Hi -- We're landing at IST at 0610, and want to arrange for a food tour leaving from our Eminonu hotel. Given that we land on a Fri (holy day) how much time should we allow for getting through Immigration and reaching our hotel near Sirkeci Station? Thanks!
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
4217 posts
Many variables at the airport: if your flight is on time, how many arriving planes there are, if you have checked luggage. I'd assume an hour to be safe.
To get to your hotel, by private shuttle I would allow a minimum of an hour door to door, though you could easily hit traffic and it could take longer. By public transport you're looking at probably closer to two hours.
In best case scenario you're arriving before noon at the hotel, which may not be ready for your check in. So I'd confirm they can hold your bags for you. If you're doing this just after an overseas flight, you might find yourself dragging through the food tour (at least I would be). The main thing affected on Friday is the opening times of the mosques midday, so if your tour isn't going to any of those you shouldn't run into many closures.
Posted by
2 posts
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Posted by
OP
9 posts
Hello and thanks to the two of you who responded. We're going to have Welcome Pickups deliver us to the hotel in Eminonu. Our food tour starts at 11 in Karakoy. I think we should be fine, timewise!