Travel Turkey - Independent Travel

This page will help you find the transportation resources you need to help plan your trip.

The first part is International Travel organized by the continent of departure.

The second part is Travel Inside Turkey.

You may also want to visit our Tips page where fellow travelers share their travel experiences with you. There is a section dealing with transportation .

You can also contact Local Travel Agents who can help you with the purchase of international and domestic air, bus, train and ferry tickets.

International Travel

You can reach Istanbul by air from almost anywhere in the world!

Below you will find links to airlines that fly to/from Istanbul organized by continent.

TIP: If you're thinking of an a-round-the-world ticket check out Thai Airlines at http://www.thaiair.com/

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From Africa
British Airways at http://www.us.british-airways.com
Egyptair at http://www.egyptair.com.eg/
Gulf Air at http://www.gulfairco.com/
Royal Air Maroc at http://www.royalairmaroc.com/
Tunisair at http://www.tunisair.com.tn/
Turkish Airlines at http://www.turkishairlines.com/

From Asia
Air France at http://www.airfrance.com/
Aeroflot (Russia) at http://www.aeroflot.aero/eng/
British Airways at http://www.us.british-airways.com/
Gulf Air at http://gulfairco.com/
Japanese Airlines at http://www.jal.co.jp/en/
Singapore Airlines at http://www.singaporeair.com/
Thai Airlines at http://www.thaiair.com/
Turkish Airlines at http://www.turkishairlines.com/

From Australia
British Airways at http://www.us.british-airways.com/
Gulf Air at http://www.gulfairco.com/
Singapore Airlines at http://www.singaporeair.com/
Thai Airlines at http://www.thaiair.com/
Turkish Airlines at http://www.turkishairlines.com/

From Europe
TIP: If you live in the U.K., there's a list of Turkish airlines' offices in London. It's at http://www.abta.com/destinations/turkey.html

From South America
Varig (Brazil) with travel partner, Lufthansa, at http://www.varig.com.br/

Air Couriers and Ticket Consolidators

Air Couriers
There are two interesting sites that provide information and links about these two alternatives in budget traveling.

Budget Travel on About.com is a great site for those on a tight budget It offers links and brief explanations about flying as a courier, stand-by travel and using ticket consolidators.

The International Association of Air Couriers offers insights and numerous links to air courier services and traveling space available as well.

Ticket Consolidators and Bucket Shops
There are many ticket consolidators and bucket shops on the Internet. Unfortunately, not many of them offer tickets to Istanbul. Below is a brief listing of those who do offer ticketing to Turkey. You can also easily locate budget airfares by perusing the Sunday travel section of your local newspaper.

You should carefully select a reputable operator. For a travel agent Edward Hasbrouck’s perspective on how to best purchase an international ticket see
http://www.travel-library.com/air-travel/consolidators.html .

Below is a list of ticket consolidators who offer tickets to Turkey:

Australia
APP International Travel at http://www.cheapafares.com/ says that since they were founded in 1982 they have grown to a major wholesaler of very discounted tickets on the international market.

Timeless Tours is a travel wholesaler. They sell air and land arrangements in Turkey to both the travel agents and also direct to the public. (They don't have a web site, but we've provided a link to their e-mail.)

Canada
Butte Travel Service Ltd. says they offer very good prices to Turkey. They say they have been providing travel information and reservation services to the Edmonton community for more than 30 years.

England

For the UK bucket shops, the largest and most popular (by far) aggregator site is http://www.cheapflights.co.uk.

The Air Travel Advisory Bureau is another option. Companies subscribe to be listed (so they're screened), but callers pay nothing to use the service. Tell ATAB (020/7636-5000 from the U.S. and 0870/870-5540 toll-free from the United Kingdom, or www.atab.co.uk) which city you want to fly to from London, and it refers you to up to six British consolidators specializing in that destination.

Korea
BoraNet Travel at http://www.boranet.com/ (Korean) says they offer the lowest air price and air ticket booking on Internet

USA
AESU at http://www.aesu.com/say they have been the experts in discount travel since 1977. Air fare from all major gateways. No need to be a student. They're available to everyone. Major airlines. No charters.

All Continents Travel at http://www.allcontinentstravel.com/ says it is one of the founding members of the U.S. Air Consolidators Association. They say they are the West Coast's leading airline ticket consolidator. they say their paramount objective is to provide top value, competitive pricing and efficient services.

