Istanbul: how much can I realistically see in a few hours on a Sunday?!
Aug 22nd, 2016, 06:36 AM
#22
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I was easily able to see the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque and then do a bit of shopping at Grand Bazaar in about 4 hours about 3 years ago.
When you go to the mosque, bring your own scarf and wear long sleeves/pants to cover yourself or you will be provided with appropriate coverings.
When you go to the mosque, bring your own scarf and wear long sleeves/pants to cover yourself or you will be provided with appropriate coverings.
Aug 22nd, 2016, 07:10 AM
#24
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A ferry cruise is a great idea to get an overview of Istanbul and take in its famous skyline.
It would have been nice to take a "Bosphorus cruise", but this one usually departs at 10:30 and takes over two hours. A ferry to the Asian side is a nice compromise in this case.
If you wake up early, you can catch the ferry from Eminonu to Kadikoy at 7:00 am. The ferries do operate on Sunday. There are two main ferry companies
Sehir Hatlari and Turyol.
You can check out the schedules at:
http://en.sehirhatlari.istanbul/en
http://turyol.com/en/tarifeler.asp
The ferry route from Eminonu to Kadikoy takes around 20 minutes. So if you leave at 7:00 and take the ferry back to Eminonu, you'd be back in Sultanahmet before 9:00, which leaves you enough time to tour Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern. (even buy a souvenir from the Arasta Bazaar).
It's a a bit of a marathon, but worth it.
PS: Eminonu is the ferry dock on the European side. From there you can walk to Hagia Sophia or take the tram.
It would have been nice to take a "Bosphorus cruise", but this one usually departs at 10:30 and takes over two hours. A ferry to the Asian side is a nice compromise in this case.
If you wake up early, you can catch the ferry from Eminonu to Kadikoy at 7:00 am. The ferries do operate on Sunday. There are two main ferry companies
Sehir Hatlari and Turyol.
You can check out the schedules at:
http://en.sehirhatlari.istanbul/en
http://turyol.com/en/tarifeler.asp
The ferry route from Eminonu to Kadikoy takes around 20 minutes. So if you leave at 7:00 and take the ferry back to Eminonu, you'd be back in Sultanahmet before 9:00, which leaves you enough time to tour Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern. (even buy a souvenir from the Arasta Bazaar).
It's a a bit of a marathon, but worth it.
PS: Eminonu is the ferry dock on the European side. From there you can walk to Hagia Sophia or take the tram.
Aug 22nd, 2016, 07:48 AM
#25
Following on from the above, if you can, get hold of an Istanbul card (I am not sure if they sell them at Sultanahmet tram stop - they might just have top up cards).
I'm open to correction on actual amounts, but I'm fairly sure
it cost TL10 for the card, which gives you TL4 in travel expenses. Top it up with another TL10, and as far as I remember, this will be plenty to get two people the tram from Sultanahmet, the ferry across to Kadikoy, the ferry back, and the tram back up to Sultanahmet.
You also get a card with a nice picture which is a pretty good souvenir.
I'm open to correction on actual amounts, but I'm fairly sure
it cost TL10 for the card, which gives you TL4 in travel expenses. Top it up with another TL10, and as far as I remember, this will be plenty to get two people the tram from Sultanahmet, the ferry across to Kadikoy, the ferry back, and the tram back up to Sultanahmet.
You also get a card with a nice picture which is a pretty good souvenir.
Aug 22nd, 2016, 10:14 AM
#26
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Loacker & willit: This sounds like a great plan! I love being on the water.
I don't think we'll be able to do the 7am on Sunday... but I'll check out the later ferries for sure.
Cheers!
I don't think we'll be able to do the 7am on Sunday... but I'll check out the later ferries for sure.
Cheers!
Aug 22nd, 2016, 10:37 AM
#27
I think if you decide to take the ferry you very well may want to cut some from your original list. The ferry ride is interesting enough when there are no time constraints but keep in mind that, unless things have changed since I went to the Asian side, you won't be going over to see anything in particular, just to see the city from the water. There aren't any grand sights there and time consuming under the circumstances (in my opinion). You're already pushing the limits of what may be possible, even without the ferry. I suggest you save it for next time.
