Champions League Final, Istanbul, 30 May 2020
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2020
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Champions League Final, Istanbul, 30 May 2020
I'll be at the game and I'm flying Turkish Airlines ARN-IST on the morning of the match, Saturday 30 May. I've chosen the cheapest route, LHR-ARN then ARN-IST, travelling in Economy. Return journey the next day, but travelling Business. I'm staying 1 night only at the Yotel in the airport. I've only flown TA twice before, the last time was 3 years ago to the old IST airport and I don't remember much about the flight except that it was comfortable and punctual.
My questions: Any of you guys stayed at the Yotel? I've read good things about it on Tripadvisor, but a work colleague stayed there recently and said that although the hotel & his room itself were very good, the staff & service weren't? Also, is the rail link to central Istanbul completed now? It's hard to see from trawling the net, with some saying that it won't be completed for another year but others saying that the rail link to town is extremely convenient. I realise that there's a perfectly good bus alternative to fall back on.
Also, does the rail link (if it's up) run through the night? We've got hospitality after the final but, knowing the guys that I'm going with, the evening won't end there!! If it doesn't, I can't imagine that a taxi would be so expensive?
And, last question......do they take dollars and/or euros in Istanbul these days? I remember years ago that the USD was a most acceptable currency there, but perhaps that's changed? The old TL notes that I filled my pockets with were a health hazard, they were all faded, crumpled, filthy and absolutely stank!!
Thanks for any advice.....
My questions: Any of you guys stayed at the Yotel? I've read good things about it on Tripadvisor, but a work colleague stayed there recently and said that although the hotel & his room itself were very good, the staff & service weren't? Also, is the rail link to central Istanbul completed now? It's hard to see from trawling the net, with some saying that it won't be completed for another year but others saying that the rail link to town is extremely convenient. I realise that there's a perfectly good bus alternative to fall back on.
Also, does the rail link (if it's up) run through the night? We've got hospitality after the final but, knowing the guys that I'm going with, the evening won't end there!! If it doesn't, I can't imagine that a taxi would be so expensive?
And, last question......do they take dollars and/or euros in Istanbul these days? I remember years ago that the USD was a most acceptable currency there, but perhaps that's changed? The old TL notes that I filled my pockets with were a health hazard, they were all faded, crumpled, filthy and absolutely stank!!
Thanks for any advice.....
Last edited by Mackan2017; Jan 30, 2020 at 8:59 am
#2
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I'll be at the game and I'm flying Turkish Airlines ARN-IST on the morning of the match, Saturday 30 May. I've chosen the cheapest route, LHR-ARN then ARN-IST, travelling in Economy. Return journey the next day, but travelling Business. I'm staying 1 night only at the Yotel in the airport. I've only flown TA twice before, the last time was 3 years ago to the old IST airport and I don't remember much about the flight except that it was comfortable and punctual.
My questions: Any of you guys stayed at the Yotel? I've read good things about it on Tripadvisor, but a work colleague stayed there recently and said that although the hotel & his room itself were very good, the staff & service weren't? Also, is the rail link to central Istanbul completed now? It's hard to see from trawling the net, with some saying that it won't be completed for another year but others saying that the rail link to town is extremely convenient. I realise that there's a perfectly good bus alternative to fall back on.
Also, does the rail link (if it's up) run through the night? We've got hospitality after the final but, knowing the guys that I'm going with, the evening won't end there!! If it doesn't, I can't imagine that a taxi would be so expensive?
And, last question......do they take dollars and/or euros in Istanbul these days? I remember years ago that the USD was a most acceptable currency there, but perhaps that's changed? The old TL notes that I filled my pockets with were a health hazard, they were all faded, crumpled, filthy and absolutely stank!!
Thanks for any advice.....
My questions: Any of you guys stayed at the Yotel? I've read good things about it on Tripadvisor, but a work colleague stayed there recently and said that although the hotel & his room itself were very good, the staff & service weren't? Also, is the rail link to central Istanbul completed now? It's hard to see from trawling the net, with some saying that it won't be completed for another year but others saying that the rail link to town is extremely convenient. I realise that there's a perfectly good bus alternative to fall back on.
Also, does the rail link (if it's up) run through the night? We've got hospitality after the final but, knowing the guys that I'm going with, the evening won't end there!! If it doesn't, I can't imagine that a taxi would be so expensive?
And, last question......do they take dollars and/or euros in Istanbul these days? I remember years ago that the USD was a most acceptable currency there, but perhaps that's changed? The old TL notes that I filled my pockets with were a health hazard, they were all faded, crumpled, filthy and absolutely stank!!
Thanks for any advice.....
For YOTEL, please consult the respective thread.