Istanbul Advice

[Ric]

Thanks to Enrich's 50% off redemption award, Ric Jr and I will be doing a short trip to Istanbul for 5 days.
I am now seeking the wisdom of my fellow AFFs for their recommendations and advice on the "must do" and the "must see".
(I know that there's a lot of info out there on the net but comparing that with the combined knowledge of AFFs?? Chalk and cheese!)

We plan to tackle the city with a tour or 2 for the first couple of days and then explore on our own later. Safe city?
We like to try local food, going to the bazaars, visiting ancient sites and sights, and other general tourisy stuff. Ric Jr is 24 so no problem of crowded places except for safety?

ETA IST May 1 early am and ETD IST May 6 mid pm.

• Any one been there during that period?
• What's the weather like at that time? temperature?
• Which location is most convenient/safe for selection of hotel? Basically to be able to walk out of the hotel and within walking distance of places to eat, sight see and a feel of the local life.
• Any recommendation of English speaking local guides/tour companies?
• Heard that the City of Troy is worth going. Is this easy to get to? Day trip with a tour or go on our own?
• Must dos?
• Must see?
• Any other advice, words of wisdom etc.

Thanking all in advance.

Cheers,
Ric

 

[KitKat]

Re: Istanbul

this might be of use

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....stanbul-not-constantinople-for-day-44354.html

Was there this year around ANZAC period

Safety is like every other big city - keep an eye out, beware in crowds etc.



Warm when the sun is out but cools down at sunset. Only needed a light jacket

Sultanahmet is a little touristy. Suggests staying across the Golden Horn around Istiklal Avenue (Beyoglu to Taksim) - more locals, some boutique hotels.

Taxi drivers will be unlikely to run the meters. So on principle I took the tram (most sights are along the tram route, except for the Chora Church - if you get a taxi from the hotel they would probably run the meter).

Have fun!

 

[Gold Member]

Re: Istanbul

I would personally recommend the old town (sultanahmat), a visit to the Hagia Sofia, the blue mosque and a four day stay at the Four Seasons on the Bosphorous. If you hate getting ripped by taxis like me as a matter of principal, just go with the hotel BMW 7 series for double the price.

btw, hope you like cats

 

[Ric]

Re: Istanbul

KitKat / Gold member,

Thanks for the info. The Blue Mosque is a must. Tram also a good thing.

Just a bit worried about the statement below....I like cats but not that much!!

 

[casanovawa]

Re: Istanbul

I did a day trip down to Gallipoli, which is just across the dardanelles from where Troy was meant to be... It took about 5 hours to drive down by bus (leaving about 6.30am), had about 5 hours to do a tour down around Gallipoli beaches and memorials and then 5 hours to drive back up to Istanbul (getting back about 11.30pm) so quite a long day... If you were wanting to do Troy i think you would need to go down one day, maybe stay at Troy or whatever its called over night (near Canakkale), and then come back the next day...

 

[Ric]

Re: Istanbul

I did a day trip down to Gallipoli, which is just across the dardanelles from where Troy was meant to be... It took about 5 hours to drive down by bus (leaving about 6.30am), had about 5 hours to do a tour down around Gallipoli beaches and memorials and then 5 hours to drive back up to Istanbul (getting back about 11.30pm) so quite a long day... If you were wanting to do Troy i think you would need to go down one day, maybe stay at Troy or whatever its called over night (near Canakkale), and then come back the next day...

Are there individual tours available in cars? 5 hours to and fro in a bus in a new country is rather daunting!:shock:
I am here assuming that a individual tour would be a bit faster and more comfortable as long as it does not cost an arm and a leg!

Been researching hotels at Sultanahmet area. Lots of local boutique hotels. Any advice from any one on whether I should stick to the international chains hotels (known standards) or stay at the local boutique hotels (unknown standards....mixed reviews), and if so, any personal recommedations/experience?

Ric

 

[ncraigm]

Re: Istanbul

Stayed at The Conrad which was very decent and not in a particularly busy area. The tram is the easiest mode of transport and worthwhile.

A Turkish Bath is a must. The one right next to the Grand Bazaar was very good. Don't be afraid, just jump right in.

We flew down to CKZ on TK. Don't do long coach rides so this was perfect. Two night stay allowed a Gallipoli tour one day, then the following morning at Troy and then flight back to IST late arvo.

 

[casanovawa]

Re: Istanbul

Don't know about individual tours, imagine they would be quite a bit more expensive... And the 5 hour travel time relates to how far down the Gallipoli battlefield sites are... A car might be able to drive down faster, but not that much more i imagine unless its going to break the speed limit... Not sure we really stopped off that much on the way down... Its a decent distance down from Istanbul and then as I said you would need to cross over the straits to see Troy...

