Travel Answers

I don't have a lot of time to plan this trip, we're heading to Istanbul for a few days in July and I want to book a hotel and get that out of the way, does anyone have a recommendation for a comfortable hotel in Sultanahmet? I can't remember where we stayed last time but in any event it wasn't a great hotel. I don't need luxury, just clean, comfortable and convenient to the sites. I've found one near Topaki for 89E per night reserved tentatively but just thought I'd check and see if anyone else had a personal recommendation. Thanks!

Hi!

We will arrive at Sabiha Gokcen Airport with Easy Jet from London in June.

What is the best and most economical way to get to the Harem otogar to get the Metro night bus to Goreme?

Thank you

Annali

Hi, what are some decent hotels near Ataturk Airport? Thanks!

My sister and her husband going to Canada and on way have stop over at Istanbul. I want to know how they can go from Istanbul Airport to Babil Hotel and is their pre paid taxi service at the airport and also how much it will cost for the transfer from airport to the Babil Hotel ?
And anything else they should be aware of - since its their first visit to Istanbul. They will stay for 3 days only.
Regards

I was stationed in the USAF in Turkey 1958-1960 and 1961-1963. Was there several times on temporary duty (TDY) after that. There was once a restaurant near Taksim Square called Abdulah's. It was famous for its lobster dinners. Does anyone know if it still exists? Thanks, Yusuf.

hi friends i need some restaurant name for budjet breackfast (around taksim) and lunch(s.ahmet /aksaray /taksim). thank you

I am staying in Istanbul now and would like to go to Iran in mid June or late June. How long does it take to get a Tourist Visa if I apply now ?

What would be a good choice for a meeting place at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul.
I and my girlfriend will visit Istanbul for a week in 2nd week of June and arrive
to Ataturk airport from separate origins! Where can we meet each other at the
airport?( a coffee shop, some Fast Food place, MC or KFC , information desk
or something like these!!)
TKS in advance,
Mike

In the guidebook we bought I can 't find a lot of info on the Asian side of Istanbul. Nevertheless, most people who've been to Istanbul say we should also visit this part of the city. Is it indeed worthwhile?

is parkoman opened on june? how we can get there from taksim? is there any other choice for swimming in istanbul? thank you

We're heading to Istanbul this month for 5 days. Apart from the sightseeing, we're planning for some shopping as well. What are best buys ? Where are the best shops (touristy and non touristy - clothes, accessories and other fun stuff -)?
What's the best way to get around in Istanbul for longer distances during the day and at night? Are taxis affordable ?

we are a family 3person and will be in istanbul on 15 June/ is there any information about apartment for rent ? last year i have rent from airbnb. com but this year i want contact directly with owner .is there any address or website? thank you

Hi all
Turkey has a upon arrival Visa for US citizens right? I just wanted to make sure that policy is still in effect not changed recently. I would appreciate someone who travelled recently can confirm that.
I have another question regarding travelling to ancient wonders of Turkey and Greece , can we drive, take bus or train ? or we need to go by cruise ship? Is it really worth the trip to visit them? Looking at the pictures it looks like not much left . I would really appreciate your reply.
Thanks in advance

I generally receive no warning when I have to go on a trip. In Amsterdam, as an example, I can appear there in the morning , go to Lindburgh Travel on Damrak and have a great 4*-5* hotel at a great 'Last Minute' price, in minutes.

Anybody know if I can do that same thing in Istanbul? Thanks for any help.

Hello VTs
I would like to know how safe to travel to Turkey now a days? also how people travel in and around Istanbul or other places in Turkey? Can we rent a car and drive around, is it safe? or their train system or metro is as good as any other European countries.? Can we take a ferry from Izmir to Athens or flying is better? Any info on Turkey travel would be greatly appreciated like good escorted travel agents websites.

Thanks in advance.

