Advice on sightseeing tours in Istanbul
 

We will be spending three nights / two full days in Istanbul at the end of May.<BR><BR>With this short a time in mind, would anyone recommend that we take sightseeing tours for the two days, we have Bospherus Cruise / Asia side and Sultanahmet sights in mind - or would it be better to go it alone.<BR><BR>Also if tours are the best way to go, should we book in advance with a travel agency via the internet or wait to we get there and make arrangements locally, would there be a big price saving.<BR><BR>Finally has anyone used Sunday Holidays (tour operators)<BR><BR>Thanks for any help you can offer<BR><BR>Duncan, Birmingham, England

HI DUNCAN,<BR><BR>I recommend you arrange your Istanbul trip when you get there because there are many travel agency there cheaper then SUNDAY HOLIDAYS.<BR>I don;t know which hotel are you going to stay but if you are going to stay around SULTANAHMET you may not need ant tour arrangement because what you will see are there in 15 minutes walk.<BR>If you want more informations write me <BR>HAVE A NICE HOLIDAY<BR><BR>Sinan Akdeniz

I don't usually care for guided tours, especially the large groups where you spend a lot of your time waiting for other group members or shopping at overpriced tourist stores.<BR><BR>Most of the major sites in Istanbul are in close proximity to one another, with a good guide book and a little supplementary info from the internet you should be easily able to do a self guided tour of Istanbul if you choose. The guide books also have tips on cruising the Bosphorus on your own (via public ferries that is). If you stay in the Sultanahmet area, you will be close to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and within walking distance of Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. If you visit Topkapi on your own, be sure to go directly to the Harem rooms and secure tickets as they often get booked for the day.<BR><BR>We were in Istanbul several years ago and are returning in late May. We went on our own the first time and had no difficulty getting around. I don't even recall having to get a taxi except back to the hotel as we stayed near the airport. We are planning on going it on our own again to some of the things that we missed on the first trip.<BR><BR>If you do decide to take a guided tour, your hotel should be able to help you arrange a guide.<BR><BR>Have a great trip!

No need for a guided tour, especially for the main sites (Sultanahmet). Everything's close and very easy to get to. Just bring a basic map of the city center with you -- I used the Eyewitness guide.<BR><BR>I think you'll enjoy the cruise. It was beautiful to see the city from the river.<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip. The people, sites, and cuisine of Turkey are wonderful.

Duncan, there's an interesting article regarding the increased prices (150%!!!)of the major attractions in Istanbul over on Lonely Planet, making Topkapi Palace $30 per person, Aya Sophia $20 per person. They suggest that the tour operators might be able to get tickets at the previous rates, at least for the time being.<BR><BR>http://www.lonelyplanet.com/scoop/ar...545&region=mea

DEAR KRISTI,<BR>The web address posted here is not right here is the right one<BR>http://www.lonelyplanet.com/scoop/archive.cfm?DPID=545&region=mea<BR>I am sure that you can get it if you copt and past this address But the article is not true because the fee of topkapi is around $10 not $30<BR><BR><BR>Sinan Akdeniz

DEAR KRISTI,<BR><BR>Sorry when you copy and paste some text missed so if you want to go this adress go here<BR><BR>http://www.lonelyplanet.com/scoop/archive.cfm?DPID=545&region=mea<BR><BR>NOW YOU CAN GET THE WHOLE ARTICLE<BR><BR>Sinan Akdeniz

<BR>Dear KRISTI,<BR><BR>this server doesn't write the one I putted<BR><BR>I think server doen't recognise "?" and "&"<BR>after 545 there is "&" and you should add "reg" the beginning of "ion"<BR>SORRY this problem is not coming from me<BR>

Rather than a guided group tour, we hired a private guide. You should be able to do a search on this board for Istanbul or Istanbul guides; there are many that have been recommended. We hired a private guide, which we found helpful, and that way, you can tailor the day to your own needs. I think it would be more satisfying than taking a group tour.

I hate posts like this one. A Rolls Royce is more satisyfing than a Ford Escot, but not everyone has the money or wants to spend the money. No one needs to be told that you get a better tour if you get personal attention.

I hate posts like this one. A Rolls Royce is more satisyfing than a Ford Escot, but not everyone has the money or wants to spend the money. No one needs to be told that you get a better tour if you get personal attention.

