Holiday in Istanbul Turkey
Discussion
I'm meant to be going on holiday to Istanbul in the next month or so with Mrs Wattsie. Yet I'm a little concerned about what to expect there.
Has anyone been before? I read a post earlier that put me off getting a taxi there, and then a quick google of "Istanbul + Taxi" reinforced that point. (Though there does seem to be an airport transfer service whick looks ok)
Other than that, drinking bottled water, not being pick-pocketed, not losing your passport etc are pretty much the rule wherever you go.
The future in-laws seem to think we could save money by staying in a hostel or something (*dubious look*) but I'm cautious of what passes for a hostel. Travelodge standard is fine by me, but holes in ceilings, broken locks etc... Hmm. No. (I've no experience with hostels and things so forgive my ignorance, if they are better than I give them credit for!) at the same time, I don't want to spend a fortune on just the hotel.
Any pointers folks?
Sağ olun! (Cheers)
Has anyone been before? I read a post earlier that put me off getting a taxi there, and then a quick google of "Istanbul + Taxi" reinforced that point. (Though there does seem to be an airport transfer service whick looks ok)
Other than that, drinking bottled water, not being pick-pocketed, not losing your passport etc are pretty much the rule wherever you go.
The future in-laws seem to think we could save money by staying in a hostel or something (*dubious look*) but I'm cautious of what passes for a hostel. Travelodge standard is fine by me, but holes in ceilings, broken locks etc... Hmm. No. (I've no experience with hostels and things so forgive my ignorance, if they are better than I give them credit for!) at the same time, I don't want to spend a fortune on just the hotel.
Any pointers folks?
Sağ olun! (Cheers)
I went this year for the GP. I'd go back to Instanbul, it's a terrific city and if you're a foodie like us, it's top notch.
Eat where the locals eat and you'll never have a bad meal.
It felt no worse than any other city in terms of crime etc - and although the shops vendors try to get you inside, we never needed anything more than a polite 'no thanks'.
If you've got a specific questions, I'll try and answer -but with regard to hotels, we stayed a middle of the road hotel that was fine, and we got them to send their hotel taxi to pick us up from the airport. We took public transport back to the airport. We didn't use a taxi once.
Hope that helps a little.
cheers
David
Eat where the locals eat and you'll never have a bad meal.
It felt no worse than any other city in terms of crime etc - and although the shops vendors try to get you inside, we never needed anything more than a polite 'no thanks'.
If you've got a specific questions, I'll try and answer -but with regard to hotels, we stayed a middle of the road hotel that was fine, and we got them to send their hotel taxi to pick us up from the airport. We took public transport back to the airport. We didn't use a taxi once.
Hope that helps a little.
cheers
David
Well, I am a fan of food! 
We're going to the Taksim area. I'm looking for a decent but not too expensive hotel in the area and google maps is proving its worth for this.
Thanks for the suggestions, what to see and do and so on. I did find one hotel that give a free private taxi service to the airport for stays over 3 days.
Will keep researching it.
Cheers,
Wattsie
We're going to the Taksim area. I'm looking for a decent but not too expensive hotel in the area and google maps is proving its worth for this.
Thanks for the suggestions, what to see and do and so on. I did find one hotel that give a free private taxi service to the airport for stays over 3 days.
Will keep researching it.
Cheers,
Wattsie
A bit of a late reply!
I've been to Istanbul about 30 times on business over the last few years, so hopefully can help?
There are two types of taxis - city taxis are yellow, airport orangey-yellow. Basic rule is, taxis on the European side can't find anywhere on the Asian side and vice-versa (Asian taxis can normally find both airports but that's about it). The roads are a nightmare and at our work we have a theory that the taxi meters clock faster over 100km/h as the drivers no matter what conditions seem determined to achieve that speed or greater!
On occasion when I've arrived during peak periods I've used the Metro + Tram + Ferry to get to my hotel in Besiktas from Attaturk airport - costs YTL 1.20 for each! No good if you're laden with luggage. Don't get conned into one of the minibuses being touted at the airport, they won't leave until they have filled every seat and may not be able to find your hotel! I've only had a couple of problems in taxis - print a map of the hotel if necessary - certainly have the address written - your pronunciation will not always work, and make sure they put the meter on.
You'll need £10 or €15 each at the airport for a Visa - go to the visa desk first before passports - as you face the passport desks at Attaturk visa desks are to the left - countless people get turned away and have to join at the back of the queue and there are no announcements on the flight.
Regarding accomodation - TripAdvisor is probably best for answering, I've only stayed in the Conrad, Hyatt, Moevenpick and Marriott there so wouldn't know on the boutique hotels, although there are quite a few that look okay just below Sultanahmet (Blue Mosque).
