from tent to Turkey - the Eclipse experience

TRAVELING TO/FROM TURKEY BY ROAD

TRAVELING TO/FROM TURKEY BY ROAD

All road and highways are well connected and well maintained to every part of Turkey. Coming from Europe to the Turkish border in the west at EDIRNE straight on highway E-80, through to Istanbul and Ankara. Following on highway E-80, crossing of the Bosphorus to Asia has been greatly speeded up Istanbul by-pass with 2 bridges of ATATURK BRIDGE and FATIH BRIDGE, leading to the Istanbul-Izmit express road.

By the other side; 3 great axis highways traversing Turkey are those to Syria and the Lebanon(Highway E-5), Iraq (Highway E-24) and Iran highway E-23). The route to Antalya follows the E-80 to IZMIT and then heads south.

If you will drive in Turkey an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.
In Turkey traffic circulates on the right and the Turkish Highway Code is similar to those of Western countries. Outside urban areas speed limited to 90 kph(~55 mph)

Turkish highway and road signs conform to International Protocol on Road Signs.
Archaeological and historical sites are indicated by yellow sign posts.

For 'temporary entrance permit', 'international insurange' and other issues please visit website of TheTuring and Automobile Club Of Turkey

Information on Turkish highways, road conditions and on any question please visit the website of Turkish Highway System(TKY).

Drive defensively at all times. Turkey has one of the highest accident rates in the world. Fatal road accidents occur frequently. Avoid inter city driving after dark. The holidays, or BAYRAMs, like one of that follow month of Ramadan(RAMAZAN) are accompanied by a dramatic increase in traffic and the highest accident rates of the year. Driving times to Istanbul, from Ankara,7 hours and from Antalya is 12 hours.

Traveler can also reach Turkey by vehicle ferries. The Turkish Maritime Lines operates luxury service ferries for people whom travel with their own vehicles, from VENICE and BRINDISI to IZMIR/Çesme.

ÇESME is eastern point of Izmir peninsula and about 150 km north of Kusadasi. Road to Kusadasi from Çesme is in very good condition.

By the other side; Turkey has vast system of inter city coaches. Buses between big cities are inexpensive, convenient and amazingly modern. Ticket prices varies slightly, depending on service quality. Practically most fares are about US$4 per 100 kilometers(61 miles).

Every big city in Turkey has at least one bus station (OTOGAR). All the bus companies have a ticket office at the bus stations, and the larger companies have offices dotted around towns or cities center. In small towns coaches depart from town's main square area.

Istanbul International Bus Terminal (BÜYÜK OTOGAR) is located at European side of the city and it is 10 km (6 miles) west of the west of Sultanahmet at ESENLER / BAYRAMPASA district.

OTOGAR in Turkish means bus station.

International Istanbul Bus Terminal phone number is: 90(212) 658-0505.

Most of the major inter city companies have free shuttle transportation from different parts of the districts to the main bus station. Buses are so frequent and run everywhere day and night, even cross-country but you need reserve in advance especially around holidays.

Within the city of Istanbul, public transport is a good way of getting around. There are minibuses(dolmus), both city and private buses , taxis, trams (from Aksaray), subway(METRO) between Taksim and Levent, and a tiny electric tram car 'TÜNEL' (between Karakoy to Tunel). Dial (212)568-9970 for metro and tramway information in Istanbul, if you need. In Istanbul bus and tram tickets runs about $0.50 ea. USD.

Istanbul has a large fleet of yellow taxis, but a cheaper way of getting around the streets is to hire a dolmus, a shared taxi or minibus. It's an easy matter to rent a car; it's navigating the thing through the insane traffic that might prove to be difficult. Save it for excursions out of town.

The subway(METRO) of Istanbul project is still going on and the completed lines allow you to travel fast and inexpensively between Airport, the main inter city bus terminal(OTOGAR), and famous Sultanahmet Square if you transfer on foot between the AKSARAY and YUSUFPASA stations.

The DOLMUS, a special transportation service found only in Turkey, is a collective taxi or mini-bus(Van) follows specific routes and is recognizable by its yellow band. Each passenger pays according to the distance traveled and can get off at almost in any place possible.

Also DOLMUS provides a service within large cities, to suburbs, airports and often to neighboring towns. This is very commune and practical transportation service and it is slightly more than the regular buses but much more cheaper than the taxi cab.

Posted by Spidey at 2:33 AM