| •
Airlines --- Turkish Airlines is the major carrier within
the country. Istanbul is usually the final destination for international
flights, and the hub for Turkish Airlines, offering domestic
flights to all operating airports in the country. |
|
Depending on the season and destination, tickets cost roughly
USD 85.- to 115.- one way, if purchased direct from the airline
or through local travel agents. It may cost more when you buy
the tickets abroad. |
|
If your tour starts, or ends in an other location, ask for connecting
flights or combined tickets through the airline you book the
international flight. You may get discount rates as Turkish
Airlines is a destination partner to various airline organizations. |
From
2004 on, private airline companies are allowed to operate
scheduled domestic flights between major airports. Rates are
approximately %10 less compared to Turkish Airlines, but they
do not offer as many flights. Information is available on;
"www.atlasjet.com/eng/index.htm" for Atlas Jet
"www.onurair.com.tr/eng" for Onur Air
"www.flyair.com.tr" for Fly
Air |
| •
Bus
services
--- Turkey has a fairly decent network of highways connecting
every corner of the country. Bus and minibus transportation
system is casual, and easy to figure out. Every major city or
a town in Turkey has a bus terminal that we call "Otogar".
Bus companies have their offices here - companies may share
the same office space with others. Bus liners may also have
ticket offices centrally located in towns and cities, and they
usually have a shuttle service to the bus terminal. |
| If
you are not going to a major town or a city, there may be no
direct service to that particular destination. In this case,
you can take the bus to another regional location, and use the
shuttle service provided by the bus company, or a minibus from
the terminal. Or you can just get off the bus at a convenient
location en route. |
| For
the duration of the ride, you should give roughly one and a
half hours for every 60 miles or ~100 km’s, including the
breaks. Regular buses may stop to collect passengers en route,
or to let them off. They stop every two hours or so for a break
to use the restrooms and to stretch, although busses may have
WC, and tea/coffee/snack service aboard. Some of the better
companies have express services (including meal/s) to major
destinations. They do not make stops en route to collect passengers.
There usually is a steward on the bus for service. |
You
may try these companies, although they do not have services
to every destination;
Ulusoy --- local 444 1 888 for schedule and reservation
Boss --- local 444 0 880 for schedule and reservation
Varan --- www.varan.com.tr/english/default.asp |
| •
Public transportation --- "Dolmus"
is a shared taxi or a van, and operates between set points at
a set fare. They depart as the vehicle is full. Public transportation
is inexpensive and convenient, but usually crowded, especially
during rush hour traffic. It may be complicated though, as when
you take the municipal busses, it is hard to tell where you
are heading and where to get off. Consider dolmus as the alternative. |
|
In old town Istanbul, the tram is rather convenient. Again in
Istanbul, public ferries provide a great alternative to land
transportation between Asian and European districts of the city. |
| •
Railroads --- It actually is quite an experience to travel
on a train, although services are limited, and not up to current
standarts on certain destinations. New overnight trains that
operate between major destinations are convenient, as they usually
have compartments for two. |
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