🇹🇷 Istanbul
Turkey
Flight Itinerary
FCO → IST
Mon Feb 1, 2027
2 nights in Istanbul (~16h to explore)
IST → BKK
Wed Feb 3, 2027
Getting In
Airport → City
40 min
Metro + Tram
Best Area
Sultanahmet
Transit
Allow extra time — every 8 min
~$1.50 per trip
Havaist bus from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet (~60 min, ~$5). Taxi costs ~$25-30.
City Guide — 16h
Day 1 Morning: Hagia Sophia (arrive at opening, 9am). Then Blue Mosque across the square.
Day 1 Lunch: Sultanahmet Köftecisi for classic Turkish köfte.
Day 1 Afternoon: Grand Bazaar — get lost intentionally. Turkish tea at one of the courtyard cafes.
Day 1 Evening: Walk across Galata Bridge at sunset. Dinner in Karaköy — try Karaköy Lokantası for modern Turkish cuisine.
Day 2 Morning: Bosphorus ferry from Eminönü (round trip ~2 hours). Stunning views of both continents.
Day 2 Lunch: Street food in Kadıköy (Asian side) — fish sandwich from the pier.
Day 2 Afternoon: Topkapi Palace or the Basilica Cistern. Turkish bath (hamam) at Çemberlitaş.
Map
Getting Around
Tram + walking in the old city. Ferry for the Bosphorus.
Where to Stay
Top Experiences
Hagia Sophia
1,500-year-old architectural marvel that served as church, mosque, museum, and mosque again.
Grand Bazaar
One of the world's largest covered markets with 4,000+ shops selling carpets, spices, and jewelry.
Bosphorus ferry
Scenic public ferry between Europe and Asia with views of palaces, mosques, and the iconic skyline.