Short visit to Istanbul

Justin · 6th January 2018, 21:38

We are thinking of flying to Istanbul for a few days. Going from Bodrum. Any advice on parking the car at Bodrum and a reasonable hotel in Istanbul. We fancy a look around the grand bazaar.
I’ve also noticed there is more than 1 airport in Istanbul, does it matter which we fly in to?

evo80 · 6th January 2018, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin

We are thinking of flying to Istanbul for a few days. Going from Bodrum. Any advice on parking the car at Bodrum and a reasonable hotel in Istanbul. We fancy a look around the grand bazaar.
I’ve also noticed there is more than 1 airport in Istanbul, does it matter which we fly in to?

You really want to fly into Atatürk as its not far from Istanbul city centre . Bodrum OTOpark just before Bodrum A/Port turn off is good and cheap parking.
05303991650
Nice Hotel right by walking distance all attractions is Hotel Basilieus.
http://www.basileushotel.com

angelaturkey · 7th January 2018, 08:55

Atatürk International Airport (IST) is the busiest of Istanbul's two airports. It is located 23km to the west of the city centre. The second, and newer airport is Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) on the Asian side of the Bosphorus about 30km south east of Kadikoy.

Pegasus Airlines have direct flights to Istanbul from Bodrum frequently and very cheaply ... e.g. if you fly Bodrum to SAW Istanbul on 1st February to 8th February, it would only be £23 return ... for transfers into the city, see here = https://www.theistanbulinsider.com/h...r-sultanahmet/

We always stay at Hotel El Blanco when visiting Istanbul as it is a really cute little place with only 12 rooms and is just a 5-minute walk to the Blue Mosque and other attractions... only £20 per night b and b ... website = El Blanco Hotel - - but try to book early as it only has those 12 rooms. All the staff speak good English and you get a 10% discount if you are staying there for any meals and drinks you have on site. Big menu and excellent food there. All our friends who have stayed at El Blanco have loved it and returned time and time again.

The Grand Bazaar is the biggest market in the world with 3,000 shops but do haggle haggle haggle to get the best bargains. You cannot swim in the sear in Istanbul as there are hundreds of jelly fish which is a real pity.

You will need at least a week there as there is so much to see and do. Last year I took my partner Mike for his first visit and we stayed at El Blanco for 3 weeks but even that was not enough to see everything.

Don't miss going to the Basilica Cistern which is well worth a visit ... website ... http://yerebatansarnici.com/

x Angela in Side, Turkey x

evo80 · 7th January 2018, 09:32

I made mistake of flying into Sabhia A/Port instead of Atatürk. It is a long way from Istanbul centre and seemed to take forever to get there in the taxi .Plus taxi was about £50 compared to about £15 from Atatürk.I think Sabhia is around 70 miles to city.What with heavy traffic it took us over 2.5 hours in the taxi. Compared to 1 hour on a bad day from Atatürk.Taxi driver told us on normal day from Atatürk he does it in 30 mins.

Akasya · 7th January 2018, 09:40

As you approach BJV from Bodrum there are numerous airport parking services , they display the prices and you can just do a drive up , park and pay , they then take you to the airport .

Steve

IbrahimAbi · 7th January 2018, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by evo80

I made mistake of flying into Sabhia A/Port instead of Atatürk. It is a long way from Istanbul centre and seemed to take forever to get there in the taxi .Plus taxi was about £50 compared to about £15 from Atatürk.I think Sabhia is around 70 miles to city.What with heavy traffic it took us over 2.5 hours in the taxi. Compared to 1 hour on a bad day from Atatürk.Taxi driver told us on normal day from Atatürk he does it in 30 mins.

There is an airport bus that will take you into Taksim, last time I used it it cost 14TL ,probably 30TL now, you can get off at other places too. Really good value. Havitaş it is called. I think they had to rename it to something similar due to some shenanigans with the Belediye at some point.

evo80 · 7th January 2018, 11:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akasya

As you approach BJV from Bodrum there are numerous airport parking services , they display the prices and you can just do a drive up , park and pay , they then take you to the airport .

Steve

The one I use is on Bodrum bound side about 3 mile from A/Port turn off . I phone them from Torba jnc and pull up opposite .One of them comes over jumps in drive seat drops us at A/port and I pay when they meet me back at A/port .I drop him off at the Bodrum bound side OTO park on my way back.

Basileus Hotel supply the taxi .

saoirse · 7th January 2018, 11:40

Will always be a regret that after all my years in Turkey I never made it to Istanbul

Enjoy your trip Justin

evo80 · 7th January 2018, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by saoirse

Will always be a regret that after all my years in Turkey I never made it to Istanbul

Enjoy your trip Justin

Fascinating city .Our Hotel we stayed at is right by here .

The Hippodrome (of Constantinople), or What Is Left Of It.

saoirse · 7th January 2018, 13:56

Would absolutely love to see it Evo

Liked it as the background in the Taken movie too

If only there was a Tlf member with an available property there.....