30 Things I Wish I Knew Before Flying Down To Istanbul + Grand & Egyptian Bazaar Fake Market Tour.

#dailyvlog #istanbul
See PART 2 of 30 More Things I Wish Knew Before Flying Down To Istanbul with a Tour of the Kadikoy Tuesday Market here: • ISTANBUL FAKE MARKET T...
During a walking tour of the Grand Bazaar, Egyptian Bazaar and the surrounding area, I narrate 30 things I wish I knew about Istanbul before flying down here as well as give a brief history of the origins of the Metropolis of Istanbul.
Check out my Istanbul playlist for more great videos on Istanbul is here: • Istanbul
I did a video on how to get to the Sunday Antique Market from the European side, which is in the same building as the Tuesday Market, here: • Trekking To The Larges...
My Taxi Scams and Kadikoy graffiti walk video is here: • How To Avoid Taxi Scam...
My video on the Wednesday Fatih Market is here: • ISTANBUL FAKE MARKET. ...
My video where I talk about the fake cops who tried to steal my passport here: • Fake Cops Try To Steal...
My video on my $21/night hotel room in Aksaray Metro is here: • Budget Travelling On $...
NOTE: SAVE ON YOUR DATA PLAN WITH THE AIRLO E-SIM CARD FOR $8US FOR 3 GB OF DATA INSTEAD OF PAYING $50US FOR THE TOURIST SIM CARD FROM TURKCELL, TURKISH TELECOM OR VODAFONE. This link is here: airalo.pxf.io/...
This link is an affiliate link to help out the channel.
During my 10 day trip to Istanbul, I used less than 2 GB of data for the google translator, google GPS, Whatsapp, Uber, Movit for the bus, and emails, so 3 GB should be fine--download the app and just scan the QR code after you pay and you're all set--you don't need another physical SIM card to use it. This link is an affiliate link to help out the channel.
A friend of mine told me they changed the cell phone rules yet again since I did the video regarding the physical Tourist SIM Card from the airport. So, the first time you visit, you can buy the tourist sim card at the airport for $50US (you can''t use a local Turkish sim card without proof of Turkish residency). After 120 days, you have to pay a 31,692 TL registration fee to be able to use the same cell phone with a tourist sim card or it's locked out of the network. This price will increase to 45,953 TL on January 1st, 2025. The best way to get around this is just to bring a different cell phone the next time you visit if it's over 120 days since your last visit.
/ @david1george

[@david1george]

Check out PART 2 with 30 more TIPS and a tour of the Tuesday Kadikoy Fake Market here kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHfZi2Z5hM-Xeac Remember to click LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE to this channel. It helps me a lot. Thank You & Have a Wonderful Trip To Istanbul!

[@michiganwannarbor3255]

There’s a street that you can walk down from the grand bazaar to the spice bazaar. It’s full of shops that sell at the real prices. Bought some great souvenirs there.

[@david1george]

Are you referring to Hüdavendigar Caddesi? (the tram line that runs on the street from the Hagia Sofia to the side of the Sirkeci-Marmaray Train Station)? I did notice that some of the souvenir shops along there had beaded bracelets and the evil eye key chains for a quarter. They also had the 4 pack boxes of Turkish delights for half the price of what the grocery store was selling them for. Next time I'm down there, I'll do a video of the street.

[@Rose-od4lp]

Really helpful video I feel much more prepared now! Thank you🙂👍🏻I'll be visiting for the 1st time end of December & I can't wait!❤️ I have a feeling your tips will make all the difference...😅

[@david1george]

@Rose-od4lp Thanks for the comment. Have a great trip!

[@Fiola_M]

This is the most practical travel video i have seen and i have watched tons

[@david1george]

Thanks. I appreciate the comment.

[@NPearson-ol9oe]

Thank you for providing such a clear and informative video.

[@david1george]

Thanks for the comment.

[@KishwarShadabSheikh]

Thank you soo much for this valuable information

[@david1george]

Glad you liked it.

[@ahmetkanter5859]

What a beuatiful video. Thank you for the advices. People should deffinetly know all of this before arriving here. I hope you had great time there.

[@david1george]

Thanks. As long as people know what to expect and how to deal with it, I think anyone can have a great time there. There's a lot of history in this city that's well worth exploring in person.

[@loopusconsultingkosova]

Kosovar who's been in each year for the last 32yrs in Istanbul, I found myself watching your video :) I liked the way you're describing everything. Good job Sir

[@david1george]

Thanks, I appreciate the compliment.

