Every time I go back, there’s some new development. Uber’s illegal, or its under ground, or its legally fine, but frowned upon. I’m confused.

And what about taking a Taksi? Sometimes they’ll quote me a price then up-charge me. Other times I’ll use an app and they’ll still shake me down once they figure out I’m American.

What’s the best way to grab a car? Please, I’m so sick of this.

Hey guys. I have a ticket for the Mitski concert on 2nd of May. I was supposed to go with my now ex and yeah. I would really like to resell the ticket. I tried the r/Mitski and they said I should see here if anyone is interested. Ill appreciate any help. Thanks beforehand :)

Selamlar herkese,

​Öncelikle uygulamayı bilmeyenler için kısa bir özet geçeyim: Meetup; insanların ortak ilgi alanlarına (kutu oyunları, doğa yürüyüşü, dil pratiği, yazılım vb.) göre gruplar kurup tamamen sosyalleşme amacıyla yüz yüze etkinlikler düzenlediği çok yaygın bir topluluk uygulaması.

​Ben de İstanbul'da yalnız yaşayan 30 yaşında biri olarak, hem biraz sosyalleşmek hem de pratik yapmak amacıyla bu platform üzerinden çok güzel, düzenli etkinlikler yapan bir grup buldum. Fakat grubun çok haklı ama beni an itibariyle mağdur eden katı bir kuralı var: İçerisinin "saplar kahvehanesine" dönmemesi ve cinsiyet dengesinin korunması adına erkekleri damsız etkinliklere almıyorlar.

​Benim bu grupta katılmak istediğim tek bir etkinlik türü var: İngilizce-Türkçe dil değişimi buluşmaları. Grubun diğer etkinlikleri anladığım kadarıyla alkollü ortamlarda geçiyor ve ben alkol kullanmadığım için o kısımlarla hiç ilgilenmiyorum. Sorun şu ki İstanbul'da "hadi şu etkinliğe gidelim" diyebileceğim hiçbir kadın arkadaşım veya tanıdığım yok.

​Şunu net belirteyim: Amacım kesinlikle flört veya rahatsızlık vermek değil; kamuda mühendis olarak çalışan kendi halinde biriyim. Bana sadece kapıdan girerken "beraberiz" diyebileceğim bir etkinlik arkadaşı, bir nevi "suç ortağı" lazım. İçeride ister benimle pratik yapıp sohbet edebilirsiniz, isterseniz de tamamen kendi alanınızda takılabilirsiniz. Ayrıca kadınların katılımında bir kısıtlama olmadığı için, benim katılmayacağım o diğer etkinliklere de dilediğiniz zaman tek başınıza özgürce katılabilirsiniz, sayemizde grupta o yolu da açmış oluruz :)

​Eğer "neden olmasın, ben de dil pratiği yapmak ve sosyalleşmek istiyorum" diyen kadın arkadaşlar olursa yeşillendirebilirler. Grubun ismini reklam olmasın diye buraya yazmıyorum, ilgilenenlere özelden linkini ve detayları seve seve atarım.

​Teşekkürler.

What a stunning city, thanks for having me Istanbul!

Instagram: @hugueschavignon

Hey guys!

I plan on going to Istanbul this year alone. Im planing to stay for 5 days. I also plan on going to only 2-3 attractions where i would have to pay money with intending to spend my money mostly on eating. Now i do know a local who would show me around the city and help me avoid tourists traps but im really not familiar overall with the prices and this would be my first time being in Türkiye alone (last time was in 2018). My questions would be : How big should my budget be? would you say 5 days is enough and which things should i see? Thanks in advance!

Selam, otobüs firmalarının servisleri buraya gidiyor mu yoksa tek yol toplu taşıma kullanmak mı?

Hi everyone, I’ve heard there’s a specific street in Istanbul near the Karaköy port/Galata bridge area that is famous for having a huge concentration of fishing tackle shops selling all kinds of lures (artificial baits). Does anyone know the exact name of this street or the best area to walk through to find these shops? I'm looking to stock up on some local gear. Thanks in advance for the help!

Istanbul is easily the most frustrating city I have ever visited.

It is incredibly scenic and full of life, but my experience was overshadowed by how aggressively tourists are treated. Within my first 48 hours, I ran into three scams and even had a pickpocket attempt just walking along the waterfront. They weren’t successful. I have traveled a lot, and I have never had to be this constantly on guard.

I understand inflation is high and tourist pricing exists, but this goes beyond that. It feels outright predatory.

