Redhead

I haven't been in several years but when I did go it was just another female friend and myself. We are both redheads and I'm rather tall, so we definitely stuck out visually. We had zero safety concerns and walked or took public transit all over the city.

It's like any other city: watch your bags, don't accept drinks from random strangers, don't follow people into small alleys, etc. use your brain and you'll be fine.

I had zero issues with harassment.

Christopher

Well, that might be even better, of course, although I've never felt alarmed when out and about in Istanbul at night. The sort of night-life that you're talking about (I imagine) is similar to that in any other "western" city.

AyrMiles

Stay on the European side but avoid the old town or immediately around Taksim Square - it's busy and too full of tourist trap restaurants. If your budget is limited, consider renting an apartment or even a room in a home (sites like Wimdu). Istanbul is vast and there's a danger you spend all your time travelling.

ryanbryan

I think most other people have said it already, but no, it's not worth it. You should be able to find something reasonably priced on the European side. Try Sirkeci, easy access to the tram, Sultanahmet, Eminönü... and a cheap cab ride to Taksim Square. Or even cheaper with the tram+funicular...

Noodlesz

In case anything is interested, I just did a day tour during a quick 12 hour layover at IST. Was certainly enough time to run around and see all of the major sights.

http://hktravelblog.com/2012/08/ista...ay-trip-guide/

Noodlesz

BTW just did a lounge review too for Turkish Airlines at IST. Hopefully can help some people know what to expect.

johndoe123

Is there anything in the Sultanahmet area by Hilton or Mariott? Or forget the diamond/platinum benefits and book elsewhere?

abaheti

Doubletree Old City

johndoe123

Worth it even though "Doubletree" isn't a full service hotel with such amenities? What would I get for benefits?

abaheti

There are several threads that talk about this property. I have not stayed there yet but have a rez for later this year. Benefits are breakfast which gets good reviews and possible upgraded room. Internet. Diamonds report fruit baskets. No lounge floor. Hotel is relatively new, clean, small rooms, walking distance to key tourist sights, next to rail transit. The hamAm gets great reviews. Staff as well.

Full restaurant which also gets good reviews.

I will report back when i live it soon, but the other threrads will fill in gaps if you search here or google the hotel reviews.

FlyingDoctorwu

I've heard the taxis from the airport are fine. As are typically the ones from hotels. However taxis in tourist areas run a couple of scams. I know because I feel victim to them unfortunately.

1. Meter fixing. It's isn't as common as it used to be apparently when they used to be a night and a day rate but it still happens. Be wary of taxis with the meter placed in front of the gear shift. One scam is that the driver will position his hand so it's very difficult to see and follow the rate. In addition they will distract you by pointing out something and do something to the meter. And voila your ride that should cost 25 lira now cots 55... Newer taxis have the meter integrated into the mirro which makes this scam more difficult.

2. Swapping of bills these guys must be magicians or something. During a taxi ride MrsFDW handed me a 50 lira bill. I went to pay the fare and he did some sort of slight of hand and said this is only 5. I was a bit confused with the money so I thought maybe I had only given him a 5. Nope turns out I got scammed. From then I followed each bill into the drivers hand and would say here's twenty etc. in addition I made sure I had small bills to pay the taxi fares.

Not a scam but the driver will say something like Istanbul traffic really bad. Fare will be 30 lira. Get out if you can. Most fares are no more than 20. This was a problem at the chora church because all the taxis there were running the same story.

Yeah I've traveled a lot but these guys here are some of the slimiest cab drivers I've ever experienced. Some of them might not want to drive you up to the hotel for fear that you'll enlist their help. I found at Istanbul feels very safe but that a few bad apples can leave a sour taste.

Just what I've encountered I know most of the 20000 taxi drivers here are honest but its important to watch out.

In other advice do not order museum tickets online from the muze.gov.tr site. Apparently the barcode they use is very finicky and we had no luck getting any of the tickets to work. Furthermore no one at the site seems empowered to fix the problem. So instead of saving time by using e-ticketing it actually cost us time and money. One thing that just came out for foreigners in Sept is the muze card option which is 72 lira for 72 hours of access. That is probably something worth looking into.

So the way I figure, Istanbul owes me at least 175 lira between the taxi scams and the failed e tickets.

FDW

fdflys

Coming to Istanbul in a few weeks. I don't use atm's abroad. How bad is the exchange in the airport? I'm only there a few days so won't need much. I plan to take the metro & tram to my hotel in Sultanmet (sp?) - the hotel is next to the Hotel Nena. I think the tram stop is Sultanmet - can anyone confirm this? Can I walk to the ferry piers from there? Any good suggestions you would like to share?

Mr. Roboto

You're equidistant between Çemberlitaş and Sultanahmet Stations, you would backtrack if you alight at Sultanahmet Station.

It's about 1 km to the ferry piers at Eminönü (15-20 minutes walk) or you can catch the same tram at Sultanahmet and exit 2 stations later at Sirkeci, same direction as travelling from the airport. From there just walk a block (slightly downhill) and cross a very busy street (Kennedy Caddesi/Avenue).

Christopher

But there are traffic lights for crossing the street and also (if I remember right) a pedestrian subway/underpass if you prefer that.

Mr. Roboto

Ah yes, also the station after Sirkeci is Eminönü Station, but if I remember correctly Sirkeci Station is closer to the Eminönü Ferry docks.