Travelling to Turkey
(Provided for information only and subject to change)
Airlines
Most
people travel to Turkey by plane. Flight times are approximately 4 hours from UK
airports. Turkish Airlines and British Airways have several daily flights,
year-round to Istanbul’s Atatlirk Airport. From Istanbul there are domestic
flights operated by Turkish Airlines and other private airlines to regional
airports, such as Izmir, Bodrum, Dalaman and Antalya for the coastal resorts, or
Kayseri and Nev for Cappadocia. British Airways have also started a useful year-
round service from Gatwick to lzmir.
Cyprus Turkish Airlines have direct flights to Antalya, Dalaman and lzmir from
Gatwick, Heathrow. Glasgow. Stansted and Belfast. Seats on scheduled flights can
be booked directly from the airlines or through a specialist travel agent.
Low-cost airline Easyjet now fly between Luton and Istanbul’s Sabilia (Jbkcen
Airport, on the Asian side of the city, but onward domestic flight options are
much more limited than from Atatfirk Airport.
During the summer season (approximately May-Oct) MyTravel, First Choice, Thomas
Cook, and Thomson have direct charter flights to Bodrum, Dalaman and Antalya
from regional airports in the UK.
Holidays 4U (www.h4u.co.uk) (Onur Air UK Agent - Onur air is a Turkish low cost
airline) run a weekly winter service from (Gatwick and Manchester to Dalaman and
Bodrum with coach transfers to the main resorts. Other companies may join suit
as demand increases for out-of-season flights.
Antalya airport servicing the Mediterranean region is open all year round.
Direct flights are available all year round via Thomas Cook from the major UK
airports.
Detailed below for your information is a list of airports and airlines currently
flying to Turkey from the UK.
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Turkeys International Airports
Bodrum
Airport
Situated a short distance from Milas, Turkey, on the Aegean Sea,
Milas Bodrum International Airport (BXN) is a two-terminal facility built in the
late 90s. Direct flights into Bodrum Airport have reduced travel time for
passengers, who would have formerly been required to endure a three-hour
transfer from Dalaman or Izmir. Milas Bodrum Airport is located around 40 km /
25 miles north-east of Bodrum and just 16 km / 10 miles north of Milas. Bodrum
is a growing facility that serves in excess of four million passengers annually
to several domestic and international destinations.
Facilities at Bodrum Airport include a bureau de change, ATMs and information
desks. Shopping options are slim; but there is a café selling beverages and
snacks. Car rental agencies are thoroughly represented in the airport, with
desks for Hertz, Avis, and National among many others. Car park facilities
include short-term and long-term options.
The airport has one concrete-surface runway that is 3,000 metres long, and 45
metres wide.
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A
ntalya
Airport
Antalya is the 2nd most invested city outside the capital Ankara
besides Istanbul. You can see why when you appreciate the facilities of the
International airport at Antalya.
Antalya International Airport is large, modern and efficient. It has been built
to accommodate the millions of passengers who come to the Turkish Riviera
throughout the year. Antalya International Airport now consists of 2
international and a domestic Terminal. Terminal 2 and also has extensive cargo
forwarding and storage facilities.
Number of passengers in 2006 exceeded 10 million.
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Dalaman Airport
The new International Terminal at Dalaman covers an area of
95.000 m2 and is three times bigger than the current terminal. Within the
framework of the project, in addition to the International Terminal, an
additional apron of 210.000 m2 and a parking lot covering 14.000 m2 with a
capacity 950 vehicles, CIP and VIP buildings has been completed.
The terminal can operate passenger capacity per annum up to 10.000.000 people.
Together with the additional aprons and 14 new parking places for airplanes all
now completed. There are 8 passenger bridges and 6 distant plane passenger
boarding gates. By means of the 400 Hz system and PCA system, which are
available at the passenger bridges, necessary energy and ventilation,
air-conditioning and utility water supplies are provided.
The buildings extending over 4-storeys include 22 escalators and 21 elevators,
which ensures fast and comfortable connection between the floors. In the new
terminal building, the basement and 1st floors are allocated for arriving
passengers, while the 2nd and 3rd floors are allocated for departures. At the
terminal building, being equipped with high technology, everything is planned
for the comfort of passengers.
