Istanbul anyone?

[spoon]

I know the language board would seem a better place to ask, but this place seems more appropriate.

Anyhow, I might be flying over to Istanbul within the next 5 days.
I need some info about the typical weather in this time of year, the amount of cash allowed to the country, the business hub of the city, the optimal place for staying (close range to airport/city centre), the possibility of renting a car, the convinience of ATM machines around the town.

Also, is it possible to find a place to purchase SIM cards in the airport?

[Colpan]

I know the language board would seem a better place to ask, but this place seems more appropriate.

Anyhow, I might be flying over to Istanbul within the next 5 days.
I need some info about the typical weather in this time of year, the amount of cash allowed to the country, the business hub of the city, the optimal place for staying (close range to airport/city centre), the possibility of renting a car, the convinience of ATM machines around the town.

Also, is it possible to find a place to purchase SIM cards in the airport?Sorry, I can't help because I'm from Ankara. Maybe Aybike abla can help you, or Oguz Agabekh.

[MUHLIS]

Sorry for the off topic, just out of curiousity, what the end of that sencational news about your death in a car accident in Dubai? Was it a joke or something?

[Kaptan-i Derya]

I know the language board would seem a better place to ask, but this place seems more appropriate.

Anyhow, I might be flying over to Istanbul within the next 5 days.
I need some info about the typical weather in this time of year, the amount of cash allowed to the country, the business hub of the city, the optimal place for staying (close range to airport/city centre), the possibility of renting a car, the convinience of ATM machines around the town.

Also, is it possible to find a place to purchase SIM cards in the airport? Ive been there few months ago and ill help ya to answer some questions:
-you can rent a car how long you want
-you can buy SIM-cards on airport

And an advice, if you go around with a guy (or a member from here who will lead ya the way) who knows Istanbul very well then you will never forget Istanbul in youre entire life.

Some places you must go; Dolmabahçe saray'i, orta köy (mosq's and old style buildings), simitsaray (place to eat all kinds of simit), nisantasi, eyup sultan, pierre lotti (a restaurant with huge vieuw of Istanbul), taksim, etc etc.

I whas there for 2 weeks and it wasnt enough :(

You can contact with some Turkish members who are in Istanbul, they will be very helpfull, cuz they know the place.

[Uzbekxonim]

I know the language board would seem a better place to ask, but this place seems more appropriate.

Anyhow, I might be flying over to Istanbul within the next 5 days.
I need some info about the typical weather in this time of year, the amount of cash allowed to the country, the business hub of the city, the optimal place for staying (close range to airport/city centre), the possibility of renting a car, the convinience of ATM machines around the town.

Also, is it possible to find a place to purchase SIM cards in the airport?

whenever I went to Istanbul I have never declared the ammount of money I had, as far as I know there's no limitations, they never check it.

there's a 'rent a car' office in Istanbul Ataturk airport, but I think it will be cheaper to rent a car in the city. maybe you'd better buy a tel.card instead of sim, it will be much cheaper (you can buy it in the airport and in the city in little kiosks).

concerning ATM - I prefered to have foreigh currency in cash (USD, Euro) and to exchange it in the town 'cos you never know how much money you will pay for the transfer of money from your bank account to an ATM machine.

good luck, Istanbul is a wonderfull city.

[Kaptan-i Derya]

Ow, the world largest second shopping center has opened in Istanbul few days ago.
source: http://haberturk.com/news/201954.html (Turkish link)

[asena]

I know the language board would seem a better place to ask, but this place seems more appropriate.

Anyhow, I might be flying over to Istanbul within the next 5 days.
I need some info about the typical weather in this time of year, the amount of cash allowed to the country, the business hub of the city, the optimal place for staying (close range to airport/city centre), the possibility of renting a car, the convinience of ATM machines around the town.

Also, is it possible to find a place to purchase SIM cards in the airport?


This period is really cold.
The amount of cash is controlled occasionally,so always declare if you have more then 10000 dollars
The optimal staying is at Bakirkoy(if you wanna be near to airport),in which you may find clean and economical hotels(wc,bath,mini refrigerator included)
About ATM machines,you should give attention to a point.When you insert your card,if it is asking you 5 digits ok,but if 4,then try another thing.There is not a 50 mt without ATM

Never rent a car at airport.Cause the rent of the shops at airport is high,and they get them from the customers.Get the free service to Bakirkoy(bus),and look for rent a car shops there.You can find half prices there.(depends on the car you choose)

But as an alternative,I suggest you taxi.taxi is cheap in Turkey,if you compare to Europe.Also traffic can bore you a lot,if you are not familiar to Istanbul's traffic.

About simcard,i am not sure a lot.Cause for getting a simcard,they want lots of documents.But i am sure your operator is supporting Turkish operators.
I suggest you to use public telephone cards,where you find cabinets at every street.

More questions?

[FREEMAN]

istanbulda manborman lalalal hahaha
pul bersalaring aylantiraman. :D

[spoon]

kenaney, Uzbekhonum, asena, FREEMAN:

Thanks for help guys.
These are more practical first hand advices you can get rather than from a lazy travel agent. :)

[spoon]

The flight is booked for 27th of Oct which is after tomorrow. Would be staying in "Best Western - The President Hotel" which is within a couple hundred meters from Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
Anyone currently hanging around in Istanbul is bloody darn welcome to jump into a meeting with me. Actually it would be interesting to see some forum members from TR.
I know JoJ and Choyhonachi are in TR for sure.


Have a nice day. :)

-sp

[WebMonster]

The flight is booked for 27th of Oct which is after tomorrow. Would be staying in "Best Western - The President Hotel" which is within a couple hundred meters from Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
Anyone currently hanging around in Istanbul is bloody darn welcome to jump into a meeting with me. Actually it would be interesting to see some forum members from TR.
I know JoJ and Choyhonachi are in TR for sure.


Have a nice day. :)

-sp
Weather Forecast for Istanbul (Updates every hour)

http://www.meteor.gov.tr/2003/iller/link/simdi/istanbul.aspx

[asena]

The flight is booked for 27th of Oct which is after tomorrow. Would be staying in "Best Western - The President Hotel" which is within a couple hundred meters from Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
Anyone currently hanging around in Istanbul is bloody darn welcome to jump into a meeting with me. Actually it would be interesting to see some forum members from TR.
I know JoJ and Choyhonachi are in TR for sure.


Have a nice day. :)

-sp

just saw your message
i wish u r having a good time
the location of yr hotel is explendid!
i wish i was in Turkey nowadays.