You’ve got 48 hours or less and need to figure out how to make the most of your time. You could be here for a layover, on a business trip, or just couldn’t fit in more time. This is a look at how we squeezed in the most of our time in this 2 day Istanbul itinerary.
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Where to stay in Istanbul?
- Ultimately we opted to stay in a hotel and my recommendations are down below but don’t forget to check Airbnb as well.
Table of Contents
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Istanbul highlights
Famously straddling the two continents of Europe and Asia, Istanbul is an incredible city that features extraordinary cultural experiences that shows you first hand the city’s diverse history of civilizations.
When it comes to things to do in Istanbul, there are so many to choose from but with 2 days to work with, here are the top 5 highlights that you can expect for your trip.
- Hagia Sophia
- Grand Bazaar
- Süleymaniye Hamami
- Karakoy Gulluoglu
- Topkapi Palace
Who this Istanbul itinerary is perfect for
- Couples
- Independent travellers
- First timers to Istanbul
- Those interested in learning about history and religion
- Historic landmarks
2 Day Istanbul Itinerary – A tale of two continents
This trip to Istanbul was the very last leg of our month-long honeymoon and right after Seychelles which you can see on this vlog.
With 2 days in Istanbul, we wanted to make the most of the opportunity and if you too want to see the best highlights of the city.
Trip Planning Map
One of the cornerstones of our itineraries are maps with all points of interests marked as you’ll also find in the Greece island hopping itinerary, 5 day Alicante itinerary, and 7 day Austria itinerary.
Use this map as part of your pre-trip planning or you can also save a copy and use this while travelling as a navigation tool.
Tip: View the 2 day Istanbul trip planning map in full screen and create a copy (this step is key) for yourself. Make tweaks for your own trip and in Google Maps, you’ll be able to view it by going into the menu, selecting “My Places” and the “Maps” tab.
How To Save Money
One of the new ways you can find deals and save money in Istanbul is with the Istanbul E-pass.
Istanbul E-pass
Similar to other products you’ll find around the world like the Go City: Vienna All Inclusive Pass, and Go City: Oahu All Inclusive Pass, Istanbul has one that works very similarly but isn’t a Go City product. This is a digital pass that gets you FREE entry into:
- Topkapi Palace Museum
- Galata Tower Entrance
- Hagia Sophia Guided Tour
- Basilica Cistern Guided Tour
- Bosphorous Cruise Tour with Dinner and Turkish Shows
- and more you can find here.
These come in 2,3,5, or 7 day pass bundles.
As an exclusive offer, use code “goingawesomeplaces” to save 5%. Expires February 28, 2023.
Day 1 – Wonders
Your first day in Istanbul will “wow” you at every turn with possibly more attractions than there are minarets. It’s the living history on the Europe side of the city that you’ll be focusing on today.
Almost all hotels have breakfast included so make sure you fill up because there’ll be a lot of walking today.
Start off by walking to Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya). Originally built as an Orthodox Christian cathedral by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, it’s been rebuilt many times and has changed hands between the Romans and eventually the Ottomans where it was then repurposed as a mosque.
It was turned into a museum in 1934 and for the longest time this was a highlight for all visitors with its intricate frescoes, mosaics, and architecture. Since July 24, 2020, it’s been converted back to a full-time mosque. Visitors can visit during a prayer service or if you’re non-Muslim, please follow the visiting etiquette. It is free to enter.
This Byzantine treasure is a majestic masterpiece that you need to visit
Once you make your way to the back side of Hagia Sophia, you’ll be right at the entrance to Topkapi Palace (Seraglio).
From the Ottoman Empire, you’ll find extensive imperial collections of books, and artifacts as this was the administrative center and residence of the Ottoman court from 1478 to 1856.
Walk through the palace grounds while marvelling at the blue patterend tiles, concubine quarters, clock pavilion, its many courtyards, gardens, and treasures such as “Moses’s staff” and David’s sword.
