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1. Why book with Istanbul30.com?
Istanbul30.com offers a carefully selected range of clean, affordable accommodation in central locations, within easy reach of key places of interest. We provide good value hotels, hostels, bed & breakfasts and apartments for the cost-conscious traveller at a target price of €30 per person per night*. Istanbul30.com has a quick, easy-to-use reservations system. You get instant confirmation on-line for the dates that you require. No fuss, no delays.
*During peak periods prices may be higher.
2. Could I get a better price if I contacted the establishment directly?
Accommodation prices can vary according to occupancy levels, the season and expected demand.
We agree price parity with each establishment. This means that we show the same prices as other reservations websites and the establishment itself, and in many cases we negotiate lower on-line rates for our websites.*
*This depends on the season and availability. Prices may be higher during peak periods.
3. How do I know what my room will be like?
All of our accommodation has clear photos and detailed descriptions, and sometimes a video as well. They are all located on our map page so that you can check their location in the city. We encourage everyone who books with us to rate and comment on their experience at a particular establishment and you can read this feedback on each establishment's profile page.
4. How do I make a reservation?
The process is very simple. Start by entering your travel dates and the number of travellers in the box in the top left hand corner of each page. Here you may also click "More Search Options" to narrow your criteria further. Clicking the "Show Availability" button will then bring up a list of establishments that meet your requirements. Choose a place that looks good to you and click "More Details" to see the establishment's profile and a breakdown of the total price. Here you may read the comments that previous guests have left after staying at this establishment. When you have found a place that you wish to book, just click "Reserve Now" and you will be taken to the first of 2 stages in our booking process.
5. What exactly will I pay now on-line?
The portion of the total cost that you will pay on-line through our website represents Istanbul30.com’s part of the total cost and local taxes. A booking fee may be charged on your transaction (if applicable). The amount will be clearly stated before your credit card is charged. This payment secures the reservation for you, and the balance must be paid to the establishment upon check-in. This payment breakdown will be included in your confirmation email as well as in our communication with the establishment.
6. How do I get to Istanbul city centre from Istanbul's Atatürk International airport?
Atatürk International Airport is 23km west of Istanbul city centre. This is one of the busiest airports in Turkey.
There are three options to get to Istanbul city centre from Istanbul airport.
(i) Metro: The Hafif Istanbul metro (light rail network) is directly opposite the airport, and it will take you to anywhere in the city. The first train leaves around 06:00 am, the last train leaves shortly after midnight. The journey takes about one hour to Sultanahmet and an hour and a half to Taksim. A single train ticket costs about 3 New Turkish Lira (€1.70).
(ii) Bus: Havas Shuttle buses operate from the airport every 30 minutes and they go to different areas of Istanbul. The bus to Taksim Square costs 6 New Turkish Lira (€3.45), the journey takes about 40 minutes and the one to Akmerkez (Etiler) costs 6,15 New Turkish Lira (€ 3.50) and it takes around 45 minutes.
(iii) Taxis are available at the airport. Negotiate the fare before going on the journey. The price to the city centre i.e. Taksim Square should not cost more than 28 -32 New Turkish Lira (€16 to €18). Night fares are 50% higher.
7. How do I get to Istanbul city centre from Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen International Airport?
Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, about 30 km south east of Haydarpasa Station (Istanbul main railway station). There are two options to get to Istanbul city centre from SAW:
(i) Bus: The cheapest way to get to the city is by E10 city bus, which leaves every 20 to 40 minutes. It costs less than 3 New Turkish Lira (€ 1.70) and takes about one hour.
Havas airport buses go from Sabiha Gökçen Airport all the way to Taksim Square. The 19 daily buses are timed to the arrival of all flights, departing the airport 25 minutes after flight arrival time. The ride takes 45 minutes and costs 7 New Turkish Lira (€ 4).
(ii) Taxi may be the fastest way to go from the airport to the city if there is not much traffic. The daytime fare is about 65 New Turkish Lira (€37) to Taksim Square. Night fares are 50% higher.
