• Bus Station
• Park

• Old tombs
• Hospital

• Full
• Closed

• Burnt down
• Dead

• On honeymoon
• or they've never heard of us

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS re BUSES

How good are the buses ? Which bus companies are good ? What are the bus schedules ? How do I book / get tickets ? How do I get to Selcuk from Istanbul ? How do I get to Selcuk from Izmir bus station ? How far is it to Selcuk by road ?

FAQ: HOW GOOD ARE THE BUSES ?

The bus system is EXCELLENT: you may be surprised how good !
Most Turks rely on them for transport, so buses are clean, cheap & frequent.

• Buses are late-model Mercedes coaches. Major bus stations resemble airports !
• Buses are usually very punctual and reliable.
• For safety, check overnight buses / long trips have TWO drivers.
• Air-conditioning may be periodically turned off because of the (significant) expense.
• Non-Smoking, but the driver is allowed to smoke "out the window". If that is too much for you, avoid the front seats !
• There is a steward who serves cake, hot & cold drinks and perfumes your hands with lemon cologne
• They stop every 2-4 hours at roadhouses with toilets and restaurants
• Stops vary and are either ~ 10 or ~ 30 minutes. Announcements of impending departure are made in Turkish. On leaving the bus, show the steward your watch and ask them to point to when they are leaving. Use bathroom facilities first and watch Turkish travellers from your bus: if they move to reboard, do the same !          you may wish to carry this note in a handy place for bus trips "Saat kacta gidiyoruz ?" ("At what time are we leaving ?" & proffer your watch)
• It is important not to disturb others. You should speak quietly and avoid smelly snacks. Shoes are not to be removed on buses (odour).
• Women travelling alone should always book "women's seats". You will be seated alone or with another woman. This is local custom & one you should observe. Couples: the man always sits on the aisle and the woman near the window.

• METRO, Hakkiki Koc, Aydin, CanakkaleTruva, Isparta, Pamukkale & Karadeveci all stop in Selcuk, all can be recommended and are good starting points for enquiry.
• There are other good companies too. The main things to ask are:-
  • Whether they stop in Selcuk.
  • How many drivers on a very long / overnight trip (there should be 2)
  • Whether receipts / plastic numbered coupons for your luggage are available.
  • In summer, ask how much they use the air-conditioning.
• Ulusoy, Varan & particularly Boss are excellent, deluxe buses; often with toilets (and much higher fares).
  But they do not stop at Izmir's Main Bus Terminal (if you are planning to transfer) nor in Selcuk. CHECK !!!! 
  Airfares may be little more than these fares.

• Buses depart for all major cities many times per day.
• Even the most remote village usually has at least a daily service. "Off season", however, remote ruins etc may not.
• For up-to-the-minute info, ask your accommodation, a travel agent OR go the bus station offices yourself.
• PUBLIC HOLIDAYS create very heavy demand. Buses are particularly busy during "Bayram" (holidays). On Friday & Sunday nights, Turks travel for the weekend. Don't be fooled by "its off season and there aren't many tourists around - we will easily get seats at the last minute". The buses exist primarily for Turks. Travellers alos catch them. Companies schedule so buses are as full as possible. Particuarly at such times, it's crucial to enquire and book well ahead of when you want to travel.
• Low Season Travellers: the common assumption "it is quiet, so there will be plenty of seats" is not true : "demand dictates" & companies schedule so that the buses fill .

• Ask your accommodation: they may be able to book or sell you a ticket
• Go to the bus station and enquire at the Company Counters.

From Your Istanbul Accommodation:

• Ask your accommodation to book a bus ticket and a shuttle to the bus station for you. You can catch the train but the shuttle bus is so much easier and not expensive. If they can't, ask any travel agent.
• You may be told there are only overnight buses direct to Selcuk - this is often true. But no problem - for day travel, simply get a ticket to IZMIR instead and change to another bus for the final hour to Selcuk. This can often be organised with the same company: one ticket (if possible, ask for destination Selcuk, changing at Izmir), one fare (including the transfer to a new bus in Izmir), all pre-paid in Istanbul.

The airport is very close to the bus station. You catch a taxi there or the train from the terminal.
If you come to Turkey on a long flight, be aware that Selcuk is ~10 hours drive from Istanbul - you MAY wish to rest first overnight OR to fly down to Izmir (1 hour).

FAQ: HOW DO I GET TO SELCUK FROM IZMIR BUS STATION ?

There are TWO Options.

1. Big coach (~1 hour on the freeway, air-conditioned): go to the company counters in the DOWNSTAIRS terminal and enquire. The local "Kusadasi Elbirlik" company is worth asking, as well as the large intercity companies.
   
2. Small local minibus (~1 hr 20 mins through the country side): Go to the "Selcuk Efes" counter in the UPSTAIRS terminal. Frequent departures to Selcuk between 0630 - 2000 hours.