Sinan, I hope you are correct but the higher fees supposedly just went into effect in April. There's a post out on Lonely Planet's Thorntree board that confirms that the new rates are in effect. It's too bad if that's the case because it may change some people's mind about either going to Istanbul all together or it may discourage them from seeing all that Istanbul has to offer. I will probably pass on a return visit to Topkapi if I have to pay $30 per person. I don't take issue with the notion that foreigners should pay a higher fee but $30 for one site is the highest admission fee that I know of (excluding amusement parks).<BR><BR>Duncan, if you can't get the link to work go over to www.lonelyplanet.com, click on the Scoop, Middle East and Turkey for the article on fees.

This, on top of the outrageous $45 visa fee, is too much. It's too late to cancel my flight. But I can shorten the time that I'll spend in Turkey. <BR><BR>I'd love to meet the brain who came up with this. With tourists already scared off by earthquakes and the Middle East crisis, someone thinks that it's a good idea to further discouage tourists.

Dear KRISTI,<BR><BR>If you want to have private tour (full day) in Istanbul I can arrange you for only Including A/C Minivan, Guide, Entrance Fees. Topkap&yacute; Palace/ Treasury & Harem, St. Sophia<BR>Would you like to buy?<BR><BR>write me if you want<BR><BR>Sinan Akdeniz

Hi Kris<BR><BR>Further to you post regarding the posts on Lonely Planet about price increases at historic sights in Istanbul, I emailed Sinan and Sunday Holidays about this with the view of booking something quick in order to get a better price. With Sunday Holidays a full day in Sultanahmet is $45 and if Loney Planet is to be beleived the entrance fees to two of the places they go is $50 !!<BR>Anyway Sinan has stated here that the article was not true and I had an email from Sunday Holidays and they stated that their prices are fixed and include all entrance fees. They also said please don't pay any attention to this article it is not true !!<BR>So I'm not sure who or what to beleive. Sunday could very well have used this as a good reason to book with them, so I guess they are being honest. I will check out the Lonely Planet Forum tonight

I contacted a tour operator and he gave me some information that might explain the confusion.<BR><BR>The entrance fee to Topkapi is $12. BUT, if you want to see the harem or treasury, it's another $12 each. Aya Sofia is $12 plus another $12 to see the art museum. His fee basic included admission, but not the extras. If there is a $30 Topaki fee, that might be an all-inclusive, since the parts sum to $36. <BR><BR>This means that should anyone book a tour with "entrace fees included," you need to find out exactly what entrance fees are covered. There is a big difference between basic admission and getting to see the whole enchilada.

[email protected] makes a good point. Topkapi admission does consist of three parts (each 15,000,000 lira, about $12, according to LP post)-general, harem and treasury. Hagia Sophia, 15,000,000 lira general, 15,000,000 lira for the art gallery. So you might want to confirm what exactly you are going to see.<BR><BR>BTW, I'm not trying to discourage you from going to these places Duncan, I just always like to know in advance what to expect. I usually don't skimp on seeing things once I've picked a destination, but I've already been to all the major sites in Istanbul so I think we will concentrate on seeing new places this time.<BR><BR>Hope I'm not confusing you too much, it's hard to know what to believe. I can't locate any official websites that include admission fees so I guess I'll know what they are when I get there. That won't help you though as we'll be there at the same time.

Unfortunately, it's too late for me to change my airline ticket, although I might postpone the trip in hopes that complaints will eventually have an effect. If I do go, I'll simply skip Topkapi and Sofia. It's too bad, but you have to draw the line somewhere and $120 dollars for my wife and I just to see to sights is just too much. Cave in and you are giving license to be extorted all over Europe. Don't think that tourism officials in every other country aren't watching this unfold.