Add Agia Sophie to your list - the museum in an old Mosque - it is opposite the Blue Mosque.
I've been to Istanbul about 30 times on business over the last few years, so hopefully can help?
There are two types of taxis - city taxis are yellow, airport orangey-yellow. Basic rule is, taxis on the European side can't find anywhere on the Asian side and vice-versa (Asian taxis can normally find both airports but that's about it). The roads are a nightmare and at our work we have a theory that the taxi meters clock faster over 100km/h as the drivers no matter what conditions seem determined to achieve that speed or greater!
On occasion when I've arrived during peak periods I've used the Metro + Tram + Ferry to get to my hotel in Besiktas from Attaturk airport - costs YTL 1.20 for each! No good if you're laden with luggage. Don't get conned into one of the minibuses being touted at the airport, they won't leave until they have filled every seat and may not be able to find your hotel! I've only had a couple of problems in taxis - print a map of the hotel if necessary - certainly have the address written - your pronunciation will not always work, and make sure they put the meter on.
You'll need £10 or €15 each at the airport for a Visa - go to the visa desk first before passports - as you face the passport desks at Attaturk visa desks are to the left - countless people get turned away and have to join at the back of the queue and there are no announcements on the flight.
Regarding accomodation - TripAdvisor is probably best for answering, I've only stayed in the Conrad, Hyatt, Moevenpick and Marriott there so wouldn't know on the boutique hotels, although there are quite a few that look okay just below Sultanahmet (Blue Mosque).
Add Agia Sophie to your list - the museum in an old Mosque - it is opposite the Blue Mosque.
I went, I came back, I loved it!
Yes, the food is great - it was one of the best things there for me. For example, in one place there was a lamb, chicken and veal kebab (note: proper meat pieces for kebabs - not minced up crap!) selection with salad, rice and fresh bread and a generous portion too for just £4.00.
Oh, and there is a fresh fish restaurant down near the bridge over the Bosphorus - worth a visit too.
Other than that, we visited various things like the mosques, the Sultans palace, the Basillica Cisterns etc.
The beer comes in 750ml glasses
If you go to the Grand Bazarr every single store holder *will* try the hard sell.
There is a cat that looks like Hitler on the pedestrianised street going from the centre down to the Bosphorus.
The police are over employed and stand around doing nothing. It became apparent that the police armoury policy is first-come-first-served so there are 16/17 year old coppers with AK's
because they got to the station first and plenty of police wearing their gun holsters pointing backwards so their weapon faces people standing behind them 
Finally, to get around quickly there is a very cheap (£0.40/trip) tram system. To use this you have to buy a Jeton (token-coin) for 1.50Lira at a Jeton Booth/newsagent.
Don't bother hiring a car if you are only going to be in the city. Terrible congestion, road surfaces (though better than the West Midlands) and mad drivers.
Oh and one last point - don't go in the yellow cabs! (Get a black Fiat-van-taxi-thing from the airport.) EVERY yellow taxi is covered in a multitude of dents and dings.
Mehaba - Hello
Teshekkula - Thankyou
Lutfen Bir Jeton - One 'Jeton' please
hay-ar - No
evet - Yes
Polis - Police
Yes, the food is great - it was one of the best things there for me. For example, in one place there was a lamb, chicken and veal kebab (note: proper meat pieces for kebabs - not minced up crap!) selection with salad, rice and fresh bread and a generous portion too for just £4.00.
Oh, and there is a fresh fish restaurant down near the bridge over the Bosphorus - worth a visit too.
Other than that, we visited various things like the mosques, the Sultans palace, the Basillica Cisterns etc.
The beer comes in 750ml glasses
If you go to the Grand Bazarr every single store holder *will* try the hard sell.
There is a cat that looks like Hitler on the pedestrianised street going from the centre down to the Bosphorus.
The police are over employed and stand around doing nothing. It became apparent that the police armoury policy is first-come-first-served so there are 16/17 year old coppers with AK's
because they got to the station first and plenty of police wearing their gun holsters pointing backwards so their weapon faces people standing behind them Finally, to get around quickly there is a very cheap (£0.40/trip) tram system. To use this you have to buy a Jeton (token-coin) for 1.50Lira at a Jeton Booth/newsagent.
Don't bother hiring a car if you are only going to be in the city. Terrible congestion, road surfaces (though better than the West Midlands) and mad drivers.
Oh and one last point - don't go in the yellow cabs! (Get a black Fiat-van-taxi-thing from the airport.) EVERY yellow taxi is covered in a multitude of dents and dings.
Mehaba - Hello
Teshekkula - Thankyou
Lutfen Bir Jeton - One 'Jeton' please
hay-ar - No
evet - Yes
Polis - Police
Edited by wattsie_2004 on Thursday 11th February 20:56
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