Istanbul Travel Forum

My husband will be attending a congress in Istanbul, but it appears to be about 20-25 minutes away from the Old City. Where should we stay (what part of town), and how do you travel between the two locations?

If I were you (and I was in exactly the same position a couple of years ago) I would take a hotel in Sultanahmet (where Topkapi, Blue Mosque, Ayia Sofia etc are located) and your husband can travel to the conference location (tram or taxi).

That way you have many sights on your doorstep.

The other advantage is that the area has many small hotels which are good value and good quality. They will give you a more Turkish experience than staying in some 5 star international chain hotel.

Have a look at my Istanbul page for hotel suggestions.

My guess is that the congress venue would be the Lutfi Kirdar (Istanbul Convention & Exhibition Center). If it is, then it is near Taksim/ Beyoglu area and in a very central area, though, like u said, it's not in the historical peninsula - Sultanahmet.

http://www.icec.org/en/information.htm

There are several hotels in the area, Hilton Istanbul for one is almost beside Lutfi Kirdar, and further down the road (facing Taksim) are clusters of hotels. Taksim Square is the center of the universe in Istanbul. It's where the famous Istiklal Caddessi starts, lots of activities, nightlife and it's where people converge.

The historical Sultanahmet on the other hand is on the other side of the peninsula, not really very far as it sounded. In fact, a bus from Taksim will breeze you there in, say, 15 to 20 minutes at YTL1.30 depends on the traffic. A taxi would be faster at YTL7 to 10.

So you could either stay near the convention center which is a nice area, or, in Sultanahmet, and your husband will juz travel to the convention, whicherver would be your priority - historical Sultanahmet or the convention center.

For transport tips, etc..., checkout :

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/a4c2f/bf0/

If it is not in the Lutfi Kirdar convention, then you may have to specify the venue, so VTers could give you specific advise.

Have fun!

Please give us full adress of the congress in Istanbul. Then we can give you right advices.

as my master sirvictor said tell us your congress location we tell you where you will stay?Istanbul is a world not just a city.

Neodue brother, I am not a master but a humble derwich or Fakir who tries to help those who need any help.