Istanbul airport transfers
Apr 2nd, 2011, 02:17 PM
#1
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Istanbul airport transfers
We will be arriving at international airport in istanbul at 5:30 pm on a weeknight at the end of May. A travel agent has quoted us $120 for a transfer pickup for 2 of us to our hotel in the Sultanhet area. That seems extremely high to me- any thoughts or other suggestions?
Thanks
Thanks
Apr 2nd, 2011, 04:37 PM
#4
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$120 sounds like a lot. You could contact your hotel and ask if they have a shuttle or could suggest a cheaper pickup service. Perhaps someone here will know the name of such a service. We took a tour and and pickup service was part of the tour price.
Apr 2nd, 2011, 05:33 PM
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Hi Michelezr,
I agree with other commenters that the price is too high. Negotiating a taxi is a definite adventure and will prepare you for the markets.
Enjoy the process and you will come out ahead in the end.
I agree with other commenters that the price is too high. Negotiating a taxi is a definite adventure and will prepare you for the markets.
Enjoy the process and you will come out ahead in the end.
Apr 2nd, 2011, 07:24 PM
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yeah it is too much for airport transfer, Genereally Travel agents have a price standart in istanbul..
cheack prices on this site:
http://www.istanbulcityhotels.com/ai...transfers.aspx
cheack prices on this site:
http://www.istanbulcityhotels.com/ai...transfers.aspx
Apr 2nd, 2011, 08:21 PM
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Contact Yusuf Karaca @ www.backpackerstravel.net for your transfer. (We're paying 20 Euros (4 passengers) from IST to our hotel in Sultanahmet).
This Web site is also helpful: www.taksiyle.com
This Web site is also helpful: www.taksiyle.com
Apr 2nd, 2011, 11:38 PM
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I took the train(s) once and would not repeat it. You first have to take the metro to Zeytinburnu and then have to transfer to the tram that will take you to Sultanahmet (or across the Golden Horn if you are staying in that area). To Sultanahmet it's 17 stops. The tram is crowded and I would think it takes much longer than 30 min. While the cost at 2x TRY 1.75 per person is low, it did not seem worth the hassle and time vs. a taxi (should cost around TRY 40) in my opinion.
I did not think language was much of a problem on the trains, though. Just keep your eyes open for the names of the stops and you should be fine.
I did not think language was much of a problem on the trains, though. Just keep your eyes open for the names of the stops and you should be fine.
Apr 3rd, 2011, 03:19 AM
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I second the recommendation to contact www.backpackerstravel.net. We made reservations with them on their website. They were waiting at the airport to take us to our hotel in Sultanahmet. 20 Euros well spent.
Apr 3rd, 2011, 03:27 AM
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Taking the train and tram was easy . It was our first visit to Istanbul and I do not speak Turkish.The only complicating factor for us was that we tried to buy the pass for public transport which was not (then ) available at the airport . We were told we could get it at Zeytinburnu but couldn't do that either. This delayed us a little.
We decided to familiarise ourselves with the train/tram method on arrival as we had heard that the traffic in the city could be bad and so we were going to return to the airport by this method in any event.
The unexpected bonus was the journey through the streets of Istanbul that we would not otherwise have visited as tourists. This was really interesting.
We got off at dusk and then walked to our hotel in Sutanhamet(the Ibrahim Pasha).
We decided to familiarise ourselves with the train/tram method on arrival as we had heard that the traffic in the city could be bad and so we were going to return to the airport by this method in any event.
The unexpected bonus was the journey through the streets of Istanbul that we would not otherwise have visited as tourists. This was really interesting.
We got off at dusk and then walked to our hotel in Sutanhamet(the Ibrahim Pasha).
Apr 3rd, 2011, 04:07 AM
#12
Just some clarification:
1. Taxis are safe, although not always brand new and not always a good size. Airport cabs are darker yellow.
2. Always make sure that the meter is turned on. There is absolutely no negotiation in a taxi. It is always a good idea to record the taxi number which should be written somewhere inside as well as on the side, just in case.
3. leave any change as tip, or tip as you would in New York, London or paris.
