Info for tomorrow including transport to and from stadium

[ClaretTony]

SUPPORTER MEETING POINT

The recommended supporter meeting point will be Sultanahmet Square, which is approximately 50m from the ticket collection point.

A number of bars and restaurants have been identified as supporter friendly, these are along Seftali Sokak behind The Basilica Cistern. Bars include Cafe Lokum and Bodrum bar, plus many more in close proximity to these.

Burnley FC staff and Burnley FC Police will be present in Sultanahmet Square during the day from 10am onwards.

Sultanahmet Square's surroundings offers lots of heritage and supporters are reminded to be respectful of their surroundings. Be vigilant whist around the area and keep all personal belongings safe, as pick pockets are known to operate in the city.

Finally, Burnley FC would like to discourage supporters meeting in Taksim Square before and after the game.

STADIUM TRANSPORT

Burnley Football Club are now able to confirm that coaches will be available to transport supporters from Sultanahmet Square directly to the stadium. These coaches will be clearly visable from the front windscreen displaying a Burnley FC crest and coach number.

Coaches will be located opposite the recommended bars and restaurants outlined above, on the perimeter of the sqaure.

All coaches will leave at 6pm prompt and will arrive at the stadium in sufficient time for kick off at 9pm. Timings have been recommended by Turkish Officials due to increased traffic around this time and the significant distance between the two destinations. Please make note of the coach number you board for the return journey.

Independant travel to the stadium is discouraged. However, if it is essential to do so, contact the nearest steward or police officer upon arrival at the stadium to be directed to the appropriate entrance/turnstile.

Supporters are expected to be held for approximately 30 minutes after full time to allow external stadium areas to clear, as is standard Turkish procedure. Following this, coaches will be at the same drop off point outside the turnstiles for the return journey direct to Sultanahmet Square.

AT THE STADIUM

Supporters may be searched before boarding the coaches. Searches also will take place at the stadium including ticket checks and full body searches.

No bags or luggage can be taken into the stadium and no storage is available. Please do not bring luggage to the stadium, but if necessary can be left on the coaches provided.

Coins, lighters, perfume, bottles and heavy items including cameras will be cofiscated before entering.

Conessions and toilet facilities will be available within the visiting supporter section of the stadium. No alcohol will be served.

FOLLOWING THE MATCH

Supporters are expected will be held for approximately 30 mins to allow the external stadium areas to clear. Burnley Football Club would appreciate your patience and cooperation.

[cricketfieldclarets]

Presuming this official transport isn't dropping off or picking up at taksim? Where many are staying?

In that case will it drop us at sultanhemet and then we make our own way to taksim?

[ClaretTony]

Presuming this official transport isn't dropping off or picking up at taksim? Where many are staying?

In that case will it drop us at sultanhemet and then we make our own way to taksim?

Burnley FC & the police (both Burnley and Turkish) continue to strongly advise Burnley fans not to be in Taksim Square so I would assume the coaches will just travel to and from Sultanhemet Square.

[claret wizard]

Easy Uber at 0030 to get back to Taksim, or just have a few beers at the drop off point before heading back.

[Reckoner]

6pm is a bit over the top. I think leaving so early will discourage many from using the coach service. Nobody wants to sit for 2 hours inside the stadium. If they left at 7pm I bet the coaches would be there by 8pm.

[thedmcistanbul]

so the club are organizing the transport, nobody will use our services then : )
good luck for those who are travelling to istanbul and enjoy your time in old town. the cafe omar behind the basilica cistern, go there and say hello to hüseyin the head waiter from me (Sinan)

[Leisure]

so the club are organizing the transport, nobody will use our services then : )
good luck for those who are travelling to istanbul and enjoy your time in old town. the cafe omar behind the basilica cistern, go there and say hello to hüseyin the head waiter from me (Sinan)

Sinan - I seem to recall that some fans had very early Friday morning flights home and they may be wanting/needing to go straight to the airport(s) directly after the game. But they would need to post on here if that is the case, to let you know.

[cricketfieldclarets]

I'm interested still Dinan. Especially if you can drop us at taksim

[aggi]

6pm is a bit over the top. I think leaving so early will discourage many from using the coach service. Nobody wants to sit for 2 hours inside the stadium. If they left at 7pm I bet the coaches would be there by 8pm.

