I'm just back from Turkey (trip report 'Talkin Turkey Part 1 and 2)
but I would just like to say that driving around Turkey is extremely easy. We drove from Urgup in Cappadocia down to Side near Antalya then drove the coast to Kas, Marmaris, Bodrum, Selcuk, Pumakhale, Izmir, Canakkale, Galllipoli and then into Istanbul airport.

Signage is generally very good and if all else fails the locals are extremely helpful and in one instance after asking directions on a map the fellow jumped in his own car and said follow me and I'll get you to your exit.

You will never run out of petrol as service stations are everywhere.

Driving Turkey is a great experience and one that I would recommend and advise that it is an option definitely worth considering!

Hi Storm,

Well done and drove all the way :-)

As long as you drive day time and avoid Istanbul travellers will be fine with a hire car.....is my recommendation.

Greatings,

Murat

Kay,

I have been researching internal flights in Turkey as we are going in February. I found that the cheapest flights seem to be on Pegasus Airlines (http://www.pegasusairlines.com/EN/). A flight from Istanbul to Izmir, for example, is coming up at 51 lira, or $33 USA, for a February 18 flight.

We plan on renting a car and driving along the coast.

Good luck and happy planning!
Tracy

Sorry...that was supposed to be "USD", not "USA"

Tracy

Thanks Tracy, that's very useful info and a good price too. Do you know anything about the airline, eg safety record, what sort of planes they have? My husband hates small planes.

I had a feeling that domestic Turkish airlines had a bad reputation but I could be totally wrong.

Kay

KayF;
yes you are informed wrong TO MY Opinion.
Turkish Airlines a member of Star Alliance has one of the most sophisticated and young fleet in all Europe. Service is good and well maintained fleet is Flag carrier of Turkey.

I am taking a semi long houl flight tomorrow with TK so I search just out of curiosity and share with you here.

http://www.thy.com/en-INT/corporate/...e.aspx?pid=945

Pls. check following.

http://www.airlinequality.com/StarRanking/4star.htm

http://www.airlinequality.com/Airlines/TK.htm

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...6182722AAFafMh

http://www.airguideonline.com/airgui...rguide9708.htm

http://www.airguideonline.com/airgai...e_review_t.htm

I only use Turkish Airlines as much as if I can both Domestic and International and so far all so good.

Happy Flying,
Murat

Thank you Murat, that is good to know. We have talked about visiting Turkey for a while but how to get around was bothering me, as I don't like buses for lengthy trips and I believe there are no trains. I will look into the airlines and these websites.

Thank you
Kay

There certainly are railways in Turkey, but the network is limited, with services radiating from Ankara. They are of little use if you're visiting the Aegean or Mediterranean coast, which is where most tourists go.
I prefer trains to buses for long journeys, but there is often no choice in Turkey. The buses are very comfortable, generally German-designed vehicles, with tea or coffee served on some journeys.
From Istanbul to Izmir, there are connections by ferry to Bandirma, then train from there to Izmir.

Murat, do you know anything about Pegasus Airlines? The prices are significantly lower than Turkish Airlines so we are planning on booking our intra-Turkey flights this weekend.

Tracy

We flew Pegasus from Kayseri to Istanbul. The flight arrives at the Asian airport, which means a stiff taxi cost unless you are willing to use public transportation (we did) or arrange for a van to pick you. Pegasus si like any other airline.

Michael, thank you for your comment on Pegasus. We will book with them I'm certain. The flight is so short that I'm not worried about comforts that I would on a longer flight. We will probably take public transportation from the airport back into Istanbul for our final night.

Tracy

Looking forward to your trip report. We visited Turkey in April and are budget travelers. Loved the whole adventure except for that one taxi driver who ripped us off in Istanbul :-). The people, the food and the history were all great experiences.

tcreath,

This is what I wrote about our experience using public transportation:

<i>We returned to Istanbul via Pegasus Air, landing at Sabiha Gocken International Airport, We arrived at the domestic terminal with no vans to be seen. Walked over to the international terminal, and it was absolutely deserted. Obviously the vans are there when international flights arrive around 4 and 5 a.m. 7 or 8 a.m. is already too late. We walk back to the domestic terminal just as the last bus pulls out. The dispatcher whistles him down, the bus stops in the middle of the access road, we run like mad across the grass and climb into the back door. At some point during the trip, when the bus clears a little, I walk to the front and pay our fare. We did not catch the airport bus but a local bus. After a long ride, including crossing the Bosphorus on one of the suspension bridges, I see a metro sign. We get off, go down to the metro. We are at the last station. We take the metro to Taksim Square, the last station at the other end, go to the funicular which we take down to the streetcar which takes us within 1.5 blocks of our hotel in the Sultanahmet district. Total time: 2.5 hours. Cost: 16 TRY. To avoid the anxieties we experienced, one could take the airport limousine directly to Taksim Square--it also would speed up the trip. On the other hand, since all the rides are obtained at the beginning of the line, luggage is less of a problem in that one can place oneself comfortably in the bus, funicular or streetcar without having to push through a crowd.</i>

pegasus is kind of easy jet of Turkey. They have also a fairly young fleet and successful operation. Only downfall is mainly they use Asia but again thats is suitable for some who needs to be at asian.
Havas buses with a change will take passangers to Europe too&ccedil;.
Murat

pegasus is kind of easy jet of Turkey. They have also a fairly young fleet and successful operation. Only downfall is mainly they use Asia but again thats is suitable for some who needs to be at asian.
Havas buses with a change will take passangers to Europe too.
Murat

Turnip,
How did you get from Izmir Airport to Sulcuk?

I am not Turnip, but our hotel provided the transfer, transfer for 2 was $75.

Turnip, totally agree with you. So far, I have not heard anybody not loving their Turkey trip but I have not heard anyone who has not been to Turkey say something positive or encouraging remark about the country!

I'm so glag you had a wonderful time. I look forward to reading your trip report.

We rented a car in Izmir and drove to Selcuk. Easy, peaceful drive.