Rick Steves Istanbul: With Ephesus & Cappadocia

We choose 2 cities a year to live in for three months, and we really get to know the cities. Usually we get Rick Steve's books just for the first week or so we're in a place for his walking tours. Generally he's fine for the average tourist but misses lots of hidden or lesser known sights, but he's said Istanbul is his favorite city and it shows. This is by far his most comprehensive city guide, and he brings you places that average tourists wouldn't go. His restaurant suggestions aren't the tourist traps he often recommends in other books, and he has a real feel for the outer neighborhoods. Hands down, this is the best guide of his we've used - and we've used a lot.

We did not use it for housing because we found a beautiful air BnB. (One of the restaurants was not where it was supposed to be, but there was a tiny hole in the wall place with just a fixed price meal. Cheap as can be with great owner family, and one of the tastiest dinners ever.... if you like large turkish beans, perfect rice, and a tasty lamb stew with baked custard and/or candied pumkin, the freshest baguette, and smiling service....we were glad that the guide book got it wrong). Generally it was very helpful

It’s written in excellent detail, very use friendly and educational for traveling to Istanbul.

There’s something about using a book vs web when planning travel. I can always count on Rick for providing the pertinent details without the fluff. His detailed directions for walking tours and history of the sights are on point. Definitely a must for any European trips!

Love Rick's books for a good oreview of where we are going!

We love the Rick Steves series. However, the Istanbul guide is significantly out-of-date despite its 2022. Prices, dates, opening times are often inaccurate. The Istanbul museum pass costs double what the book says. Directions are often vague or inaccurate. For example, a new entrance to the marvelous Basilica Cistern was created several years ago, but the book still directs you to the old entrance. To be fair, he warns readers that these things change, but this was a problem throughout the book.

As described and fast

Don't leave home without using Rick Steve's Travel Guides... easy to use with information for seeing the sights, eating and sleeping. Takes the guesswork out of European Travel.

While some info has not kept up with recent changes in Turkey where old churches/museums are turning back into mosques, this is still the best resource for a be first time Turkey trip. We used it in Dec 2021 and were generally happy. Lonely Planet was incredibly out of date but filled in some gaps. We mainly planned our trip with this book and the online RS itinerary for his 13 day guided tour. We were happy with the walks in Istanbul but DEFINITELY skip Chora Church and wall walk. The church is closed (becoming a mosque) and the wall area is totally dodgy. We felt 100% safe in all other places of Turkey. You will also note that the writing style in this book is not the standard RS style. The author is different and more difficult to follow (too many parentheses notes). Definitely do the RS mp3 walk of Ephesus. Almost all other places had fantastic audioguides. Overall, I'm extremely happy we had this book. Final note, if you go from Istanbul to Ankara, I'd suggest the train rather than renting a car in Istanbul or taking a bus. Pick up a car in Ankara after using taxis to site see for a day and then head out towards Cappadocia.

This book is information overload. Not really easy to navigate, I won’t be getting another Rick Steves book. His YouTube videos are great and very informative, I’ll stick with them.

Originally I purchased a paper copy. I return it. It was so difficult to read from paper. Order the same book but this time kindle edition. It was great on iPad pro. I will follow this book to the letter on my Istanbul trip