Aug 22nd, 2016, 12:36 PM
#28
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I'm with Mme Perdu. All the things mentionned by the others, the ferry to asian side, etc, i would do again with pleasure (in sep and oct when i will be there for 3rd and 4th time), only if i don't need to be at the airport at 12h00 like you do ! You need to be back at your hotel for luggage and leave Sultanahmet by 11h00, I think at the latest.
Aug 22nd, 2016, 01:03 PM
#29
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Well I would want to see the highlights as planned in the beginning..did op mention "beach" why would you want a beach at all let alone in October I must have misread that..also with all the security issues make sure on that airport arrival.
Aug 23rd, 2016, 12:08 AM
#30
Lois2 - I think your's is the only mention of beach, so it is possible you've misread it.
The airport security issue is a very real one, even before the recent attacks, the lines to get into the airport were long and slow, so I think the OP might want to plan for extra time to ensure they get their flight.
The airport security issue is a very real one, even before the recent attacks, the lines to get into the airport were long and slow, so I think the OP might want to plan for extra time to ensure they get their flight.
Aug 23rd, 2016, 04:41 AM
#31
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On August 22 op posted a long post including that their hotel mentioned a "beach" 10 minutes from hotel that could be plan b if ferry does not work out. Sorry but with not much time and staying right in the area of some of the most famous places in the world I don't get not spending time there but not my trip!
Aug 23rd, 2016, 04:51 AM
#32
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I never had long lines at airports. Inc the day after the attack on Attaturk (but at Gokcen, the other airport).
However I nearly missed a plane due to traffic. Be sure to plan correctly - ask your hotel when you should leave.
However I nearly missed a plane due to traffic. Be sure to plan correctly - ask your hotel when you should leave.
Aug 23rd, 2016, 04:55 AM
#33
Lois2 - you are quite correct - I missed that.
Realistically, it might all depend on the number of cruise ships in port. There were days during our trip when you couldn't get near the Blue Mosque, Topkapi palace or Hagia Sofia because of hundreds of passengers on organised tours.
Hopefully the OP will get lucky with queues, but if not I wanted to offer an alternative. Opinions all differ, but had the OP been visiting another city, I don't think anybody would have scoffed at a suggestion of a hop on, hop off bus.
To me, a ferry from Eminonu to Kadikoy (with immediate return) is a pretty similar experience as you get views of so many of the famous sites during the trip.
That said, if queues prove not to be an issue, I would visit Hagia Sofia and the blue Mosque with the market in reserve if I had time.
Realistically, it might all depend on the number of cruise ships in port. There were days during our trip when you couldn't get near the Blue Mosque, Topkapi palace or Hagia Sofia because of hundreds of passengers on organised tours.
Hopefully the OP will get lucky with queues, but if not I wanted to offer an alternative. Opinions all differ, but had the OP been visiting another city, I don't think anybody would have scoffed at a suggestion of a hop on, hop off bus.
To me, a ferry from Eminonu to Kadikoy (with immediate return) is a pretty similar experience as you get views of so many of the famous sites during the trip.
That said, if queues prove not to be an issue, I would visit Hagia Sofia and the blue Mosque with the market in reserve if I had time.
Aug 23rd, 2016, 06:44 AM
#34
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Thank you all for sharing your thoughts... I really do appreciate it! 
I think perhaps a good strategy would be to get in line early for Hagia Sofia, then do the Ferry Trip afterwards so we would not be wasting time in a long line.
We could save Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Tokapi Palace and Shopping at Arasta Bazaar... for another trip when we're not so rushed.
This sounds reasonable to me in order to get to Ataturk Airport by 12:15pm.
Cheers!
I think perhaps a good strategy would be to get in line early for Hagia Sofia, then do the Ferry Trip afterwards so we would not be wasting time in a long line.
We could save Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Tokapi Palace and Shopping at Arasta Bazaar... for another trip when we're not so rushed.
This sounds reasonable to me in order to get to Ataturk Airport by 12:15pm.
Cheers!
