Istanbul Travel Forum

Would someone please make a suggestion...I will be in Istanbul in early July and would love to get to a beach for swimming/fun before my meeting starts. Can someone recommend a beach (are fleas are problem in the MiddleEast?) with nice sand and clean swimming water? Thanks!

Does anyone know how to get to sultanahmet area from the place where cruise ships dock.
1. By Taxi. How much will it cost approximately? Do we haggle, or is the meter what we pay?
2. Is there a way to take the tram or metro to this area? If so, are they safe? Where do you go from the dock to catch the tram or metro. The tram sounds inviting.
3 When heading back to the ship, do we hail a cab anywhere or are there designated places to find a cab? Or is it just as easy to return to the ship via tram or metro?
Thank-you for all your answers in advance.

My husband and I will be visiting Istanbul for the 1st time, arriving on July 7th and leaving on the 10th of July. Our stay will be short and therefore we would like hire a guide for one day to help us see as much as possible. If you had a great experience with an English speaking private tour guide or a group tour please send me their contact information. Looking forward to hearing from many of you. Thank you.

Hi! im a 24 yr old Aussie female and im travelling to turkey for the first time in september. i will be there for 19 days. i am open to suggestions of an itinery for the west and south coast. is it better to have all accomodation booked or can we just turn up and find a place that day? i would also like to catch a ferry over to the greek islands, but dont know where the port is on the west coast.
any help/suggestions would be greatfully appreicated. thanks heaps!

I noticed that on the map this hotel is right near the train tracks. Do the trains make noise at such a distance? Some times I like to rest in the afternoon, and of course sleep at night. Anyone have any info out there?

Can anybody tell me how much cost ferry from Eminonu to Ksdikoy,and how often go Thanks

Arriving by cruise ship in July. From 8:00am to 6:00pm.
1. What MUST we see and do?
2. From where the ship docks, is it easy to get to the city center and all the sites?
3. What is the best way to get around the city? Ship Excursion, taxi, bus, transit?

Dear SirVictor,

Thanks a lot for your reply.

We are planning to visit Istanbul on
SEPT 30th –TUE
OCT 1st – 4th – WED, THRU, FRI,SAT

As per your reply:-
Sheker Bayrami (Sugar fest ) is from Sept. 30th- Oct. 1st and 2nd
On the 1st day of the Bayram all shops and official offices such as museums are closed. On the 2nd and 3rd day the private enterprises such as restaurants, shops, bazaar begin to open their shops. During 3 days of Bayram no official places open to public.

1. Apparel shops in OSMANBEY (1st , 2nd & 3rd day closed due to Sheker Bayrami )
2. Egyptian (Spice) Market – Sunday (1st - 2nd & 3rd day SB)
3. Grand Bazaar – Sunday (1st, ,2nd & 3rd day SB)
4. Dolmabahce Palace Monday and Thursday (1st day of SB)
5. Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia) Monday(1st day of SB)
6. Rumeli Hisar – Mondays (1st day of SB)
7. Topkapi Palace Tuesday (1st day of SB)
8. Kariye Müzesi Wednesday (1st day of SB)
9. Sadberk Hanim Museum – Wednesday(1st day of SB)
10. Dolmabahce Palace Monday Thursday (1st day of SB)

What is the best suggestion?
Is the following Itinerary advisable?
SEPT 30 – Bosporus cruise
OCT 1s & 2nd from item 4 – 10
OCT 3rd & 4th from Item 1 – 3

Thanks & regards

Hi!
When I arrive in Istanbul, mid-September, I would like to stay as close to Rumelifeneri as I can get for my first overnight. None of the usual Hotel web sites have accommodation listing for inexpensive places. For example, there are a couple of five stars in Besiktas. I would like something inexpensive like a pension or B&B or guesthouse. Even a camp ground if it is at Remelifeneri. Is there a web site that would include these or does anyone know of anything on the busline between Besiktas and Rumelifeneri?

Hi,

We 4 couples are planning to come to Istanbul from SEPT 30 - OCT 4 - 2008 during Eid Al Fitr.