At the New International Terminal, there will be 60 check-in counters, all of
which are designed as CUTE stations, with a capacity of 4000 passengers and 5000
baggage per hour. Besides, necessary infrastructure is being prepared for early
check-in of the passengers at their hotels. Therefore passengers will save time
for taking the advantages of the services offered to them at the terminal
without waiting in long queues.
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Ankara
Airport
TAV operated Istanbul Ataturk Airport International
Terminal (IST) under a Build, Operate & Transfer (BOT) model until July 3,
2005 and TAV Istanbul commenced operation of IST from July 3, 2005 for a period
of 15.5 years under an operational lease. The TAV Airports Group also manages
and operates the following airports under long-term BOT contracts: Ankara’s
Esenboga Airport (ESB), and Izmir’s Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) in Turkey; and
Tblisi Airport (TBS) in the Georgian Republic.
The Group also includes Havas Co., a leading ground handling services company;
ATÜ, Turkey’s largest duty free operator; BTA, a food and beverage company; an
aviation security arm; an airport operations and maintenance company; and an IT
services provider specializing in airport software applications.
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Ataturk
Istanbul Airport
TAV Airports is the largest and the only fully integrated airport operating
and aviation services group in Turkey. The Group was established in 1997 by a
consortium led by two leading Turkish construction groups: Tepe and Akfen Groups
for the BOT (Build, Operate & Transfer) contract for the “New Istanbul Ataturk
Airport International Terminal Complex.”
TAV Group has been operating Istanbul Ataturk Airport’s International Terminal
Building, the domestic terminal building, the carpark and the general aviation
terminal.
TAV operated Istanbul Ataturk Airport International Terminal (IST) under a
Build, Operate & Transfer (BOT) model until July 3, 2005 and TAV Istanbul
commenced operation of IST from July 3, 2005 for a period of 15.5 years under an
operational lease. The TAV Airports Group also manages and operates the
following airports under long-term BOT contracts: Ankara’s Esenboga Airport
(ESB), and Izmir’s Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) in Turkey; and Tblisi Airport
(TBS) in the Georgian Republic.
The Group also includes Havas Co., a leading ground handling services company;
ATÜ, Turkey’s largest duty free operator; BTA, a food and beverage company; an
aviation security arm; an airport operations and maintenance company; and an IT
services provider specializing in airport software applications.
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Sabiha
Istanbul Airport
The airport is named for Ms. Sabiha Gökçen (1913-2001), the world's first
female fighter pilot. In her long career as a pilot and teacher she flew 22
different combat and aerobatics aircraft, and was the first woman to fly the
Focke Wulfe 190-A3. The Sabiha Gökçen Airport website has more.
Ms Gökçen's pioneering work was made possible because of Kemal Atatürk's social
reforms, which emphasized equal rights and opportunities for women, and the
importance of flight. Turks in the air travel and aircraft industries eagerly
quote Atatürk's prescient saying, "The future is in the skies."
An important aspect of the airport's operation is as the air hub of Istanbul's
Advanced Technology Industry Park project.
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Izmir
Airport
TAV conveyed its experience in airport constructions and
operations, to Izmir, the third biggest city in Turkey; TAV’s new Adnan Menderes
Airport International Terminal will have significant contributions to the
transportation and tourism potential in Izmir, with its state-of-the-art
technology to offer a high capacity, new and modern terminal.
The Izmir Adnan Menderes International Airport (ADB) International Terminal,
built with the Build,Operate & Transfer model, will serve on an area of 110,000
m2. The project cost of the new terminal reaches a total of 150 million Euros,
and the annual passenger capacity reaches 5 million.
With the operation of the new International Terminal, TAV will help strengthen
the Izmir and Aegean region as a tourism center in the long term. TAV’s Adnan
Menderes (ADB) Airport as will create an enhanced flight base for national and
international airlines that currently serve leisure flights mainly.
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Buses:
Bus
travel is the easiest, cheapest, most popular way to travel in Turkey. Every
town is linked by a service. They are normally run by private bus companies and
coaches depart from city bus stations or the town centre in smaller regions.
The buses, operated by hundreds of companies large and small, are modern and
comfortable, service is frequent, and fares are low to moderate.
Most fares are quite reasonable. Often, buses are so frequent you needn't
reserve in advance except around holidays.
Bus travel is a popular means of transport within the country and every town
will be linked by a service.
