We want to travel to Turkey in 2002 and want some ideas of what time of year is the best. We prefer not to travel in summer, but fall and spring suit us best. Will the attractions be open at those time? Also, would it be necessary to rent a car or is public transportation to major points available and safe? Thanks.

I visited Turkey during the second half of May in 1999 and it seemed to be the perfect time to go. Weather was great all over, crowds not bad, and yes everything is open. I used buses to get all over the country which I thought really worked out well, and it's very cheap. If you are interested, you can check out my photos and travelogue at:<BR><BR>http://www.advweb.com/kelly/greeceturkey99/index.shtml<BR><BR>Have a great time!

Opps, my correct email is [email protected]

April-May is good. Warm, not hot, and not too many tourists. And still green, not parched brown in the sun like September-October. Everything is open. The busses in Turkey are good and cheap. Also major roads are very good, so renting a car is not a bad idea either. But no way necessary. And yes, it is safe. Except if you rent a car watch out for police who claim that you have speeded even if you perfectly well know that you have not.

We just went in October and found it was a great time to go, although it was a bit hot near the Mediterranean. I defintely would not go in the summer. Quite honestly, I would never drive in Turkey. Talk about a death trap. The streets are SUPER narrow,(in the towns, not when you get out on the outskirts) and the roads are extremely bumpy. We not only blew a tire, but hit someone as well. But they do drive on the right side of the street!! I would say public transportation is safe, but communication could be a problem.

Having visited Turkey in July I can safely say never again!! it was far too hot, and I like heat! we are looking to go in October next year, when it is a more comfortable heat. Do NOT drive in Turkey unless you have a death wish!!At a junction everyone just pleases themselves. Public transport is very cheap. At least local drivers have a bit more knowledge and have survived so far!!!Have a great holiday!!! and remember to buy at least two watches each!!Try the apple tea as well!

hi!you must chosee the summer because you can walk trough the seasides beside visiting historical places.also if you come here in summer you will be able to visit islands,in winter there is no entertainment there.<BR> i live in istanbul and if you need help just write me!

If you have the choice, the best time, I'm told, is the spring, when the foliage in the countryside is at its peak. If not the spring, then the fall would be a good time. But my husband and I were there in August and September, and though the coast was VERY hot, the inland region was not so bad. Istanbul was comfortable and so was Cappadocia. <BR>We found travelling the countryside and the coast very manageable by car. Like most countries, if you avoid the big cities (DON'T go into Istanbul by car!!!), it really isn't so difficult. We drove from Cappadocia to the coast, and up to and around Selcuk/Ephesus. We were able to visit some of the smaller sites that would've been much more difficult by public transportation. If you like the flexibility of having a car, use common sense and you'll see that it's not difficult at all to travel around Turkey on your own.

I was in Turkey in 2000 during the whole of April, travelling right around the country. The weather was great - a little cool (just for a sweater) in Cappadocia and Ankara, but once I got down to the Aegean Coast it was beautiful weather - mild and sunny - very comfortable for all the walking I did.<BR><BR>As others have said, the inter-city buses are comfortable, clean, modern, and best of all, cheap. I don't know whether I'd like to drive a car myself - some of the drivers are a bit crazy at times.<BR><BR>The only slight drawback was that in some of the towns I went to, I was unable to take a particular day-tour as it was "too early in the season - come back next month, Madam". But I managed to see everything I wanted to.

May, June, September or the very beginning of October.<BR><BR>www.visitkusadasi.com<BR>

Usually in Jul and August it is over 90 to 110 F.<BR>May will be Good time.<BR>Nejat &Yacute;ncedogan<BR>Guide

Okay - I'll give my POV as well. I go to Turkey every year with my hubby (he is from there). I have been there in:<BR><BR>Dec (not recommended)<BR>May - June (totally wonderful, great time, great weather, few tourists)<BR>August (NO, NO, NO, way too many tourists, absolutely packed, extremely hot, unbearably so at times)<BR>Sept - Oct (another great time, tourists are gone, weather during the day is very nice, comfortably warm, you can still swim in Bodrum, evenings are cool though so bring a sweater and pants). Major attractions will still be open<BR><BR>Enjoy - it is a really wonderful country with incredibly hospitable people. The bus system is excellent, and you can get non-smoking ones (spending a bit more on your bus ride gets you a better drive, bus and company, one that takes better care of their buses, hires 2 drives for really long rides). To go between small towns that are close together, people take a dolmas (pronounced dolmash), literally means stuffed, and that is what can happen, it is a public taxi that loads people up and follows a pre-defined route, you can get off any where and it is cheap.<BR><BR>My parents rented a car in the Bodrum area and found that a great way to travel around - people are not as crazy there, but still pay attention. I've never heard of the police falsly charging people for speeding, but there are crooks everywhere.<BR><BR>Have fun and eat at the local restaurants for the best traditional food.

Just to put my two cents in- I spent 4 months in Istanbul, and May/June is the best - if only for the fresh fruit you can buy!

We spent the last three weeks of May there and couldn't have been happier with the weather and the lack of crowds. It is also considered low season along the coast. We had an unbelievable web deal at the Raddisson Resort just outside Antalya -- normally about $300 or more a night. We got a deluxe sea facing room with balcony and spectacular breakfast and dinner included for $99 a day (for the two of us, not per person)! Simlar good deals along the coast. Why everybody wants to go in HOT July and August is beyond me.<BR>By the way, we rented a car in Cappodocia, and drove it there, to the coast, and to Kusadasi where we turned it in to go to Greece. We were glad we drove. The roads were great and the crowds were non existant. One of the easiest foreign country drives we've ever done.

Hi,<BR>I just wanted to give a useful hint on travelling by bus in Turkey if you choose it: Prefer good bus companies, cheap ones are not safe. Varan, Ulusoy or Kamil Koc. Have a nice time!

I think the best time to travel around Turkey is May or June. Its not as hot as August and not as chilly as October. So I think Either May or September would be great. <BR><BR>I travel to Turkey every 3 months because I am a representetive of a Turkish Company in N.Y. (Network&Altinyildiz) and I would recommend you to rent a car. They are fairly cheaper than U.S. and you will see a lot more than what you'll see with Public Transportation.<BR>I am originally from Norfolk, VA and I think the buses in Turkey are 10X more comfortable than any Public Transportation I used in U.S. All the Transportation Companies got the latest models of buses from the best brand names such as Mercedes and they are as comfortable as a Cadillac =D<BR>Also I was stopped by a cop once in Turkey, he asked for my passport and after a minute or two of looking at it, he offered me some candies and let me go. <BR><BR>But, and it's a big BUT! Don't drive in ISTANBUL! Just don't drive. It's an extremely big city and a crowded trafic. I have been traveling to Istanbul for 5 years and I tried to drive once and hit 2 people (Thanks Lord, minor things) and a driver hit me in lights cause I wasn't quick enough to get going after a red light turned green.<BR><BR>BTW, attractions will be open from May to End of October. <BR><BR>Anymore questions, email me =D