[@damiloskiski4059]

Hi , what's the address for the shop

[@superbia75es]

Planning a trip to Istanbul in September. This is great information, thanks. I am a bit wary now though.

[@david1george]

Thanks. I hope you have a great trip.

[@evanatasha99]

Best info ever. Thank you

[@david1george]

Thanks for the comment. I hope you have a wonderful trip,

[@tfsshady]

Hi thank you for the video!! Did you shoot the video during Ramadan? Just wondering because we’re going in Ramadan and we were wondering how things are there during Ramadan

[@david1george]

No, it was actually filmed during off peak season. I found that during peak season like Ramadan, most hotels and airfare cost 50%-100% more than off peak like January to early March. The lineups and crowds are a lot bigger and the cellphone GPS becomes useless with really long delays updating your real time location on busy streets if you're not familiar with the neighbourhood--you think it'll take you 10 mins. to get from point A to B using the GPS and it ends up taking you an hour and a half.

[@waynewest1949]

Thanks for the info as going ova there soon...

[@david1george]

Glad you liked it. Have a great trip!

[@maheshtank75]

Thank you very much I am really appreciate and when I will go be careful 😊

[@david1george]

You're welcome and have a wonderful trip there.

[@MR2005-ybm]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience.

[@david1george]

I appreciate the comment.

[@JimFink-y5o]

Worst experience with the first "hawker" approaching us turning from "you are such nice people" to becoming rude when we politely said we didn't want to buy anything

[@david1george]

Was it one of the hawkers selling the scam perfumes with the duty free stickers? Those guys are the worst. The scent vanishes real fast. I would never buy from them either.

[@makil4924]

Great guide. Thank you very much🙏. I hope it’s ok to share Experience of my brother.He was in European side in November 23, paid 50€ for two kebab’s and coca cola, with recipe. And other group of frends paid 175€ for 5 100gr kebabs and 1.5 cola and 1.5l of water.

[@david1george]

Thanks for letting us know. In November, 1 euro was 31.5 Turkish Lire. 1750 TL for two Kebabs and a coca cola is a lot. That's like 50 Euros. There are even restaurants on the Galata Bridge that will openly post prices like that with an aggressive host that will try to get you to sit down in their restaurant. Then, I can walk a few blocks down from the Galata bridge and get those same items for 100TL from a walk up restaurant with their kebab or chicken donair prices posted right above their cash register and walk back to the Galata Bridge and eat it watching all the fishermen on the bridge throwing their hooks in the water and getting fish for free. It's amazing how there's so many restaurants there and no consistent prices from restaurant to restaurant as well as some unscrupulous restaurants that have no qualms about overcharging. Let the buyer beware.

[@jersonmoran8472]

At 52:18 The sign says in spanish "Precios Especiales para Hispanos" which translates to "Special Prices For Hispanics". Pretty interesting that it has special prices only for hispanics as a Latino from the USA would I get special prices or by Hispanic do they only mean European Spaniards?

[@david1george]

Interesting observation, but I suspect it's only a gimmick. Based on what I've experienced at other shops, I believe that anyone with a basic understanding of negotiating could get the same discount as a Hispanic at that shop. In any case, I would highly recommend you compare their best prices with similar items from several places outside the bazaar.

[@uncleKas]

@@david1george please can you give me the address of the place you recommended to buy perfume? Thanks so mu for this useful information

[@david1george]

@@uncleKas Check out both shops before buying as they are very close to each around the Sirkeci Train Terminal D&P Perfumes Hobyar, Ankara Cd. No:249, 34112 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye AND Sea Cosmetics Hoca Paşa, Muradiye Cd. No:3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

[@uncleKas]

@@david1george thanks , I appreciate

[@david1george]

@@uncleKas Have a fun trip! 👍

[@Shelleyshelleyxyz]

Thank you very much for your tips. Will be there in 5 weeks.

[@david1george]

I hope you have a wonderful trip.👍

[@Shelleyshelleyxyz]

@@david1george thank you very much.

[@bes1441]

Thanks for good info on some things to be careful for !! Especially the change and the drinking water bottle! We have been to Istanbul several x but it is strange to know some bad side of it ? I suppose times are very bad indeed so money is the problem. Thanks again for your good tips ! Dr hafsah .

[@david1george]

Istanbul is such an interesting city. It has its rough edges, but overall I enjoyed my time there. I sort of miss the place more than I did visiting any other European country. I'll have to do another trip there in the future and share some videos of Kadikoy. I had a lot of footage of the Asian side on my last trip that was deleted because of faulty memory cards.

