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.
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Istanbul
METROPOL EXCURSION TOURS
Address: Adirga Liman Caddesi No:91/2 34400 Kadirga, Istanbul
Phone: 90-212-516-2213 90-212-516-2912
Fax: 90-212-516-2212
E-mail: info@metropoltours.com

Tur-ISTA
Address: Divanyolu Cad. No. 16A Sultanahmet, Istanbul
Phone: 90-212-527-7085 90-212-513-7119
Fax: 90-212-519-3792
Web: www.tur-ista.com, www.travelturk.com
E-Mail: tur-ista@tur-ista.com, info@travelturk.com


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.

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.

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.

LOCAL TRAVEL AGENTS

Local travel agents can sell you bus tickets, air tickets both for international and domestic travel, gulet "blue Voyages" as well as local tours.

Istanbul
METROPOL EXCURSION TOURS

Address: Adirga Liman Caddesi No:91/2 34400 Kadirga, Istanbul

Phone: 90-212-516-2213 90-212-516-2912

Fax: 90-212-516-2212 E-mail: info@metropoltours.com

Planning to travel between Greece and Turkey? Metropol can arrange your ferry, hotel reservations and tours of all the Greek islands. You can design a tailor-made tour to fit your time and budget. Metropol has a wide range of tour programs inside Turkey from the Black Sea program to the Aegean coast to Cappadocia and Pamukkale. While in Istanbul let them guide you through this historic city: St. Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and more. Rent-a-car or hire your own chauffeur. Programs in Francais and Deutsch.

Tur-ISTA
Address: Divanyolu Cad. No. 16A
Sultanahmet, Istanbul
Phone: 90-212-527-7085 90-212-513-7119
Fax: 90-212-519-3792
Web: www.tur-ista.com, www.travelturk.com
E-Mail: tur-ista@tur-ista.com, info@travelturk.com

Tur-ISTA services include train tickets, international and domestic bus tickets, hotel & pension reservations, student & youth flights, charter flights, car rentals, and Anatolian tours including Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus. Also for the independent traveler: hire your own car with English-speaking driver (without tour guide) for the same price as 4 people taking the bus or travel independently, but be met at your destination, hotel transfers and local tour. They also assist independent travelers who want to design their own personal itinerary with or without a tour guide.

Bodrum
BODEX Travel & Yachting
Address: Ataturk Cad. 76/1
Phone: 90-252-313-2843 90-252-313-6550 90-252-313-6551
Fax: 90-252-313-6549
E-mail: bodextravel@hotmail.com

BODEX is a traditional full-service travel agency that also offers unique trekking, biblical, and yachting excursions. They are part of a country-wide network of travel agencies and can assist you with reservations and travel plans throughout Turkey.

Pilaci II
Address: In the bay by the Halikarnus Disco
Mobile Phone: 90-0532-261-7221
E-Mail: info@valide.com The Pilaci II is a 12-meter gulet that offers a magical sea voyage along the Mediterranean coast.
Every day aboard your wooden boat is a journey through emerald bays and time. The Pilaci II is perfectly suited for honeymooners or small families.
It can easily sleep 4, but can manage up to 6.

Canakkale
Down Under Travel (TJ’s Tours)
Address: Otel Saros Eceabat, Turkey
Phone: 90-286-814-2431 Fax: 90-286-814-2430
E-mail: enquiries@anzacgallipolitours.com
Run by a Turkish/Australian couple, Down Under Travel in Eceabat town on the peninsula is The Gallipoli specialist. Take the longest running tour with T.J. (Ilhami Gezici)--the most experienced group tour guide in the area. It is also the only agency with access on premises to the war grave records to help you find relatives. Down Under offers diving (explore W.W.I shipwrecks!), snorkeling, plus pension/hotel reservations. They are a full service agency here to help you experience all that Gallipoli is and was. Recommended by Lonely Planet and Let's Go.

Cappadocia
Bedir Tourism Phone: 90-384-341-5819
Fax: 90-532-336-1348
E-mail: Bedir_travel@hotmail.com
Experience Turkey and its famous hospitality with the help of a local family run travel agncy. See the local villages and the beauty of Cappadocia while balooning at sunrise or mopeding around the valley and surrounding area. To continue the adventure they can also arrange trekking and horsback tours. An extensive selection of daily tours will introduce you to 2,000 years of local hisotory from the underground cities to the churches built into its famous rock formations.

