Trip planning: Boston to Istanbul/Sarajevo
Oct 9th, 2016, 01:33 PM
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Trip planning: Boston to Istanbul/Sarajevo
This is my first time planning a trip overseas. My hope at the end of next April/beginning of May is to go from Boston to Istanbul (4 days), Istanbul to Sarajevo (3ish days) and then back. I have a few questions for more experienced travelers out there...
-When would you typically book a flight to get the lowest fares? Right now it's around $1,100 on Turkish Airlines, which appears to be the most reliable option (they also fly direct between Istanbul and Sarajevo).
-My tentative hotel budget is $50 USD/night in Istanbul and $40/night in Sarajevo -- subject to change, of course, but those are the numbers based on what I've looked at thus far. I've never stayed in a hostel but am open to the idea. Do those prices seem reasonable if I'm looking for an adequate hotel? Any suggestions from someone who's stayed at a hostel in Sarajevo/Istanbul?
-Any advice re: estimates of daily cost of meals/transport/tour fees per day on trips to either destination, or a general trip to Europe? Again, any guidelines would be extremely helpful. I just want to have a general idea of what might be a smart amount to budget.
I've read some of the reviews of Istanbul and Sarajevo on this site -- it's actually one of the reasons why I chose Sarajevo as a second destination. Thanks in advance for your help!
-When would you typically book a flight to get the lowest fares? Right now it's around $1,100 on Turkish Airlines, which appears to be the most reliable option (they also fly direct between Istanbul and Sarajevo).
-My tentative hotel budget is $50 USD/night in Istanbul and $40/night in Sarajevo -- subject to change, of course, but those are the numbers based on what I've looked at thus far. I've never stayed in a hostel but am open to the idea. Do those prices seem reasonable if I'm looking for an adequate hotel? Any suggestions from someone who's stayed at a hostel in Sarajevo/Istanbul?
-Any advice re: estimates of daily cost of meals/transport/tour fees per day on trips to either destination, or a general trip to Europe? Again, any guidelines would be extremely helpful. I just want to have a general idea of what might be a smart amount to budget.
I've read some of the reviews of Istanbul and Sarajevo on this site -- it's actually one of the reasons why I chose Sarajevo as a second destination. Thanks in advance for your help!
Oct 9th, 2016, 02:16 PM
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I guess you didn't read my review of Sarajevo. ;-)
It wouldn't be my preference to have such a short trip to two big cities connected by a flight. I'd prefer to do either Bosnia or Turkey and see other places besides one city. There's more to Bosnia and Herzegovina than Sarajevo. (Haven't been to Turkey myself.)
No one can really tell you for sure when the best time is to buy your plane tickets. Everyone has preferences for buying early vs late, but no one knows whether ticket prices will go up or fall between now and then.
I will say that I prefer to buy airline tickets directly from the airlines' websites, unless I'm saving a ton of money. it's not worth the hassle to me to use an Orbitz or some other booking site - stick with Turkish Air's own website. Fewer hassles if you have a problem later. I still use Kayak to check out the flight routings first, though.
It could be cheapest to book all three flights as one ticket in a "multi-journey" flight instead of doing an open jaw into Istanbul out of Sarajevo + a separate ticket for the connecting flight. I'd price it both ways - one way might be a lot cheaper.
As for Sarajevo: I visited in 2015 and stayed at a regular hotel - forget the price but it wasn't much. Everything in BiH was super cheap. I'm sure the hostels would be even cheaper. Read the reviews ahead of time before booking anything. I would recommend having a smart phone to get around, something I didn't have (not a good one, anyway) in Sarajevo - makes navigating on foot and by public transportation much easier. I did buy a SIM card for my phone in BiH for about $3 USD.
It wouldn't be my preference to have such a short trip to two big cities connected by a flight. I'd prefer to do either Bosnia or Turkey and see other places besides one city. There's more to Bosnia and Herzegovina than Sarajevo. (Haven't been to Turkey myself.)
No one can really tell you for sure when the best time is to buy your plane tickets. Everyone has preferences for buying early vs late, but no one knows whether ticket prices will go up or fall between now and then.
I will say that I prefer to buy airline tickets directly from the airlines' websites, unless I'm saving a ton of money. it's not worth the hassle to me to use an Orbitz or some other booking site - stick with Turkish Air's own website. Fewer hassles if you have a problem later. I still use Kayak to check out the flight routings first, though.
It could be cheapest to book all three flights as one ticket in a "multi-journey" flight instead of doing an open jaw into Istanbul out of Sarajevo + a separate ticket for the connecting flight. I'd price it both ways - one way might be a lot cheaper.
As for Sarajevo: I visited in 2015 and stayed at a regular hotel - forget the price but it wasn't much. Everything in BiH was super cheap. I'm sure the hostels would be even cheaper. Read the reviews ahead of time before booking anything. I would recommend having a smart phone to get around, something I didn't have (not a good one, anyway) in Sarajevo - makes navigating on foot and by public transportation much easier. I did buy a SIM card for my phone in BiH for about $3 USD.
Oct 9th, 2016, 03:17 PM
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Welcome to Fodor's!
