Istanbul Travel Forum

Hi,

I'll be arriving at Istanbul airpot at midnight on my own. I need to get to a hostel / Guest house in a safe way, so I need to know:
what is the cheapest way?
Does anyone know of a hotel/hostel where they can pick you up from the airport?
If I attempted to make my own way in a taxi would that be safer?
How safe is Istanbul for a single woman ?
thanks,
Paula

istanbul is safe for all travellers who use their common sense and take exactly the same precautions that they would take at Midnight in their own home cities.
Taxies carry passengers to the centre of istanbul for a set fare and you should check this before setting off. The journey should take approx 20 mins - 30 mins at this time of night and is a fairly straight journey.
I would recommend booking your hotel in advance, some hotels offer a transfer service from the airport but you do not say what your budget is to allow sensible suggestions.

Not being a single woman, and not knowing any who have been to Istanbul, I'm not qualified to comment on the safety side.

However, on all my 3 visits the guesthouse has arranged for me to be collected at the airport by a shuttle. Same when I go next month. Its some kind of shared operation, so you might have to wait a few minutes for other passengers to arrive and yours may not be the first "drop off". However, that has never caused a delay or problem for me.

Its nice to be met by someone sent by the hotel, who will have a sign with your name on it. It also avoids any dealings with the local taxi drivers.

If you have nothing booked yet, try the Terrace Guesthouse - details on my Istanbul pages.

This single woman have been to Istanbul many times and is still alive ;o)

Do as you would do at home, or in a bigger city in your country, when walking/moving around and you will be fine.

Have you booked any place to stay?
Several places "give" you the pick-up for free as long as you book 3(or more) nights at their place.

Hi if you go onto Hostelbooker.com you'll see numerous hostels that provide a service of pick up from airports - or do what I did when I went just link up with someone on the plane who is going to the same area ....

Try Celal Sultan Hotel - OK might not be the cheapest, but they arranged an airport pick-up. Hotel is central and good and very Orient Express like. Would recommend it.

Istanbul is a safe city - magical - infact I felt safer there than in many other European cities. Enjoy, and do go to a hamman a truly wonderful experience!

Paula , I was just in Istanbul , it seemed like a safe place to be. I know of a nice youth hostel 5 blks away from the grand bazzar( in the directon of the blue mousqe) and one blk off of the main tram street (turn right) . I went in there to ask prices and it was something like 9 euros? the cabbie from the airport will be very courtous and professional. enjoy your time there ! take care john larew

Hi Paula,

I am not a single woman, but while in Turkey with my husband and friends, I spent a lot of time wandering by myself, especially in Instanbul and the souks. At the time I was about your age and really had no problems. ( and I am an amazonian, lily white, redhead, so if that didn't garner problems, nothing should!) I felt completely safe, but keep in mind that there is an extremely high police presence, especially on Fridays, so if you did need help, it is there.Having said that, let common sense prevail. I dressed conservatively ( i'd say kinda along to lines of business casual) but not like a nun, covered shoulders in mosques, etc. You may encounter almost the opposite problem. People being too friendly, although not in a forward way. Kids always were following us around, wanting to trade stuff and take pictures with us etc. For those very few, persisent followers a soft invocation of "imshee" sends them on their way ! The most persisent men are the ones who will walk beside you & very persistenly offer to take you in the direction you want to go, or to their cousins "must see" perfume/jewelry/carpet shop. Harmless, though. Of course, everone needs to beware pickpockets. Also, when I was there quite a few people were taken in by a taxi driver scam which involves the driver claiming that you gave him a smaller bill than really was given, resulting in a severe short change of money returned to you. Even though you might be jetlagged, try to be alert upon arrival. We would talk to the taxi drivers & say " Here is a 100" and lay the bill on the seat & not let him shuffle it back into his big wad of cash, thus avoiding the smaller bill claim. Just a bit of advice. Good Luck, you will have a great time. It is a great country filled with genuinely nice friendly people and the some of the best food anywhere. I loved Turkey and can't wait to get back myself !

Don't you annace live in Turkey?
Then you don't need to visit Turkey as you are in the country you live in now.

If you want to promote this company, then contact VT for advertising!!!!!

As a single woman, I felt safer in Istanbul than I have in other big cities! I do recommend wearing a "wedding ring," though. Many female tourists come to Turkey and engage in short-term relationships with Turkish men, so a wedding ring will send the signal that you're not available.

During my first few days there, I got four or five invitations to dinner or drinks each day. I bought a cheap little ring that looked like a gold wedding ring, put it on, and the next days, got only one or two total for the next three days!

As for the rest, if you use the common sense you would anywhere else, you'll be fine.