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Travel Inside Turkey

There's a way to travel for everyone's budget from the local dolmus (or mini-bus) to air transport.

Air
Domestic air service is available from three carriers: Turkish Airlines information is available at http://www.turkishairlines.com/.

There is also Istanbul Airlines and Onur Air, but they do not have web pages.

Getting from/to Istanbul's International Airport
There is an airport bus. It runs from 06:00 to 23:00 and costs around $5 per person. It stops in Aksary (from here you can take the tram to the bus station) Sultanahmet, the main tourist district, and Taksim.

You can also usually arrange for an airport transfer from your hotel Ask them about the cost or contact an Istanbul travel agents for limo service as well as normal airport pick-up.

There are, of course, taxis. It's difficult to estimate cost. Between 23:00 and 05:00 when the airport bus isn't running the cost is around $12 to Sultanahmet. It will be more during the day, because of traffic delays! Check with the Tourist Information Office in the International Terminal (to the left after you go through the doors after baggage claim) for estimates and advice on the best transport to take based on the time of your arrival and budget.

From hotels in the Sultanahmet area there is The Airport Bus that picks you up at the door of your hotel. It, too, costs around $5. Ask at your hotel.

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Bus
Buses are very easy to use and are usually comfortable. Ulusoy, Varan, Kamil Koc and Pumukkale are generally considered to be the top bus companies in Turkey. Ulusoy will be the most expensive while Varan and Kamil Koc are a bit cheaper. Pamukkale is usually the cheapest of the group.

But different bus companies cover different parts of the country, and for certain destinations, such as Cappadocia, none of the four offer service and you'll have to use a local carrier.

For long distance travel, most people take overnight buses. As a rule of thumb, tickets usually cost between $1.50 and $2 per hour of travel.

All buses are now smoke-free (except for the driver!)

TIP: When the bus makes a stop at their special centers, you will have to pay a small fee to use the rest room. They are usually clean. Don't despair when you see the Oriental style rest rooms. Walk to the end and you'll find one or two Western style toilets!

Hop-On Hop-Off buses have been designed for backpackers. You buy an open ticket which allows you to get on and off at 22 "hot spots" from Istanbul then down the Coast and back to Istanbul via Cappadocia. Buses pick up and drop off at a main hostel.

Hop-On Hop-Off 's e-mail address is feztravel@feztravel.com.

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Ferries
Ferry schedules are UNPREDICTABLE and are all subject to change without notice. If you are catching a plane or must be somewhere on a precise day, either plan to arrive a day early or have an alternate plan!

Prices shouldn't change very much.

BODRUM
Bodrum has two ferry providers: the Bodrum Ferryboat Association and Bodrum Express Lines, which operates hydrofoils. Both offices are located near The Castle of St. Peter.

The Bodrum Ferryboat Association accepts Visa, MasterCard and Eurocard. They have offices in Bodrum, Datca and Didim (Didyma).

Bodrum:
Phone: 90-252-316-0882
90-252-313-2509
Fax: 90-252-313-0205

Datca:
Phone: 90-252-712-2143
Fax: 90-252-712-4239

Didim:
Phone: 90-256-813-1479
Fax: 90-256-813-1479

Bodrum Express Lines also accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Eurocard, plus travelers cheques and foreign currency. They offer no smoking and smoking areas, passenger insurance, hostess service and comfortable airline-style seats. Children under 6 are free. Children 6 - 12 are half price. Their phone number is: 90-252-316-4067. The fax number is: 90-252-313-0077.

CESME
Cesme has three main ticketing agents for ferries to Greece and Italy, although, you may buy tickets from almost any local ticket agent. The three main ticketing agents are: Erturk, Karavan and Maskot.

Erturk is located near the ferry dock. Their telephone number is 90-232-712-6768. Their fax number is 90-232-712-6223. Karavan is also located near the ferry docks. Their phone number is 90-0232-712-7230. Their fax number is 90-232-712-8987. They also have offices in the following cities where you can make reservations:
Izmir: 90-232-421-9572
Istanbul: 90-212-247-5044
Kusadasi: 90-256-612-5329
Marmaris: 90-252-412-0455
Fethiye: 90-252-612-2361
Antalya: 90-242-248-8280
Alanya: 90-242-511-1857
They also have a web site at http://www.karavantravel.com/.

