Turkey in january (best, attractions, passport, cheap)

[jinhou]

I have an option of taking a few days layover in Istanbul before leaving for my final destination, in end of January. I have always wanted to go there, but
1) are 3 days enough for Istanbul (recommendations)? i know i wont be able to go anywhere else.
2) how is the weather there/ what should i pack
3) is it safe enough to travel,l I am 35/M/Indian travelling alone, usually stay out of trouble.

Thanks!

[RooCeleste]

Are you traveling on an American passport? If so, you may not be able to go to Turkey because of the recent diplomatic issues between the two countries. United States and Turkey mutually suspend visa services - CNN I don't know all the specifics about this, but it might be something to research if you are American.

[Selen]

Originally Posted by jinhou

I have an option of taking a few days layover in Istanbul before leaving for my final destination, in end of January. I have always wanted to go there, but
1) are 3 days enough for Istanbul (recommendations)? i know i wont be able to go anywhere else.
2) how is the weather there/ what should i pack
3) is it safe enough to travel,l I am 35/M/Indian travelling alone, usually stay out of trouble.

Thanks!

You may visit Topkapı palace, Dolmabahçe palace, Istanbul archeology museum, grand bazaar. You can take a boat tour on the Bosphorus from Ortakoy. They are cheap too. There are also many modern malls. The weather should be cool. It can be rainy and windy and there may be snow. Pack boots and a coat. Here is a website about tourist attractions in Istanbul.

20 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Istanbul | PlanetWare

[Cantabridgienne]

Three days is enough to see the major tourist sites in Sultanahmet, walk around Taksim, visit some bazaars, etc.

It's "safe enough" until it's not. There have been several incidents of terrorism in the past couple of years.

[jinhou]

i have an indian passport, so visa should not be an issue. the terrorist activity is obviously a concern and i continue to monitor it. but my main concern is the weather. does it rain or snow a lot or is it usually just gray? and how cold does it get, ie new york cold or Texas cold?
thanks all

[Selen]

Originally Posted by jinhou

i have an indian passport, so visa should not be an issue. the terrorist activity is obviously a concern and i continue to monitor it. but my main concern is the weather. does it rain or snow a lot or is it usually just gray? and how cold does it get, ie new york cold or Texas cold?
thanks all

It should be around 7-8 degrees celcius in january. New York cold can be said. I don’t know Texas cold. As I said it is cool and it can be rainy and windy but not heavy snow like siberia. Only a few centimeters if it snows.

[jamary1]

As a former resident of the Istanbul area, I can tell you that January can be cold and rainy or even snow lightly or it can be quite pleasant. It's the luck of the draw. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.