ginger50

We will be landing in Istanbul at 9 am on a Tuesday morning in June, departing the following day at 6:15 am. I'm not sure what makes more sense, stay by the airport or somewhere in the city.

We will have spent a week in Istanbul prior to leaving on our tour, so we will have seen a lot of sights and will just spend the day doing whatever we missed during our week there, but I think we need to be at the airport around 4 am for that early a departure. We would like to have an economical hotel or hostel to drop our bags off at before heading out for the day, and to catch a few hours of shut eye before the airport departure. ( can we check in bags 24 hours in advance at this airport? We are flying on a Delta code share-Air France, I think.)

Any advise greatly appreciated.

Ginger

Michael

During your week's stay ask your hotel if it is possible to get a taxi at 3 a.m., or whatever time is necessary to get to the airport on time.

otherchelebi

Hi Ginger,

It is impossible to check in longer than 3 hours or so before flight.

An idea is to book at the Sheraton or Crown plaza at Atakoy/Bakirkoy. (I forgot which it is or if it is both).

You can leave your luggage at either of these hotels which are only 10 minutes from the airport and get an IDO fast ferry either to Kabatas or to Kadikoy on the asian side. Check for ferry schedules at www.ido.com

This will give you all kinds of options for areas you may have missed from anywhere on the Bosphorus to the Princes' islands to Besiktas or Nisantas although you would probably need to take a taxi back.

ginger50

Thanks for the input. I looked at both of those hotels and they are over $200 per room (we need 2). Considering WOW Airport hotel or Han Hostel Airport. Neither are great options for getting around for the day, but the price is $100 for WOW or $50 for Han. Opinions?

ginger50

We have booked a room at the yesilkoy Airport Hotel. Any ideas as to how early to arrive at the airport for a 6:15 international departure?