Another reason to come here is for its fantastic views of the Bosporus Strait. You can either eat at the outdoor restaurant or look out from the palace walls.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Hours: 9:00AM to 6:00PM (except Tuesday). Ticket offices are closed 60 minutes prior to closing time and last entry is at 5:00PM. The museum is also closed for visits for half-day on the first day of Ramadan and Sacrifice Festivals.
Price: 100 TRY for adults and free for children under 8 years. Extra is required for Harem (70 TRY) and Hagia Eirene (60 TRY) inside the palace.
Website: Topkapi Palace
FAQ:
- How much time should you plan at the museum? 2-3 hours are required to see the whole palace.
- Do you need a tour guide? You can visit on your own but you definitely aren’t able to absorb as many details as you would with a guide.
Tips:
- Tripods and microphones are not allowed on the grounds. If you bring them with you, security will hold them for you and you can pick it up on your way out.
- The grounds are much larger than you think it s which is why you need to account for more time here.
- The summer is very busy and the ticket booth lines are quite long. That is why it makes sense to buy skip-the-line tickets ahead of time from GetYourGuide.
- Remember that the palace is closed on Tuesday so plan around it.
You’ll pass through the the palace gates once again and enter Sultan Ahmet Square or better known as part of the Hippodrome. This was a circus, the sporting and social centre of Constantinople but only a few fragments remain.
The square is pretty much a massive open air museum as you have the giant mosque and cathedral on both ends, the German fountain, Egyptian obelisk, beautiful gardens, snack carts, and tons of people watching opportunities.
There are a lot of great photography opportunities here. This is also your chance to have a mini picnic with your own food or eat lunch at Seven Hills Restaurant or Sultanahmet Koftecisi.
The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) is an active mosque but is open to visitors. It was built between 1609 and 1617 and has its nickname because of the blue tiles that surround the interior walls.
Expect to wait in line to get in but once you’re in you’ll be impressed at the largest courtyard in Ottoman mosques, and the 20,000 handmade tiles in more than 50 tulip designs.
The other parts of the interior are rather underwhelming compared to Hagia Sophia as it’s a one-level open prayer hall but part of that could be because the visitor area about 1/3 of the floor which limits how much you can actually explore.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Sultan Ahmet, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Hours: The Blue Mosque is open to visitors except for prayer. Since prayer times change throughout the year, use these as general guidelines:
- 8:30AM – 11:30AM
- 1:00PM – 2:30PM (Starts 1:30PM on Friday)
- 3:30PM – 4:45PM
Muslim call to prayer happens 6 times a day and is based on the movement of the sun. The mosque closes for 90 minutes during prayer.
Price: Free
Website: Sultan Ahmet Camii (unofficial)
FAQ:
- When is the best time to visit the mosque? Mid-morning is your best bet when the crowds are smaller and you have the largest window to visit.
- How much time should you plan at the mosque? 30 minutes once inside.
- Do you need a tour guide? It’s not absolutely necessary but if you want to learn all the fine details and hidden secrets of the mosque, you should look into a guided tour.
Visiting procedure:
- Head to the northeast side of the mosque. This is where visitors line up to head in. This entrance is in front of the Nativity facade.
- There will be signs in front of the entrance with English on them if you’re unsure where to go. When in doubt, follow the crowds.
- You’ll first enter the courtyard where you are able to walk around and take photos.
- When you’re ready to enter the mosque, you’ll be asked to take off your shoes and put them in plastic bags provided at the entrance.
- Respect the dress code as well which means long pants, covering revealing skin, and head covering for women (available at the entrance for free).
- When you are inside, remain quiet and don’t use flash photography.
- At the exit, you can put the used plastic bags in designated bins and return head covers to staff.
Tips:
- Since everyone has to take their shoes before going in, you’ll notice quite quickly that there is a bit of strong odour. Just a heads up!
