Job Discussion Forums

waxwing · Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 719 Location: China

Hi guys.
Little visa-run jaunt to your fair land next week.
I wonder if anyone could help on two things:
1. Where might be a good place to lay my head for 2 days? I'm looking for cheap (but not health-threatening) and somewhere convenient for the Russian Embassy: Istiklal Caddesi 443, Beyoglu, Istanbul
2. I'm thinking Istanbul might be a good place to pick up a few ESL resources (and maybe other books). Any pointers on good bookshops?

Thanks for any help.

yaramaz · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 5:14 am Post subject:

I understand there is a hostel on Istiklal called Chill-Out which is pretty affordable. Never been inside to inspect it though. There are lots of tiny hotels on side streets around Beyoglu, though some look a bit dodgy and I havent looked into prices. Its a great area to wait in though-- tons of cafes, bars, bookshops. For lots of English resources, try Pandora. I forget which side street it's on but it's well known so ask around. It's on the left side heading down from the square, just after McDonalds I think.

waxwing · Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 719 Location: China

Thanks yaramaz. You're a .. umm .. nice cat Smile

Now then, dumbo here just remembered he forgot to ask the main question.
I'm in a bit of difficult situation, because my flight arrives at MIDNIGHT Shocked

.. and I have to be at the embassy at like 7:30 the next morning. So I'm wondering if anyone knows of a hostel or small bed and breakfast or whatever, that will let me make some kind of booking over the net or phone and then turn up at 2 in the morning Embarassed

OK this is kind of stupid I know, but anyone got any ideas?

yaramaz · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 12:18 pm Post subject:

Try cheaphostels.com or bootsnall.com or any other site that comes up when you search for cheap hostels. I've booked successfully several times over the net, and they have a good selection in Istanbul. Some even have airport pickup--- very useful given the late hour you are arriving at. The metro shuts at midnight and the Taksim shuttle buses stop at 11:30 pm, I think. A taxi (um, taksi) to Taksim will be a bit pricey after midnight. It was 26 million from Sultanahmet at 3am last summer, and that was after my Turkish bf made sure the meter wasnt rigged etc. Ask at the info desk when you arrive about your options. I usually just grab a bench and sleep...

Most hostels or hotels should let you arrive at any time if you let them know the time in advance.

bron · Joined: 26 May 2004 Posts: 88

I agree it would be a pain in the proverbial to try to get to Taksim from the airport by public transit, but the dolmuşes (shuttle buses) do actually run all night. There's just fewer of them due to less demand and their quirk of not-leaving-unless-full. So catching one could involve a long wait.

yaramaz · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 1:29 pm Post subject:

Ah, I had been told that the buses to taksim stopped at 11:30 and that only the otogar-bound ones left all night when full... Nice to know actually, as I'll be flying in at midnight as well when I return in September. Had plan to settle down for a nap near the sports bar in the arrivals hall...

waxwing · Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 719 Location: China

yaramaz · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 7:26 am Post subject:

The Istanbul airport is happy and modern, clean non-squat loos and places to wash. It's actually quite palatable as far as airports go, and I've spent many a night in airports all over the world. Beats Sofia and Accra by a mile. Lots of places to sit. If you go upstairs to the Burger King area in the Int'l departures area (before immigration) there are nice padded booths where you can stretch out for a decent nap. Just dont bang your head on the table.

bron · Joined: 26 May 2004 Posts: 88

yaramaz · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 2:18 pm Post subject:

I actually dont know if any dolmuses go to or from the airport. I've never seen one there, nor have any of my Turkish friends suggested I take one when I needed to get out there late at night (flights to/from north america always seem to leave at 5am and get in at midnight).

yaramaz · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 2:22 pm Post subject:

Bron, I just noticed that you successfully used the undotted i and the dangly s without any %$#% repurcussions. How did this happen?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

My friends boyfriend owns a hostel in tunel. I don't have any info at hand but I can find out for you. PM me if you want me to find out.

bron · Joined: 26 May 2004 Posts: 88

waxwing · Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 719 Location: China

Well I plan to stay in the airport until the morn' then.
Can I just turn up in Beyoglu or whatever it's called in the morning and find a place to crash? I had a quick look at one of the websites you gave me yaramaz and it seems like there are quite a lot of hostels and stuff for 10-20$ a night.

What's the teaching scene like in Istanbul nowadays, out of interest?

yaramaz · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 6:40 am Post subject:

Bron, about the undotted i and the dangly s and so forth: I was surprised to see yours displayed properly because even when I type on my turkish computer and look at my post on my turkish computer it is still &%/+ gibberish. Maybe Dave's new server can handle yabanci characters.

testing testing....

ğ � ş � � ı

� � Ş İ Ğ �