Kindly confirm the holidays/closings of the following:
1. Apparel shops in OSMANBEY
2. Egyptian (Spice) Market
3. Grand Bazaar
4. Dolmabahce Palace
5. Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia)
6. Topkapi Palace
7. Dolmabahce Palace
8. Kariye Müzesi
9. Sadberk Hanim Museum
10.Rumeli Hisar

Thanks.

Looking for a reasonably priced B&B in Istanbul July 24-27. A single room.

I will be in Istanbul in August and want to get to Warsaw by land. Has anyone every tried doing that route (combination of bus and train I assume) and wouldn't mind sharing tips or experiences?

Thanks.

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?

We need to travel from Istanbul to Ankara. We heard the trains in Turkey are awful. If that is true what is the best method of travel to the capital?

Is there a ferry from Istanbul going to Izmir twice a week?

I just returned from my first VT meeting in Karlsruhe and the experience was very positive. If you've been in the Miscellaneous forum we are already looking at Lisbon for May 2008, and possibly Krakow for around the same time of 2009.

In some of my conversations in Karlsruhe, many VT'ers showed interest for a meet in Istanbul. There is significant teamwork and coordination needed to hold a meeting to the same level as I experienced in Karlsruhe - but if a few people were interested - and I am thinking about October 2009 or 2010 - it would be good to initiate dialog (i.e. send an e-mail to Giampiero and start to post). There is the "mushy peas" meeting in early September, so perhaps mid-October would be good and would be past some of the summer crowd.

I thought of not doing this post - it's like inviting myself, but then I thought perhaps there are a couple of VT members in Istanbul that would actually enjoy this activity. If interested in hosting, check the Euromeet2008
member id to see the preparations done - and I speculate there needs to be some coordination with someone in VT.

When is the best time to go to Istanbul? I'd like to go for a week, off peak-ish if possible.

I'd wanted to go in March but couldn't due to injury... how is early/ late September/ October?

Thank you again
L

I shall appreciate if somebody could explain me driving directions for driving by a car from Ataturk airport to Yenikapi ferry boat.
Thanks in advance,
David

I read that the Boat leaving from Eminonu called Barbados Hayrettin Pasa is worth taking. Can you please advise the cost.

As I am arriving on a Monday, early morning - please could you advise what is closed on Mondays (and Tuesday and Wednesdays). Many thanks

I am to spend three nights on my own in Istanbul in July. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what how I can spend the evenings safely. I don't want to waste time sitting in my hotel room. Please help.

Are there laundromats in Istanbul? We will be staying at two places, first in Sultanahmet and after few days will move to Taksim area. According to my calculations, I think the laundry day will fall on Sultanahmet. :o)

HI! ANYBODY CAN HELP ME. MY FRIEND TOLD ME IN ISTANBUL FOR

1 EURO = YTL 2
1 USD = YTL 1

IS IT TRUE????

I had to postpone my planned trip in march due to injury :( Longing to go back to istanbul, so I wondered what the city is like in late august or september: how crowded, hot or expensive??

I'd also like to go by train via vienna so interested to hear any views on that!

Thank you! L

What time does it get dark in Istanbul in mid July?

Thanks,

John

Hi
Some advice please
When is best to stay in Istanbul?
What is the cheapest way to get flights from UK?
I have been told Istabul is amazing but dont want to go when its too cold or too hot would like warmth and sun.
thank you
K

Hi guys!
me and my husband will be in Istanbul from 9th until 13th of June and I would like to knok if someone else of you is there in that period!
It would be nice to chat a little and meet there!Kia

Hi! I will be crossing the border from Greece to Turkey headed for Istanbul in September. I understand whether I come by train, bus or fly in there is a sticker type Visa that use to cost $20. I found an entry in a travel book that states that the price is $100. Is this the new price or is this just some misinformation?

Thanks!

Hi,

I will be in Istanbul from 17.45 to 23.20 while en route to Singapore. Is there anything I could do there during this time? Anything to do near the airport?

It will be in July. What time does it get dark there?

Thanks.

John

i planning to visit istanbul in july...does anyone have any idea about Hotel GRAND ONS. Am planning to put up there. Also do let know what is the best way to tour the city...do i need to engage any travel agent or its easy navigating through the city on our own? Pls do let know your feedback