Off to Istanbul for 4 days - tips?

LondonDiva

Hi guys

Finally booked my holiday to Istanbul. We're going for 4 days and looking for any tips or suggestions people have~especially about food, sights and getting around.

Have read some worrying things about the airport and taxis, so your recommendations are very welcome about anything

thanks:j

Stageshoot

When are you going,

We are off there tomorrow for 3 days?.

Found a great little hotel - gets good reviews.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g293974-d1052176-Reviews-Best_Point_Hotel-Istanbul.html (£60 for 2 nights)

Told the metro from airport is easy and cheap so will be using that.

First time for us aswell, so looking forward to it as a quick break

Flying with Swiss Via Zurich, from Manchester

(If you are not going for a while - I will update you when We get back Sat.)

LondonDiva

VickyHurn wrote: »

When are you going,

We are off there tomorrow for 3 days?.

Found a great little hotel - gets good reviews.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g293974-d1052176-Reviews-Best_Point_Hotel-Istanbul.html (£60 for 2 nights)

Told the metro from airport is easy and cheap so will be using that.

First time for us aswell, so looking forward to it as a quick break

Flying with Swiss Via Zurich, from Manchester

(If you are not going for a while - I will update you when We get back Sat.)

Thanks

We go next week & staying here - http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g293974-d1438768-Reviews-Darussaade_Hotel-Istanbul.html

Info useful:)

Stageshoot

LondonDiva wrote: »

Thanks

We go next week & staying here - http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g293974-d1438768-Reviews-Darussaade_Hotel-Istanbul.html

Info useful:)

That was my first choice but no availablity for our days (Don't you just love trip advisor)!

Through Google I got a metro map and from the airport it works out about 50p a person for a single into the City where it connects to the tram, so we decided to go that way.

We only have 1 Full day, land 4pm Wednesday, Fly back 2pm Friday, so its going to be rushed for us and really have no fixed shedule except for the Huge shopping Bazzar, Using it as a bit of a recon trip to see if its worth going back later in the year for a few more days.

Will update you on our Return, Sure your hotel will be fab, the Photos and trip advisor reviews look great, I will probably try and work my dates around that one if we go back in the summer.

gfplux

The best thing to see is The Blue Mosque.
We went with a guide and I would recommend it. Don't forget to read up on it before hand.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Ahmed_Mosque

blindman

LondonDiva wrote: »

Thanks

We go next week & staying here - http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g293974-d1438768-Reviews-Darussaade_Hotel-Istanbul.html

Info useful:)

Was there for one night on New Years Day

TIP
Visit the Topkapi Palace:-but go first thing and go straight to the Hareem. It's very small and you need to see it when there are few people around.
Then stay and look around the rest of the Palace. (1-2hrs)

Next go to Hagia Sophia - (we gave it a miss due to time )

Next The Blue Mosque :-watch out for the times it's shut for prayers.
Please observe their faith and cover your head\arms if you're female.
everyone takes off their shoes at the door (but at least you carry them around so no-one nicks them!)

Go to the Bazzar:- Haggle!

Go to the Spice Bazzar:-Breathe in! Haggle!

Ignore or the "helpful" Turkish "touts" at the airport:- Metro is very cheap and easy to the city.

Pick up Turkish money at the airport ATM's.

Enjoy

totallybored

LondonDiva wrote: »

Hi guys

Finally booked my holiday to Istanbul. We're going for 4 days and looking for any tips or suggestions people have~especially about food, sights and getting around.

Have read some worrying things about the airport and taxis, so your recommendations are very welcome about anything

thanks:j

I went a couple of months ago and had an excellent time. We booked a private transfer from the airport as we were worried about being ripped off by a taxi. I found it recommended on tripadvisor and it was called something like istanbulairporttransfer. It was more expensive than a taxi but it was fine. I'd probably just get a taxi next time though.

Getting around is easy, we used the tram or taxis. We emailed the concierge before we got there and asked if they could get us an Akbil and pre-load some money on it (like an Oyster but key fob sized). You can only buy them at a couple of places and I have no idea where they are! They are easy to top uo though.

Food is good and cheap. We found an excellent street full of fish restaurants off Iskital Caddesi. A meal for 2 inc drinks was only around £25. Beware if you drink alcohol, beer is very cheap but other alcohol isn't! I also liked French Street which is off the middle of Iskital. It wasn't in my guide book so google it. Loads of bars and restaurants down a narrow street with pink sofas outside!

We stayed in Sultanahmet right next to the Blue Mosque. Most of the sights are near but it wasn't too exciting on an evening.

Go to the Grand Bazaar for pashminas and the Spice Bazaar. Most spices will be vacuum sealed but you could take a lock lock box like I did if you're worried about putting them in your luggage. Buy some lemon salt which is good on fish (you will have to ask for it, I got it from the chilli stalls just outside the back right of the bazaar) and Iranian saffron.

Have a fab time, it is an amazing city.

davidlizard

Get the ferry over to the Asian side of the city. Its dirt cheap (pennies).

One thing many tourists miss is the Florence Nightingale museum. Its in what appears to be an in-use army barracks on the Asian side of the city. We turned up and spoke to the guard on the gate who did not understand. Then an officer appeared who spoke good English and showed us around the place!

Its only a small place, but the corridors are those that were featured on the back of the old £5 note. Its only a couple of rooms but if you are in the area its worth dropping in. Its got a load of her personal possessions and relics from the Crimea campaign.

Not many people seem aware that it is there.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293974-i368-k1942033-Istanbul_Florence_Nightingale_Museum_See_it_you_have_time-Istanbul.html

LondonDiva

Thanks for the info guys.

Keep them coming. Any one able to recommend a Hammam?

LondonDiva

:j *bump* :j

Stageshoot

A quick update for you - posting this from our Hotel In Istanbul

The Train/Tram from the Airport is easy quick and cheap, You need 2 tokens per person (1.5lira each) train 6 stops change to tram an in old city in about 40mins, cheaper and quicker than taxi/bus

Local Money changers are giving 2.4Lira to a Pound and 2.1 Lira to Euro ATMS at the airport are fine with UK debit cards,

Dont forget to get your Visa sticker from the visa desk before lining up at imigration or they will send you out of the line to get it and the line can b e 40mins at immigration, Visa sticker is £10 UK (must be paid in sterling)

Saw the hotel you are staying at today, does look nice.

Blue Mosque well worth the visit (Free), as are the Bazzars, felt the palace was a little overpriced at 20lira for entry and another 15lira for Hareem. Wish we had more time here to explore more (as we only have the one full day here and head back tomorrow), but plan to return in summer,

Sure you will enjoy your trip.