Istanbul Travel Answers

I would definitely take the hotel shuttle. I doubt that there is any negotiation in the price - 25 euro seems to be standard but that is the price for the vehicle, not per person. Most small hotels use a car service rather than actually having their own vehicle. Be very, very careful if you take a taxi in Istanbul - the drivers have an incredible ability to swap notes right in front of your eyes and make it seem as if you haven't paid enough. You must count each note seperately into the driver's hand - never, ever hand money over for the driver to count! You need to allow an absolute minimu of an hour, 1 hour 15 minutes is better to get from Sultanhamet to the airport by public transport. The trams are very crowded so be very careful with your bags.

I agree with Camel. Arriving at that hour the shuttle is the best option and 25 euro is OK - saves all the worry and you get straight to your hotel.

Thnak you guys! What about return to Ataturk? Shall we also use shuttle service or public shuttle or public transport? Shall it be very crowded on 1-st of may? As for 25 euro,- I have to buy euros, which doesn`t make sence for me. Do you know how much Turkish Lira I shall suggest to the hotel instead of 25 euro in order to pay in local currency and not loose to much on the exchange rates?

We were able to pay our shuttle in with our hotel bill at the end of our stay - your hotel may well give you the same option. May 1 is a public holiday in Turkey. Public transport runs as usual. Depending on where you're staying in Sultanhamet you may need to catch a tram to the start of the Metro train which you take to Zeytinburnu, and then transfer to the train right into the airport. The shuttle is easier but a lot more expensive.

25 Euro makes 50 TL roughly. It's a good deal as you avoid the hassle with the taxi (your only other option at that hour). 1 May is public holiday, but all public transportation resumes as normal. Follow the advise of camel, that is the cheapest option. The whole journey is 1+ hour, if A leaves at 10:00 and B leaves at 14:00, you will be at the airport in time. Let me know if you have other questions. For things to do and restaurants, take a look at my Istanbul page.

Thanks a lkot guys! Can you commnet on these 2 companies in turms of liability? This one runs shuttle servise for 20,- euros/car http://www.istanbulhotelstransfer.com/ This one, goes even cheaper, like 18 euroes: istanbulairport24.com/bookno... But I am a bit confused, whether any extra costs are "hidden" in those offers, like extra payment for the luggage for example? Just read a lot of information that one has to be carefull all the time not to be cheated

Please read my transportation tips and find the website of Istanbul Tranportation Company for the schedule of M1 Line of Istanbul Metro. istanbul-ulasim.com.tr/tarif...

Dont make a lots of plan and say "god is great" and choose one of the options.It s destiny if you have a hassle.We say in Turkish KISMET.So 25€ is ghood price if they request more just say you can call the police. call 155

hii, its better if u come in the daylight or in the evening, it ll be cheaper that way. if u want the cheapest way is here: get the tram from the airport to bakirkoy. in bakirkoy stop get off n get the train to sultan ahmet. this way it ll cost u 1.5 euro..:P if u come in the night get a taxi, if they dont cheat u (im sorry n i feel ashamed instead of these bastards when i even mention to that subject)it ll cost u 15 euro to sultan ahmet. if u need to get a cheap n nice hotel, then let me know..;) :P i work at a hotel, i can help u. take care bye.