Originally Posted by
Graciecatt
ISTFlyer is it also not worth it to book a private transfer from the airport to Sirkeci when we first arrive? So not an Uber but a yellow taxi? Do you negotiate a price with them before you start? We are landing at 4:15 pm on a Sunday. Are many places/restaurants closed on Sundays (I just thought of that when I realized we were landing on a Sunday).
It's not worth using private transfers at all in Istanbul. Just head to the taxi rack at the airport after arriving and do not trust anyone phishing you inside the terminal identifying themselves as a taxi driver. At yellow taxis, there are no negotiations nor fixed prices, there is a taximeter and you pay what's written on there + tolls if applicable.
On Sunday, most places would be open including restaurants, cafés and stores.