Continue walking around the Hippodrome area and make your way to Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici).
This large subterranean cistern built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. Apart from being the location of the James Bond film, From Russia with Love and being in Dan Brown’s Inferno, the cistern is highlighted by its forest of 336 marble columns and the famed Medusa column bases.
Since the Byzantines were Christians, they recycled materials from pagan temples as part of their architecture.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Sultan Ahmet, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Hours: 9:00AM – 6.30PM everyday except for the first day of religious holidays when it opens at 1:00PM. During low season (November to March), they close at 5:30PM.
Price: 30 TRY
Website: Basilica Cistern
FAQ:
- Is there a way to skip the line? The cistern isn’t part of the Istanbul Museum Pass so the best way to skip the line is through a guided tour experience which is highly recommended.
- How much time should you plan at the cistern? 1 hour to be able to walk through all areas and read the signs.
- Do you need a tour guide? It’s not absolutely necessary but if you want to learn all the fine details and hidden secrets of the mosque, you should look into a guided tour.
Tips:
- Credit card is not accepted.
It’ll be a long day up until this point so if your hotel is nearby, it might be a good idea to head back for a break or if you arrived in Istanbul early, check-in and move your luggage from the storage to your room.
When you’re ready, ask your hotel to call a taxi or call an Uber to Suleymaniye Mosque. If you’re curious about our disastrous taxi experience, jump down to our story.
The magnificent Suleymaniye Mosque is easy to overlook but a must-see in Istanbul. Located on the third of seven hill that tower from the Golden Horn of Istanbul, this was commissioned by Süleyman the Magnificent and built by Mimar Sinan, the most talented and famous of all imperial architects.
If you have time, you can visit the inside of the mosque but if you’re short on time, walk around its exterior. Combine this with the gorgeous lookout view of the Golden Horn and Asia side of the city as the lights start turning on.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Süleymaniye Mah, Prof. Sıddık Sami Onar Cd. No:1, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Hours: The mosque is open all year round between 9:00AM – 6:00PM but is closed during prayer time.
Price: Free
Website: Suleymaniye Mosque
Visiting procedure:
- The procedure is very similar to the Blue Mosque.
After a packed day, you deserve a bit of pampering which is why you’ll be headed to the Suleymaniye Hamami next.
Built by the same architect as the mosque, this Turkish bathhouse opened in 1557 and truly a unique spa-type of experience that you have to try when you’re in Istanbul.
A Turkish bath or hamam in a historic place such as this consists of a hot room, a washing/peeling/soap massage, followed by cooling off room.
The reason why we chose this hammam is because it’s one of the few that allows couples to go in together.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Süleymaniye, Mimar Sinan Cd. No 20, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Hours: 10:00AM – 10:00PM everyday. If you prefer, they also have ladies only times Sunday 7AM – 9AM or mens only on all other days 7AM – 9AM.
Price: 40 EUR (you can pay in TRY, EUR, or USD)
Website: Suleymaniye Hamami
FAQ:
- Do you need to book in advance? Yes, you have to book ahead. oftime
- Do you need to bring your own swim suit? No, they will provide everything for men and women including slippers.
- Are lockers provided? Yes, the change rooms upstairs also double as a lockable room where you can keep your bags and clothes.
- Can you take pictures? You can take pictures in the waiting area but not in the washing areas.
- How long does the experience take? It takes 60-90 minutes.
- Are there hair dryers? Yes, they are provided for free.
- Are kids allowed? You can bring kids to the building but the experience is only available for kids older than 6.
Tips:
- Cash only.
- All masseuses are male so keep that in mind if you’re not comfortable with this.
- Last bookable slot is 8PM.
Call an Uber and close out your night with dinner at Gulhane Sark Sofrasi. The owners here are extremely friendly and serve delicious Turkish dishes. You’ll also receive complimentary Turkish tea, baklava, and local liquor.
