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2011 Turkish GP


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#1 george1981

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Posted 30 November 2010 - 22:01

Hello,
I'm planning on going to the Turkish GP in 2011. I'm planning on staying in Istanbul and making my way to the track for each of the 3 days.
Any tips on where to stay in Istanbul and how to get to the track? I'm not picky about which part of the city to stay in. I would like to avoid getting a hire car but can do if necessary.
Thanks
George

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#2 AvranaKern

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Posted 30 November 2010 - 22:21

Hi,

Track is far far away from the center of the city but municipality arranges some ring services from and to the track every half an hour from and to the city center (which is Taksim). As you can use free ring buses very efficiently, you can stay at Taksim. Here is a very clean and tidy hostel --> http://www.chillouthc.com/ (There are actually 3 hostels all of them belonging to chillouthc. There is a big and cheerful street in Taksim, where you really enjoy walking and listening to some street musicians. Two of these three hostels are on this street [İstiklal Street] and one of them is in Galata, which is quite near Taksim effectively in the other end of İstiklal Street)

As far as I know, the town where the track is built has developed since the first race and may offer some accomodation facilities. I haven't seen them just heard of it but you may consider staying as close as track by staying in a hotel in Akfırat district. They might be a little expensive so it's up to you. But, I advise you to stay and be in Taksim, which is the safest, easiest and cheerful thing to do. There is also Sultanahmet in which you can stay. To me, Taksim is way better than Sultanahment in terms of accomodation but of course it is all down to you. Sultanahment is not far from Taksim, so you can go there if you want even on foot. It's really nice to walk on the way between Taksim and Sultanahmet (On the way there, You'll see Tunnel, Galata Tower, Golden Horn, Spice Bazaar etc.). It'll take your 30 minutes to get there. And you know what, in Sultanahmet there are more tourists than Turkish people :) So you won't lose anything to stay in Taksim. It's much cheerful, energetic and exciting. (Tbh, I get a little bored in Sultanahmet but of course you should see there too). I don't know your age but I'm sure you can feel comfortable whatever your age is. And you can go to track with free-ring buses to be departed from the city center (Taksim) to the track. Journey to track lasts 1,5 hour and if you go early in the morning, you'll never have any traffic problem but enjoy the Bosphorus scene.

Some tips:
During race day, try to go there early in order not to stuck into traffic as Istanbul is "in"famous for its junction. When you get there, you'll see green Mercedes ring buses which will drive you around the circuit quite frequently. So you can use them. In May, Istanbul won't be that hot as in August so you don't need to be frightened about the temperature. Though, it'll be usefull to take a cap as grandstands other than the main have no shed protector on top of them.

Here in Istanbul Park, we have fences on grandstands and general admission area. So if you'll stay admission area, try to go early and reserv some decent places, which you'll definitely find if you go early. Or you'll stuck into fence area. In the admission area looking at Turn 1 and Turn 2, there you'll find a small prefabricated WC-like building, you can step up that building for a eye-bird look :) That's really nice don't forget! In grandstands, try to sit on top of the seats to avoid fences.

#3 Orges Dushku

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Posted 03 May 2011 - 10:15

I read your post Ali. Exactly what I was looking for. I'm planning to get the tickets at the circuit (probbably General Admission) When you say early? How early? 9-10am?

#4 man

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Posted 05 May 2011 - 13:22

Last minute job...may go to Istanbul this weekend...anybody knw if tickets are available an if so how much do they go for on the day? How difficult/easy is it to find a hotel/hostel? Thanks in advance.

#5 AvranaKern

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Posted 05 May 2011 - 13:59

Well, the earlier the merrier as İstanbul traffic could get nasty. 9-10 am is quite good.

Don't worry about the tickets. There will be tonnes of them.

You can find elaquent and cheap hostels in the center, Taksim and Sultanahment. http://www.chillouthc.com/ is the first one coming to my mind.

#6 pinkypants

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Posted 05 May 2011 - 14:38

OK, managed to find this;

http://www.istanbulp.....s english.pdf

Are these ticket the coins you use for the tram and the train? I will have a walk down after dinner to see if I can find where the bus stop is ;)

Edited by pinkypants, 05 May 2011 - 14:47.


#7 AvranaKern

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Posted 05 May 2011 - 17:33

OK, managed to find this;

http://www.istanbulp.....s english.pdf

Are these ticket the coins you use for the tram and the train? I will have a walk down after dinner to see if I can find where the bus stop is ;)

Bus stop for F1 rigns is in front of AKM (Atatürk Kültür Merkezi - Ataturk Cultural Center). There is this big old building on the other side of the square. Buses will depart from there.

Well, you can pay in cash too. Tickets are different on buses than those of tram and trains. You have to use an electric smart key, called AKBİL*. I don't think you'll ever need this. You can just give cash to the driver.

*
Posted Image

Edited by ali.unal, 05 May 2011 - 17:35.


#8 pinkypants

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Posted 06 May 2011 - 06:35

Found them, now on bus, thank you for all your help


#9 pinkypants

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Posted 12 May 2011 - 17:39

Bus stop for F1 rigns is in front of AKM (Atatürk Kültür Merkezi - Ataturk Cultural Center). There is this big old building on the other side of the square. Buses will depart from there.

Well, you can pay in cash too. Tickets are different on buses than those of tram and trains. You have to use an electric smart key, called AKBİL*. I don't think you'll ever need this. You can just give cash to the driver.

*
Posted Image


Thought I'd just add some comments here!

Thank you so much for all your help, the three days went by so quickly (wished I had spent more time in Istanbul but we are definitely coming back!)! Travel too and from the circuit on the bus took about 1 hours and 30 minutes each way. Circuit facilities were good but the f1 fan paddock really lacked atmosphere on Friday and Saturday, investment and stands compared to Silverstone. Tickets were easy to pick up at the circuit, if there is a Grand Prix next year I would definitely go again. Lot's of action for those sitting in Silver 8 like we were, it was absolutely amazing and blew the Silverstone gps I have attended out of the water for track action!! We went with Turkish Airlines for the internal flights, brand new planes, food on board, all very nice (expensive but amazing!). Kangeroo TV wasn't available at the circuit, luckily we had bought a Vodaphone turkish sim card with an internet tariff on it (trying to buy one was a bit of a nightmare but we managed to find a nice shop where the staff spoke english and got it all sorted out!!) so we could follow the updates from the F1 app. Shame the weather in the south for the rest of my holiday isn't as great (thunder and lightning at the moment!!).

Thank you very much for all of your help, I really appreciate it and would have been very lost without it.

Thank you again!! :)