Hi have had a read through a few posts here and the turkeytravelplanner site and also Havatas shuttle bus site - seems most of the cheaper transport has their last departure at 1am and don't start again till 3am or so - 3 of us are booked to arrive with Air Arabia at 0025 hours so would be surprised to be able to get out to the last bus.

The travel planner site says a private car is their transport of choice but at 60 euro Im wondering if anyone else would suggest other alternatives. I had thought I would look for accommodation to stay in Sultahnamet for 3 or 4 nights rather than Taksim then we will get a rental car for the 16 or 17 days remaining depending on how long we stay in Istanbul.
the Turkey travel planner site says by using the private car and staying at one of that companies 3 hotels we would get a free fruit bowl! which Im not too worried about but have heard there are some hotels that include an airport pick up but does anyone know of any for Sabiha?
we could arrange to pick up the rental car on arrival at Sabiha as some in our group of 3 are wondering but I doubt its worth it with parking issues and the cost of about 20 euro a day car hire unnecessarily...though 60 euro for a private car works out about the same!

thanks a lot for any suggestions or experience rather than just links of sites Ive already looked at.

We are a family of 9 persons with 1 Senior Citizen, 4 Adults & 4 Children aged 9, 10 & 12+, 16

We arrive into Istanbul on the 4th June by the 20:30 Olympic Air flight from Athens.

Which area should we stay for 3 nights? 3-4* hotel

We have 2 full days, what should we do and how should we do them?

The taxis etc. are notorious, so how do we tackle them?

We leave for Capadoccia on the 7th June morning flight.

Hello again my friends!

Does anybody have an idea about the airports in Istambul, Turkey?
I am interested to find out how much is the distance from Ataturk International Airport to Sabihna (SAW) Airport.
And there are buses who take you from one airport to another?
Thank you!

Hi would anyone be able to tell me if it's a good idea to stay at the Crown Plaza Istanbul Old City? I am going for a brief 3 day break in Istanbul with my wife and our 12 yr old son & would love to stay in the Sultanahmet area.
How does it compare in terms of location to the Holiday Inn Istanbul City, Topkapi or Holiday Inn, Sisli?

what would I expect to pay from the main airport to say the blue mosque area late at night

Can somebody tell me what is the way way to get the hotels near blue mosque from airport? Do I have to take a private shutle or will be easier take public transportation?

Can somebody tell me what is the way way to get the hotels near blue mosque from airport? Do I have to take a private shutle or will be easier take public transportation?

PLEASE CAN ANYONE HELP WITH ITINERARY OF BOATS TO GO TO BOSPHORUS

if its sunday and i dont have a special card to cross,
i read there is no cash option.so what can i do?
thank you in advance for your reply,
lioalex

4 nights in June family of 6 adults... mid range apartment or hotel or B&B

please recommend

Hi! Am planning a trip to Istanbul in end-May with my wife and 12-yr old son. Have been advised by friends to stay in the Sultanahment area.There seems to be quite a few options - in fact, it's the problem of plenty... making it difficult to choose. Can anyone recommend a few good options that I could then zero in on?

My budget is approx. Euro 125-150 per night and we plan to spend 3/4 nights in Istanbul.

i will be in Istanbul next week. We will be there for 3 days .It is a short time .Is there any good advice so our stay will go smoother ? Is there any things happening there which would be good to know about ?
Thanks in advance :)

We are going on a cruise and Istanbul is one of our port of call, where do the ships dock and how far away is it from top tourist attractions (Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque etc). Is it walkable? I heard you can use the tram too, is that close to the port where the ships dock?

I am planning a family holiday to Istanbul in the middle of September. I also want to go to a smaller place away from the big city, where the water is clean and atmosphere relaxed. It should be somewhere on the Marmara Sea, suitable for children, bathing, simple beach activities etc. Any suggestions are welcome!

Can i get married in a mosque in istambul?.what is required and what is the regulation ? I heard its possible but i have to get back to the authorities for documents after having a mosque Marrige .