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Istanbul city hop during layover manageable?

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Istanbul city hop during layover manageable?

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Old Feb 15, 2024, 10:03 pm
  #1  
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Istanbul city hop during layover manageable?

I have a 10 hr layover at IST coming up. Arrival at 3.30 pm and departure at 1.30 am. Do you think an outing into the city (Sultanahmet and/or Galata) is manageable, and worth it given the long commuting time needed? Flying J on TK so will have access to fast track immigration and security. I'm estimating about 3-4 hours in the city to 'do stuff' will be available to me. Anybody have any similar experiences?
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Old Feb 16, 2024, 9:09 am
  #2  
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Yes, perfectly doable and pretty easy since the metro has opened.
You could take the metro lines U1 ( M11 ) + M2 from the airport to Haliç Golden Horn in about 45-50 minutes one-way and have time in the Historical Peninsula.
Most of the sights would close at 5pm in the winter and 6pm in the summer, so you would need to act fast if you would like to go into them such as the Topkapı Palace, etc...
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Old Feb 19, 2024, 5:32 pm
  #3  
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Originally Posted by ISTFlyer
Yes, perfectly doable and pretty easy since the metro has opened.
You could take the metro lines U1 ( M11 ) + M2 from the airport to Haliç Golden Horn in about 45-50 minutes one-way and have time in the Historical Peninsula.
Most of the sights would close at 5pm in the winter and 6pm in the summer, so you would need to act fast if you would like to go into them such as the Topkapı Palace, etc...
Thanks! Entry into historical sights is not such a priority this time, as much as walking around the markets and streets, trying local food and some shopping.
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Old Feb 19, 2024, 5:38 pm
  #4  
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Originally Posted by ISTFlyer
Yes, perfectly doable and pretty easy since the metro has opened.
You could take the metro lines U1 ( M11 ) + M2 from the airport to Haliç Golden Horn in about 45-50 minutes one-way and have time in the Historical Peninsula.
Most of the sights would close at 5pm in the winter and 6pm in the summer, so you would need to act fast if you would like to go into them such as the Topkapı Palace, etc...
If I arrive Sunday afternoon, is it faster to take the Havaist into Taksim square, rather than take the Metro and change lines and whatnot?
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