Istanbul

[Hampden Diehard]

Staying there a few days on the way to the Armenia game. Has the metro to the airport been finished? I've heard the bus into the city can be held up in traffic. If not, what's the best bet to get to the centre and, other than the obvious ones, what's worth seeing? Thanks.

[Eednud]

3 hours ago, Hampden Diehard said:

Staying there a few days on the way to the Armenia game. Has the metro to the airport been finished? I've heard the bus into the city can be held up in traffic. If not, what's the best bet to get to the centre and, other than the obvious ones, what's worth seeing? Thanks.

Not been since 80’s buy some grilled fish from street sellers near ferry terminal, get a ferry across the Asian side, the one to Anadolu Kavagi takes you under the bridges and is near the Black Sea but takes a bit longer if time is limited. enjoy as much of the local food as you can.

Edited May 29, 2022 by Eednud

[101]

I'm thinking of having a week here in the summer, is most of the must see stuff central and walkable?

Hoping to leave the city for one day if anyone has any recommendations

[tarapoa]

Was there in 2019 - flew into the airport on the Asian side from Amsterdam and out to Athens from the big new airport. It was cabs both times so alas not too clued up on the metro. Both times it was about £30/£40 equivalent.

Great city though and would love to go back - stayed the first night in the Golden Triangle area, then three nights in Ciragan Palace on the Bosphorus (just up from the Besiktas stadium) - so much to see even from the balcony of our hotel room including the huge mosque, bridge and all the boats whether they were supertankers, grand yachts, cruise ships or party boats.

Enjoy Türkiye, which is apparently the name of the country in English as well now.