Day 1 Summary
What you’ll see:
- Hagia Sophia
- Topkapi Palace Museum (Seraglio)
- Sultan Ahmet Square (Hippodrome)
- Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet)
- Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici)
- Suleymaniye Mosque
What you’ll do:
Where you’ll eat:
- Breakfast – Modern Sultan Hotel – Buffet breakfast
- Lunch – Skipped – It ended up being a busy day so we just snacked on food we had with us. (Seven Hills Restaurant or Sultanahmet Koftecisi recommended)
- Dinner – Gulhane Sark Sofrasi – Traditional Turkish restaurant known for its Pottery Kebab for two and lamb.
Day 2 – Bazaar and the walk to Asia
You spent the first day getting a grasp of Istanbul’s past with its magnificent history of empires, monumental architecture, religion, and culture through the hamam experience.
On your second day, you’ll see more of what modern day Istanbul looks like while also venturing over to the other side.
Finish the buffet breakfast at your hotel and walk to the bustling sights and sounds of the Grand Bazaar. This legendary covered market is one of the oldest in the world with 4000 stalls spanning 61 streets.
Once you enter inside, you’ll be navigating a maze of alleys that will take you on a journey into its history with plaques placed around the bazaar, its culture with its fabrics, carpets, lanterns, soaps, and jewelry, and finally the taste of Turkey with numerous tea shops and shops with wall-to-wall Turkish delight.
Don’t fret if you can’t see it all but have fun roaming around the various corners of the market and negotiating your way into souvenirs you can bring home.
Personally, you’ll find that it does get pretty touristy here but just remember you’re more here to soak in the sights, smells, and sounds. We found that hamam soap bars and Turkish delight were great buys here.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Beyazıt, Kalpakçılar Cd. No:22, 34126 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Hours: 9:00AM – 7:00PM. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and Turkish public holidays.
Tips:
- Remember that the Bazaar is closed on Sundays so plan your itinerary around this.
- There are 22 entrances to the Bazaar in total so there are many ways in and out. To keep things simple though, it is recommended that you enter through Nuruosmaniye Gate and exit through Beyazıt Gate.
- Always bargain for the best price and don’t settle on the initially offered price.
- Vendors may offer tea. It is okay to offer as it is not a scam. If you can’t decide on a deal, you can simply leave.
- For specific recommendations on Turkish Delight shops, honestly many of them are the same and we didn’t have time to compare prices so we just picked one that seemed friendly and had someone that spoke good English.
When you’ve had enough of the Grand Bazaar, make your way out of one of the exits and ideally you have GPS on your phone (with offline Google Maps) to guide you towards Misir Carsisi which is a spice market.
Along the way, you’ll navigate through many shopping streets including ones that specialize in things like buttons, children’s clothes, wedding dresses, and more. There’s no right or wrong way to walk through the neighbourhood.
At one point we were so hungry that we went into shawarma shop named Zumrut Bufe so don’t be afraid to drop by any local street-side restaurant.
Misir Carsisi was built in the 17th century and while it is not as large as the bazaar you were just in, it’ll feel much more organized and comfortable to shop. Walk down the main thoroughfare and pop out the other side.
The water will be beckoning for you to cross over but before you do, make sure you grab lunch at Deniz Yildizi Balicki, one of the many stalls that line the pier.
You might not know what you’re ordering but point to the fish sandwich and get that. It’s called Balik Ekmek and stuffed in a baguette are onions, lettuce, and freshly grilled fish.
Cross Galata Bridge and this is where you can brag somewhere midway that half of you is in Europe and the other half is in Asia. The bridge also has remarkable views of the hill with yesterday’s Suleymaniye Mosque proudly standing out.
Once you’re over the bridge, you’ll be in the Karakoy neighbourhood. Make your way to Karaköy Güllüoğlu, the masters of baklava.
Since 1949, the Gulluoglu family has been serving dessert in Istanbul in their Karakoy location. It’s got an authentic old-time cafe feel to it and is always packed.