8. What do I do if I want to change the number of nights or the number of people of my stay?
It is possible to make changes to a reservation if you send written notification by e-mail to bookings@Istanbul30.com within the time limit specified in the establishment's cancellation policy. Please note that all booking changes are subject to availability. There is a handling fee of €15 for all booking changes, except those that add nights or people to the stay.
*Groups of more than 20 people must provide a minimum of 15 days’ notice to amend their reservations.
9. Is the payment system secure?
Yes. The information you provide during the payment process is VeriSign encrypted and is not made available to any outside entities. SECURITY OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS PARAMOUNT TO US. All transactions occur in a secure site area using 'Secure Sockets Layer' (SSL) software from VeriSign to process orders. SSL encrypts the information you input on the site ensuring that no third parties can intercept, read, or use the data. After making a reservation you will quickly receive confirmation by email containing details of the amount of your prepayment, address, telephone number and e-mail of the establishment you have booked, as well as the reservation dates. Upon arrival at the establishment you will pay the amount outstanding by any payment method that that particular establishment accepts.
10. Can you send me a confirmation with the hotel address? / I haven't received my confirmation e-mail yet.
All the details of your reservation including the hotel address, e-mail and telephone are included in the confirmation email that was sent to you after booking. Check your spam folder in case this email has ended up there. If you no longer have this email you can access details of your reservation on the My reservation page of our website. Just enter your email address or reservation number. If you are still having trouble accessing your details then you can contact us by telephone. See this page for details of our local rate numbers.
11. Is the city safe?
The majority of crime in Istanbul is non-violent, with a low number of incidences involving guns or knives compared to Western Europe or the United States. The highest risk to visitors is posed by bag snatchers and pickpockets. Be warned, in popular tourist areas this is a significant risk, particulary around Taksim Square and Istiklal Street, which are usually very crowded.
Be aware of your surroundings,don't show off expensive items such as mobile phones and cameras, and make sure your wallet or purse is out of sight. It is also advised to behave in a discreet, respectful manner so as to avoid attracting attention at night, especially if out in a group. In general, Istanbul residents are welcoming, friendly and hospitable to those who come to enjoy their city. The biggest risk to both tourists and locals alike is the traffic and erratic drivers.
12. What happens if I want to cancel my reservation?
Please be aware that all establishments apply their own specific cancellation policies, details of which are shown during the reservation process on the Website and in your confirmation e-mail.
(i) To cancel a reservation you must send written notification by e-mail to bookings@Istanbul30.com within the time limit specified by the establishment's cancellation policy as stated in your confirmation e-mail. Please check your confirmation e-mail, which lists the applicable cancellation policy for further information.
If you cancel your reservation by notifying us before 1200 hours (local time of your destination) within the specified cancellation period, you will receive a full refund of the deposit amount prepaid on-line, less a €15 handling fee. (Standard cancellation period for apartments is 7 days before arrival date).
(ii) You may also cancel a reservation using the Auto Cancellation facility.
Simply go to My reservation and enter your e-mail address. You will automatically receive an e-mail containing a URL link. Open the e-mail and click on the link to access your reservation details (note: all reservations you may have made via Istanbul30.com will be listed, please ensure you select the correct reservation). Click the CANCEL button. You will subsequently receive an automatically generated e-mail with the details of the reservation confirming the cancellation. Please note, the cancellation policy of the establishment is also applicable to this facility.
*Groups of more than 20 people must provide a minimum of 15 days’ notice to cancel their reservations.
13. What happens in case of late cancellation (after the indicated cancellation period has expired) or if I do not show up at the establishment?
If you cancel after the cancellation period has expired or if you simply do not show up at the establishment (no-show), you will be charged a full 1 night & VAT for each room you have reserved, by the establishment, plus a €15 processing fee by Istanbul30.com. There will be no refund of the amount prepaid online.
Istanbul30.com blocks the online calendar for the room or apartment reserved from the moment the reservation is made until the arrival date. If you make a late cancellation, or simply fail to show up, these room nights will go wasted, unsold. The room nights have been held for you, at your request. Now they will go unsold due to this no-show or late cancellation. The ¨amount already paid¨ (the amount pre-paid online) will not be refunded, and will be used to partially offset the loss incurred by Istanbul30.com and the establishment.
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