HOW TO GET ISTANBUL ?
Turkey demands an official entry visa from the citizens of some countries. Before
your departure to Turkey it is better to check with a Turkish consulate in your
country to determine if you need a visa. In some cases, you can obtain a visa upon
arrival at Ataturk airport for a small fee.
For detailed information:
http://www.disisleri.gov.tr/MFA/ConsularInformation/ForForeigners/VisaInformation
By Air
Almost all international airleines have convenient direct flights to Istanbul from
all over the world.
Turkish Airlines, which has been carrying passenger and cargo since 1933, today
has a fleet of 64 aircraft and flies to a total of 103 destinations, 26 domestic
and 77 international. It has consolidated its position on the international platform
by linking the Caucasian countries and the Turkish republics in Central Asia, as
well as the Middle Eastern and Asian countries, with Europe, Africa and North America;
through the service network hub Istanbul.
www.thy.com
By Road
The road network throughout Turkey is extensive, with motorways, dual carriageways
and numerous three-lane highways. Drivers bringing cars into Turkey must show their
registration documents and driving license at the point of entry. If arriving from
Europe, visitors must have a Green Card (available from insurance companies) as
well as appropriate insurance. Driving is on the right. Seat belts are mandatory
and driving after consuming alcoholic drinks is prohibited. The speed limits are
I20km/h on motorways, 90km/h on main roads and 50km/h in towns.
Intercity Coach services
Coach services to all parts of Turkey are reliable, reasonably priced and convenient.
Istanbul's International Bus Terminal located in Esenler, about ten kilometers from
the city center, serves all international and domestic lines. Most of the leading
intercity coach companies provide free shuttle services from central Istanbul to
the terminus. These leave a couple of hours before the scheduled departure time
of the coaches from Siraserviler Caddesi in Taksim, which is also where the ticket
offices are located. Visitors can book tickets here any time before departure.
Major European cities such as Frankfurt and Vienna are also well serviced by Turkish
coach lines, and there are daily bus connections between Athens and Istanbul via
Thessalonica.
By Rail
There are trains from Sofia, Belgrade, Bucharest and Budapest(connections from Munich
and Vienna) to Sirkeci Station in Istanbul. Main services are:
-Bosphorus Express: from Bucharest, daily
-TransBalkan Express: from Budapest via Bucharest, daily
-Prietenia Express: from Kischinev, daily
-Balkan Express: from Belgrade via Sofia, daily
-1C 90/9 I: from Pythion via Thessalonica, daily (connection from Athens)
-Istanbul Express: from Munich via Slovenia, Croatia, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria
There are two main stations in Istanbul: Sirkeci
Station on the European and Haydarpaşa Station on
the Asian side. These historic station buildings
are nostalgic gateways to the city. Both stations
are well equipped with restaurants, newspaper
kiosks, waiting rooms and ATMs. Both stations are
conveniently located. Haydarpaşa Station on the
Asian shore is connected to the European shore by
ferry to Karakoy, and Sirkeci Station is a short
walk or taxi ride from Eminonu ferry terminals.
Suburban trains also run from Sirkeci and
Haydarpaşa stations.
By Sea
The Bosphorus Strait divides Istanbul's Asian and European shores. Central Istanbul
and the historic walled city are on the European shore, which is itself divided
by the natural harbour of the Golden Horn (Haliç). Tiny fishing boats and day cruisers
share the Bosphorus with enormous international cargo ships, navy vessels, tankers
and giant luxury liners from Europe. The two largest quays, Eminonu and Karakoy,
are on opposite sides of the Golden Horn and linked by the Galata Bridge. Karakoy
is where luxury cruise ships headed for the Aegean and Mediterranean dock, as well
as smaller CIS vessels. Local ferry services mainly depart from Eminonu, Karakoy,
Besiktas and Üsküdar. International ferry services
-Istanbul-Ukraine-Odessa
-Venice-Izmir
-Athens-Izmir
-Brindisi (Italy) or Ban (Italy-Cesme (Izmir)
-Various services from Turkish coastal towns to Greek islands
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