lauren_s_kahn

I recommend the cruise that goes up to the Black Sea. You take it there, get off and have lunch (or climb up to the castle) and then take a later ferry back.

You can also take a bus along the Bosphorus on the European side--which I had to take when I went to the American Consulate due to my apartment being burglarized at night. While I was stressed out from the burglary, the views of the Bosphorus were quite nice. I had to cancel credit cards, etc. The burglars pretty much cleaned me out except for my passport and 2 credit cards which were in a different place. Terrible experience!

The full story can be found in my blog here:

http://altecockertravels.weebly.com/...nbul-2014.html

It was my second time in Istanbul. I was there for July 2014.

shaynak

I am also going to be in Istanbul in very late October. I read all of the responses and can't decide between two options. The trip to Prince's Island sounds nice but I am wondering if it goes to just one place. Otherwise, it sounds like a good idea to go to the end and get off a few places on the way.
Any suggestions for which towns to see along the way?
In anyone's opinion, is it better to take the boat or the bus back?

shaynak

I am also going to be in Istanbul in very late October. I read all of the responses and can't decide between two options. The trip to Prince's The boat to Prince's Island sounds nice but I am wondering if it goes to just one place. Otherwise, it sounds like a good idea to go to the end and get off a few places on the way.
Any suggestions for which towns to see along the way?
In anyone's opinion, is it better to take the boat or the bus back?

ashwinb

This is my experience, and it turned out pretty good:
Go by the public ferry, having a look at the villages, the Bosporus brudge, the palaces..get down at Sariyer.
Take a bus to Emirgan park(during the spring,tulip season), then to the castle,Rumeli hisari, climbing up to the top and enjoying the amazing views. Then to Ortakoy, having a kumpir,sitting by the seaside and back to Sultanahmet.

shaynak

Thanks Ashwinb,
Was it hard to figure out where to take the buses from town to town?

ashwinb

It was quite easy, the bus stops are close to the sites(emirgan, rumeli,ortakoy).
Just take a bus going in the right direction. I even walked for a bit of the stretch.
And the views are generally good around late afternoon-evening.

otherchelebi

Shaynak, those names are not town names. They are now just neighborhoods in istanbul. Possibly 70 or so years ago they were separate small villages where also high level bureucrats of the Ottoman Empire and foreign missions used to have their mansions, away from the envious eyes of the Sultan.

The buses run along the only coast road are usually designated E and the stops are every few hundred yards. You can tell them by their sign and usually also by a covered waiting area.

No 25E runs from last tram stop at Kabatas to Sariyer and
No 40E runs between Taksim and Sariyer, going up the hill to Taksim just before reaching Kabatas.

Sariyer & Ortakoy are cheaper,
Arnavutkoy cheap to moderate,
Yenikoy, medium to expensive,
Emirgan has some cheap and moderate cafes,
Rumeli Hisari (fortress) has moderate cafes and one very expensive restaurant.
Bebek is upscale.
Kurucesme between Ortakoy and Arnavutkoy has some very expensive supper clubs (even an Islamist one which does not serve alcohol) and restaurants and the popular Assk Kahve (Love Cafe)