Istanbul Help Please

[worldlady]

We are an elderly couple, overnight cruise stop in Istanbul, everything I’ve read about the cruise terminal seems very intimidating. It sounds like a really long walk to get from the ship through the terminal and outside. Hopefully someone can give insight about this , we have no serious mobility’s issues , just can’t handle long distances,hills and stairs. I’m afraid to book any costly excursions and then not be able go. Thanks in advance for any help 

[cruisemom42]

If you go to YouTube and search for Istanbul Galataport, you'll be able to watch some videos of what the facility looks like. It is a combination port facility and public space with stores, restaurants, museums and even green spaces. The port portion appears to largely be underground, and to me looks a bit like a large airport rather than a normal cruise port. There are places inside where tour buses and taxis can park and drop off/pick up passengers, and there are also escalators and certainly there must be elevators as well for people using wheelchairs.

 

 

[Lois R]

Good morning, I agree with the previous poster (Hi Cynthia🙂). Actually, I was in Istanbul in April and yes, the port facility is underground. Not nearly as difficult one might think(well, for me anyway) You will walk down a walkway and then when you get to point A.(example)....there will be an escalator with signage for private tours, ship tours, etc.

 

[worldlady]

TThank you, how far is the walk from the ship please?

[Lois R]

5 minutes ago, worldlady said:

TThank you, how far is the walk from the ship please?

Hi, the ship is at the facility but the actual walk itself? I would guess for me it was 5-6 minutes. If you are going slower, it may take you 10 minutes (give or take 2 minutes)......personally, I didn't think it was very far, even though some folks might have thought differently than me.

[cruisemom42]

Just yesterday I was looking at the ship's shore excursions for Istanbul and I noticed under their "What you should know...." section they had added a statement saying there would be up to a 10-minute walk to reach the location for boarding the motorbuses at Galataport.

 

[auntieS]

1.  Can you walk all the way from Galata Bridge along the pedestrian pier to Galataport cruise terminal?  Looks like it's a mile plus? 

2.  I think you then turn behind the dockside buildings, just past the Museum of Painting and Sculpture, to the "D Block cruise Terminal Lobby"?  Once you enter the Terminal Lobby, the path looks well signed?  (I've looked at Galataport.com and YouTube videos but hoping to confirm with any cruisers who have walked back to their ship, thanks!)

[hobgoblin]

Im off to Istanbul too and have a ships tour booked for one day and have a free day on the second .

Also very keen to get any info about getting out and about safely to the main sights .

? are taxis best, maybe there's a hoho bus at the terminal?

How far to walk to the Military Museum  or Galata tower from dockside .

 

[edinburgher]

On 7/2/2024 at 7:23 PM, hobgoblin said:

Also very keen to get any info about getting out and about safely to the main sights .

? are taxis best, maybe there's a hoho bus at the terminal?

As you didn't mention which sights you will visit on the ship tour on Day 1, it isn't  easy for members to guess which "main sights" you want to visit on day 2 therefore how best to advise you how to get to them wherever they may be..

 

As a general rule, trams are the most efficient way to get around Istanbul, because Istanbul traffic is notorious/infamous for traffic jams and the time it can take to get from A to B, and parking in  the main tourist area of Sultanahmet is also tricky, indeed, many locals do not have a vehicle for those very reasons.

 

Many of the local tour guides do not offer vehicle  "pick ups"   at the port for this reason, and instead meet cruise pax at the port  and escort them to the main sites in Sultanahmet by tram.Once there, it is very easy to access many sights on foot as they are in close proximity to each other.

 

You may find that your shorex on day 1 will be a bus ride, possibly a long one depending on traffic, even for a short distance, then being dropped off and walking with a guide before meeting the coach for the return to ship. . Read the description very carefully because the Sultanahmet area is very easy to DIY, and you only need read online how to use the trams.or use the SEARCH tool here on CC to find past threads on both trams and Sultanahmet sights.

 

Here are some past threads which mention trams, but internet searching will find more info.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=istanbul trams&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=149&updated_after=any&sortby=relevancy&search_and_or=and

Edited July 5 by edinburgher

[John Bull]

On 7/2/2024 at 7:23 PM, hobgoblin said:

Im off to Istanbul too and have a ships tour booked for one day and have a free day on the second .

Also very keen to get any info about getting out and about safely to the main sights .

? are taxis best, maybe there's a hoho bus at the terminal?

How far to walk to the Military Museum  or Galata tower from dockside .

 

 

 

Check out ship's tour in detail - for reasons explained by @edinburgher they're not a great way to travel in Istanbul, where the tram & Shanks's are king.

There have been many complaints of stop-start traffic from ship to Sultanahmet & back whereas the tram has its own dedicated road space. It's very walkable between sights at Sultanahmet. If it's a full day the excursion itinerary may be screwed up by the need to be at the lunch venue at a set time (and lunch always wastes a lot of touring time). And to add insult, a lot of ships' tours waste your time at a carpet warehouse or jewellery store or somesuch.