Dear KRISTI,<BR><BR>First I have to say that TOPKAPI IS NOT<BR>3 PARTS more than 3 parts but<BR>ST SOFIA or HAGIA SOFIA is not part of TOPKAPI. Please don't confuse. Only 2 parts of Topkapi have been open to public and Ministry of Culture have been charging since they opened these place. There is no new charge or no new fees for Topkapi or other ruins and museums. OR NOT %100 OR MORE INCREASE THE TICKET FEES. 5 years ago the fee of Topkapi was $12 not is 12 dollars. <BR>I don't know your job but I have been Tourism bussinnes for 25 years and also I am an Archeologist almost 20 years. IF I WERE MINISTRY OF CULTURE I WOULD MAKE ADMISSION FEES OF RUINS AND MUSEUM NOT LESS THEN $50 do you know WHY?<BR>Turkey has HISTORY and ARCHEOLOGY more then other countries and Turkish goverment have to pay some money for excavations and restoration. How you can pay these and WITH WHAT MONEY? When something happined to St Sofia the whole Christian Countries shouting us that we are not protecting the ruins or religious places. Is this fair, if you don't pay your fees? <BR>DO YOU KNOW ZEUGMA? When I was working there 15 years ago we sent many message to whole world to help us to save this beatiful city any country didn't respond our request until the city start to drawn to the water, the whole world start to shouting us stop producing ELECTRICITY and IRRIGATION project, because we built the biggets dam in the middle east there and this dam doing really good thing for people who needs water and electricity but RUINS is nothing for the people around then can not make money from ruins but RUINS OURS HISTORY THE PEOPLES' HISTORY we have to protect them from everthing even from PEOPLE. We know what happined in Afganistan Beatiful statue is GONE, not because of religious, I don't believe this. BY THE WAY WHEN YOU GO TO ZEUGMA YOU ARE NOT PAYING ANYTHING. NO FEE THERE like some ruins in Turkey.<BR>The last things I will write PLEASE PAY YOUR ADMISSION FEES IN TURKEY BECAUSE MONEY GOES TO EXCAVATION AND RESTORATIONS IF YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR HISTORY AND ARCHEOLOGY.<BR><BR>CHEERS<BR><BR>Sinan Akdeniz

Since the cost of travel in Turkey is so much less than in much of Europe (western, anyway), it's hardly a strain on the pocketbook to pay fees to these grand sights. And as Sinan says, it goes to excavation and restoration. Istanbul is an AMAZING place, and to go and not pay a few extra dollars to see these great places is,IMO, pennywise and poundfoolish. Comparable hotels to places in Western Europe are easily half the price, and eating is an incredible bargain, in Istanbul and elsewhere in Turkey; so don't worry about the few dollars spent on visiting locations. Why bother going to these countries if you don't go visit these great historical sites? <BR><BR><BR><BR>

I haven't suggested to anyone that they skip the sites, I originally introduced the topic of the fee increase to try and help Duncan save a little money, if indeed the tour operators can do that. I'm not personally skipping anything that was on my original itinerary, I probably just won't go back for a second look at the places I've already seen.<BR><BR>And [email protected], I really hope I haven't discouraged you from traveling to Istanbul as it is an amazing city. Paule makes an excellent point on the remainder of the travel expenses (food, lodging) being a relative bargain. And if you do go, perhaps you could compromise and pay the general admission to Topkapi and Hagia Sophia. It would be a shame to be there and miss two of the top sites. If you are traveling after May, I'll be happy to post the real prices that I find.<BR><BR>Given the current travel climate, not only due to post 9/11 anxiety but also the current crisis in the Middle East, I found it odd timing to hike admission prices 150% (if this is true, since we seem to be debating it) in a country where a lot of the travelers seem to be the backpack/hostel type of traveler who can't afford to pay $20-30 to see each attraction.<BR><BR>Sorry for taking over your post Duncan. I promise to be quiet now :-)

I must say hat I get real annoyed when people start talking about "a few extra dollars" and the dollars belong to someone else - especially me. $120 is not a few extra dollars. Add this to the outrageous $45 visa fee, and suddenly Turkey isn't so cheap. A couple is out $210 before they've unpacked their bags. <BR><BR>I also get annoyed when people plead just cause - the money goes to archeology or some such. I am not a charity. I travel for enjoyment within my limited means. I do not travel to solve other peoples' problems. Besides, raising fees is almost sure to revenue by discouraging tourism, so it hurts everyone. <BR><BR>I agree with Kris that it is really amazing that country so badly in need of boosting tourism would do their best to turn tourists off. I am furious because this was sprung on me a few days before scheduled departure.<BR><BR>Lastly, in spite of what Sinan says, the tour operator I contacted knew exactly what I was talking about when I asked about the extreme increase in fees. He said that he was very upset about them too, as well he might. They are real.

Sorry for this foolish statements said by one of our collegues. <BR>Topkapi Palace Entry Fee: 15,000,000 TL<BR>Harem Fee: 15,000,000 TL<BR>Treasury Fee: 15,000,000 TL<BR><BR>Totally : 45,000,000 TL<BR><BR>Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofia)<BR>Entry&First Floor : 15,000,000 TL<BR>Second Floor : 15,000,000 TL<BR><BR>1,300,000 TL = 1 USD NOWADAYS<BR><BR>Like Ephesus,Troy,Cappadocia (Most touristic) Entry Fees have been increased by the Ministry of Culture. This was a trick made by The GIANT TOUR OPERATORS in or out of TURKEY.<BR><BR>So,Turkey's museums and ruins' fees are the most expensive ones of the world.<BR><BR>Tour Operators are getting combined ticket like 15,000,000 instead of 45,000,000 worth of Topkapi Palace.<BR><BR>Sorry for foolish people from our Country Who are talking non-sense.<BR><BR>You can check the entree prices in <BR>http://www.tursab.org.tr<BR><BR>Best Regards,<BR>

