Getting to Turkey

Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and some Mediterranean resorts have international airports with services to several European cities, New York, many Middle Eastern countries, Karachi, North Africa, Bangkok, Singapore and Tokyo. Taxi service is the popular method of airport to hotel transport.

Turkey borders seven countries and has roads to Greece, Bulgaria, Syria, and Georgia, with Iraq being included but not accessible to travellers. Bus transport to Syria from Antalya and Merson offers regular departures, and non-stop bus services exist from Istanbul to several Balkan and south Eastern European cities as distant as Frankfurt and Munich. Long distance service reaches all borders from Ankara to Istanbul, with Kars as the hub to Georgia, Iran and Armenia.

The Istanbul Express is a daily service linking to Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, and terminating in Munich. Thessaloniki connects Athens and Istanbul via daily train and bus services, but animosity between the countries may complicate the border and departure tax procedures.

Car ferries to Venice from Antalya, Marmaris and Izmir are run by Turkish Maritime Lines from May to mid-October, and private ferries travel between Turkey’s Aegean coast and the Greek islands.