Istanbul Port

[SM77]

For those who have recently visited Istanbul.  What is the port that cruise ships dock at?  Looks like there is a new cruise port.  And is it easy to walk to the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, etc.  We are looking into booking a private tour and it sounds like it will be a walking tour to see the significant sights and then ride in a van to go to the Asian side of Istanbul. 

[John Bull]

The berths are broadly where they were, but I think extended further down the Golden Horn.

More importantly, the new terminal & entrance is at that far end - it used to be little more than a ferry's length from the Galata bridge.

On googlemaps it's still a building site, hopefully the entrance is hereabouts

https://goo.gl/maps/2mmSmxD6K9SUHRxh6

 

It's still only a block from the tram route

And the tram is very important. 

Traffic is often grid-locked over the Galata Bridge and up to the Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofia, the Blue Mosque & other sights of Sultanahmet, but the trams have their own dedicated centre section of the road - whooooooooooosh  

 

So don't discount tours that don't include private transport, cos by tram will be a lot cheaper and probably quicker overall.

Or, if you don't need a knowledgeable guide to explain stuff to you, it's very easy to DIY by tram and foot. 

 

Fascinating city, lovely people

 

JB 

Edited to add - to cross to the Asian side needs either a vehicle to cross the Bosphorus bridge or a ferry. TBH, not much of interest on the Asian side

Edited January 19, 2020 by John Bull

[MeHeartCruising]

As JB mentions, the "new" cruise port is really just a modernization of what has been in use for years.  It sounds like they might have built (or are building) new facilities at the same location.   I was there before any construction and am basing what I say on reading that I've just done.

 

The cruise ships dock along a lengthy stretch of the waterfront.  At least 4 or 5 ships can berth at one time end-to-end, so depending on where you ship sits, the walk can be shorter or longer to the tourist area.  The tram that JB mentions is very popular for people not using buses from tours and such.

 

I doubt that the tour you are looking at will have you walk from the ship to the Hagia Sophia and other nearby attractions.  The distance is just a little too far for most tours to walk (maybe a mile or slightly more and slightly uphill).  I'm sure some people do it, but it's not a particularly short distance.  I would imagine your tour will meet you at the ship with their van and take you to the Hagia Sophia area.  From there you will likely walk to the sites you mention, as they are all close to each other.  Then you would return to the van for the Asia-side sites.

Edited January 19, 2020 by MeHeartCruising

[John Bull]

3 hours ago, MeHeartCruising said:

As JB mentions, the "new" cruise port is really just a modernization of what has been in use for years.  It sounds like they might have built (or are building) new facilities at the same location.   I was there before any construction and am basing what I say on reading that I've just done.

 

The cruise ships dock along a lengthy stretch of the waterfront.  At least 4 or 5 ships can berth at one time end-to-end, so depending on where you ship sits, the walk can be shorter or longer to the tourist area.  The tram that JB mentions is very popular for people not using buses from tours and such.

 

I doubt that the tour you are looking at will have you walk from the ship to the Hagia Sophia and other nearby attractions.  The distance is just a little too far for most tours to walk (maybe a mile or slightly more and slightly uphill).  I'm sure some people do it, but it's not a particularly short distance.  I would imagine your tour will meet you at the ship with their van and take you to the Hagia Sophia area.  From there you will likely walk to the sites you mention, as they are all close to each other.  Then you would return to the van for the Asia-side sites.

 

 

Poor explanation on my part 

 

No, you wouldn't want to walk from ship to Aya Sofia (no spelling mistakes by either of us - I've seen so many different spellings ) 'cos it's over 2 miles and would take about 45 minutes .

 

I was thinking of guided tours that use the tram for travel between ship & Sultanahmet, then its easy to walk between the sights of Sultanahmet, and mebbe back down to the Galata Bridge via either Topkapi Palace or the Grand Bazaar & Spice Bazaar.