I think that these admission prices are well worth it. You would pay as much or more to go to the Tower of London or Versailles.<BR><BR>The prices have gone up. A year ago I am pretty sure the Topkapi was 13 million, and the harem was definitely only 7 million. But the extra for the harem is worth it, even at twice the price, and it inlcudes a guided tour. I wish we had been able to see the treasury. It was being renovated when we were there. I would have paid the extra. The Topkapi is a full day of tourism, and what you will save at dinner over any other European city will pay one of the tickets. It has a special exhibit on Mohammed that is particularly important to muslim visitors.<BR><BR>Haghia Sofia is a totally separate museum. It is a bit overpriced for what you see compared to Topkapi, but if you are an architectural buff like me, it is a classic. Compare its dome to the Blue Mosque. And speaking of such, the Topkapi prices will be balanced by the Blue Mosque, which only requests a donation. We gave one. It is beautiful.<BR><BR>I agree with Sinan that Turkey needs to preserve its heritage. It is just beginning to do so.<BR><BR>I wish we had hired a rehber for Topkapi. I think it would have been worth it.

I've cancelled my trip turkey.

To the previous poster, "trip turkey" - what does that mean? <BR><BR>I read yesterday that it costs just under $11 to go to the Dick Francis museum. He's the British writer whose stories often involve the horse racing world. I wasn't sure if that was $11 Canadian or $11 US. I'm a fan, but I can't imagine paying $11 in either currency to see a museum devoted to Dick Francis! Seems like Turkish prices are most reasonable in comparison. <BR><BR>I can't wait to go back to Turkey. Even with our lousy Canadian dollar, prices were good.

TO: x ([email protected])<BR>GOOD FOR YOU

The Alhambra in Spain is comparable and is $7. The Uffizi is $6. The Vatican museum is $10-12. So don't tell me that $33 is cheap for a major tourist attraction. And Spain and Italy don't charge you $45 just to enter the county.<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

The Alhambra in Spain is comparable and is $7. The Uffizi is $6. The Vatican museum is $10-12. So don't tell me that $33 is cheap for a major tourist attraction. And Spain and Italy don't charge you $45 just to enter the county.<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

TO: x ([email protected])<BR><BR>You don't know that we have many museum that you don't pay any CENT. Or some museum less then $2. If I write these museum in here they are not fit in this message. I am not happy that you canceled your tri to Turkey. I wish you go to Turkey and get some information about how cheap country we have. I just want to give a sample. You can not have LUNCH $1 anywhere in EUROPE but in TURKEY YES. And you can get this price in the center of TOURIST PLACE SULTANAHMET.<BR><BR>Sinan Akdeniz

Sinan, You don't mention:<BR><BR>1. That I have to pay $45 for an visitor visa. That makes your $1 lunch really $46.<BR><BR>2. Air fares to Turkey are more than for travelling to Western Europe. The money you save on lunch is eaten up by travel costs.<BR><BR>3. I wouldn't travel all the way to Turkey for a cheap lunch. <BR><BR>4. I don't care if the "Museum of Ancient Camel Teeth" is free. That's not the issue. That's not why I was planning to make the trip. <BR><BR>Actually, I did consider going and just skipping the offending sights. I was really looking forward to trip, but..<BR><BR>But it really isn't a matter of money. Changing my tickets is going to cost me about the same as going to these places. I simply don't want to go place that the government thinks that they can gouge me for whatever they want. I refuse to be taken advantage of. If they wanted to gradually increase prices over a few years to reach some level, fine. But to do it in one jump without warning shows complete comtempt. <BR><BR>And if it is true that the increase is driven by a deal to promote large tour operators, that's even more reason not to go. <BR>