When you arrive, there aren’t really any instructions and will seem chaotic but this is how it works. Grab an English menu from the dine-in cashier and then point to what you want and pay. The cashier will print a receipt for you. You will then take a tray and head over to the displays of baklava. Pass the receipt to them and they’ll assemble your order.
I recommend getting the slice of pistachio baklava along with tea to balance out the sweetness overload. We tried a few other types of baklava as well but ultimately it was a slice of the Palace Baklava with pistachio that was the best.
Note that you might find other offshoots with the name Gulluoglu but this one in Karakoy is the original one and they do not have any other branches.
The rest of the afternoon will be an opportunity to stroll around the neighbourhood including a visit to Taksim Square, walking along the modern shopping street of Istiklal Caddesi, before ending off near Galata Tower. You can take an Uber to Taksim Square or you can walk.
You probably won’t be able to go up the tower but you’ll have lots to see around there as there are quite a number of boutique shops and interesting souvenirs nearby.
Grab an Uber and have dinner at Old Ottoman Cafe and Restaurant closer to your hotel. The menu will be similar to the previous night but expect to be blown away by their hospitality and their specialty dishes such as Sultan’s Chicken and the Ottoman Special.
If you end up having some extra time before your flight or next destination on the third day, I recommend that you try Hafiz Mustafa for a taste of another highly rated baklava cafe.
Day 2 Summary
What you’ll see:
- Grand Bazaar
- Misir Çarsisi (Spice Bazaar)
- Galata Bridge
- Taksim Square
- Istiklal Caddesi street
- Galata Tower
Where you’ll eat:
- Breakfast – Modern Sultan Hotel – Buffet breakfast
- Lunch – Zumrut Bufe – Local schwarma shop between the Grand Bazaar and Misir Carsisi
- Lunch – Deniz Yildizi Balikci – Fish sandwiches along the Bosphorus that make a great lunch stop.
- Dessert – Karaköy Güllüoğlu – Authentic Turkish cafe experience with amazing baklava.
- Dinner – Old Ottoman Cafe and Restaurant – Traditional Turkish restaurant with great service and delicious dishes.
Optional add-ons to the itinerary
Istanbul is a city that spans 5,343 square kilometers (2,063 sq mi) and as the capital of the old Ottoman Empire, there’s just so much to see.
2 days gives you barely enough time to scratch the surface but if you’re looking to swap a few things in and out, here are a few other things I’d recommend.
Places to go
- Hafiz Mustafa – If you love dessert, see where you can fit in a visit to this franchised cafe. This is more of a refined experienced compared to Karakoy Gulluoglu but just as delicious.
- Dolmabahce Palace – A 19th century palace built by the Ottomans and has a great view of the Bosphorus Strait.
- Gulhane Park – Topkapi Palace is located on the park’s grounds but often missed. It’s a large park and a great place to relax.
- Serefiye Sarnici (ancient cistern) – Similar to the Basilica Cistern but way less known. It’s free and truly an impressive feat of Roman engineering
- Ural Ataman Classic Car Museum – If you’re a fan of classic cars, this is a must-see.
- Bosphorus Strait – This is one of the best ways to see the scope of Istanbul and to do it on a boat ride. You’ll get to see both continents and the many villas and palaces that dot the way.
Activities to book
Here are a couple activities that you should think about booking ahead of time to spice up your vacation plans.
Small-group Istanbul 1 day tour – This is a full day 8 hour tour to visit the best of the city with visits to Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Istanbul Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern, and Grand Bazaar. A 3-course lunch is also included.
Private tour of Istanbul – If instead you’d prefer a private tour, you can book a custom tour that starts at $125 USD. 1, 2, or 3 days are possible.
Big Bus hop on hop off – The classic hop on and hop off bus in Istanbul that will allow you to see a lot in a short span of time.