 

JB 

[SM77]

On 1/19/2020 at 2:32 PM, John Bull said:

 

 

Poor explanation on my part 

 

No, you wouldn't want to walk from ship to Aya Sofia (no spelling mistakes by either of us - I've seen so many different spellings ) 'cos it's over 2 miles and would take about 45 minutes .

 

I was thinking of guided tours that use the tram for travel between ship & Sultanahmet, then its easy to walk between the sights of Sultanahmet, and mebbe back down to the Galata Bridge via either Topkapi Palace or the Grand Bazaar & Spice Bazaar.

 

JB 

Thanks to both you & MeHeartCruising for responding to my inquiry.  We are looking into doing a guided tour and based on what you mentioned, sounds like the tour guide will meet us at the ship, take the tram w/ us to Sultanahmet and take us around, explaining each of the sites, as well as Topkapi Palace & the Grand Bazaar. The next day, to go to the Asian side, we would need to reserve a driver & car w/ the tour guide.  I agree that it is probably better to take the tram w/ the guide instead of having a driver due to traffic.  I'm assuming we will need Turkish Lira to ride the tram (unless the guide pays it & we give the guide dollars).  

[John Bull]

33 minutes ago, SM77 said:

.  I'm assuming we will need Turkish Lira to ride the tram (unless the guide pays it & we give the guide dollars).  

 

Unless things have changed in the past 3 or 4 years..........

You buy tram jetons (like tokens that release luggage trolleys at some airports) from machines adjacent the tram stop. The jeton gives you access through the barrier onto the tram stop. 

One price regardless of the distance that you ride. You can buy multiple jetons in one transaction, saves the bother of queuing and fighting the machine for the return journey.

Yes, Turkish lire, I don't recall if they accept cards.

You might be able to buy them in the cruise terminal.

 

You do seem keen on visiting the Asian side.

Just MHO, but unless your ship cruse goes up the Bospheros & into the Black Sea I think your time would be better spent taking a ferry up the Bosphorus from the far (Eminonu) end of the Galata Bridge - there are ferry piers on both sides of the Bosphorus if you want to set foot into Asia.

Go right the way up, or spin round part-way.

https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2013-08-25/photos-istanbul-bosphorus-ferries

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g293974-i368-k11305389-Bosphorus_cruise_or_public_ferry-Istanbul.html

 

JB 

 

[SM77]

6 minutes ago, John Bull said:

 

Unless things have changed in the past 3 or 4 years..........

You buy tram jetons (like tokens that release luggage trolleys at some airports) from machines adjacent the tram stop. The jeton gives you access through the barrier onto the tram stop. 

One price regardless of the distance that you ride. You can buy multiple jetons in one transaction, saves the bother of queuing and fighting the machine for the return journey.

Yes, Turkish lire, I don't recall if they accept cards.

You might be able to buy them in the cruise terminal.

 

You do seem keen on visiting the Asian side.

Just MHO, but unless your ship cruse goes up the Bospheros & into the Black Sea I think your time would be better spent taking a ferry up the Bosphorus from the far (Eminonu) end of the Galata Bridge - there are ferry piers on both sides of the Bosphorus if you want to set foot into Asia.

Go right the way up, or spin round part-way.

https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2013-08-25/photos-istanbul-bosphorus-ferries

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g293974-i368-k11305389-Bosphorus_cruise_or_public_ferry-Istanbul.html

 

JB 

 

Thanks for the quick reply - I think the machines will now take credit cards.  With regards to the ferry, that is a great suggestion - I'll look into that as well.

[wassup4565]

Thank you all so much for this information.  We won't be going for several months, but I have a much better idea of how we can can plan our time  in this wonderful place.

[MagnoliaNC]

I am getting a multiple day pass for the Istanbul Hop On Hop Off bus. I have done it in Prague, Budapest, Paris,  and Edinburgh. Each one gave me a great overview of the city. Then I would hop off at places that interested me. It was an inexpensive way to get around, too.

