Istanbul Guide

[saltshell]

Single female will be in Istanbul in August. Looking for a guide/ escort to tour Istanbul sites: Blue Mosque, Topkopi, Hagia Sophia, market. Would feel better if not alone but do not want a group tour. Any ideas or past experience? Thanks

[IWantToLiveOverTheSea]

I'm sorry I can't really help.  However, many people like Tours By Locals or Get My Guide, although those options are not exactly a cheap alternative for private tours.  But as a female, I can tell you from past experience that Istanbul is a wonderful city, and while most of the time I was with my spouse when out and about, I would not have worried if I had gone out alone.  Of course, anything CAN happen, but most likely it won't.  Istanbul's Sultanahmet area is also a place where it's not particularly hard to find, walk to and visit the main tourist sites.  If you end up doing that, though, be aware of times of prayer, as they can last pretty long and close mosques off to non-prayer participants.  And in Istanbul, some things like Topkapi close one day a week, making it a bit important to plan ahead what you want to visit.  (Prayer times (which vary) and closing days can be googled fairly easily.)   But obviously it would be easier to find a guide and let that person guide you!  

 

Good luck.  We loved Istanbul, and are going there this summer for our second visit.

[cruisemom42]

As a solo female traveler who has visited and stayed in Istanbul four times, I agree with the above. No need for a guide if your main concern is safety. I've never felt unsafe there. Merchants can be pesky but never threatening. A simple smile and a firm "no" followed by a failure to engage further will usually do the trick.

[saltshell]

Thanks yall.

[bohaiboy]

We had a great single female tour guide while there five years ago and will have her again in a few weeks when we return. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293974-d10771025-Reviews-PTI_PrivateTour_Guides-Istanbul.html  On FB as Ozlem Kar.

[saltshell]

Thanks Boyhaiboy. Emailed them yesterday; waiting for reply.