[@aladkofx6595]

thanks BRAVO !

[@david1george]

Thanks!

[@choopa1670]

Thanks for the info. I’m kind of scared to go to Istanbul now cause of all the scams.

[@david1george]

Don't let the scammers put you off. Just be knowledgeable of the scammers and current by watching videos so you don't let yourself get set up and it'll be a much more enjoyable trip. Doing something on the fly without knowledge eventually leads to bad outcomes anywhere.

[@teodoramuci6580]

Thank you for this video, I am going next week there, I wanted to bring 2 cellphones with me.

[@david1george]

You're welcome. I hope you have a great trip!

[@sandymewalal107]

Thanks for the tips it's scary to visit Istanbul. Do you think it's a good idea to visit Istanbul or Thailand?

[@david1george]

It depends on what you're going there for. I'd rather go to Istanbul because I found that the flights from Toronto to Thailand cost almost twice as much as Istanbul. You''ll spend less overall on your vacation if that's our goal. Both countries have similar types of scams and scammers. If you need any medical or dental work, go to Istanbul--it's also cheaper and better known. Also, the heat wave is brutal in Thailand. The coolest months in Thailand are November to March and that still peaks at 34 celsius. On the other hand, Chinese made replica watches are a lot cheaper in Thailand because it's closer to China and the import duties are less. You can find an automatic Rolex in Pattaya for $20--you'll never find that in Istanbul. Also, if you're looking to find a wife, Thailand would be a much better choice. Very easy to meet women using dating apps. Turkish women are too conservative.

[@sandymewalal107]

Thanks for your advise

[@david1george]

@@sandymewalal107 Whichever destination you choose, have a wonderful trip!

[@sandymewalal107]

@@david1george thank you

[@david1george]

Haha, I just laughed at myself. I noticed you added your profile picture and realized I wasn't talking to a man. I thought Sandy was short for Alexander as it's a popular name in Scotland and also in Greece to be named after Alexander the Great.

[@jeffdaniels1257]

I wish i had all the cd's that i took to good will. I think i currently have 4 cds left, the muddy waters box set.

[@david1george]

What else are you going to do with them? They take up a lot of space and the pawn shop won't give you anything for them.

[@lovelylylyaudio]

now I'm scared to go... I'm in my room right now prepping for my trip and I'm already feeling afraid someone might steal my stuff

[@david1george]

If you don't do your research, you'll get robbed. But never fear, I have plenty of educational videos on my channel. 🙂

[@ethelmathibe5695]

Joining you soon as well . I am so thankful for this information .

[@david1george]

@@ethelmathibe5695 Have a great trip!

[@lemannruss4220]

The tap water is safe but bottled water is better in tastevise.

[@david1george]

I think I've tried some tap water before in a small cup of boiling hot tea in the Grand Bazaar. That water had a noticeable funky taste to it distinct from the tea leaves. Whether some say it's safe to drink tap water or not, I still wouldn't drink it when I see so many locals buying large bottles of water at the grocery store.

[@dilkhanofficial2046]

Beautiful bazar

[@david1george]

Yes, it does look beautiful.

[@seemabhalla1424]

Very good advice

[@david1george]

I appreciate the very good feedback.

[@Familymultikulti]

We bought different teas but it's 2 times higher than in Kapadokya☹️

[@david1george]

It doesn't surprise me that the same tea is 2 times higher. The Grand Bazaar has become a tourist trap for really overcharging everybody.

[@mayacardano9905]

When the man said “No change” he meant he has no change to give for a big bill… not that he wants you to tip him the rest of the money.

[@K1ngq4t]

what's google gps circle ?

[@qm7004]

what do you mean about refund if i buy gifts for family?

[@david1george]

What are you talking about? The sales tax rebate?

[@gunesmtl5912]

There are 5 km and 500 years between Fatih district and Beşiktaş district. Sultanahmet, Hagia Sophia, okay, historical, just to see the Grand Bazaar, I can understand that too. But; I can't understand tourists. Istanbul has wonderful places, I wouldn't come on holiday for a week and visit these places. Even I get nervous when I visit these places. It is not clear whether it is Istanbul or Pakistan.

[@anuonggiay9803]

goods are cheap and beautiful❤❤🎉🎉😮

[@david1george]

Yes, shopping in Istanbul can be a lot of fun.