[clairol]

On 4/4/2021 at 3:04 AM, MagnoliaNC said:

I am getting a multiple day pass for the Istanbul Hop On Hop Off bus. I have done it in Prague, Budapest, Paris,  and Edinburgh. Each one gave me a great overview of the city. Then I would hop off at places that interested me. It was an inexpensive way to get around, too.

I did this on my first visit to Istanbul in 2009 - it was a lot of fun. Enjoy!

[HRPro]

We will be in Istanbul in May 2022 for the first time on a Princess cruise and am debating whether to hire a private guide to tour us around the major sites.  We are in port 9-6, so have a full day and want to see all the major sites. Do you recommend a guide or DIY?  Does anyone have a recommendation for a great guide for Istanbul?

Edited July 12, 2021 by HRPro

[bennybear]

We found a private guide well worth it, we saw all the major sites and then some,  we really enjoyed the underground cisterns.   We used Lail Kosygin and she was excellent.  But things may have changed with the guides in the last few years.  In Kusadasi,  We last used Levant Solmaz.  
 

 

[HRPro]

8 hours ago, bennybear said:

We found a private guide well worth it, we saw all the major sites and then some,  we really enjoyed the underground cisterns.   We used Lail Kosygin and she was excellent.  But things may have changed with the guides in the last few years.  In Kusadasi,  We last used Levant Solmaz.  
 

 

Thanks, we are fortunate to be on a private tour of Ephesus with Levant Solmaz.  Will try to contact Lail Kosygin.  If you happen to have her contact information, I would appreciate having that.  I do want to maximize my time in  Istanbul  and I think private guides are a big help with that and enrich the experience too.

[bennybear]

43 minutes ago, HRPro said:

Thanks, we are fortunate to be on a private tour of Ephesus with Levant Solmaz.  Will try to contact Lail Kosygin.  If you happen to have her contact information, I would appreciate having that.  I do want to maximize my time in  Istanbul  and I think private guides are a big help with that and enrich the experience too.

We had trouble reaching her last time,  so my contact info is very old.   I think Levant may also guide in Istanbul, worth checking,  her first name may be spelled Lale.  

[dogs4fun]

9 hours ago, HRPro said:

Will try to contact Lail Kosygin.  If you happen to have her contact information, I would appreciate having that.

 

 

Lale & and her husband (Kagan) do provide tours in Istanbul. Email address I have is: kosagan@yahoo.com

[HRPro]

Many thanks—will reach out to them immediately.

[IWantToLiveOverTheSea]

Curious if anyone knows if the tram machines accept credit cards now.  A few years ago they didn't. If they don't, is there a way to purchase a card of some sort (Istanbulkart?) with a cell phone, assuming I have service in Istanbul (!?)

 

Yes, currently there's a ship in Istanbul.  She's docked toward the far north end of the original dock area.

[IWantToLiveOverTheSea]

17 minutes ago, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said:

Curious if anyone knows if the tram machines accept credit cards now.  A few years ago they didn't. If they don't, is there a way to purchase a card of some sort (Istanbulkart?) with a cell phone, assuming I have service in Istanbul (!?)

 

Yes, currently there's a ship in Istanbul.  She's docked toward the far north end of the original dock area.

Here's Viking Sky in Istanbul.  I'll attach a city map excerpt showing where tram is (Tophane, I think) in reference to where cruise ships have been docking.

 

Edited October 16, 2021 by IWantToLiveOverTheSea

[IWantToLiveOverTheSea]

Viking Sky is currently to the right of that green "ifw" marker.  Tophane Tramvay is a little to the left and above.

[cruisemom42]

The port is somewhat between two tram spots so it rather depends on whether you are docked nearer or farther from the bridge. Either one is easily walkable.

 

The last time I was in Istanbul they had indeed updated the machines and you can use your credit card to purchase the jetons (although in truth I can't remember whether they are still using jetons or have moved to using a paper ticket).

 

[40yearcruiser]

We will be in Istanbul in April on Regal Princess and are hoping the ships will still be docking near the tram station. We were last there in 2014 and used the tram to go up to Blue Mosque, etc. If anyone has been there more recently and can give information or advice I'd appreciate the help.

