Because of flight connections, I will be spending 2 nights in Istanbul on one leg of a trip (early April), and then 2 more nights there on the return leg (early May).<BR><BR>So I will be in Istanbul for 4 nights and parts of 5 days. I am thinking of perhaps a pansiyon or budget hotel on the western (airport) side of Sultanahmet. I thought by being in that area, I could do all the typical sight seeing things in the old town, and at the same time avoid being too far from the airport. <BR><BR>I am presuming that my five days will be mostly taken up with points of interest in and around the Sultanahmet area. But perhaps my thinking is wrong. I have never been in Istanbul before.<BR><BR>Does my location plan sound to be the best? What suggestions do you have regarding location and things to do?<BR><BR>What pansiyons or budget hotels, that include breakfast, are recommended?<BR><BR>Thanks

You will be fine staying anywhere in Sultanahmet. I think you're right to stay there, too, since most of the major sights are there. It's a compact enough city and not that hard to get to some of the other areas to explore.<BR><BR>I stayed at the Blue House Hotel, which is probably more than what you want to pay. But a budget hotel that gets a lot of recommendations is the Empress Zoe Hotel. It's location is good, too.

Hi Hal,<BR>If you need to stay in Istanbul,I highly recommend you to stay in Sultanahmet area.You can both visit all archeological sites and breathe the fascinating athmosphere of Old City.It takes just 16 km from Sultanahmet to the airport.As a matter of fact there are a lot of hotels near the airport but they are not quiet and it is a big chance to stay in Old City.You can choose especially these hotels:Artemis Hotel,Best Western Acropol Hotel,Amber Hotel,Erguvan Hotel..If you have any other questions please contact to mail :[email protected]<BR> [email protected]<BR>http://w...vingturkey.com<BR> www.mysticturkey.com

Hal, what is your idea of budget? I stayed at a place in Sultanahmet area in October for almost a week that was very clean, homemade b'fast, private, large bathroom &amp; airport shuttle picked me up for $8.00. Hotel was $30.00 a night and 5 blocks from the Blue Mosque. If you're interested, I can dig through my notes for the name &amp; address.

Hi<BR>We stayed in Sutanhamet area 3 yrs. ago in a hotel called the Sarnich. E-mailed for our reservation and they returnedour e-mail. When we arrived, the hotel provided free transportation to the airport and return. Bkfst was included. It was a nice hotel, in a historic building very convenient to all the major sights. All in all it was a good experience and very convenient.<BR>enjoy

We stayed at the Empress Zoe and it was great. They also picked us up at the airport. There was a really good restaurant right across the street. It is located right behind the Four Seasons Hotel and is within walking distance of all the sights. The breakfast served in the interior garden was wonderful. There is a rooftop bar with fantastic views. The owner is an American woman who decided to stay in Istanbul. She is very helpful with travel information. There is no elevator, if that is important for your needs. And the stairways are circular, but they have men to carry your suitcases up the spiral staircase from the lobby. Enjoy, it has a lot of charm.

Thanks for the responses to date. I am seeing that the idea of budget and low cost mean different things to different people. It would seem best for a person (in a first post) to not mention a specific number, because what is low cost in one city may have no relevance in another city.<BR><BR>I would be nice if we could all realize that the person is looking for something low cost with respect to the particular city being discussed; not low cost with respect to the main street hotels in New York, Paris, London, etc. <BR><BR>OK, so let me say this. I stayed at a very nice and clean pansiyon (bed and breakfast) in Antalya, Turkey last April. I paid $10 per night including a hearty breakfast. This was at a time when the Sheraton in Antalya was asking $100 plus per night.<BR><BR>Now, before everyone wastes time telling me Istanbul is different than Antalya; please just tell me of the least expensive pansiyons and budget hotels that you know of in the Sultanhamet area of Istanbul. <BR><BR>Thanks,<BR><BR>Hal

Can't find the exact name of where I stayed, but it was, as noted, around $30/night w/breakfast &amp; private bath/balcony and could've bargained for less. Think it's name is Garden Terrace next to the Istanbul hostel and catty-cornered from the Four Seasons hotel. If I find the hotel biz card, will post the specifics.

Hal, there are a lot of budget and bare-bones pansiyons in Sultanahmet. Some of them offer dorm rooms and some even offer sleeping space on the roof. You may even come close to your Antalya price, but breakfast will be extra. Try the Side Pansiyon (not the Side Hotel, which is next door), the Handean Hostel, Mavi Guesthouse, the Inter Youth Hostel, and the Istanbul Hostel. You sound like a Rough Guide kind of guy! Eating in Sultanahmet is more expensive than sleeping, so try the area around the Yeni Cami (short tram ride away) for cheaper meals.

2 years ago we stayed 6 nights in Sultanahmet and also one night in a hotel near the airport. I would recommend Sultanahmet. The airport hotel was much nicer but no bigger than our hotel in Sultanahmet, but cost $CDN210 a night, 3x as much! Compare that to a $15 cab fare to the airport from Sultanahmet!

In Sultanahmet, there are plenty of hotels in every price range, and all the main attractions are within easy walking distance. Hotels just south of the Four Seasons are inexpensive but clean and safe, full of students and backpackers. And there are plenty of places where food is much less than accomodation!

We stayed on Ishakpasha for $US60 a night, kind of worn looking, but full bath, TV and fridge and full breakfast, also an inexpensive outdoor bar &amp; kebachi with wood grill.

Sultan Hostel is much cheaper, with very clean shared washrooms. The best views in the world (bosporus, blue mosque), and $2 meals and $1 beer on its roof top pub. (Do not confuse this with the extremely over priced Sultan Pub north of the Blue Mosque).

Tip for food prices in Istanbul... They are directly related to ambiance. You can get a full kebap dinner for $5 to $25 depending on the tablecloths, candles, etc.

To get a hotel within your price range, I's suggest borrowing a Fodor's and a Lonely Planet from the local library, and comparing them, and then selecting the one that suits your needs and price best.