Istanbul for Hunters, Has Anyone Used?

[Rimbaud]

Hi all - I've got a layover in Istanbul later this month, and want to see some of the city. I have a referral to Istanbulforhunters.com from @TRAVEL EXPRESS. Interested in any feedback, reviews from anyone who used them? Thanks and best regards / R

 

[DLSJR]

Just BOOK IT. They are excellent, really really good. Hakan Ozsala (sp?) and his team are very good guides. I spent 1 1/2 days with Sam Abi and wished my stay was longer. They speak English as good as a born & bred American. Sam knows his way around Istanbul like the back of his hand. When it was time to go to the airport, Hakan took me himself. Fantastic service, great guys who are hunters themselves. From the time they meet you coming off the plane until you’re checked in, they Shepard you through everything. They walk you through the gun storage process, right beside you the entire time.

Book with confidence. Istanbul is a fascinating city.

 

[Tanks]

How long is the layover? In most cases you do not need to retrieve your bags and rifle(s) as they are checked to final destination. If being forced to retrieve, then it does make sense to make use of a service.

 

[Rimbaud]

Just BOOK IT. They are excellent, really really good. Hakan Ozsala (sp?) and his team are very good guides. I spent 1 1/2 days with Sam Abi and wished my stay was longer. They speak English as good as a born & bred American. Sam knows his way around Istanbul like the back of his hand. When it was time to go to the airport, Hakan took me himself. Fantastic service, great guys who are hunters themselves. From the time they meet you coming off the plane until you’re checked in, they Shepard you through everything. They walk you through the gun storage process, right beside you the entire time.

Book with confidence. Istanbul is a fascinating city.

Thank you, Sir. I appreciate the endorsement. I’ve already booked them, and thought I should check w the Hunting Brain Trust on this forum just to be safe.

 

[Rimbaud]

How long is the layover? In most cases you do not need to retrieve your bags and rifle(s) as they are checked to final destination. If being forced to retrieve, then it does make sense to make use of a service.

Our layover is about 15 hours. I’m not traveling with my rifle so we should be able to grab small duffels and go. This is one of the few cities where I don’t know anyone so I feel the need for a little handholding. This is at the tail end of a bear/chamois hunt in Transylvania and I want to pack it full of experiences. We’re traveling Turkish Air, and are just a few hours short of being able to use their tour service.

 

[Russ16]

Our layover is about 15 hours. I’m not traveling with my rifle so we should be able to grab small duffels and go. This is one of the few cities where I don’t know anyone so I feel the need for a little handholding. This is at the tail end of a bear/chamois hunt in Transylvania and I want to pack it full of experiences. We’re traveling Turkish Air, and are just a few hours short of being able to use their tour service.

When are you going? I’m doing chamois in November. I’m not sure my layover in istanbul is long enough but I’m very intrigued.

 

[Rimbaud]

When are you going? I’m doing chamois in November. I’m not sure my layover in istanbul is long enough but I’m very intrigued.

We’ll be in Istanbul in early November. We don’t have a v long layover, but the guides say we can squeeze in a few places. Beats hanging out at the airport!

 

[wesheltonj]

Our layover is about 15 hours. I’m not traveling with my rifle so we should be able to grab small duffels and go. This is one of the few cities where I don’t know anyone so I feel the need for a little handholding. This is at the tail end of a bear/chamois hunt in Transylvania and I want to pack it full of experiences. We’re traveling Turkish Air, and are just a few hours short of being able to use their tour service.

If your 15 hours is daylight and early evening, a trip into Istanbul would be excellent. Turkish Air even offers day tours from The airport. If it 15 hours is overnight, hotel at the airport would be the way to go.

 

[Rimbaud]

If your 15 hours is daylight and early evening, a trip into Istanbul would be excellent. Turkish Air even offers day tours from The airport. If it 15 hours is overnight, hotel at the airport would be the way to go.

We actually land at 1220 am. I was going to get a room in the old city, but I’d gladly stay at airport, too. Do you know if Turkish Air business lounge has sleeping accommodations?

 

[wesheltonj]

We actually land at 1220 am. I was going to get a room in the old city, but I’d gladly stay at airport, too. Do you know if Turkish Air business lounge has sleeping accommodations?

I don’t recall sleeping pods. There are two hotels inside the airport, one Landside and one Airside. Make sure you pick the airside.

 

[pilar]

We actually land at 1220 am. I was going to get a room in the old city, but I’d gladly stay at airport, too. Do you know if Turkish Air business lounge has sleeping accommodations?

https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-us/flights/fly-different/turkish-airlines-lounge/

It’s worth the $ to use it
Istanbul airport is a very nice place, especially when laying over to Kazakhstan or the mid Asian area!

 

[Russ16]

We’ll be in Istanbul in early November. We don’t have a v long layover, but the guides say we can squeeze in a few places. Beats hanging out at the airport!

Same here, Nov 1 and Nov 7. I don't think I have a long enough layover.

 

[DLSJR]

Istanbul is a fascinating city with incredible history. I’d plan enough time to truly see it. You won’t be sorry.

 

[Rimbaud]

Same here, Nov 1 and Nov 7. I don't think I have a long enough layover.

We land 1220 am and leave at 335 pm. Hakan says we can squeeze in a few sites. I’d get in touch with him and just see. We’re getting a pick up at the airport, and a return to the airport, too. Frankly, I wish I had added an extra day for Istanbul, but I’m scared of my wife. I’m spending about four days in Transylvania before our hunt to explore the countryside and taking even more time could incite revolution - at home, and at the office.

 

[Russ16]

We land 1220 am and leave at 335 pm. Hakan says we can squeeze in a few sites. I’d get in touch with him and just see. We’re getting a pick up at the airport, and a return to the airport, too. Frankly, I wish I had added an extra day for Istanbul, but I’m scared of my wife. I’m spending about four days in Transylvania before our hunt to explore the countryside and taking even more time could incite revolution - at home, and at the office.

I land at 730 and leave at 150 outbound and 1245 and 355 home bound. Not sure I have time for much. But I’ll give them a call.

 

[longhairdontcare]

Is it me or is this a bit much? If I have a layover of less than 24 hours do I need to pick up rifles? I could just take the train to the city and save $1100. That's pretty much the cost of my flight.

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

I had homes in both Istanbul and Ankara for three years. Türkiye has a rich history to explore.