Dinner cruise on the Bosphorus – Combine dinner with a cruise in this 4 hour tour in the evening that also includes dance, and music. Oh and did I mention it’s open bar?
Sunset cruise on yacht – For a luxury experience on a yacht, this is an awesome way to experience sunset in Istanbul.
Whirling Dervish Ceremony – This is a skip-the-line ticket to see a Whirling Dervish ceremony at the HodjaPasha Culture Center.
Home-cooked dinner with local family – Visit a family in Sultanahmet for a delicious authentic meal.
Where to stay in Istanbul
Location is key when it comes to finding a place to stay in Istanbul. Understanding what your 2 day itinerary looks like, you want to make sure you’re close to Hagia Sophia and Tokapi Palace.
All the properties chosen here have Genius discounts so if you already have level 1 or 2, you can take advantage of the additional discounts.
BUDGET
Miss Istanbul Hotel & Spa
Adjacent to the Istanbul Archeological Museum, this hotel is packed with features despite being extremely affordable. It has an outdoor swimming pool, spa, wellness centre, and free breakfast. Rooms are clean, have strong wifi, and are very modern. You can’t go wrong.
GREAT LOCATION
Modern Sultan Hotel
We stayed at this hotel for its price and convenient distance to all the main sights in the city. The buffet breakfast is delicious, the rooms cozy and clean, and the wifi was strong. Just note that there are no elevators.
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel
They roll out the red carpet for you here as an upscale hotel that goes as far as offering free 5 o’clock tea, and live music. The property also has spa facilities, restaurant, fitness center, and pool. Free buffet breakfast is offered.
DESIGN LUXURY
Sura Design Hotel & Suites
Next door to its sister property is this luxury hotel that goes even further with its opulent design and amenities. The outdoor pool has a view of the Hagia Sophia, and all rooms have motifs inspired by the Ottoman Empire. Breakfast is also included here.
Both Sura properties have unbeatable locations.
Quick Istanbul travel guide
If this is your first time to Turkey, there are definitely some things you should know before you go. I won’t cover everything here but this is a quick-start guide to give you the important details.
Money – The local currency in Turkey is the Lira or TRY. Since this is a currency you most likely won’t have, you should ideally have this exchanged ahead of time at home or do a conversion at the airport. While the rates might be a tad higher, the airport is recommended since the chances of getting ripped off is lower. Be vigilant. When it comes to tipping, the customary amount is 5-10%. For taxis, simply round up.
When is the best time? – Factoring the crowds and the weather, the best time to visit Istanbul has to be March – May and September – November which are essentially shoulder seasons, hotel rates settle down, and daytime temperatures are between the 15 to 20 degrees C (60s to 70s F).
Getting here – Istanbul Airport (IST) is the international airport and located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city. It is brand new as of April 6, 2019 when all flights were transferred to here. The drive into the city is roughly 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. As a major hub, you have flights coming in from every corner of the world so it should not be difficult to find ways to get here. The national carrier is Turkish Airlines but other airlines such as Pegasus Airlines.
How do I get around? – The beauty about Istanbul is that you can get to all of the main attractions on foot and this is the best way to absorb the sights and sounds. There’s an Istanbul Metro with subway and tram but it’s unlikely you’ll need it. In a pinch, I’d recommend using Uber. Avoid hailing a cab at all costs.
Where should I stay? – I’ve listed all of the recommended accommodations above but in general when it comes to where to stay in Istanbul, Booking.com is going to be your best bet to find something that fits your budget.
Do I need travel insurance? – As always, travel insurance is highly recommended. My philosophy is that you want to make sure you’re covered in case the unknown happens. With the amount of travel that I do, I always get basic travel insurance that’s good for multiple trips and lasts the full year. If you’re from Canada, I always check RATESDOTCA to make sure I get the best rates. If you’re anywhere else in the world including the US, make sure to check out World Nomads.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, e-Visas are required for North Americans but there are many exemptions for many other countries. If you need a visa, they can be obtained beforehand. It is cheaper to get an e-Visa online than it is in-person. For Canadians it’s $60 USD. For US citizens, it’s $50 USD. Apply here. Visa on arrival is also possible and is $10 USD more.
