I will be arriving in Istanbul in the late afternoon. I need to take a ferry the next morning, so I only need a hotel room for one night in Istanbul, near the airport. Are there decent priced hotels nearby? Can anyone help me out?

I agree with marion. I often have employees that fly into istanbul for only a few days and wish to stay near the airport. Florya is very reaosnable and is accessible by cheap taksi or even cheaper train connection if you feel adventurous...

Thank you very much. I am traveling alone and am female. Is this somewhere I should make a reservation? I would be staying on a Wednesday night only.

What is the "E5"? A highway? I've never been there. Sorry.

Here is a review of Florya I found. Do you agree or disagree? It was written last month.

After a long journey back to Istanbul the night before a flight back home, I booked this place because it was on Expedia and close to the airport. When I told the cab driver to take me there he gave me a strange look and asked why I was staying there? It turned out to be a pretty run down place - there was one fluorescent lamp lighting the lobby, no elevator (had to lug my bags up 2 flights of stairs), TV was out (renovations), and I couldn't even control the AC (believe it or not they only had one remote control for all the AC units in the whole hotel). The only redeeming value was that the staff was very helpful and friendly (as was often the case in Turkey)- they helped get my bags up those stairs, and when I was leaving early for a flight the next day they had a friendly knock on the door and made a sandwich for me since it was too early for breakfast.

My suggestion though: if you are looking for an airport hotel in Istanbul, go with a known quantity rather than this place.

There are bad hotels everywhere. Book before you get there and if your cab driver can get you a better deal at a nicer place, then thats even better.

Thanks, Keith. Everything I look up in Istanbul is soooo expensive.

Whats your budget and how long will you be in Istanbul?

I will be in Istanbul just overnight. I need a place to stay before I get on a ferry in the morning. I could also stay near the docks if there are hotels there. It's at Yenikapi Feribot Terminali.

Sorry, was looking for something in the $50 USD range.

I once stayed at the Florya Park hotel, I think it is a good choice if just staying for one night.
Rate is about $60 USD including breakfast. Yes it is a little old building. Rooms are small. Breakfast is okay. Yet it is safe, staff is helpful. Last time I arrived at 6 am...and they allowed me to check out at 2 pm to catch my flight.
Call to reserve, don't trust the taxi driver...this is my experience, especially you are travelling alone as a female. Good Luck!
http://travela.priceline.com/hotel/overview-Turkey_Istanbul_Istanbul_Allstar_Airport_Florya_Park_Hotel-2814105.html

I stayed at the Airport Hotel last time I went. It was expensive but it was nice to crawl into bed right away!!

Elisabeth, how much was the Airport Hotel? How expensive? Are there any hotels near Yenikapi (the ferry harbor)?

http://www.istanbul-airporthotel.com/index.htm

Here is the link. It was a very nice hotel. Just a little pricey but sooo convenient. I came in at 1am and was sleeping by 2am. I want to say I paid 150 USD for one night. But the rates change. Also, I used the internet and had some wine from the fridge...so I paid for more than just the room.

Good luck.

Thanks. I can use that as a backup if I need to, because yeah, it is very expensive (the date I put in said 130 Euros, which is about double that in US Dollars). It's good to know it's there if needed though!

Most times I just assume it's double because our exchange rate is so bad. But it's good to know that at the moment it's not! THANK YOU.

I have never used such a currency office at any airport. I always use ATM's. (I just can't remember yet if there is one at Ataturk, but I guess there must be). These office have or terrible rates or an outraging high commission!

I'll do the ATM thing. Seems easiest. Thank you.

When you choose your withdrawl amount on the ATM, do you choose it in Lira? Because that would be very confusing and I imagine that's the case. I'll have to go to oanda.com to figure out how much I'll need to take out I guess before I leave.