Istanbul

Guidebook corrections:

Please note: The following corrections were submitted by readers and have not yet been confirmed by Rick. Check updates from Rick for the latest.

Suggestions: 1. Women should avoid Blue Mosque restroom as it is the only place women can do their ablutions before entering mosque (men have free benches and faucets outside)...the wait is really long and when you get down there women are washing their feet in the sink, the floor is flooded, etc. It's a cross-cultural experience but not good if you're in a hurry to use the facilities. 2. Warn people not to take a cab from the ferry stop at Karakoy (we arrived on the overnight train from Ankara) to Sultanahmet District. Our hotel suggested a taxi for the short ride with luggage, but 3 cabbies turned us down when we showed them where we wanted to go and the fourth who took us chose a round about route (I checked on a map as we went) AND abandoned us 10 blocks from our hotel in a traffic jam. When we arrived at the hotel, they told us taxi drivers don't like to take tourists to this area because the fare will be too small for the amount of time (taxi drivers are paid by distance not time and Sultanahmet is congested area). Instead give good directions for finding the tram stop (we couldn't see it from where the ferry exits) and expect a hike to your hotel.

Gail Gerdemann in Albany, OR USA 06/26/2008

The Istanbul guidebook suggests riding the metro from the airport to Aksaray and changing to the tram. Unfortunately, the metro and tram are not connected at Aksaray. The walk between the two is not well marked and involves an underpass and an overpass. The transfer is hard with luggage.

A better alternative is to change from the metro to the tram at Zeytinburnu. The metro and the tram are both within one station and there is an elevator and ramps. This makes it much easier to transfer with luggage.

Lawrence in Washington, DC USA 06/03/2008

Yes, one cannnot make the right turn described in the book, for the walking tour, at the Haga Sofia. It is roped off.

John Dillon in New York, NY USA 05/27/2008

I just came back from a great trip to Istanbul. Unfortunately, the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent is closed for renovations. I'm not sure when it closed, but was told it will be 2 years before it is open. it was very disappointing ti discover. Otherwise, everything was great!

Jill Vaniman in Heidelberg, Germany 04/15/2008

The price of a roundtrip ticket on the Bosporus ferry is 12.5 YTL (Mar 2008) not 7.5. Still a great bargain, though.

Gary Fogal in Renton, WA USA 03/16/2008

Your guide to Istikial Street had some errors - someone should recheck it.

Karen Muncaster in Westford, MA USA 01/07/2008

The Chora Church was truly magnificent, but a chore to get there since noone we encountered knew it by that name, including bus ticket issuers and cab drivers. I believe that the chapter heading and first paragraph of its description should call it by its "local" name Kariye Museii.That is even the name used on the landmark directional signs.The gift/book store there only takes Turkish money and no credit cards.

mm gillen in potomac, md USA 12/09/2007

Atatürk literally means Father Turk, in the sense of a progenitor (of a line, race, or people); not The Grand Turk, The Great Turk, or Father of the People (I saw that one in a book about WWI). The Grand Turk would be more like Büyük Türk or Muhtesem Türk.

Mike Marunchak in Chicago, IL USA 12/03/2007

Topkapi Palace – Harem: Since the book was published, the mandatory guided Harem tours (p. 152) are gone. You no longer have to plan your entire palace visit around your assigned entry time to the Harem. I found the Harem itself quieter, less rushed, and much more pleasant without those noisy, must-go-as-a-group tours.

Helen Holter in Seattle , WA USA 11/01/2007

Grand Bazaar – Egin Tekstil (p. 201). The newspaper clipping of Brad Pitt’s “Troy” movie costumes (some were made here) has been removed from the store window, so it’s a bit harder to find.

Helen Holter in Seattle , WA USA 11/01/2007

Hagia Sophia: Good news: Admission is 10 YTL, not 15. (p. 116)

Helen Holter in Seattle , WA USA 11/01/2007

AKBILs are, indeed, quite handy for public transportation (p. 30). Although the book says there’s a nonrefundable deposit for the device, I had no trouble getting back my 6 YTL deposit at the white AKBIL booth. Just show your original receipt when you turn it in.

Helen Holter in Seattle , WA USA 11/01/2007

New District Walk (p. 104) Ali Muhhidin Haci Bekir is listed as #129, but this candy store’s address is actually #83A. (#129 is a perfume store – worth dropping in, anyway!)

Helen Holter in Seattle, WA USA 11/01/2007

Pera Palas Hotel, closed for renovations..Duration??? Tunel tram to Istklal closed renovations,9/30/07

Annette Bannon in Gig Harbor, WA USA 10/11/2007

Bus #25E (a shortcut on the Bosphorus Cruise) accepts cash only, not the tokens that are accepted on the tram and funiculars. I believe the fare was 1.30YTL per person. Pay the cashier on the left side of the bus as you enter.

Terin in Chicago, IL USA 09/04/2007

The cost for the Bogaz Iskelesi Bosphorus Cruise (round trip) is now 12.5 YTL, not 7.5 YTL as reported in the book!

Dale in Fairfield, Oh USA 07/20/2007

Visitor's entrance to the Blue Mosque is on the right side (southwest) side of the mosque. Turyol cruises are now 6 YTL, not 5 YTL.

Dale in Fairfield, Oh USA 07/17/2007