 

JB 🙂  

[edinburgher]

3 hours ago, John Bull said:

If it's a full day the excursion itinerary may be screwed up by the need to be at the lunch venue at a set time (and lunch always wastes a lot of touring time). And to add insult, a lot of ships' tours waste your time at a carpet warehouse or jewellery store or somesuch.

JB, as it is Turkey, , more than likely carpets!😁

[hobgoblin]

Thanks everyone for your kind responses .

[Hlitner]

Do agree with JB, that Istanbul is really made for those of us who like independent exploration.  Being stuck on a large group tour, in Istanbul, is not my idea of fun.  On our first visit (about 30 years ago) we took a Princess excursion and really regretted that decision. Been back several times since (and heading back next year) and we simply use the trams, our feet, and an occasional taxi to do our own thing.  

 

DW and I do really enjoy eating out in Istanbul, but certainly would not want to do it as part of a large group.   The city is full of restaurants, cafes, outdoor stands, etc.  It is all so much fun and we are never hungry.

 

By the way, for walkers, just walking between the port and Golden Horn can be quite an experience.  There is a lower level on the Galacta Bridge that is lines with restaurants and shops.  Those that take the large ship excursions (where you spend a good part of the time sitting in traffic inside your bus) will not even see this lower level of the bridge.  

 

We also suggest that folks might want to check out the Bascilica Cistern.  This is often skipped on group excursions, but it is an amazing place not to be missed.  If curious, just google the place and look at some of the online photos.  If you do go there, make sure to wear comfy shoes that have some tread (like sneakers) since the floor can be wet and slippery (in places).

 

Hank

[Vertygo]

10 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Do agree with JB, that Istanbul is really made for those of us who like independent exploration. 

Thanks Hlitner! We’ll be in Istanbul for  3 days prior to boarding Vista in a few weeks & can’t wait. I’ve arranged a private guide for 2 days & we’re staying in Galata so will do a lot of walking & use public transportation. Can’t think of a better way to see the city.

Basilica Cisterns is on the top of my very long list of places to see & I know we’ll need to return some day like you.

[lynncarol]

I agree with Hank, the Cisterns are definitely a 'must see'.  The last time we were in Istanbul was in 2014, but we had three days there on our own and took the trams everywhere. I remember  each time, locals would leap up (unasked) and offer me (an older woman) their seat.  I was so impressed because back when I worked in Pittsburgh, even though Pgh. folks are polite and friendly, they rarely gave up a seat on public transportation to strangers.

[jb12]

Di anybody visit Dolmabahçe Palace?

[Hlitner]

10 hours ago, jb12 said:

Di anybody visit Dolmabahçe Palace?

Yep, in fact, we walked there from the port (before the recent port renovations).  The building is impressive, but the inside collection of furniture and other artifacts does not come close to Topkapi.  If we were trying to prioritize what to see in Istanbul (for folks who are making their first visit) this would not be among the highest on my list.  We always suggest to friends that the Golden Horn/downtown area (think Topkapi, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia), Covered Bazaar, and the Cistern would be are highest priority,  This will easily fill a long day.  If one has more time (another half day) then the Dolmabahçe Palace is worthwhile and well-located for folks that like to take long walks (from the port).

 

Hank

[zqvol]

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

Yep, in fact, we walked there from the port (before the recent port renovations).  The building is impressive, but the inside collection of furniture and other artifacts does not come close to Topkapi.  If we were trying to prioritize what to see in Istanbul (for folks who are making their first visit) this would not be among the highest on my list.  We always suggest to friends that the Golden Horn/downtown area (think Topkapi, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia), Covered Bazaar, and the Cistern would be are highest priority,  This will easily fill a long day.  If one has more time (another half day) then the Dolmabahçe Palace is worthwhile and well-located for folks that like to take long walks (from the port).

 

Hank

Spice bazaar is also worth a short visit. 

[Hlitner]

20 minutes ago, zqvol said:

Spice bazaar is also worth a short visit. 

Agree.  We would walk along that street, looking at the huge bags of all the different kinds of spices, and not have a clue about the products.  The thing about that part of Istanbul, is that for folks who are able to do a lot of walking, everything from Topkapi to the markets can be covered on foot.  Folks that take the large bus excursions will spend a lot of their time just getting on and off their bus, and then being stuck in traffic (there are times when I can walk to places faster then a bus)   Istanbul does have a traffic problem, and tourists can avoid a lot of the traffic problems by simply using the tram line and their feet.  For folks with major mobility limitations, the city does present a big challenge.

 

Hank

[edinburgher]

For anyone who has already visited some of the top sites in  Istanbul, or for those staying longer than one or two days, Dolmabahce Palace could very well be be worth visiting.  It holds the largest chandelier in the world (and quite beautiful it is too) and has the largest collection of Bacarrat chandeliers in the world. Info, images and reviews easily found online.Super easy to visit from Galataport either on foot or by tram to the terminus at Kabatas followed by a maximum 5 minute walk on flat ground, I think possibly less than that).

 

We enjoyed our visit there and also visited BEYLERBEYI PALACE. Again, images, info and reviews can be found online. This one is trickier to visit as it is on the Asian side which means a short ferry crossing to Uskudar followed by a local bus to get there. The buses are next to the ferry pier at Uskudar making a simple transfer.