4. The fastest taxi route is on the coastal road, although slightly longer than E5. Also very scenic. Do not miss the city walls, the Marmara sea and Bosphorus entrance views. Should currently cost not more than $30 to sultanahmet and slightly more to Tunel, taksim, cihangir area. (the Turkish pronunciation for the coastal route is = Sa-hill Yo-lou )
4. If you are backpacking, or on very low budget and have just a carry-on the metro and tram is a good option. (read above posts) Otherwise, it would be miserable especially during morning and evening rush hour with any luggage.
5. There are a number of shuttle companies, most of which are quite good.
6. You always risk the possibility of a shuttle delaying or not finding you, or picking four other passengers from different flights, or dropping you last.
7. If you are staying at a more expensive Sultanahmet hotel longer than a few days, ask if they will provide free transfers.
8. Backpackers has advertised on the Trip Advisor travel forums against TA rules too many times, despite many warnings and some complaints of customers.
9. Many of the streets around the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are closed to traffic from early morning to late evening, so be prepareed to pull, lug or push suitcases if you are staying in the area and also be warned that you may be sitting in the shuttle or cab for 30 minutes or so in the narrow side streets during the evening rush hour 17:00-20:00.
1. Taxis are safe, although not always brand new and not always a good size. Airport cabs are darker yellow.
2. Always make sure that the meter is turned on. There is absolutely no negotiation in a taxi. It is always a good idea to record the taxi number which should be written somewhere inside as well as on the side, just in case.
3. leave any change as tip, or tip as you would in New York, London or paris.
4. The fastest taxi route is on the coastal road, although slightly longer than E5. Also very scenic. Do not miss the city walls, the Marmara sea and Bosphorus entrance views. Should currently cost not more than $30 to sultanahmet and slightly more to Tunel, taksim, cihangir area. (the Turkish pronunciation for the coastal route is = Sa-hill Yo-lou )
4. If you are backpacking, or on very low budget and have just a carry-on the metro and tram is a good option. (read above posts) Otherwise, it would be miserable especially during morning and evening rush hour with any luggage.
5. There are a number of shuttle companies, most of which are quite good.
6. You always risk the possibility of a shuttle delaying or not finding you, or picking four other passengers from different flights, or dropping you last.
7. If you are staying at a more expensive Sultanahmet hotel longer than a few days, ask if they will provide free transfers.
8. Backpackers has advertised on the Trip Advisor travel forums against TA rules too many times, despite many warnings and some complaints of customers.
9. Many of the streets around the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are closed to traffic from early morning to late evening, so be prepareed to pull, lug or push suitcases if you are staying in the area and also be warned that you may be sitting in the shuttle or cab for 30 minutes or so in the narrow side streets during the evening rush hour 17:00-20:00.
Apr 8th, 2011, 09:03 PM
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Definitely check to see if the hotel has a shuttle service, we stayed at the Ilkay hotel and the airport pickup was included in the cost of the room. The staff also arranged for transportation back to the airport when we were leaving for a very reasonable price.
Jul 21st, 2011, 10:50 AM
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My Gucci, just take a taxi already. Taxis are cheap in Istanbul.
I remember paying about 25 US to get from the Ritz-Carlton to Istanbul Airport in July 2005.
Istanbul is a big modern world-class city. It is NOT Midnight Express.
Stop being afraid to venture outside of Sultanahmet or take a cab to get around. Sheesh!!!!!
P_P
I remember paying about 25 US to get from the Ritz-Carlton to Istanbul Airport in July 2005.
Istanbul is a big modern world-class city. It is NOT Midnight Express.
Stop being afraid to venture outside of Sultanahmet or take a cab to get around. Sheesh!!!!!
P_P
Jul 21st, 2011, 11:25 AM
#18
"<i>My Gucci, just take a taxi already. Taxis are cheap in Istanbul. . .
Stop being afraid to venture outside of Sultanahmet or take a cab to get around. Sheesh!!!!!</i>"
P_P: This is an old/moldy thread. It was topped by several advertisers. The OP's trip was back in May
Stop being afraid to venture outside of Sultanahmet or take a cab to get around. Sheesh!!!!!</i>"
P_P: This is an old/moldy thread. It was topped by several advertisers. The OP's trip was back in May
Jul 22nd, 2011, 01:37 AM
#19
janisj & aeroplane, any thread that has an OC or Gucci post on it is never old or moldy. See how it attracts advertisers who flock to the free PR.
We are always fresh, no matter how you look at it.
We are always fresh, no matter how you look at it.