 

[Ric]

Re: Istanbul

Thanks for the info thus far.
Might follow ncraigm's and fly down to CKZ and do Gallipoli and Troy. Hope it can be done with a one night stay only.
Yes, a Turkish bath is a must with a body scrub!

Anyone with suggestions on a local sim card with voice and data?

Cheers,

Ric

 

[MAX_1]

Re: Istanbul

I booked a relation into a tour run by Fez Travel. She was happy with them

Fez Travel - Turkey Tours, ANZAC Day tours, Gallipoli Tours, Turkey and Greece Tours, Egypt Tours - Turkey

In the index, find Day Tours and Shore Excursions.
Also the hotels they use are good value.

 

[kpc]

Re: Istanbul

If you can squeeze Ephesus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia in as well, you won't regret it!

 

[Ric]

Yes KPC, Ephesus have been on my mind too. So much to see and so little time!!

 

[drron]

Certainly the sights in the Old Town are a must do.however we found it better staying outside Sultanahmet.We stayed at the DT Old Town before a cruise-noisy,crowded and always being hassled when out and about.Stayed at the W istanbul after the cruise.Much quieter,not hassled when you walked around.suburban shops were mostly fixed price and a third of asking price in the Old town.Restaurants were better and cheaper.
So stay near a tram stop or metro station and commute in.Also dont miss the Dolmabahce palace-i thought it the most spectacular.
Also get a Museum card-72TL for 72 hours.You can buy it online and have it delivered to your hotel for 2.5TL,they wont deliver outside Turkey.But you can buy it on DAY one and then visit places such as the Grand Bazaar or Spice market first.The beauty of the card is not only can you save a little money but you also dont have to queue to buy a ticket and that saves a lot of time.See here-
MÜZE - About Museum Pass

We looked at doing a car tour to gallipoli but it was something like $600 for the 2 of us so we missed out.

 

[Ric]

Hi drron. Thanks for the tip on the Musuem Pass. Good one. Will certainly get one. Yes, I have also found out the about the car trip to Gallipoli and it's about EUR320 for 2 pax so might just take the bus to allipoli, stay overnight somewhere and come back via Troy. Now how to fit Ephesus in......

 

[lovetravellingoz]

IMO 5 hours in a bus would normally be a lot more comfortable than 5 hours in a car, as you can get up and move every so often. Plus if a luxury bus you can recline the seat (as long as JohnK is not behind you!!).

 

[Ric]

Only problem in a bus is that you can't do a "pit stop" whenever you want to!! :shock:

 

[Flashback]

Only problem in a bus is that you can't do a "pit stop" whenever you want to!! :shock:

If it's a proper coach there should at least be a loo at the back. Use at your own risk :mrgreen:

Am having a look at Day Tours & Shore Excursions - Fez Travel - Turkey - seems reasonable. Will be there a month before you on honeymoon (en-route to Nihon!)

 

[cdchi1]

Hi Ric

I'm actually planning a 30 day trip to Turkey as part of a 2 month trip (Czech Republic and Greek Islands as well). I was asking around on travel forums about potential daytrips from Istanbul and a daytrip to Edirne was reccomended several times. Might be worth checking it out.

Here's some info: Edirne, Turkey

Oh and that website probably has a heap more info on Istanbul as well.

 

[Ric]

Happy New Year all!!

Sorry for the late response.
Thanks for the wealth of info posted. Mrs Ric saw all that info and decided that she wanted to come too!
So there's 3 of us now and have extended the trip from 5 days to 7 days!:shock:

Still have not decided on which part of the city we will be staying at...pros and cons!!
Will definitely do the overnighter for Gallipoli and Troy.

Will do the "fifo" day trip for Ephesus.

Will have to do a TR (pictorial) after the trip for all you good folks here at AFF!

 

[kpc]

Happy New Year all!!

Sorry for the late response.
Thanks for the wealth of info posted. Mrs Ric saw all that info and decided that she wanted to come too!
So there's 3 of us now and have extended the trip from 5 days to 7 days!:shock:

Still have not decided on which part of the city we will be staying at...pros and cons!!
Will definitely do the overnighter for Gallipoli and Troy.

Will do the "fifo" day trip for Ephesus.

Will have to do a TR (pictorial) after the trip for all you good folks here at AFF!

Mrs Ric made a very wise decision. I went to Turkey in 2006, and spent a week touring Southern Turkey and spent another week in Istanbul. I went with low expectations but was absolutely blown away by Turkey. I'm not really into Australian history but found Gallipoli very moving and poignant. You will have a great time! Must go and have a look at my pics! Yes, please for a TR!!