Istanbul Travel Forum

Hello everyone,

I will have 3-4 hour lay over in Istanbul. I will arrive at 9:30am and leave at 1pm. Is there anything I could do besides sitting at the airport?

Thank you

just wondering if anyone could help me?????

iv been seaerchinf for the name of place that situated about 30 to 40 mins metro ride from the sultanahmet area. this place that i have been looking for have wholesalers or warehouses that can sell you designer clothes etc for a cheaper price than what you can get from the grand bazar. this is if you buy in bulks. does any one know anything of this. thanks

Hi,

I will be in Avylik on November 25 and would like
to visit Lebos Island (Greece), staying there for
a night

Will there be ferry service at that time and what are
be the recommended accomodations on the Island? Also, I'm travelling
with a U.S. Passport - is there any visa requirement?

Thanks very much,

Richard

Hi,

I will be travelling to Istanbul November 21-30 for the first time
(very excited :)!) and want to go on a excursion to Avylik from Istanbul
on November 25-26 by taking the high-speed ferry to Bandirma then renting
a car there and drive to Avylik ..

How often does the ferry goes to Bandirma from Istanbul and is there any issue that I need to be aware of with my itirenary?

Thanks very much for your insights!

Best, Richard
Washington, DC

3 of us going to be in Istanbul for this match, we will have to rely on touts to buy a ticket. A, What is the chances of thier being black market tickets available and B, If they are generaly available how much should we expect to pay?. We will be looking to be in the Fenerbahce area of the stadium. Any help greatly appreciated.

Hi
Thinking of coming to Istanbul for New Year (30th December - 2nd January). Would this be a good time to visit? Will many of the 'attractions' be open? and where's best area to stay?

Many Thanks

Mike

I am looking for some or any vendors that were selling women's embroidered boots in the Grand Bazaar. My sister saw mine and liked them. I want to get her a pair for Christmas. They are colorful and just below the knee. I would be happy to have a phone number or address. Thanks!

We will be in Istanbul October 31st to November 3rd and would very much like to go to the dinner show either at Sultana's or Orient House on Sunday, November 1st or Monday, November 2nd. I know, touristy, but fun! Do you have any suggestions about which has a better show? Right now I am thinking about going to Sultana's show, but I have heard so much about the Orient House, even though it is more expensive, I am considering switching. I am really confused! Perhaps I am over thinking this.

Do you have any thoughts or suggestions to pass on. We look forward to our stay in Istanbul. We leave in 2 weeks - can't wait.

As always, I thank you. I am so appreciative of advice I get here in the forum.

Laura, AKA Purple Queen

What is the cost of taking a cab from the cruise ship dock to the Blue Mosque?

Which public libraries in the Istanbul area have Audio CD collections (in Turkish music, or general World/instrumental music) for opening, and listening inside the library?

Thanks

p.s. I won't have a library card, I hope it's ok.

I'm a little unsure on the route I should follow after leaving Istanbul? My options are:

1) taking a bus to Iznik, then Bursa (as I've heard it's a scenic ride, and not so lengthy - Is it really true it's a scenic ride?

2) ferry to Bandirma, and bus connection to Cannakale, or direct bus connection to Cannakale (from Istanbul) - only reason I could think for doing this is getting to Aegean sea - nearby to turkish islands Gökçeada, and bozcaada, but after looking at pictures of these islands online, and the mountain Kazdagi, I'm not TOO impressed with the landscape scenery, and breathing photography near Cannakale (which is what I'm looking for). Also, I am no so interested in history, or archealogy, so I hope that helps you suggect a route connecting Istanbul to Izmir, taking the most beautiful natural, and architectural attractions along the way.

Thanks for helping me...

Hi, I'm looking for second hand used clothing shops in Istanbul area (also Kadikoy, Sisli, etc..). These shops can also be called thrift stores, usually clothes are about 5-20TL, and sometimes shoes as well for about 20-30TL.

Do you the names/locations for these types of stores? There should be many. Please understand I am NOT looking for vintage looking (or other odd clothing). Just regular shirts, pants, winter hats, etc...for the lowest prices possible for Istanbul.

Thanks for any names or addresses you can provide, I appreciate it.

You mention several Hummams but give no prices can you ?

I am taking a cruise to Istanbul, staying there for two days. Can someone recommed a good authentic restaurant near the Port?

I recently arrived in Istanbul and will be here for six months. I plan to pick a football team to support and watch the home matches of. There are five football teams in the city that play in the Super Lig. Which would be the best option?(I am a foreigner and have no football loyalties that I will be betraying.) I live and work in Tuzla, eastern Istanbul.

Besiktas
Pros - Incomparable stadium, easy to get to, wonderful atmosphere.
Cons - Pricey tickets, tickets for games may be hard to come by.

