campsites near istanbul
 

I am heading off to Istanbul from sofia in a couple of days to get my Iranian visa sorted.Anyone know of any campsites near to Istanbul where I get get public transport in to the city near the embassy.Or is it better to take your bike and park it outside the embassy.I tried getting the visa sorted out in Sofia, but the bloke at the embassy said it would take around 10 days, but only 3 days from Istanbul.Is this correct or was I being fobbed off.I did'nt really want to have to go to Istanbul as its a 600km detour from where I really wanted to go, down the Med coast.I was thinking maybe after seeing Cappadocia,carry on north to Ankara, and get it sorted there.

As far as I know, it also takes 10 days from Turkey too. Most People I know used an agency to get their visas and they got their visas from Erzurum when it is ready.

Cheers,
Ozgur

I've only been to Istanbul by plane, however I remember that there is a campsite just next to the airport (the main one).

I remember thinking that I wouldn't really want to stay there...seems to be very noisy, however I didn't get a close look. Hope this can be of some help at least.

Ciao from Italy,

A.

Hi Andy,

I found the following websites on campgrounds that are "closish" to Istanbul. I might give the MISTIK campground a try as it's on THE Black Sea and only 30km from the centre of Istanbul. The others are 70km or more away.

MISTIK CAMPING | Where Istanbul meets the Black Sea

Istanbul Mocamp - A modern campsite on the historical Silk Road, Istanbul, Turkey

Semizkum Mocamp

I am making much better time than I thought I would, probably due to the fact that I wanted to get through Serbia and Kosovo as soon as I could. Let me know when you're going to be in Istanbul so we can catch up. I should be there by Thursday 31st July.


Kenny

Back in the late 80's and 90's I use to stay at "Londra camp."It was on the edge of Instanbul. We got bus 79-89 to town and when returning just ask for Londra camp use to be a huge Benz sign that was lit up at night. Now that a while ago, but all the overland companies use to stop there. could be all redoveloped by now

steve

Apparently Londra Campıng ıs no more.

I decıded to gıve Istanbul a wıde berth and headed down the Aegean then along the Med ınstead.In Capadocıa now,goıng to Ankara on Tuesday,where theres a campsıte 35ks from town.

Visa
 

Andy,

if you have your visa application number from the MOI in Tehran you can collect your visa within a couple of hours.

Ankara office not open on Mondays.

Have a good explanation for your proposed travel plans. Take an ıtenary with you if possible and be prepared for lots of questions regarding your trip.

I was unlucky, despite confirmation that my application number had been received in Ankara the week before I had to endure hours of negotiation to get a 30 day visa.

They initially claimed my number was not registered. Then the grilling about my job, reason for travel, was I a journalist etc. They then offered me 10 days only.

I eventually secured 30 days, so persevere if they give you a hard time.

If you need advice about the East Turkey, let me know.

Cheers,

Andy

Geez you've got me worried now. I went to the Consulate in Istanbul today and applied for my visa, and when I queried the application number was just given a business card and told to ring in 10 days. I did tell them that I would like to pick up my visa in Ezerum and they said hat would be fine- just to ring them and confirm that it has been issued. I hope all goes well there. No money changed hands either. I only filled out the application form, gave them 3 photos, and a colour photocopy of my passport and Turkish visa.:confused1:

Kenny

Camp Sites in Istanbul
 

I'm in Istanbul now, and can confioorm that all the sites that were around the city a few year ago have now closed down. I'm having to slum it a rather nice hotel right by the old part of the city near the Blue Mosque. That's completely blown my budget !!!

I was told by a local biker on a Harley that the closest camp site is about 30 miles north or alternatively where I stayed last night about 60 miles west !!!

A few of us stayed at Mistik camping at Kilyos, about 30 km north of Istanbul on the Black Sea. It was pleasant enough as Turkish campsites go - except the old fella there would turn off the hot water to save on power. Cost was about 20 lire a night for a single on a motorcycle. Getting into Istanbul was easy enough on the buses- even though it sometimes took about an hour and a half because of the traffic.

http://www.mistikcamping.com/index

Kenny