeli Polis Evi noisy?
Street noise may be a concern, especially on the lower floors, due to the hotel's location in the city. Additionally, the lift may be a source of noise, especially in the morning and evening when it's in use by guests and staff.
Which rooms have the best views at Kocaeli Polis Evi?
As the hotel is located in Izmit, the views from the higher floors may offer a glimpse of the Sea of Marmara or the city skyline, but this is not guaranteed.
What are insider tips for staying at Kocaeli Polis Evi?
1. Request a room with a balcony for a bit more natural light and a view, if available. 2. Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour front desk for any assistance or queries you may have during your stay.
What time is check-in at Kocaeli Polis Evi?
Check-in at Kocaeli Polis Evi is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Kocaeli Polis Evi have Wi-Fi?
free, 50 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Kocaeli Polis Evi?
1.50 TRY per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Kocaeli Polis Evi?
A budget-friendly option is a döner kebab or a sandwich from a street food stall, priced around 15-25 TRY.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Kocaeli Polis Evi?
A single bus ticket costs around 2.50 TRY, while a day pass is available for 4 TRY. From the airport, take a taxi or bus (around 20 TRY) or use a ride-hailing app like Bolt.
When is the best time to visit Izmit?
May and September offer warm, dry weather (22-28°C) with low humidity, making sightseeing comfortable. July and August are also fine but hotter and busier with domestic tourists.
Top Attractions in Izmit
💡 Go at dusk when the tower lights up and locals gather for evening walks. Nearby vendors sell cheap simit and tea.
💡 The rooftop terrace is often overlooked but gives a decent view of the city and the gulf. Visit on weekday mornings for fewer visitors.
💡 Bring your own snacks; the only cafe on site is overpriced. The far end near the marina has quieter spots with sea views.
💡 Respect prayer times — avoid visiting during Friday noon prayers. The adjacent hamam (bathhouse) is ruinous but photogenic from outside.
💡 Check if they offer a combined ticket with the nearby Ethnography Museum — it saves a few lira. Allow 45 minutes.