Istanbul is an easy destination to plan yourself: hotels, flights, car rental and activities in one place, no juggling ten different sites. Istanbul works well as a base for day trips to nearby towns and scenic routes. The city has an airport, so you can fly in directly. There are currently around 20 places to stay listed in and around Istanbul, covering a range of budgets. The catalogue includes 12 vetted activities and tours with real guest ratings. 2 routes to nearby towns are mapped out from Istanbul, handy if you're planning side trips beyond the city itself.
Accommodation in Istanbul starts at around €94 per night, with a typical rate near €138 across roughly 20 nearby options — handy for budgeting your trip.
Well-reviewed hotels: Romance Istanbul Hotel Boutique Class, guest rating 10 from 1494 reviews, from €93 per night; Melas Hotel Istanbul, 5-star, guest rating 9.8 from 4062 reviews, from €94 per night; Neorion Hotel - Special Class, guest rating 9.8 from 1323 reviews, from €110 per night; Raffles Istanbul, 5-star, guest rating 9.8 from 644 reviews, from €426 per night; Hotel Yasmak Sultan, 4-star, guest rating 9.6 from 1722 reviews, from €86 per night.
Day trips & routes: Yalova — about 110 km, 1h 49m drive; Cenger — about 229 km, 3h 1m drive. Fastest option is Yalova: 1h 49m by car.
Istanbul: what to know
Things to see: "Private and Guided Istanbul Food Tour: Taste of Istanbul", rated 5 from 208 reviews, from €266.93; "Istanbul Photoshoot at ALL Top Sightseeings", rated 5 from 184 reviews, from €94.8; "Private Old City Guided Tour", rated 5 from 160 reviews, from €195; "Daily Ertugrul Tour from Istanbul", rated 5 from 155 reviews, from €521.72; "Bosphorus Sunset Cruise with Live Guide on Luxury Yacht", rated 5 from 148 reviews, from €35.
Where to eat: "Istanbul Kebab Cafe & Restaurant", Seafood/Barbecue, rated 5 (2935 reviews); "Roof Mezze 360", Mediterranean/European, rated 4.9 (4272 reviews); "Gulhane Sark SofrasI", International/Barbecue, rated 4.9 (5564 reviews); "Garden 1897 Restaurant"; "Last Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant". Top-rated: "Istanbul Kebab Cafe & Restaurant" at 5.
Istanbul has its own airport, so a direct flight is the fastest way in. Getting around the city and out to the 2 nearby destinations listed above is easiest by car — intercity public transport tends to be slower and less frequent. The median nightly rate in Istanbul is around €138, useful for comparing overall trip cost against nearby cities.
To rent a car in Istanbul you usually need a passport, a driving licence and a bank card for the deposit hold. With 20 places to stay nearby, it's worth comparing a base near the rental desk against one closer to the sights. Given 2 routes worth driving from here, check the mileage and one-way drop-off terms before you book. When touring Turkey, plan stops in advance: fuel stations and car parks in smaller towns are not always open around the clock.
