Istanbul

[Shellingtonseaotter]

With two children aged 9 & 7 for 4 nights this Easter holiday? It will be me and DH too.

I mean, we love history and so on but the kids not so much.

This is all very last minute and so I haven't researched anything yet.

Any tips? Pros and cons?

Is it booked? Where are you staying?

Nothing booked - DH has just found out he can have some time off so we are looking into where we can go for a short break.

Istanbul is a great choice for summer holidays, and every thing about istanbul is great like its sea, historic sites, and even its air port and lounges.

Went last Easter - although not with DC your children’s ages
It was fantastic!
Not too hot but I’d get a hotel with a pool
I wish we’d had enough time to go to Cappadocia

Took my 8 and 10 year olds for 4 nights in October 2023 and they really enjoyed it. A hotel with a pool (indoor) helped when history overload got a bit much. Turks were very jolly with the kids. We did all the key sites and bazaar shopping. Mosques, galata tower, cisterns, Topkapi palace. Lots of breaks, snacks. They’re not big history buffs but we didn’t do too much in any day. They still rate it as their best holiday. We stayed in Sultanamet at the Sirkeci Konak and would recommend. Loads to do and see.

It’s an absolutely incredible place, the kids will love it

Ha! We just booked a break for next week about 10 minutes ago which is why I looked at travel! Went probably 26 years ago with 3 small children and had fun. Just me and dh this time so research time!

We had a great time in the summer, kids slightly older. If you want a break from culture there's a good soft play with a gladiators-style-pugel-sticks part underneath a Decathlon in a mini mall in the city centre. Ferry to the Asian side for the evening was probably our favourite part.

Yes, echo this, went last November (not with kids) but it is massive, and four days will fly by, there is loads to see and do. If you are flying into international (IST) which is an amazing airport actually, but miles out but you can get the new fast metro into town, but unless your hotel is near the end point, you may have to do some metro transfers (which are fine btw, but just make sure available iro flight times). If you are flying into the other airport (SAW) it is even further out, and again, there are transport options, which are fine, but you just have to appreciate how far these airports are out of the city. Some areas of Istanbul are not so great to be in, some are fine. There's always fast food options for the kids, and loads of places that they will enjoy. It is pretty dry (as in no alcohol). You can get it in western hotels (at a price), and there are few places on the main streets near the Blue Mosque that serve a drink, but few and far between.

Thanks everyone - I have about 100 tabs open and these are all great suggestions! Thanks again.

you can avail istanbul air taxi services in istanbul at affordable prices.

Istanbul is an amazing place. I've been dozens of times and keep going back.
Get the Haviast bus from the airport (turn right in the arrivals hall, and go down a floor in the lifts near the main exit). There are about 10 routes, and it's very well sign posted and they're every 30 minutes. It's under £5 and you pay by card. Much easier than the metro.
Once there get an Istanbulkart (like an oyster). It covers the trams, metro, buses and ferries at about 50p a journey. You buy them from the machines at any metro.
Look for hotels in Sultanhamet, Taksim or Eminonu if you want to be in tourist town. If you're looking for somewhere less tourist, so better value, Fatih or Aksaray (can highly recommend the Hampton by hilton old city) are on the metro and tram, and only a few stops to all the stuff you're going to want to do.
All the sites will be in the guide books, there's plenty to do, and it's so easy to get around. Istanbul public transport runs like clockwork, although gets very busy, especially the tram, so prepare the kids for a squash!

Is it okay to still go Istanbul in April?

I booked my holiday for Turkey in January, but I have noticed there is a more news of certain events in the country.

Should I cancel my trip?

I would be very concerned to go to Istanbul right now

I was there 2 years ago and it was great, but i wouldnt go right now

Think it would be ok to travel, my dad and brother went the other day and are enjoying their trip

Istanbul is stunning, one of the truly great destinations, but it gets very crowded and the traffic is appalling. Allow plenty of time to get around and use the trams if you can.

Just came back and security not an issue but it was very expensive! The cost of museum and cisterns and haggia Sophia exorbitant - would have cost 400 for our family of three to visit so we just chose topkapi palace. Metro and ferry chesp - a pound per journey but restaurants surprisingly expensive. Something wierd up with the lira. Stay on the European side as rush hour traffic makes it impossible to move. Cats on Asian side and rice pudding our fave bits.

Hi, wat was the cost for kids tickets for topkapi palace please?