Champions League Final | Istanbul Travel - Good to hear routes etc.

[MCFC Wirral]

Please could you elaborate more on some of the scams and problems you ran into so other fans have a better idea? This is not scaremongering but valued advice from someone who's been before. A lot of our lot get the day trip over or spend time in and around the Irish bar only, I have a feeling this place is going to be a lot bigger than expected and a completely different vibe to other Euro aways. Thanks.

Hostess bars for one. Don’t allow anyone to befriend you and try to take you elsewhere to a bar they know. I thankfully sussed I was in one and legged it.

 

[Gingers Dad]

Cheers for this mate. Think I’ll just get a crate of Efes, spend all weekend in the Airbnb I’ve booked, and watch the match on the box!

It sounds scary out there any chance of an invite?

 

[Peely01]

I know somebody who is on holiday in Cyprus but is flying in to Turkey from there.

They are then flying directly home from Turkey back to Manchester.

She has been told they will be banned from Cyprus for three years as a result.

Don't think she cares, but a new one on me!

It’s because she will be flying from the north occupied side of Cyprus to turkey

 

[MCFC Wirral]

As I didn’t stop for anyone, the only problem I had was the hostess bar and it was my fault for following them in.

Take a few precautions and you’ll be fine.

 

[g180aj]

I know somebody who is on holiday in Cyprus but is flying in to Turkey from there.

They are then flying directly home from Turkey back to Manchester.

She has been told they will be banned from Cyprus for three years as a result.

Don't think she cares, but a new one on me!

1 of our group is crossing the border from Cyprus and flying direct, he’s worried about the consequences

 

[AliBobbyJ]

Been watching some tourist videos on Istanbul and it's changed a lot (obviously) from when I was there. Which was nearly 50 years ago. Many of the stores and brand names we have in the West seem to be there now, shop & street signs in English, etc. Globalization. Back when I visited it felt like the most "different" place I'd been to, really quite exotic and mysterious, a city on the edge of Asia. Hope that atmosphere's still there

Would definitely repeat the boat ride along the Bosphorous to the Black Sea. We were the only English folk on board and the ferry captain had us steer the boat for a while - a few zigzags but no damage done.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

There are honestly too many to list. If you're in a big group then you're less likely to get pressured into giving money etc. If you're a small group then be careful cause they'll try to use force to be persuasive and make you pay them/intimidate you.

Common basic ones are someone shining your shoe and demanding you pay them money without you asking.

If you're at a bar, someone will offer to buy u a drink and then youll have a convo. They'll give some fake story about being a tourist or wanting friends (They'll seem genuine and believable). They'll invite u to have another drink but theyll take u to some dodgy bar and you'll get whacked with a £000 bill if you're lucky. If you're not then youll be drugged and wake up with stuff missing. They'll usually have a few big guys to intimidate you ad take you to withdraw the cash.

Theres also some who will do the same above but have a friend waiting to swipe something from you whilst youre distracted.

People will be coming up to u offering u drugs/women etc dont do it as its a scam. Theyll take u to some dodgy place like before or to a corner and try to mug you (Guns are more accessible in Turkey).

When I went, we went to a club after having a few drinks. They took us inside to what looked like a busy club but everyone was looking at us. We sat down and there were already food and drinks on the table. Women coming up to us etc. I realised that we didnt order anything.

I got up and told my friends to get up and leave. They tried to stop us but we didnt take anything. 3 large guys tried to get one of my friends in a room but I said I'll call the police and after a few mins we managed to leave.

Also be aware that theres no offical license for hard liquour. So beers are fine but dont drink vodkas/whiskey etc from shops because they are 99% of the time home brewed and can cost you a liver/your eyesight.

Oh and people tried to fight us on the day we're leaving cause they saw us with suitcases and started shouting at us about being able to leave Turkey or something.

I just didnt have a good experience with the people there who believed they were better than us. They were also super racist to my two black friends. There was just this general air of superiority they had/were trying to imply. I cba with that when Im on holiday and just want to relax/visit sights/ eat good food etc.

Sounds delightful. Would rather go self-catering in Beirut.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

1 of our group is crossing the border from Cyprus and flying direct, he’s worried about the consequences

Three year ban. As long as they are then flying directly back to Manchester, they won't get banged up.

 

[MadchesterCity]

Anyone on the overnight train from Sofia?

Try flixbus

 

[WestGorton]

They only have regular yellow taxis in the system. Not normal car or van service like other countries. İ live in istanbul, trust me:)

Ok thanks