ross_M

In my quest for a cheap ticket I ended up booking a Turkish Airlines flight with a 22 hour layover in Istanbul. Never been to Turkey before.

Any recommendations for things to do. My plan was to catch a metro down to the city and then maybe a Bosphorus cruise and some kebabs....

I'm happy to be corrected and indeed improved upon. Tips?

How's Ataturk to spend the night at? Will I get hassled by security?

PS. In case I'm really lucky and some fellow PPruners happen to be around drop me a note. Will be there on 28th Sept.

5LY

The Wow Hotel is 5 min's from the airport. Crew rates are good. It's 1st stop on the Metro line from airport.

Get down to the Gelata Bridge. Your Bosphorous ferry ride goes from there. Afterwards, walk accross the Gelata Bridge and walk the boulevard (no cars) up to Taksim Square. Many bars and restauants and funky shops along the way. Also in walking distance from Gelata are many histoical sites. Do some research.

You'll have no problems with security if you follow the rules. No different than anywhere else. When you arrive at the airport go the the visa line up before the immigration line. You'll need to buy a visa unless you are working the flight.

Istanbul is a great town. Enjoy

givemewings

If you want to see some historical sites, the Hagia Sophia (Aya Spfya), Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar & Basilica Cistern are all within easy distance of each other, as is Topkapi Palace & the Archaeological Museum.

If you started early with Topkapi & then work your way across to Hagia, then the Bazaar, you can come back down to see the Cistern and the Mosque toward the evening when everything else starts closing. Museum is worth a look if you like Roman/Byzantine history & artifacts, and the Cistern is a nice 20/30min break during the hot part of the day. Mosque is open for visitors at all times except during prayer times so never actually closes, therefore you don't need to go during the day. Good food places around, try the No 12 SUlthanahmet place with the wooden front for kebaps...

All of this is within a few tram stops if not in walking distance...

Sultanahmet for Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia, 5mins (or less) to cistern and maybe 5-10 down to the archaelogical museum and Topkapi. (Make sure you see the harem in Topkapi, it's the best part)

Have fun.

ross_M

Thanks 5LY and givemewings for your tips. I'm looking forward to the visit.

BTY, does the airport close at night or stay open? Reason I ask is that I've a 7am flight the next day. How early would they let me check in; I mean at least enter the transit area and hang around. I know some airports are finicky about this e.g. the guys at BOM wouldn't even let me enter the concourse till 3 hours pre-flight.

If I end up wandering around Sultanahemat till late at night it hardly seems worthwhile checking into a hotel for 4-5 hours. Maybe I can buy a day-pass for an airport lounge instead?

Efe Cem Elci

Security will not hassle you, the airport is busy all day and no one will even notice you. There are many lounges in the international terminal that may be of use if your credit cards match, such as HSBC Advantage, American Express, etc. As mentioned earlier public transport (metro, light rail... Stay away from buses) is good but can be a bit crowded at times. You can take it direct from the airport to the main tourist attractions, also mentioned above. I'm assuming you're a US citizen, so to leave the transit area and airport you will need a visa ($$$) that can be obtained at the airport. Please let me know if you need any further info, I'll try to help to the best of my knowledge. And if you happen to come into town and visit the Grand Bazaar, lunch is on me

grounded27

If the Gelata Bridge is the same one i am thinking of you are crossing a continental devide. It is a bucket list item i will not forget.

Gulfstreamaviator

I am here this week, it is too late to give recomendations,


I find a review of lonely planet, prior to any stop down the route is always best after a review of this publication.

Re Airport lounges, Priority Pass is the best option. Reliance on your CC loyalty is often bad, as as they lounges all have different loyalties.

Glf