Bus H-2 runs from the Istanbul Airport to Şişli-Mecidiyeköy metro station is the most economical method costing 5.20 TRY with an Istanbul Kart (purchase at the airport for a 10 TL fee and then load with money and note that you can use the card between several people). The journey time is 35 minutes. Once you get to the metro station, take line M2 to Taksim and Sultanahmet for 2.60 TRY.
The most convenient way into the city is by taking a private transfer.
No, it is not recommended to rent a car. If you do as part of a larger road trip, make sure to check out the car rental coupon codes to get the best deal.
200 TRY (30 EUR / 26 GBP / 34 USD) and will take from 45 – 60 minutes.
The best time to go to Istanbul is March-May and September-November.
1) Make sure you track the taxi’s driving to make sure you’re not making unnecessary loops.
2) Ensure the driver is dropping you off at the actual location you requested
3) When paying, count out the bills you’re paying with and know in your mind how much change to expect back.
When booking your hotel, ask them whether it’s possible to leave your luggage. Most will have a storage location.
Our taxi story
Normally I don’t write about every single negative travel experience but this one is one that I think will serve as a good warning for anyone going to Istanbul.
First of all, I don’t want to generalize all cab drivers in Istanbul so take this for a grain of salt but just know that stories like this are real. I for one was surprised that this happened to us.
This happened on our first day in Istanbul. We had just checked into our room at the Modern Sultan Hotel and asked the hotel to call a taxi for us to take us to Suleymaniye Mosque.
I had my data activated through my Skyroam hotspot so I was following the route he was taking. I noticed that he was going a long way around but I couldn’t question it.
Abruptly, we were supposedly at our drop-off point. Not familiar with the area, I was a bit confused because it looked like we weren’t at the mosque.
At this point the cab driver was asking us to pay. We scrambled with our cash.
I can’t remember the exact amount but let’s say its 15 TRY and we hand him a 50 TRY note. Out of sight, he switches the note with a 5 TRY. He then shows it back to you and waits for us to hand him the remaining 10 TRY he’s expecting.
I was pretty confident that we didn’t mess up the bills but in the chaos the doubt is seeded. Still, I wasn’t going to fall for this scam and told him there was no way we gave him less.
Yelling ensued and I refused to give him any more. He had given us the reduced bills back to us at this point. While I knew we had still overpaid, I just threw it back to him and got out of the car.
When we got out the car and looked at the map more closely, it looked like we were nowhere close to the mosque. We had to walk another. 15minutes just to get to where we wanted to be.
It was a frustrating experience to the least where not only did the driver tried to pull off a major scam but he also managed to take us nowhere close to the destination. I’m also pretty sure he took a less efficient route to bring the meter up.
Lesson learned and that’s why I vowed to use Uber for the remainder of our trip where something like this could never happen.
The Istanbul itinerary experience
You have to remember that at this point we had done safari in Kruger National Park, shark diving, chilled in Cape Town, and lived it up in Seychelles. By the time we got to Istanbul, we were exhausted.
We weren’t going to let a little fatigue slow us down though as we were determined to make the most of the opportunity and we were mightily impressed with what we saw.
On the flip side, Istanbul was one of those travel experiences where it’s also hard to shake off the negative experience we had with the taxi. Taking a step back though, it honestly wasn’t as bad as what happened to us in Athens.
Istanbul in 48 hours gave us a taste of what Turkey is like and I’d love to go back to explore other parts of the country while eating a ton of baklava along the way.
2 days in Istanbul is a whirlwind but you’ll feel pretty good about seeing all of the major highlights. If anything, it’ll leave you feeling satisfied but also wanting to come back for more in the future.
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