Originally Posted by
Stgermainparis
Going on a visa run this summer on a Sunday with 23 year old son for 12-15 hours in IST. Arriving about noon, departing that night 1am. Sunday may not be ideal but it has to be that day.
Can you all offer suggestions for the best way to do Istanbul in a day? Any private car companies with guides? I was thinking of having a car for the day to take us around efficiently. Hit the main sites, bazaar, good dinner, etc. Neither of us has ever been there, so no clue what would be the best plan.
Flying economy but have PriorityPass and I see there’s an IGA lounge in international terminal open 24 hours. Does it make sense to have a nice dinner out then return to airport 10ish?
I'm with you on being willing to pay more for convenience if it is so cheap by my standards. One thought, which I have done in other cities, is to hire a tour guide to pick you up and take you around -- even if that is by transit. I had a great guide meet my mom at Frankfurt airport, take her to several museums and a walking tour of the Christmas markets, for example, before dropping her off. There are a ton on Viator, Tours By Locals, Istanbul Layover Tours, tripadvisor, etc. as Istanbul is a city with long layovers. It could be really efficient to get picked up, taken to the main tourist spots, then dropped for dinner or whatever and taxi/public transit back to the airport from town for your flight. Someone will plan the best tourist route for you so you don't need to plan it.