237: Istanbul, Türkiye Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

Vacation Mavens Travel Podcast

Kim and Tamara recently visited Istanbul, Türkiye for the first time to attend the SATW (Society of American Travel Writers) Annual Conference. In this episode, they share their insights and tips for others planning a trip to Istanbul including where to stay, top sights to visit, safety, and other travel tips.

Show Highlights:

• Turkish Airlines has a lot of direct flights from the USA (including Boston and Seattle)
• Turkish Airlines business class varies depending on what plane you are on and you need to be strategic about choosing your seat
• It takes about an hour to get from the airport to the city center and there is a lot of traffic in Istanbul. Tamara used Welcome Pickups and Kim used Sun Transfers for private transfers, which were both affordable and possibly cheaper than taxis.
• It is best to stay in the Sultanahmet neighborhood for first time visitors near the main attraction, Kim also stayed in the Galata Tower area but it is very hilly and hard to access for cabs.
• Tamara stayed at the Hagia Sofia Mansions Hotel (a Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel) and Kim stayed at the White House boutique hotel.
• They also stayed at the Conrad Hilton during the convention but wouldn't recommend that area unless you are about to get on or off a cruise.
• You can ask Google Maps for an accessible route to avoid hills.
• Kim and Tamara really enjoyed taking a small group tour of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. You can do it on your own but the guide takes care of getting the tickets and plan it so you don't need to figure out what time the mosques are open for visitors.
• You need to cover your hair when you enter a mosque and take off your shoes so it is helpful to wear slip off shoes and socks.
• In the Hagia Sofia, visitors can only go to the second level and look down at the main prayer area. You can also see the gold mosaics and Christian imagery from when it was a church.
• The Basilica Cistern is also nearby and it is very popular with very long lines. We would recommend that you buy skip the line tickets online in advance. Tamara took a guided tour but it was hard to stay together in the crowd and you need to use a listening device to hear the guide.
• The Sulimaniye Mosque, near the Spice Market, is also well worth a visit for its gorgeous architecture. It is equal or even better than the Blue Mosque.
• The Rustem Pasha Mosque is also beautiful, but smaller.
• The Spice Market, also known at the Egyptian Market, has tons of shops selling tea and spices. Just beware that they sell via the kilo and that is a huge amount so you need to request a much smaller amount unless you want to spend an arm and a leg. The sales guys are very good at upselling and aggressive about engaging you to get you into the shop. They also offer free samples.
• See Tamara's tips on visiting to Istanbul as a solo female traveler: https://yourtimetofly.com/istanbul-solo-female-travel/
• The Grand Bazaar is largely gold jewelry and knock off designer goods with just a few more authentic shops with Turkish linens or carpets.
• Make sure you try simit in the morning, baklava, Turkish Delight, and Turkish coffee and tea. There are some shops or tours that include someone who "reads" your tea leaves or coffee grounds.
• Turkish cuisine is very beef and lamb centric. A braised beef and eggplant is a popular dish.
• Let the restaurant bring different types of mezze, as many of these are delicious and things you might not have tried if you picked yourself.
• Gozleme is a flatbread topped with cheese or cheese and spinach.
• Credit cards are widely used but you should bring cash (or get cash from an ATM) for taxis and you will be able to spend less if you pay in cash when you go shopping.
• Be prepared to tip.
• Make sure the taxi starts the meter and know ahead of time about how much it should cost. And if you use Uber, don't let them tell you that they don't pay via the app.
• The tram is an easy way to get around and there is a kiosk to purchase tickets with an English option.