We are two couples going to Istanbul as part of a cruise and then staying there for 3 extra nights. I have a couple of questions:
1. Do we need to hire a guide and a van to get around the city and see everything?
2. Is it safe to travel around on our own in the evening?
3. Where is the best area to stay in terms of convenience and safety?

It seems that many of the hotels are charging upwards of $135/night. Is that reasonable for Istanbul in October?

Thanks for your help!

I don't know if you need a guide. What kind of travellers are you? Have you travelled on your own before?

Istanbul is pretty safe if you stay in the main tourist areas of Sultanahmet, Beyoglu, Taksim, and Ortakoy.

Hotels in Istanbul that cater to international tourists are located in the areas mentioned above.

Most American tourists stay in Sultanahmet because that is where the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar are located.

Well-known hotels in Sultanahmet are Yesil Ev, Mavi Ev, Four Seasons, Empress Zoe and Sari Konak.

Ritz-Carlton, Intercontinental, Divan, Hyatt, and Swiss Hotel are all located near Taskim Square/Bosphorus.

The Ciragan Kempinski is located right on the Bosphorus near Ortakoy.

Istanbul is a cosmopolitan city. Like any big city, just use common sense whilst travelling around at night.

Thin

You can use public transportation, and you do not need a guide. I think that the Rick Steves' <i>Istanbul</i> is excellent. It includes walking tours in different areas of the city and how to get to major sites.

Click on my name to find my trip report on Turkey. I highly recommend Giritli as a restaurant experience (fixed price including wine and raki), but be aware that it is in a neighborhood that many would consider questionable; but there is strength in numbers, and given that the meal starts with 18 mezes, the more the merrier.

Thank you both for your input! We are in our mid-50's and fairly well-traveled. I love taking a highlights tour of a city and then striking out on my own, but because I'm dealing with Turkish street signs and a language that I don't speak, I'm thinking tour guide. In Europe, I can speak Spanish, French and Italian, so no problem with directions, "getting lost", etc..

I will definitely check out the hotels. Thanks again for your kind help. And Michael, I did go on your travel blog and it was helpful!

Unless you have some mobility problem, public transport in the main tourist areas is fine, and probably faster than navigating traffic.
A guide is nice but not necessary if you are comfortable wandering around with the help of a guidebook. One pace where a guide is handy is Topkapi Palace, as they buy tickets in groups and you avoid having to stand in line. There are several near the ticket booths at the entrance - just be sure to get one that speaks your language.

I agree with most of the posters. You do not need a guide. It is quite easy to find your way around walking or by public transport. People are nice. The transit system works great. It's a great city. But you also may want to consider whether you want to stay in the new city or the old city. Most of the big sites are in Sultanahmet so it would be easy to find them from a hotel there. But you may also enjoy staying in the more cosmopolitan new city area like Beyoglu, Taksim etc as you can walk around nice shops and restaurants more there. In that case, you could see the sites in Sultanahmet during the day and return to a more lively place in the evenings. We spent time in both sides and I would actually say I enjoyed the new city better to stay in although the old city with all its ancient sites is very interesting. It really is a personal preference issue. As long as you ask your hotel for a map and directions via walking and public transit you will not need a guide. The only place that can be very confusing is the Bazaar which is so large and circuitous that it is often hard to figure out which direction to go to exit and return to where you started. Enjoy!

You could find cheaper hotels unless you are looking for 5 stars

mairseydotes, considering your extensive travel experience, you won't need a guide and you would be hindered by a car. I stayed in Sultanahmet, where English is spoken very well by the people providing services to tourists.