Dear x ([email protected])<BR>,<BR>I don't know where are you from But I can see when you posted your last message and then I can uinderstand that you are living in ASIA. Am I right/<BR>I didn't created the VISA this is the politicians idea. Some countries charging some money to the tourist. Not the Turkey charging this VISA the countries in Europe and America charging TOO. <BR>I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY you were coming to Turkey? sorry.<BR>Then You saw Turkish goverment increased admission fees, so you decided not to go Turkey.<BR>You are saying that <BR>" if it is true that the increase is driven by a deal to promote large tour operators, that's even more reason not to go."<BR><BR>Who is promoting LARGE GROUP? NO ONE? this is not the ISSUE. I saw one of the Turkish man posted some unexceptable idea in here and his or her name (FAKE)<BR>is "XXX ([email protected]". There is no different price for large group and small group or INDIVIDUALLY TOURIST.<BR>If you cancelled your trip because of the admission fee DON'T GO TO MUSEUM or RUINS.Or (If you believe LARGE GROUP IDEA)you can FIND LARGE GROUP TRAVEL AGENCY in ISTANBUL to get CHEAP TICKET<BR>If you want I can arrage from here (USA)<BR><BR>Don't worry BE HAPPY<BR><BR>Sinan Akdeniz

It is not only asians that have to pay the fee. I am Canadian and I did also. It cost $70CDN each for us because we were ripped off on a fee because we only had Canadian travellers' cheques.<BR><BR>However, Sinan, I loved Turkey. Istanbul is my favourite city in the world, better than Paris or Rome. We even named our kittens after the two guys who looked after us in our hotel. Do not be discouraged by negative people on this site. They are in the minority.<BR><BR>An [email protected], it sure is easy to be nasty when you don't put your name or email to it, isn't it, TROLL!!!

Boy, am I confused. Is The Lonely Planet correct when stating that the Turkish Culture Ministry has rised admission prices to all monuments by 150% and the admission to Topkapi Palace is now $30? If anyone can just give a yes or no I would appreciate it.

Just returned from a wonderful 9 days in Turkey. The entry fees to sights are very high, but we didn't feel that we had to see every bit of all of them. The food and lodging are quite good and fairly cheap. Because of the short time we were there, we hired a guide for 1 1/2 days in Istanbul and 3 days in Cappadocia for a very reasonable price and were very satisfied. <BR>email me for specifics if you wish

To people who think that $30+ is justified, look at the "Budget for Attractions thread:<BR><BR>http://www.fodorstravel.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=2&tid=1367183&numresponses=2&st art=0&keyword=135<BR><BR>Just to quote from one post,"but I can't recall a museum in Italy that ever cost me much more than the equivalent of US$10 or so"<BR><BR><BR><BR>

To: Annie ([email protected])<BR><BR>The fees are actually more than $30. It is confirmed without doubt. <BR><BR>Apparently the definition of troll is: Someone who speaks the unpleaseant truth that a lot of people would prefer to not face.

Well I was curious of the museum entrane fees and checked personaly by phone to day. Topkap&yacute; itself 15.000.000 TL. roughly 12 USD. and other two sections the same 12 usd each.<BR><BR>I agree with Sinan, all those sights are world heritage is not only belongs to Turkish nation. We all need to care for them and try to protect while still enjoying and benefiting culturally. <BR><BR>It is not my position really to disuss weather it was necessary to increase the fees but there is one reality; in which currency... Until 19th April 2001 1 USD was around 645.000 TL after develuation exchange rate rocket up to 1.600.000 TL per dollar. Now around 1.350.000 TL. Might explain something. Yes thats true the travel agencies had one time privilage to buy tikets with lower prices only with the condition to buy bulk for a year and pay cash... This obviously reflected their tour rates. My main point here is : The Goreme open air Museum in Cappadocia where we live, which is a national park and Unesco World Heritage,charges 15.000.000 TL per person. Each time I visit this site I am thrilled and I am amased. This experience worth much more and I believe if this was elswehere than Turkey being only one of a kind site they would charge minumum 50 USD. and would well worth it. Same applies for Ephesus and others. As mentioned if you go to P&yacute;nara at Lycia you pay nothing, Xanthos 5.000.000 TL only. By the way to may knowledge visa charge is 45 Usd for American citizens and Turkish pays also a fee to get Amerian visa. This not becouse Turkey do not want American tourists. If you divide 45 usd to a week you pay 6,42 per day, hope this eases the pain for Mr.x...<BR>Its a piity he is missing a lifetime experience.<BR>I also agree on the good deals on hotel rates and the food issue as mentioned.<BR><BR>Turkey is a land offering 21 different ancient cultural mosaic which makes the land richest in this category. Friendly people, delicious food, cristal clear sea, nature, history and most important warmth of hospitable people. <BR><BR>Duncan you should at least hire a professional guide in istanbul and the rest try to find out yourself.<BR><BR>I wish everyone a wonderful time in Turkey when they travel here.