The 'Dolmus', a special service found only in Turkey, is a shared taxi which
follows specific routes and is recognizable by its yellow band. Each passenger
pays according to distance traveled and can get off at specific stops. Fares are
relatively cheap and are fixed by the municipality. The 'dolmus' serve large
cities and will go to suburbs, airports and often to neighboring towns. This is
a very practical means of transport and cheaper than a privately hired taxi.
Taxis:
There
are many Yellow taxis and they are numerous in all Turkish cities. Most taxis
are air-conditioned. All taxis are required to have digital meters (taksimetre),
and to run them. In some tourist area taxis will have printed set fares usually
posted or printed somewhere, this way it is clear and does end up being cheaper.
Taxis may also travel between cities or from cities or airports to resort towns.
For these longer trips of, say, 10 or 20 km (6 to 12 miles) or more, set rates
may have been established. If not, you may want to haggle for an agreeable rate
before you begin your journey.
Turks don't tip taxi drivers, they normally round up the fare. As a foreigner,
your driver may assume you'll give a tip, but you needn't unless the driver
provides some special service, such as helping with lots of heavy luggage.
Ferry:
Turkey
has 8 430 Km of coastline and 15 principal state-owned ports. The main ports
are; Samsun, Haydarpasa (Istanbul), Izmir, Izmit, Trabzon, Mersin, and
Iskenderun and run extensive passenger ferry services.
Local ferry services operate from Istanbul across the Sea of Marmara. Ferry
services also operate between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus: Tas¸ucu – Girne (Kyrenia); Alanya – Girne; Mersin – Gazimagðosa
(Famagusta).
There are also a number of ferry and hydrofoil services which operate between
Turkey and the Greek Islands including: Ayvalik – Lesbos; Çesme – Chios;
Kusadasi – Samos; Bodrum – Kos; Marmaris – Rhodes and Datça – Symi.
There are also ferry services which operate between Ancona and Brindisi to Çesme.
Railways:
The wide network of the Turkish State Railways, totalling some 8,697 km,
connects most major cities. The trains are modern with couchettes, restaurants,
and lounge cars offering first and second class service.
Entry Requirements:
General Visa Information for British Passport Holders
British and Irish passport holders travelling to Turkey require a visa. Visas
can be obtained at the port of entry in Turkey or from the Turkish Consulate
General in London or Turkish Diplomatic Missions in other countries.
Sticker type visas are issued at the port of entry and allow staying in Turkey
for up to 90 days. It costs £10 for UK and €10 for Irish passport holders. If
there is more than one person travelling on the same passport, each individual
is liable to pay the visa fee. This type of visa does not permit to engage in
paid or unpaid employment.
Those who wish to obtain entry visa from the Turkish Consulate in London should
apply to the Consulate General. The visa fee is £40 and should be paid by postal
order or cash only. A passport size picture should also be submitted during
application.
It is advisable to have a minimum of six months validity on your passport from
the date of your entry into Turkey.
Travel document holders need to apply to the Consulate General in person with
his/her travel document with a validity of at least one year, a passport size
photo, fully filled application form, latest bank statement, a reference letter
from his/her employer or school. The fee is 40 pounds sterling. All visas for
travel document holders are single entry.
For more information or to make an appointment for a Visa application, please
contact the Turkish Consulate General in London.
There are new visa regulations reported for the citizens of the following
countries;
BAHAMAS:
You need to apply to this Consulate for entry visa after 10th May 2003
MAURITIUS:
You need to apply to this Consulate for entry visa after 11th May 2003
BELIZE:
You need to apply to this Consulate for entry visa after 15th May 2003
UZBEKISTAN:
You need to apply to this Consulate for entry visa after 1st June 2003
FIJI:
You need to apply to this Consulate for entry visa after 22nd June 2003
JAMAICA:
You need to apply to this Consulate for entry visa after 10th July 2003
BARBADOS:
You need to apply to this Consulate for entry visa after 16th July 2003
SOUTH AFRICAN:
You need to apply to this Consulate for entry visa after 3rd May 2003
Passport validity:
Your passport should be valid for at least six months on entry into Turkey.
Travelling with children
If a parent travels on his/her own with a dual national Turkish child, written
permission from the Turkish parent, certified by a notary, must be shown to the
immigration authorities on departure, otherwise the child will not be permitted
to leave Turkey