[IWantToLiveOverTheSea]

On 1/21/2022 at 11:31 PM, 40yearcruiser said:

We will be in Istanbul in April on Regal Princess and are hoping the ships will still be docking near the tram station. We were last there in 2014 and used the tram to go up to Blue Mosque, etc. If anyone has been there more recently and can give information or advice I'd appreciate the help.

There haven't been many ships visiting this fall/winter.  But I do know that several Viking ships were there in late fall, and both docked around the same area as indicated in the screenshot above.  I wasn't able to get information from anyone about the current state of the "new" cruise port, or how people did on the trams, as Viking passengers don't do that much DIYing.  

 

But based on where the Viking ships were berthed numerous times, it's still possible to walk up a main street that runs perpendicular to the shore, turn left, and walk a short distance to the Tophane tram station.   I think I may have read that the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art in that area may have been moved, but since this sounds a little strange, that may not be true.  In any case, I will keep checking as more cruise lines go to Istanbul, and try to remember to report back on here if I learn anything that might be helpful. And of course, if your ship docks farther up the shore, you may find it better to head to the other tram station. 

 

In the mean time, for those flying to Istanbul, I was curious about something.  I have tickets for a LH/UA flight to Frankfurt (operated by UA) and then to Istanbul (operated by Lufthansa).  There's something on the Lufthansa website or my booking info that says Turkey limits carryon luggage to one article per person  (all pax, all classes)   -  woman's handbag, man's briefcase, baby bag, or laptop.  Does anyone know if that's enforced, and if so, how and where -- i.e., incoming flight to Turkey or all flights with destination of Turkey?   It sounds difficult. 

Edited February 9, 2022 by IWantToLiveOverTheSea

[Janet&Carl]

On 7/12/2021 at 9:31 PM, HRPro said:

We will be in Istanbul in May 2022 for the first time on a Princess cruise and am debating whether to hire a private guide to tour us around the major sites.  We are in port 9-6, so have a full day and want to see all the major sites. Do you recommend a guide or DIY?  Does anyone have a recommendation for a great guide for Istanbul?

 

 

There are lots of taxi's outside the port gates.  We found one that spoke English and asked how much he charged.  For the 4 of us he said $60 for the whole day.  He was fabulous escorted us everywhere.  He took us to all the major sites, showed us around and jumped the queues.  We went for lunch in the grand bazzaar and also to his brothers carpet shop on the way back to the ship.  We saw the cisterns, the hagia sofia, the blue mosque, Topkapi Palace, the bazzaar, the spice market, he also took us to a shop that sells Turkish delight which he said invented the sweet.  WE also saw a place with tombs of sultans that I cant remember the name of.    We had a fantastic day.

[chubbypiggy]

On 2/15/2022 at 1:18 AM, Janet&Carl said:

 

 

There are lots of taxi's outside the port gates.  We found one that spoke English and asked how much he charged.  For the 4 of us he said $60 for the whole day.  He was fabulous escorted us everywhere.  He took us to all the major sites, showed us around and jumped the queues.  We went for lunch in the grand bazzaar and also to his brothers carpet shop on the way back to the ship.  We saw the cisterns, the hagia sofia, the blue mosque, Topkapi Palace, the bazzaar, the spice market, he also took us to a shop that sells Turkish delight which he said invented the sweet.  WE also saw a place with tombs of sultans that I cant remember the name of.    We had a fantastic day.

When were you there?  You paid him $60 USD in cash?  What time did your taxi left the port and returned to the port?  Thank you in advance for your assistance!

[Janet&Carl]

It was 2015 end of season, we were there from 8 - till about 6pm I know we were onboard for dinner.  We didnt stay long or dawdle at any of the sites but we had a full day - it was great.  There were so many taxi's outside that they were haggling with each other - we walked to the very end of the queue of vehicles and asked if anyone spoke english.