Contiki FAQ Istanbul and turkey

Q: In Istanbul are carpet salesmen really as bad as people say they are?

A: Unless you want a carpet, stay away from them. They are usually all around the tourist areas and will try multiple ways to get you to come inside and buy a carpet. They also know all the currency exchange rates for that day. They also don't take no for an answer.

Q: In turkey, is it safe to drink the tap water?

A: Like Italy and Greece, it is cheaper to buy bottled water because sometimes the tap water can be unsafe.

Q: Is it easy to get a Turkish bath in Istanbul?

A: This is a fairly simple process. You just need to find a spa place, head there, purchase a session and do it. It is about an hour long and will get you clean. They are also cheap.

Q: In Istanbul is getting the museum pass worth it?

A: The museum pass covers the palace and a lot of the museums that are in the same area. You can skip the lines with it. However you do need at least 1 and a half days to use this, so if you are in the city for more then a few days, it is worth it.

Q: Can you buy alcohol in Istanbul?

A: You can buy alcohol in a lot of places in the city, including street side shops and at bars and restaurants. It is not as easy to get as the rest of Europe, but you can get it. It is also cheap, but not as cheap as the rest of Europe.

Q: In Istanbul is it easy to get to the Asian side?

A: There are bridges across the water and also ferries. The other side has some histoy and you can say you were on another continent.

Q: In Istanbul, how do you get around?

A: Istanbul has a great tram – it goes through the touristy areas. There are also taxis and buses. However the area is small enough that you can walk it easy.

Q: In Istanbul, who long doe it take to get from the airport to the main tourist areas of the city?

A: It is about a 20 minute by train, then another 20-30 min trip by tram.

Q: How long should i spend in Istanbul.

A: 3 days should be enough to see as much as you want to see, however add more to suit your needs.

Q: Are there many ATM's in Istanbul?

A: Istanbul has as many atms as any normal city, they are easy to find and usually have a fee to get money out.

Q: Do many people speak English in Istanbul?

A: Lots of people speak English, it is easy to talk to people.