Originally Posted by
CPRich
My and Mrs/2 kids (15 and 10), have a stopover in Istanbul - arriving 8:20a, leaving the next day at 1:35p. What the is best option for dumping our bags, getting to the single "touristy" areas for the day, possibly seeing something early the next day, and getting back to the airport?
Stay near the airport for cheap, and giving up the 2nd morning? Trying to get downtown and do something before 10a the 2nd morning?
It looks like the CY at the airport or the Ren Polat are recommended - is that accurate?
(any non MR options - SPG looks to have nothing, but I also have HH points)
Are you flying Turkish Airlines? If so, you are entitled to a city tour, it starts at 9am and will bring you to IST at 4pm, so you can rest and get ready for the next morning flight.
I stayed at CY for my layover at IST (paid), and it's a shuttle away from the airport. From the airport you can take the metro into the city. Metro is by far the best method to get into IST (bad traffic). Both the Ren and CY offer free shuttle from IST, so you'll be fine with any of them.
If you have bags with you, the best will be to drop off either at the airport or at the hotel and then head into the city (I saw that there was bag storage facilities at IST at the departure level - close to the toilets in the middle of the terminal). Can't remember how much it costs.