Istanbul advice sought, please

[pagingjoan]

Well, the reply from the Four Seasons re transfer from the airport was worth waiting for.

One way transfer, from SAW to the hotel, with their car (Merc)... 285 euro (A$440) :shock: :shock: ... but they throw in VIP meet and immigration fast track!

Metered taxi about 160 TL or A$75 they say.

Hmmmmm ...


... can I have some thinking music, please?

Similar experience for me yesterday, RooFlyer - although not quite as "rich" as yours.
Quoted 125 Euros for a hotel car, to meet a very late night arrival at IST, with the alternative of a taxi, that the hotel suggests would cost around 40 Euros.
What are your Istanbul dates, by the way?
We will be there in a couple of weeks.

 

[jojen]

On our last visit to Istanbul 3 years ago I had booked a transfer through a reliable company, or so I thought !! We walked up and down the line but could not see our name anywhere. One of the drivers rang,the company we had booked and they had forgotten us. After a lot of haggling one of the drivers finally agreed to take us for the price we had been quoted.From memory it was about TL 75.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks for continuing advice, all

Roo, I tried to reply last night but the ipad froze. On another occasion I used a recommended service from TripAdvisor. They seem to quote TL55 to Sultanhamet. : Airport Transfers Turkey - Istanbul Airport Transfers - Efendi Travel Agency - Turkey Travel Planner Recommended Travel Agency, TURKEY TOURS,TURKEY TRAVEL, TOURS IN TURKEY, TURKEY TOURISM, TURKEY HOTEL, ISTANBUL,ISTANBUL HOTEL, ISTANBUL TOUR, ANTALYA

Now that looks promising. Maybe $10 more than a taxi and I found them recommended by some-one else as well. Might give them a go.

 

[pagingjoan]

Roo, I tried to reply last night but the ipad froze. On another occasion I used a recommended service from TripAdvisor. They seem to quote TL55 to Sultanhamet. : Airport Transfers Turkey - Istanbul Airport Transfers - Efendi Travel Agency - Turkey Travel Planner Recommended Travel Agency, TURKEY TOURS,TURKEY TRAVEL, TOURS IN TURKEY, TURKEY TOURISM, TURKEY HOTEL, ISTANBUL,ISTANBUL HOTEL, ISTANBUL TOUR, ANTALYA

Thanks from me, too, for that link. I've made a booking for a late night arrival, after a convoluted long haul trip. Rates seem very reasonable. 45 Euros for our destination, compared with the hotel's estimate of a standard taxi fare of around 40 Euros. Will report back in a couple of weeks.

 

[RooFlyer]

I used Effendi for my transfer from SAW to Sultanahment a few days ago. Everything went smoothly, except for the horrendous traffic jams on the Asian side. Took nearly 2 hours; if I was in a taxi the fare would have been much more than the Efendi price. Thanks get me outta here

 

[pagingjoan]

I used Effendi for my transfer from SAW to Sultanahment a few days ago. Everything went smoothly, except for the horrendous traffic jams on the Asian side. Took nearly 2 hours; if I was in a taxi the fare would have been much more than the Efendi price. Thanks get me outta here

Sounds good - except for the traffic on the Asian side.
We are spending the first couple of nights there, to explore a different part of the city, having had a couple of previous visits.
Enjoy your Turkish adventures.

 

[get me outta here]

That's so lucky you weren't on a meter, it would've been stressful.

I used Effendi for my transfer from SAW to Sultanahment a few days ago. Everything went smoothly, except for the horrendous traffic jams on the Asian side. Took nearly 2 hours; if I was in a taxi the fare would have been much more than the Efendi price. Thanks get me outta here

 

[Bindibuys]

Has anyone purchased spices from the Spice Bazaar??
Would like to know how they "package" your purchase. Brown paper bag, zip lock bag, jars??
Hubby is going to have a field day buying stuff, I am thinking we will post them back home, how they come packaged will help with planning the envelope.

 

[amaroo]

Has anyone purchased spices from the Spice Bazaar??
Would like to know how they "package" your purchase. Brown paper bag, zip lock bag, jars??
Hubby is going to have a field day buying stuff, I am thinking we will post them back home, how they come packaged will help with planning the envelope.

Ours were cryovaced - even the ones purchased in jars and other packaging.

 

[Bindibuys]

Ours were cryovaced - even the ones purchased in jars and other packaging.

The sellers did that for you?
So no issue you think posting back home in padded envelope?
(we have 4 other countries to go after Turkey, and I don't want to have to declare food at each stop - so posting home I think will be the easiest way to go)

 

[Dr Ralph]

Ours were cryovaced - even the ones purchased in jars and other packaging.

+ 1 for this experience, although it was over a decade ago.

 

[amaroo]

The sellers did that for you?
So no issue you think posting back home in padded envelope?
(we have 4 other countries to go after Turkey, and I don't want to have to declare food at each stop - so posting home I think will be the easiest way to go)

Yes - for both Q's. The Turks are the ultimate traders/retailers, and ensure there is no reason not to purchase.

 

[Bindibuys]

Oh dear.... I have the feeling an extra credit card is going to have to be packed for this trip.
Thank you both, I was considering a guide for the markets, but will now just let hubby loose for the day.

 

[Groundhog]

Has anyone purchased spices from the Spice Bazaar??
Would like to know how they "package" your purchase. Brown paper bag, zip lock bag, jars??
Hubby is going to have a field day buying stuff, I am thinking we will post them back home, how they come packaged will help with planning the envelope.

I bought some saffron from the spice bazaar last year, managed to haggle down to $20 per gram. They put it in a little jar and cryovaced it. Most spice sellers in the bazaar have them.
If buying spices, get them in the market on the Asian side as they will be much cheaper, but not as cool as saying you bought them from the Spice Bazzar.
Try buying the apple tea as well - it's delicious

 

[Dr Ralph]

I bought some saffron from the spice bazaar last year, managed to haggle down to $20 per gram. They put it in a little jar and cryovaced it. Most spice sellers in the bazaar have them.
If buying spices, get them in the market on the Asian side as they will be much cheaper, but not as cool as saying you bought them from the Spice Bazzar.
Try buying the apple tea as well - it's delicious

Saffron was what I purchased as well. remember that it was about 1/4 of the price in Australia.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

If you see Rose Petal Jam buy a dozen bottles - it is delicious !

 

[get me outta here]

Let him loose and you may never find him again!

Oh dear.... I have the feeling an extra credit card is going to have to be packed for this trip.
Thank you both, I was considering a guide for the markets, but will now just let hubby loose for the day.

 

[get me outta here]

I have a recipe for that somewhere. First, collect a 'million' red fragrant rose petals when they are young flowers early in the morning ...

If you see Rose Petal Jam buy a dozen bottles - it is delicious !

 

[Bindibuys]

If you see Rose Petal Jam buy a dozen bottles - it is delicious !

My son's partners name is Rose, so I would prob buy it anyway for her.

Let him loose and you may never find him again - So long as he only has his own credit cards and none of mine