I want to trvel from the us to Turkey I have never been out of country I have never flown. I need to know what paperwork I need and the cheapest way to get there and stay for about 1 week. I want to fly into Istanbul and stay there so if anyone has pointers information hints advice please let me know all. I am saving up as i know it will be expensive but really need to come see for myself. Thank you to all and best wishes

You will need a passport. When you get to the airport, you will pay $ 20 U.S. dollars for a visa. At least that is what it was last December.

Staying in Istanbul(European side)is more expensive. I have stayed on the Asian side. But, I had someone to drive me to all the museums and intresting tourist sites on the European side, so if you don't have anyone that can do that for you, stay close to the things you want to see.

I know that a member by the name of Trudy has traveled many times and knows a lot about Turkey. She may have some good suggestions for places to stay.

As far as flights, just check out yahoo travel, or any travel site, and type in your days you will be going and different prices will come up. I have always checked ticket prices online, but then went to a travel agency to purchase my tickets.

Hope this helps a little.

oh, I forgot to mention, one good thing, the U.S. dollar goes further in Turkey if the price is in New Turkish Lira. If the price is in Euros, then you will pay more.

Lovebug thank you so much I will look into the passport thing and call the airport to see what else I may need. I have pulled up some info on flight /hotel pkgs. seems like it will be around 1160 for ticket + 6 nights if I stay near ataturk airport. does this seem about normal? I am very excited but want to make sure I get the best value. Is there a better time to visit Istanbul weather wise? I am reading all I can and it seems people travel there year round. I may or may not have someone there to guide me but if I dont is there a place to find a guide there? Again thanks you for your help I am just full of questions........

Ataturk Airport is not near the city centre. You better find yourself a hotel near the highlights. Depending of what you like there are several options. The district with the most hotels is Sultanahmet and everything is at walking distance. Other districts (like Taksim, Sirkeci and many more) are possible too but more expensive and/or more far away. Buy yourself a good travel guiding book (I recommend Lonely Planet Istanbul) and you don't need a guide (at least not a professional one). That book is full of tips, information about what to see/do and little town maps. For hotels there are several sites, last time I visited Istanbul I used http://www.hotelopia.nl/home/homepage.jsp but mind you, all prices are in Euro, even if you set the site on US dollar. (Rate exchanges at http://www.fxconverter.com/ ).

Have fun!

shkino, the weather in Istanbul is around 30 degrees celsius this time of year so a nice temperature to be in.

If you get a taxi, sometimes they like to haggle before you get in to earn more money but just point to the taxi meter and say "taksimetre" and they will run it.
As they turn it on the flash rate should come up. `

There is either "gündüz"(daylight) or "gece" (night) and I think Gece time which is (12am to 6am) cost is 50% more than gündüz (6am to 12am) though I'm not sure because I didn't travel much in a taxi at night when I was there
Can anyone confirm that?

The Gündüz fare for the 15-minute ride between Sultanahmet and Taksim Square is about US$5.
For the 35 to 75 minute drive from Atatürk Airport to Sultanahmet the Gündüz fare is about US$15 to US$20. From the airport to Taksim Square, about US$18 to $23.

The Gündüz fare from Sariyer, on the Northern European shore of the Bosphorus near the Black Sea, to Galata Bridge is about US$25.
IF you need any more help just ask
When you go I hope you have a wonderful journey.

More: some hotels have a pick-up / return service from/to the Airport. Sometimes even free. And there is a subway/tram from the airport to Sultanahmet. From there you can take a bus to Taksim (or go further by tram and take the funicular at the end). Exact costs I don't know but it can't be more than a few lira. If you need bus/tram often in the week you are in Istanbul, buy an 'akbil' - kind of prepaid ticket. You pay 6 lira deposit (you get it back when you return the thing) and upload it with 10 or 20 lira at most. Every trip with tram or bus will automatically be paid this way, no hassle with tickets.

There might be also the option of a package deal. I'm not sure if that is organised in the US as well (here in Europe there are thousands), ask a (good) travel agent. The benefits of a package deal is that it's most of the time (but not always - keep checking prices!) cheaper than buying the parts separate. It should include: return flight, airport taxes, transfer from airport to hotel v.v. and accommodation - most likely including breakfast. It does NOT include: other meals, visa costs, travel insurance (please don't forget that!). And like Marion said: if you have questions, also about what to do/see, ask! There are many people here who can help you.