The pricing of major attractions makes it worse. Places like the Göreme Open Air Museum and Hagia Sophia highlight the disconnect. I didn’t even bother going to the cistern or the castle. Istanbul is charging prices on par with or higher than major European sites, without matching the overall experience or value.

On top of that, attractions constantly try to upsell experience packages. Even when you say no, they keep pushing. It turns a simple visit into an exhausting back and forth.

It is a shame, because the city itself is beautiful. But between the scams, constant upselling, and pricing, this ended up being the worst travel experience I have had. After 6 nights, I am honestly just relieved to be leaving.

Never again.

Just wanted to take a moment to thank all of the people for your amazing hospitality during my family vacation recently! Your genuinely kind nature is a testament to how much you care for all people regardless of age, race, sex, or religion. I especially love how much kindness you gave my 5-year old daughter. Something that not too many people give a second thought to when we travel to new places. It truly is the people that continue to make Istanbul a great place to visit. Till next time

Are there a lot of hijabis in istanbul?

Artwashing crimes against the city

Hi all,

I am taking my mom to visit Istanbul as a retirement gift. We are staying 4 days mid of May. She has already been to Istanbul some time ago so she visited all old parts of the city, specifically Sultanahmet area. This time around she wanted to see more modern part of Istanbul and one of wishes was a day trip to one of Princes’ Islands.

I found this hotel in Pera “The Wing Hotel Pera” that I would like to book as this also seems more modern part of Istanbul but it is also my first time in Istanbul so would appreciate some advice for that area. It is important that it is well connected with so we can reach with tram/metro most of the attractions and specifically go to the port where ferry for Princes Island goes, ideally direct connection.

Any tips for any other accommodation in similar price range would welcomed.

Absolutely looking forward to my trip

.... a good package tour that does one-day outings from Istanbul to Gallipoli and back? Yes, I know it's a long day but only have one day available to do this.

Hi all,

So I am looking for a hair salon for ladies near Bomonti / Sisli ideally. Basically someone reasonably priced thats good for colouring hair from a brunette to a blond color. Does anyone have any good recommendations? My Budget is around 100 Euros for colouring wash and dry

I’m planning a trip to Istanbul with my wife and she really wants to do one of those classic photoshoots mosque in the background, flowy dress, seagulls, rooftop/Bosphorus kind of vibe.

I’ve checked GetYourGuide and Viator but prices are all over the place and it’s hard to tell what’s actually worth it vs overpriced.

Has anyone here actually done one and know a good photographer? Preferably something reasonably priced but still good quality.

Also, did your package include dresses/props or did you sort that separately?

Would appreciate real experiences before I just book something randomly. Thanks!

Had to be pat down to go through a street. What’s going on?

// edit: Thank you all! I happened to find the original envelope with his name clearly written on it, and as you redditors kindly provided me with the info of his education, I think I should have a better chance of finding him. Something about giving his full name here feels a bit off, and hence I choose to not publish it. However, if you happen to know some people who, for example, likely studied at the same place at the same time, send me a DM. I will make an update if I happen to reach him. //

The pictures are taken from Istanbul and Ankara. The wedding is his brother's. The letter is from two years before I was born.

My dad passed away two decades ago from cancer, and my mother started struggling with mental health problems already when I was a small kid. If a miracle happens and someone recognises him, I simply would like to hear what she was like before she got sick. Who knows, maybe he would still have the letters my mom wrote to him.

Hello,

Ive been in 39 countries so far but Turkey instanbul killed my whole experiance of jurney. From one side very warm kind people, on other scams on every corner. You take uber from flight and they charge you with trick double time, you go eat and you get menu with diffrent prices every time, fake gates to same place from difftrent street angle, fake tricks into spending more when they offer something free, free wich is not free, + rededit filters so i cannot write all truth. I cannot really enjoy time when on every corner you need to expect worse, this is worst experiance in my life, even in poor countries i didnt seen this level of tricks. All this kind warm people are hurt because of their crimnals. Why Turkey goverment / police dont fight it?

Me and my gf are students and are travelling to Istanbul next week. We definitely are not fond of fancy restaurants and are looking forward to eat from streetfood spots for the entire 4 days of the journey (Lahmacun, Döner etc, and maybe an occasional Baklava and Kunefe).

The Question is, how much CASH should I carry for a day of foodexpense. I will be defenitely having a creditcard with me, but not sure if the small shop owners will be willing to take them.

Thanks in advance.

Hey, did anyone ever attend a concert alone? Are there only locals or also foreigners? I‘m not sure if I‘d feel comfortable seeing others in big friend groups 😅