Rock Valley Tourism & Travel Agency
Address: Gulluce Cad. Terminal Karsisi Urgup, Turkey 50400
Phone: 90-384-341-8813
Fax: 90-384-341-5820
E-Mail: info@rockvalleytravel.com
Let Rock Valley Travel help you discover some of Turkey's most wondrous sites with special tailor-made tours. Experience the beauty of the Ilhara Valley, the sun rising on the faces of Mt. Nemrut, and the lands of Abrahim near the Syrian border on 1 or 2 day tours. In Cappadocia, they can also help you with daily tours--including trekking and skiing, hotel bookings, air flights, airport transfers, and moped and car rentals.

Fethiye
Aya nicola yachting & Tourism Travel
Address: Fevzi Cakmak (Opposite the Marina) Fethiye
Phone: 90-252-612-6712 90-252-612-5156
Fax: 90-252-612-7674
E-mail: ayanicola@ayanicolayachting.com
This full service agency can book any size of gulet or ketch voyages including its own beautiful air-conditioned 24 meter (8 cabin) Aya Nicola I. Fethiye is one of the main centers for the famous Blue Cruise and Aya Nicole Yachting and Travel is a yachting specialist. They have a lot of programs to chose from or they can make a tailor-made program for you. E-mail for boat specifications and prices. Let them arrange your accommodations including holiday villages, airport transfers rom all major airports or a daily excursions to one of the nearby destinations including Dalyan/Caunos, Tlos-Saklikent (the famous gorge) and Ephesus/Pamukkale. They also offer water sports, scuba diving and jeep safaris. Ferry tickets to Rhodes, international and domestic air tickets, bus tickets, and car rentals are all of part of their personal service.

Kusadasi
CROSSROADS TRAVEL AGENCY
Address: Adnan Menedres Bulv. No. 14 Kusadasi, Turkey
Phone: 90-256-614-3712 Fax: 90-256-614-3746
E-mail: info@crossroadstravel.com
Crossroads Travel's 15 years of experience takes you to where East meets West. Take the Grand Tour or an 8-10 day tour, including the Classical, Mystical, Religious and Coastline. Mini-tours to Istanbul, Izmir, Cappadocia, Antalya, Turkish Riveria. Rafting, too. Private tours with professional guides for all Turkey are also available. They can arrange ferry tickets to Greece, international/domestic air flights, hotel reservations, house rentals, diving, car rentals, plus daily excursions from Ephesus and Pamukkale. Private or group gulet sailing. E-mail for more information or to receive a free tour catalogue.

Marmaris
TUM-TOUR YACHT CHARTER LIMITED
Address: Yat Limani, 101/B Marmaris, Turkey
Phone: 90-252-412-9485 90-252-413-0777 90-252-412-4714
Fax: 90-252-412-5064
Tum-Tour can make your sailing dreams come true. Board a Turkish gulet for an unforgettable Mediterranean Sea voyage. Charter a yacht for 8 people from $300-$500/daily, and for up to 20 people from $700-$1,000/daily. Food and drinks are extra. If you're looking for a regular cabin cruise, prices range from $300-$400 per person for one week with full board; drinks are extra. Programs include: Marmaris-Fethiye-Marmaris, Bodrum-Gokova-Bodrum, and Antalya-Kas-Antalya. Fax today for a free color brochure. Your dream voyage can come true with Tum-Tour. Hikmet Tumer, owner.

Selcuk
7 WONDERS TOURS TRAVEL AGENCY
Address: Sedir Sokak No 12Balcova, IzmirTurkey
Phone: 90-232-892-7364 90-232-892-7365 Fax: 90-232-891-4755
E-mail: info@go-turkey.com
Since 1986, 7 Wonders Tours has specialized in worry free travel. They are the Selcuk\Ephesus experts. They arrange hotels and transportation such as ferry tickets and domestic\ international air flights, plus transfers to\from hotels, bus stations and the Izmir Airport. Also, guaranteed daily tours with English speaking guide to Priene\ Miletus\ Didyma, Ephesus, Pergamon and Pamukkale. Also tours to Sardis and Aphrodisias. Tours from $35-$45\pp. Need hotel reservations for other parts of Turkey? 7 Wonders can arrange it. They also offer a four-day program to the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse in the Book of Revelation. You pick the tour start date. Price is determined by the number of people in the group. Fax or e-mail for details.