Maskot is the representative for the Italian Liner, Med Link Lines with service to Brindisi. They are located in the town center. Their phone number is 90-232-712-7654. Their fax number is 90-232-712-8435.

DATCA
Datca has two ferry providers: the Bodrum Ferryboat Association and Bodrum Express Lines, which operates hydrofoils.

The Bodrum Ferryboat Association accepts Visa, MasterCard and Eurocard. They have an office in Datca. Their phone number is 90-252-712-2143. The fax is 90-252-712-4239.

Bodrum Express Lines also accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Eurocard, plus travelers cheques and foreign currency. They offer no smoking and smoking areas, passenger insurance, hostess service and comfortable airline-style seats. Children under 6 are free. Children 6 - 12 are half price. Their office is in Bodrum. The phone number is: 90-252-316-4067. The fax number is: 90-252-313-0077.

DIDYMA
Didyma is served by the Bodrum Ferryboat Association. They have an office in Didim (Didyma). Their phone number is 90-256-813-1479. The fax is 90-256-813-1479. Boats depart from Altinkum, just 4 km. from Didyma.

The Bodrum Ferryboat Association accepts Visa, MasterCard and Eurocard.

ISTANBUL
Karavan is one of the main ticketing agents for the ferry from Istanbul to Izmir. Their phone number is 90-212-247-5044. Their fax number is 90-212-241-5278.
They also have offices in the following cities where you can make reservations:
Cesme: 90-0232-712-7230
Izmir: 90-232-421-9572
Kusadasi: 90-256-612-5329
Marmaris: 90-252-412-0455
Fethiye: 90-252-612-2361
Antalya: 90-242-248-8280
Alanya: 90-242-511-1857
They also have a web site at http://www.karavantravel.com/.

IZMIR
Karavan is one of the main ticketing agents for the ferries to Istanbul and Italy. Their phone number is 90-232-421-9572. Their fax number is 90-232-463-6472.
They also have offices in the following cities where you can make reservations:
Cesme: 90-0232-712-7230
Istanbul: 90-212-247-5044
Kusadasi: 90-256-612-5329
Marmaris: 90-252-412-0455
Fethiye: 90-252-612-2361
Antalya: 90-242-248-8280
Alanya: 90-242-511-1857
They also have a web site at http://www.karavantravel.com/.

KUSADASI
Kusadasi has two main ticketing agents for ferries to Greece, although, you may buy tickets from almost any local ticket agent. The two ticketing agents are: Azim Tour and Diana Travel Agency.

Azim Tour accepts Visa, MasterCard. Eurocard and American Express. They are located in the Grand Bazaar. Their phone number is 90-256-614-1553. Their fax number is 90-256-614-5479. Their e-mail address is: info@azimtours.com. Children under 6 are free and children 6 - 12 are half price.

Diana Travel Agency is located on a side street close to the ferry docks. Their phone number is 90-256-614-3859. Their fax number is: 90-256-614-3170. They also have an Istanbul branch. Their phone number is: 90-212-247-3879.

MARMARIS
Bodrum Express Lines serves Marmaris to Bodrum. They accept Visa, MasterCard, and Eurocard, plus travelers cheques and foreign currency. They offer no smoking and smoking areas, passenger insurance, hostess service and comfortable airline-style seats. Children under 6 are free. Children 6 - 12 are half price. Their phone number in Bodrum is: 90-252-316-4067. The fax number is: 90-252-313-0077.

TASUCU
Erturk is the ticketing agent from Tasucu to Cyprus. Their phone number is: 90-324-741-4325. The fax number is: 90-324-741-4033.

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This page will help you find the transportation resources you need to help plan your trip.

International Travel

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Air Couriers and Ticket Consolidators

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Travel Inside Turkey

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Home Page | About Travel Turkey | Advertising Information | E-Mail Copyright © 1997-2005 Travel Turkey. All rights reserved. Contact webmaster@melior.com with questions or problems about this web site.

Home Page | About Travel Turkey | Advertising Information | E-Mail
Copyright © 1997-2005 Travel Turkey. All rights reserved.
Contact webmaster@melior.com with questions or problems about this web site.