50
votes
Accepted
Recognize a place in Istanbul from an old (1890-1900) postcard
I'm not that familiar with Istanbul but this appears to be a navy building:
Old photo here from a similar angle.
Location on Google maps
Photo pre-renovation
Modern view:
- 1,491
30
votes
Accepted
Where in Istanbul is this dome people are standing on with views across the city?
Local here.
This place is called Büyük Valide Han. It's located in Mahmutpaşa, Fatih. Its roof has an amazing view. A lot of people want to take a selfie or jumping photos on the roof (thanks ...
- 1,591
12
votes
Accepted
How can I use cellular phone in Istanbul airport?
Cheapest
Connect to free wifi in Istanbul airport. You may have to approach a kiosk to connect to Wifi. It is only free for one hour. Use wisely.
Expensive
Enable International roaming for both and ...
- 17.1k
12
votes
Accepted
Late night flights from Istanbul
I took a Turkish Airlines flight that departed from Istanbul to South-East Asia past 1 AM last year. It was fine: it's a large, busy airport that's open 24 hours and has many flights in the middle of ...
- 99.2k
12
votes
Can someone who isn't flying meet me at my gate for a layover at Istanbul airport?
One way tickets from Istanbul for dates in June (as an example) are as little as 30 euros (Izmir, Bodrum, Ankara to name but three). Sofia is 5 euros more expensive.
Your friend could buy a cheap ...
- 24.9k
11
votes
Train connection from Istanbul to Sofia?
I used Bahn.de to search for train journeys between Istanbul and Sofia.
Starting in Istanbul there is a direct connection to Sofia. It leaves daily at 22:00 and arrives in Sofia at 9:10. The journey ...
- 4,039
10
votes
Accepted
Train connection from Istanbul to Sofia?
An express bus operated by the Turkish railways connects the Sirkeci station of Istanbul to the Turkish railway border checkpoint at Kapikule - besides this, a Turkish train runs from the Istanbul ...
- 80.5k
10
votes
Accepted
Identify location of this Dondurma (Turkish Ice Cream) shop
Looks like it is on Istiklal Avenue, one of Istanbul's most famous streets that starts from Taksim Square and goes towards the Galata tower. The exact place seems to be in front of a restaurant called ...
- 2,446
8
votes
Transit hotel and visa at Istanbul
Turkish Airlines will provide a complimentary hotel if:
You are an economy class passenger and the transit is more than 10 hours.
OR you are a business class passenger and the transit is more than 7 ...
- 4,533
8
votes
Does a Filipino flying from Vietnam to Brazil need a visa or transit visa to layover in Istanbul or Doha Qatar?
No, you do not need a transit visa for either country. This assumes you have connecting flights on a single ticket from the same airport (Istanbul has three) and you don't need to recheck bags etc.
...
- 99.2k
8
votes
Accepted
Travel with luggage via metro or bus from SAW Airport Istanbul to European side of Istanbul
Whilst it is possible to make that trip using some combination of Metro/Public Bus/Ferry, the best option is instead to catch one of the airport buses run by either Havabus or Havaist. These leave ...
- 124k
8
votes
Can someone who isn't flying meet me at my gate for a layover at Istanbul airport?
It will be cheaper, easier and less risky for both you and your friend, if you get a visa. But check if you even need one.
It is suspicious to enter an airport terminal without taking a flight, and ...
- 251
7
votes
Accepted
Do I need to clear immigration for a layover in IST?
The short answer is no you don't have to go through immigration.
Considering that you will be travelling on a single ticket and your transit duration is less than 24 hours the following would apply
...
- 4,533
7
votes
Accepted
Buy Lonely Planet guides in Istanbul
D&R Bookstores are located throughout Istanbul, and they generally stock Lonely Planet books in English - at least for the Istanbul and Turkey books.
They also have stores at the airport (airside)...
- 124k
7
votes
Accepted
How can I find a big pharmacy in Istanbul?
In the end I was able to find what I'm looking for by traveling to a pharmacy in one of the big shopping malls (Emaar Square Mall), which had a section with food supplements that I was looking for. I ...
- 81.6k
6
votes
Where in Istanbul is this dome people are standing on with views across the city?
I believe they were taken at around 41.014138, 28.968943 (if you zoom right in, you can just make out the lumps they are standing on). There is also a photo sphere at this location with a view that ...
- 8,144
6
votes
Accepted
Istanbul Layover: Guided Tour or Wander by self?
Be careful about Turkish airline hotel stay. I traveled multiple times through Turkish airlines, twice unable to get an accommodation at Ataturk airport. On both airport stay, I stayed more than 10 ...
- 11.8k
6
votes
Can photographs be taken in Istanbul as of August/September 2016?
Local here.
I'm not sure you already visited here or not since you said "one of the next weeks", but I will drop my two cent.
NicolasZ's answer is quite accurate. If there is no "publication ban" (...
- 1,591
5
votes
What are Android and/or iOS apps for public transit directions in Istanbul, Turkey?
Google Maps supports public transport since one year in İstanbul and you can use Citymapper app for detailed options. Citymapper is providing better results and have better interface from Trafi.
5
votes
How do I prove that I arrived at Istanbul airport in time for boarding?
By documenting the evidence at the time it exists. If they don't let you board, insist that they give you something in writing. If they refuse, make a short video that documents their refusal as well ...
- 1,849
5
votes
Layover in Istanbul
If both of your flights are on the same reservation, a flight delay is the airline's responsibility. If you choose the first option and miss the flight, Turkish will rebook you on the second flight. ...
- 140k
5
votes
Accepted
When visiting Istanbul, is pre-booking city tours from known web sites better than on arrival?
I am one of the pre-booking type of guys, I plan for any trips months in advance and book everything long before embarking on a trip.
But, in Istanbul, You will considerably save much more by booking ...
- 33k
5
votes
Accepted
Can I pay for the Havaist bus with a credit card?
I arrived at the airport on 6 Jan 2020 and got on the Havaist IST-5 bus with my credit card. There‘s a contactless card reader on the bus. There are also some vending machines at the bus parking spot, ...
- 66
5
votes
Is it normal for GetTransfer.com carrier scheduled to taking me from Istanbul airport to ask me for fullname, nationality and passport number?
The law enforces agencies to get your passport id and bunch of other information. #36 of the law describes it.In case of missing information, I think in any control point they will be punished by ...
5
votes
Accepted
Tipping in Istanbul when there's already a service charge
Local here.
In my opinion, if you are %100 sure that one is "service charge", then no, you don't supposed to tip. Because this "service charge" is something paid extra by the ...
- 1,591
4
votes
How do I prove that I arrived at Istanbul airport in time for boarding?
Agree with Peter's answer above. Generally you need the following:
Get the full name and title of the person who refused you boarding (at least to ensure they have the authority to do so).
Ask for ...
- 22.1k
4
votes
Accepted
Is 1 hour and 30 minutes enough time to catch connecting flight in Istanbul Atatürk Airport, Turkey?
If it's in one booking, then the Airline thinks it's enough, and if you miss the connection it's their job to get you on the next flight to Skopje.
- 80.5k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible