A layover in Istanbul- what now?

A layover in Istanbul- what now?

Many flights to somewhere in Europe, especially with Turkish airlines, will end up in you having a long layover in Istanbul; so here’s what to do…

Layovers = opportunity

When I booked my flight to France, I booked with Turkish airlines because the 16-hour layover struck me as an opportunity to see another place. I mean why not? It’s on the way. I encourage anyone and everyone to take long layover if they’re not on a tight schedule because it’s an amazing way to see places you never thought of so let’s go!

What about a visa?

Turkey is actually a visa-free country, if you have a passport from one of these countries linked below. What this means is you can go through customs without a visa, and also enter the airport again with no trouble. If needed, explain you have a long layover and there should be no issues.

• List of countries that have visa-free access (condensed blog): Turkish Passport Visa Free Countries List 2022 (guideconsultants.com)
• List of countries that have visa-free access (official website- Republic of Türkiye): Visa Information For Foreigners / Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mfa.gov.tr)
• Cost of visa if needed ((official website- the Republic of Türkiye): vize-harc-miktarlari-en.pdf (mfa.gov.tr)

I’m not sure about the time constraints, but technically I should have needed a visa, but I was told since I would be there for less than 24 hours it wasn’t required. This is what an officer told me however, I do not know the extent or source of that information. I had no issues as an American citizen, I cannot say this is consistent.

Where to stay-

• I stayed at the Istanbul Airport Express Plus Hotel. I wouldn’t recommend or not recommend this place. The location was definitely not the best, but it was close to the airport. I’s 35-50 dollars a night, I got it for 51 USD after taxes and fees on Expedia (not sponsored or endorsed). At the same time, the area around the airport is not the best. I also didn’t sleep because I’m paranoid of missing my flight so I can’t tell you how the sleeping conditions were. I can say it was very loud outside of my window until it got late. It worked for me; it might not work for you. The staff were really accommodating, called my taxis, and knew enough English to help me (they were very patient). That aspect I felt safe or at least they didn’t seem that they could scam me/power over me. The closet had lots of room for my carry-on items, but I wasn’t a fan of the steps in the room (not very handicap friendly).

• The Yotel in the airport was my second choice but I decided to be a bit cheap. I’ve heard good things about it from others on Tik Tok if you want the convenience of that, the downside it’s further from Istanbul’s main attractions (more on that below).
• Also, if you book with Turkish airlines, they do assist in accommodation. You can go to their desk when you land in Istanbul. The reason I did not pick this option is because the website and customer service line cannot guarantee or estimate how much this option would cost. It could cost nothing, but again, you would find out only when you arrive. I didn’t want to take that risk, but if you rather here is more information.

Transportation

• Before you go, go to your local mall, currency exchange, whatever close to you and GET TURKISH LIRA!! I cannot stress this enough it will SAVE you SO MUCH TIME. The last thing you want to do is get off the plane and start searching for where to exchange money and then paying some high fee or getting trapped in a tourist scam.
• At my local mall in the US it didn’t cost me to exchange. I would bring around 40 USD or 747 TRY (lira). They do take euros too (not always) so I got both, but I went to France after, so it was ok for me to have both Euros and Lira.
• WARNING, avoid these taxi services that you pass as you leave the airport. They’ll try to rope you in and overcharge you because many people see it as convenience. Yet, what they do is capitalize on the fact you have more room to spend coming from places like the US, Canada, etc and before you know it you’ll have empty pockets. They call on random people passing, just keep your eyes forward and don’t say anything.

• It was about 10-15 EUR or 200-300 TRY to get from the airport to my hotel. The taxis are right outside of the airport. There are blue and yellow ones, but the maps and information are in English too so read before you get in the fast-moving lines. Word of advice, they have meters in the taxis, and some don’t. A lot of the times they’ll take what you give them, they might set the amount, or you can set a standard.
• Be careful, now don’t take advantage of this but also don’t overpay. It’s a careful strategy because you don’t want to get kidnapped but also don’t want to overpay. Lira is a weak currency so take advantage of that to AN EXTENT.
• Uber does work here but taxis are faster to get!

Language barrier and people

• This was my first time in another country alone. I will say it was super easy to navigate with a translator app. The people, even men, were very patient and helpful. I never felt rude or overbearing. They tried to understand me like I did them (France, my next stop, was definitely far from that). I interacted with mostly men (hotel workers and taxi drivers) and I never felt unsafe. I can’t say this is for everyone but the area around Istanbul feels very communal and safe to me. There was a sense of mutual respect.

What to do-

You’re in Istanbul so obviously I’m going to tell you the Blue Mosque and The Hagia Sophia. It’s about 45 minutes to an hour away from the airport so make sure you take account you might want to go check into your hotel and set your stuff down before you go. I wanted to freshen up before I went but if you’re up to going straight from the airport or don’t have anything to carry go on ahead. Keep in mind you need to dress modestly. Some people may not know this but The Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Arasta Bazaar, Mausoleum of Sultan Ahmed I, and Topkapı Palace Museum (to name a few) are all in Sultanahmet Park. It’s a fenced off and all of these monuments are encompassed in it. It has its own security, so I consider it a very safe way to see all of these monuments! They’re within eyesight of each other so wonder around and explore it all! When I went in August of 2022 the Blue Mosque was closed to non-Muslims (for renovation) but there was no date advertised for reopening. Regardless, I felt like I was thrown back in time galivanting around, taking pictures and when I saw the Hagia Sophia for the first time I was stunned. I have never seen such grand multi-cultural architecture. I’ll insert a quick video below of its rich history.

So now you know the background, let’s go to the present! You must wear a hijab to enter, if you don’t have one you can purchase one after going through security for 5-15 lira (27 cents-1.3 USD) depending on if you want the hijab or more pieces. Once you enter, you’ll have to take your shoes off and there are designated lockers but there’s no locks. It’s more for organization and preventing clutter than security. Remember, this is a religious place and people treat it as such. Please be respectful as yes, it is a tourist attraction, monument, and more, it is still an active mosque. Many people travel there to pray, so be silent and respectful. I don’t recommend bringing young kids here.

Also, there a lot of nice shopping opportunities within the park and also in the surrounding area. Now with 16 hours, I didn’t have much time because things were closing so of course I prioritized the Hagia Sophia. Don’t try to cram too much in, IT’S OKAY to not see everything. Pick on thing you have always wanted to see or the one that attracts you the most and plan around that. I loved seeing the Hagia Sophia and the architecture elements from both Chrisitan, Orthodox, Catholic churches and Muslim mosques.

You must walk around the perimeter when you reluctantly leave the inside. There’s a few hidden treasures like this one ;).

Walking around Sultanahmet Park

Furry friends

You might see animals like cats and dogs laying around Sultanahmet Park, but don’t worry. In Turkey, street animals are well taken care of by local restaurants and community. They often wonder around or lay down to nap, but there by no means dangerous.

Shopping

Another thing to do within Sultanahmet Park is a bit of shopping. There’s a lot in Istanbul, but again, we’re on a time constraint. However, this is on the way out. You’ll pass by them on the way in but save it until you’ve seen what you want and the main attractions. It’s super cheap using the USD that I was baffled and didn’t spend as much as I wanted to because I kept second guessing myself. I spent 14 CENTS (in USD) on this embroidered purse and a bracelet I got for my friend.

What to eat-

I will list a few recommendations from friends and fellow travelers, but I can’t say these are from my personal experience. I was unlucky to be struck with some-type of stomach disease as soon as I got off the plane.

1. Something upscale: Matbah Ottoman Palace Cuisine
2. Midrange: Mihri Restaurant
3. Cheap– Street food (always my favorite): there isn’t one location, but I would look for pide (Turkish flatbread), Doner and Tavuk doner (kebabs), and Elmek.

NOT SPONSORED OR ENDORSED!!

Leaving

I love Turkey, the community feels so warm and connected. I aim to go back one day and spend more time there to go shopping as well as exploring more into the south and the mountains. I hope you enjoy and make the most of your time there!

– good luck and safe travels<3!

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