I, personally, would want far more time in Istanbul than you are planning (I spent 6 days, and felt like a barely saw the highlights), so like HappyTrvlr, would think spending the whole week there would be a great idea. Or perhaps Istanbul and another destination in Turkey?
I'm a great fan of Sarajevo, and while I might not spend a week there, a stay of several days can be quite wonderful, IMO.
BUT what matters is whether the timing works for you, and that's something ONLY you can decide based on what you want to see and experience.
If going to multiple locations, definitely look into "open jaw" (multi-city) flights.
For the likely costs of hotels, do some checks on booking.com
Any good guidebook should give you information to help you plan your budget. For budget-conscious travelers, the <i>Rough Guide</i> and <i>Lonely Planet</i> are among the best. You can consult them in your local library, and once you settle on final destinations, consider buying at least one for each area you visit -- the cost is nugatory in comparison to the cost of the trip, and you will learn things you never even thought to ask.
Hope that helps!
I, personally, would want far more time in Istanbul than you are planning (I spent 6 days, and felt like a barely saw the highlights), so like HappyTrvlr, would think spending the whole week there would be a great idea. Or perhaps Istanbul and another destination in Turkey?
I'm a great fan of Sarajevo, and while I might not spend a week there, a stay of several days can be quite wonderful, IMO.
BUT what matters is whether the timing works for you, and that's something ONLY you can decide based on what you want to see and experience.
If going to multiple locations, definitely look into "open jaw" (multi-city) flights.
For the likely costs of hotels, do some checks on booking.com
Any good guidebook should give you information to help you plan your budget. For budget-conscious travelers, the <i>Rough Guide</i> and <i>Lonely Planet</i> are among the best. You can consult them in your local library, and once you settle on final destinations, consider buying at least one for each area you visit -- the cost is nugatory in comparison to the cost of the trip, and you will learn things you never even thought to ask.
Hope that helps!
Oct 9th, 2016, 05:40 PM
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I do t think joy have enough time for both destinations. The first day you land after an overseas flight is not a full day in the sense that you may be jet lagged and also may not land early. Themn you waste a lot of another day by returning to the airport and flying out.
I would pick one of the cities and then somewhere else you could go by train or bus or car.
You can get fare alerts also for price but it's always a crap shoot.
I would pick one of the cities and then somewhere else you could go by train or bus or car.
You can get fare alerts also for price but it's always a crap shoot.
Oct 10th, 2016, 02:16 AM
#6
On the flights :
- In general. the earlier you buy the Boston-Istanbul flight, the cheaper it will be, especially for mid May to mid June, when all the Turkish students (very large number studying in or around Boston) are flying back for the Summer.
- The cheaper tickets have refunding or changing costs or limitations.
- An open jaw could be a good idea
- THY has great deals between Istanbul and Sarajevo. Wait for prices below $250 including all extra charges, and buy it immediately. They get sold-out very quickly.
- The open-jaw may not allow you the discount Sarajevo ticket option, but who knows.
- Definitely use the THY site and also check specials, campaigns, etc. A separate special site they have is called "Wingo."
- In case of lodging in, prices in all of Turkey are down and will probably stay low. I suggest you do not hurry, deal directly with the hotel and negotiate.
- If you wish to do Cappadocia or Ephesus, you will have even cheaper lodging available. Google those names and then decide.
(local flights are also cheap)
- Airport security is very high and that means you need to be on route and close to airport 3.5 hours before int'l and 2.5 hrs. for domestic flights. (sometimes long queues are formed outside the airport area where all vehicles arriving are checked.)
- In general. the earlier you buy the Boston-Istanbul flight, the cheaper it will be, especially for mid May to mid June, when all the Turkish students (very large number studying in or around Boston) are flying back for the Summer.
- The cheaper tickets have refunding or changing costs or limitations.
- An open jaw could be a good idea
- THY has great deals between Istanbul and Sarajevo. Wait for prices below $250 including all extra charges, and buy it immediately. They get sold-out very quickly.
- The open-jaw may not allow you the discount Sarajevo ticket option, but who knows.
- Definitely use the THY site and also check specials, campaigns, etc. A separate special site they have is called "Wingo."
- In case of lodging in, prices in all of Turkey are down and will probably stay low. I suggest you do not hurry, deal directly with the hotel and negotiate.
- If you wish to do Cappadocia or Ephesus, you will have even cheaper lodging available. Google those names and then decide.
(local flights are also cheap)
- Airport security is very high and that means you need to be on route and close to airport 3.5 hours before int'l and 2.5 hrs. for domestic flights. (sometimes long queues are formed outside the airport area where all vehicles arriving are checked.)
Oct 10th, 2016, 10:45 AM
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Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I'll probably stick to Istanbul instead of splitting time between the two cities. That should give me an opportunity to check out another place in Turkey.
I've read a little bit about Ephesus and Cappadocia. I'll look into some of the options.
I've read a little bit about Ephesus and Cappadocia. I'll look into some of the options.
Oct 10th, 2016, 11:15 AM
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FWIW, I thought Cappadocia easily worth 3 full days, and so IMO, it would be difficult to combine with Istanbul for a trip of just one week. In contrast, I think Ephesus makes a very nice compliment to Istanbul for a trip of one week. YMMV.
Turkey is delightful -- enjoy!
Turkey is delightful -- enjoy!