[@SUPERSOULSTAR]

6:14 words

[@david1george]

👍

[@aryo7781]

Really??? Not allowed bringing 2 phones? And have to pay for it? Where do the check it?

[@david1george]

When you go through airport security.

[@aryo7781]

@@david1george is there any x-ray gate at immigration? I dont think ever seen x-ray to go outside any airport.. how do they know we hide phones?

[@david1george]

@@aryo7781 For me, everything went through the x-ray machine. Every single time I went to Istanbul airport, they made me stand in the x-ray booth. I also emptied my pockets into a tray and they put it in on the conveyor belt along with my jacket, belt, and carry on. There was absolutely no way to hide a second phone.

[@aryo7781]

@@david1george yes, if you are going inside the airport from the city. The rules are for foreigner after landing, right? To prevent they selling their phone in the city? Why they bother checking people to go outside country bringing 2 phones? Even that means if someone buy that expensive phone in turkey. In my country, to prevent people smuggling phones (maybe they buy it cheaper from another countries, and not paying taxes), my goverment blocked unregistered imei, so people cant use their unregistered phones after 1 month. To be able to use the phone, the imei must be registered and pay the tax.

[@aryo7781]

@@david1george it just doesnt make sense if i must pay taxes on my own phones to enter istanbul, i already pay my tax in my country 😅

[@thekuntykrafter8171]

Wow!! Never imagined there was such scamming, underhanded individuals and dangerous people in Turkey. Thank you for this information I have reconsidered my vacation plans all together and will not be traveling to Turkey at all✨🙏🏼✨

[@david1george]

Whether you come down here or not, it's up to you. I've been down here a bunch of times and I'm glad you decided to do your research so you'll know what to expect and do in the future if you change your mind.

[@missbb5432]

Pronouncing yes, no, thank you - incorrectly.. their alphabet has different pronunciations for some of the letters.. I’m American but watch too many Turkish soap operas 🤣🤣 thus I’ve learned a lot of Turkish 👏🏽👏🏽

[@david1george]

I'm not the only foreigner in Istanbul. There's a lot of foreigners that visit and a lot of "foreigners" were pronouncing it wrong from "Turkish soap operas" and not once did anyone correct me there and they all knew what I meant. BTW, when I google it, there are at least 3 different dialects in Turkey so I may have pronounced it using a different accent I heard down there. The US has different accents too. Have you watched the movie Fargo and heard them talk using a Minnesota regional accent? The Boston accent is quite noticeable too... They sound noticeably different from the common Hollywood accents you hear on TV.

[@ajvaani593]

Just dont to grand bazar period! Full of scams!!!

[@david1george]

Not a bad strategy. There's a lot of other places to shop at in Istanbul.

[@veronicarinaldi3770]

I've actually heard that Instanbul is quite safe and that a lot of people speak English, this is the only video that's mentioned these 2 things. Seems a bit negative.

[@david1george]

Sounds like the difference between me and you is that you've just "heard" about it while I've flown down there a bunch of times and experienced it for myself. And I'll still be going down there again in the future for the deals, not the scams. I recommend everyone should visit after doing their research. So when are you going to fly down there and experience the real Istanbul for yourself?

[@MagneAnne]

Jesus is coming back. Are you born again? If not, secure your eternity today. You do not have to go to hell. Jesus paid the price for all your sins. If you want to be born again Say the following prayer but you also have to believe it: Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins that you was buried and rose from the dead the third day. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.

[@ajvaani593]

Just don't go to istanbul. Scammers r every where. Its so sad!!!! Vacation somewhere else just dnt to go to istanbul!!! If u really want to go to istanbul just be careful!!!

[@david1george]

Yes, it's important to do a lot of research before heading down there so you know what to expect and how to deal with those issues if they arise.

[@kaptanashikar]

I'm really embarrassed to hear those tricks :/

[@bt-bv5tj]

Never shall I travel to instanbul! Too fearful of scums and local fake prices.

[@david1george]

Understandable. It's not for everyone. I think people have to find a really good reason to go down there. I went down there for a $2,000+ dental implant for $250. My hotel room was around $21 a night. With my expenses, it was like a free vacation and then some.

[@annduehermannsen227]

There is so many good places to go in Istanbul, it is possible to avoid scams and tourist scams. Just do some research before you go.

[@naidaquintela8938]

I travel and I never buy anything at all.

[@CKS999]

I would rather not going to Grand Bazaar at all

[@david1george]

I don't spend a lot of time at the Grand Bazaar anymore either. It doesn't make sense to me to spend so much money on knockoffs.