From times I've been to Istanbul, traffic has often been very bad. Could imagine it easily taking 90 minutes or so.

[scouseclaret]

All very well the club “strongly recommending” we avoid Taksim Square, but many of us have already booked hotels there!

Sinan - I would be better interested to hear your views on
the 6pm departure time. Is this sensible or too early and is there anything to do around the stadium if we arrive 2 hours before kick off? I would still be interested if it means getting back to Taksim safely.

[thedmcistanbul]

All very well the club “strongly recommending” we avoid Taksim Square, but many of us have already booked hotels there!

Sinan - I would be better interested to hear your views on
the 6pm departure time. Is this sensible or too early and is there anything to do around the stadium if we arrive 2 hours before kick off? I would still be interested if it means getting back to Taksim safely.

I would do the same, departure at 6 pm from the city. the journey will take about 1½ hours more or less. you will most probably have police escort as well. when you arrive the stadium, most probably you will be directly taken to your end, make you get into the stadium due to security reasons. I am talking out of experience, as I have done many trips for clubs and supporters who visited Turkey for many occasions. police will not want any burnley fans to be around the stadium wandering freely. Actually you will have no isseu with basaksehir fans in fact they are totally artifical fans of an artificial football club.
for the ones who stay taksim, i recommend you to use taxis organized by the hotels you are staying to arrive meeting point. please be aware it will cost maxium 30 turkish lira from taksim to sultanahmet. do not trust the cabs waiting around taksim square and metro station. always ask for taximeter. you will hand 50 turkish lira they will try to insist that you just gave 5 turkish lira. classic tourist trap... stay away from shoe shinners who drops their brush whilst passing by.

try irish pubs in taksim are, or go to nevizade street behind cicek pasajı in Taksim.

If anyone is still interested in transfer back to airport + taksim after the game, I can organize 1 minibus after the game. first stop atatur airport international departure terminal then directly to taksim square.

[cricketfieldclarets]

From times I've been to Istanbul, traffic has often been very bad. Could imagine it easily taking 90 minutes or so.

Just pulling into istanbul now. Their rush hour. Traffic is horrific. Makes the m6 look like a country lane on a Sunday morning!

[The Enclosure]

You have had a long journey CFC's Bet you are all knackered.

[longside72]

Arrived early this morning , In dubliners irish pub , just iff taksim square

[cricketfieldclarets]

You have had a long journey CFC's Bet you are all knackered.

Very. Arrived too early to check in. So off to the Turkish baths...

[cricketfieldclarets]

Which are by the ticket collection point. Now seeing how big this city is (and how much of a dump taksim is) wish club had made announcements about sltanahmet earlier.

[cricketfieldclarets]

To those heading this way - again awful traffic

[thedmcistanbul]

Taksim was nicer back in 2005 when Liverpool played CL final in Istanbul or Tottenham was here with around 1.000 supporters....etc but nowadays it is not as it used to, due to incidents & attacks, no European tourists came to the city for almost last 2 years. therefore the nice bars, restaurants were closed, and turkish delight shops were open instead, as arab tourists shop a lot from them. Taksim lost its attactivness, it does not appeal that much, there are much more beautiful places in this city. for the ones who have time after the match; you can go to following locations; ''karaköy'' ''nişantaşı'' ''bebek'' ... etc they are more lively, vibrant, modern, civilized comparing to Taksim. Anyway Taksim is always a very central location, if you find the right spots, try to avoid main street where the old tram runs ''Istiklal Caddesi'' intstead you can go to side street there are a lot of hidden gems. if you are into good food, try ''köfteci hüseyin'' on the street paralel to istiklal, behind French consulate for a tasty juicy grilled meatball....

[Leisure]

Sinan - Many thanks for all the info and advice you have provided for Burnley fans.

[thedmcistanbul]

I will be organizing a shuttle bus (with capacity of 15 persons) with air condition.
Please look for the guy holding sign with reads:

Ataturk Airport & Taksim Square Shuttle Bus
with Burnley logo underneath

Price is £ 10 / 70 Turkish lira per person.

Please feel free to whatsapp me on 0090 533 708 51 97

any questions, fire away....

Sinan