Galatasaray
Pros - Great attacking play, stadium easy to get to.
Cons - Again, availability and price of tickets.

Fenerbahce
Pros - Best stadium in Istanbul, I live in the hinterland.
Cons - Tickets, where's the fun in supporting Turkey's largest club?

Kasimpasa
Pros - Location, its going to be a long, hard season - Perfect for masochists
Cons - Tiny stadium, no atmosphere

Istanbul Buyuksehir
Pros - Tickets never a problem, offbeat choice
Cons - Stadium located in the other side of Istanbul from Tuzla. Safety concerns.

Any suggestions? Could anyone give an idea of how much I could expect to pay for tickets for each of these clubs?

Thanks.

Is the Suleymaniye mosque still closed for restoration?

Hello,
does anyone knows if there is a bus going from Istambul to Sofia and how much does it cost? How many hours last the trip?
Thank you

Hallo All,

I and my husband will be in Istanbul in September 24. I need to know, how to get from the Sultan Ahmet area to the Turkuazoo, biggest Aquarium in Europe? Is it open already? Where is it? Should we take a tram, a metro? How much must I pay to visit Aquarium?

Thank You.
Jurgita
Lithuania

do i have to walk up to the cafe or there is a motorable road righ up

Can someone suggest me a special Hammam to go during my trip to Istanbul?
Not too turistic..
Thanks....

Is it possible to walk from the cruise ship dock to the grand bazaar, or do you need a taxi?

Hi,

Can anyone give me an update on the flooding in Istanbul such as the road closure update from Ataturk Airport to Taksim Square. Also were the Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Spice Market affected by the flooding?

Thank you for any information.

anyone have suggestion of what to do/see in istanbul for 5 days in november?

I've seen references to the Gloria Ferry from Odessa Ukraine to Istanbul, but cannot find anything definite. Is it still in operation? if so, who can I contact about prices, schedules? I have the info on the Caldonia, but it's so expensive, wanted to find an alternate, if any. thx.

Hi,
I'm planning for the first time visit in Istanbul with my girlfriend and I would like to know if is it better to search accommodation in sultanahmet or taksim.
I want to include sightseeing of all the historical "must-see" places but also to find good restaurants, not on the most expensive side.
Thanks

The Best of ISTANBUL

WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR:
1) memorable/dramatic scenery, landscape photography, or specifically where to find the best (viewpoints, vistas, city views, natural views, panoramas, sunsets, etc..)
2) also looking for hikes/hilltops/lookouts, and other amazing, breathtaking views?
3) lovely/charming streets, cute villages, hidden nooks/places?
4) specialty/unique regional cuisine/gastronomy (at places where local's eat @ local's prices (5-10USmax). Here food must be made with love, and regional favorites are specialties. Also the fewer tourists - the better.

What I've got so far...

Blue mosque, Haga sophia, Topakapi palace, Shahzade Mosque, Sulemaine mosque, Ortakoy Mosque, Ibrahim Pasha mosque, Fatih mosuqe, Mehmet mosque, Iznik mosque, Cihangir mosque, Rüstem Pasha Mosque, Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque, Mihrimah Mosque, Yeni Valide Camii, Nuruosmaniye Mosque, Beyazit Mosque, Nusretiye Mosque, view of Maidan tower at Sunset (from boat?), Mikla restaurant view (Marmara pera hotel rooftop), Grilled fish sandwiches from boats near the Galata Bridge, with lemon, salt, raw onions, and pickles, sunset view of Old town (from Karaköy wharf/Galata bridge), Balat/Fenner architecture? (what's here?), Yedikule neighbourhood (what's here?), Anadolu Kavagi, views of Old town from hotel rooftops on Asian side, Soguk Cesme Sokak street (and other wooden houses), Kilimli beach (Ağva), Yerebatan Saray Sarnici, Çamlıca Hill, what is attractive in Kemalpaşa?


If you can help me edit my list (group items based on district, etc...), that would really help. Of course, feel free to add, or remove items as you like. I'll have 5 weeks to explore Istanbul.

Thanks

I need a quick reply to this one as we are travelling in the morning.

we land in Istanbulas and get the night bus across the country.

Can anybody tell me if its ok to bring sausages/meat products to turkey in your suitcase.

Brett

Hi
I'm planning a trip to the middle east in November
Any suggestions on inexpensive flights from Turkey to Syria ??
Preferably from Istanbul to Damascus.
I've heard the train ( Toros)has been cancelled for 2009 ( upgrading the line ??? )for istanbul to damascus
Cheers Kikili

Hello,

Where is the best place to watch fasil music performed? I'd love to go to a restaurant where everyone dances and enjoys music together!

Thanks!

Leila

I know the Topkapi porcelain is large; how much is actually in display for viewing? Does anyone know the name of the porcelain curator for the museum?