• There may be NO buses from Izmir to Selcuk overnight until ~ 0630 AM.
• The quieter the season (eg mid-winter), the earlier the last bus will be.
• There is a freeway between Izmir and Aydin that bypasses Selcuk. The bus company may require a minimum number of customers to drop off in Selcuk in order to take the longer, slower journey through Selcuk.
• So if arriving in Izmir after dark, to avoid being stranded overnight: before buying the ticket there, find out if your bus will be dropping off in Selcuk. If not, learn what your connection options are first.
• Beware of TOUTS at Izmir bus station. Despite what you may be told, it is not difficult on arrival in Selcuk - and we will meet your bus if you tell which one. Otherwise, simply follow these instructions.

These times are average. Add 20% in winter / if it rains.

SELÇUK TO...
Approximate Hours by BUS    (Add 20% in wet weather)

10	ANKARA	7	ANTALYA	4	AYVALIK
3.5	BERGAMA	3	BODRUM	7	BURSA
7	ÇANAKKALE	12+	CAPPADOCIA (Nevsehir)	4	DALYAN (Ortaca)
3	DENIZLI (Pamukkale)	8	ECEABAT (Gallipoli)	6	FETHIYE
10	ISTANBUL	1+	IZMIR	8	KAS (via Fethiye)
10	KONYA	4	KÖYGEGIZ	½	KUSADASI
4	MARMARIS	10+	OLIMPOS (via Kas)	7	ÖLÜDENIZ (via Fethiye)

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The OPTIONS for GETTING HERE from the AIRPORT ARE:

Train Bus

Private Transfer Taxi Hire Car

2. BUSES: Izmir Airport to Selcuk (~1 hour)

• You will need Turkish Lira to do this. Prices may change at any time, espeically in response to fuel prices.
• Taxi drivers  -  in order to secure your business - may try to tell you that you have to wait "for hours" or that there are "no buses" - which, depending on the hour, may or may not be true. Buses leave Izmir Bus Station for Selcuk -passing the airport - half hourly between ~ 0630 AM and ~9.30 PM.
• Catch a "TAKSI" to "TANSAS, Gaziemir". Write this on a paper to show the driver. It is a supermarket about 10 minutes away. There is a major minibus rank next to it. The fare will be ~ 10 Turkish Lira. www.xe.com
• There, you want to catch a "DOLMUS" (Pron "Dol Moosh") to SELCUK (pron. "Sel chook").
• If the destination is Kusadasi: Selcuk is half an hour before Kusadasi - they SHOULD be able to drop you off on the way as they pass through. "Kusadasi Elbirlik" bus will, as will the "Selcuk - Efes" minibus.
• The fare is ~ 6 Turkish Lira and the journey is ~ 1 hour. You will pass the airport again.
• Large & multiple pieces of luggage will be a problem.
• Many people travelling together should expect to have to split up over several minibuses.

3. PRIVATE TRANSFER: Izmir Airport to Selcuk (~ 45 minutes)
For a sedan vehicle which can seat 1 passenger in the front and 2-3 in the back,depending on their size: 40 euros per car
Please conside the size of your luggage.
Larger vehicles: prices on application.
Must be pre-booked - 24 hours in advance. See "Travel Desk" on this website.

4. TAXIS: Izmir Airport to Selcuk (~ 45 minutes). 50 euros / after hours 70 euros.

5. HIRE CAR: There are several car hire companies at the airport which are very pricey.
Please email us for directions to Jimmy's Place.

FAQ: WHERE CAN I GET INFO re DOMESTIC FLIGHTS TO IZMIR ?

• TURKISH AIRLINES (THY) http://www.turkishairlines.com/en/index.php
• ONUR AIR http://www.onurair.com.tr/ 
• ATLAS JET http://www.atlasjet.com/eng/index.htm

• What should I consider re hiring a car ?
• What is driving like in Turkey ?
  US Embassy's advice to foreign drivers.
• How far is it to Selcuk by road ?
• How do I find Jimmy's Place on arrival in Selcuk ?

• The minimum price to expect for a simple vehicle without air conditioning is about 60 TL per day.
  With air conditioning , it would be around 80 TL per day.
• For fuel, expect to pay ~ 3 Turkish Lira per litre: approximately 1,9 euros per litre / US$9,20 per gallon !
• There are NO automatic vehicles in Turkey - only manually geared.
• Driving is RIGHT side of the road with a LEFT hand steering wheel.
• The roads are generally of excellent quality. Be very clear about distances - Turkey is bigger than it looks ! Click here for distances map
• You can hire a driver along with the vehicle. You are normally responsible for all meal & accommodation expenses in addition to the car rental, his driver's fee and the fuel. If you want a NON-SMOKING driver, be clear about this from the very start of the ordering process. Drivers usually carry cell phones.
• Bringing a non-Turkish car into Turkey is a complex bureacratic matter with many implications: you should contact the Turkish Embassy in your country for details.
  

The US Embassy in Turkey has EXCELLENT advice to Foreign Drivers.

These times are minimum for people who don't know the roads. Add 20% in wet weather / winter.
See our Map with distances.

FAQ: HOW DO I FIND JIMMY's PLACE ON ARRIVAL in SELCUK ?

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Also see this site which lists several train timetables. Turkey Travel Guide

Trains are more basic, infrequent & take longer than buses.
But they are very cheap and, from Izmir airport, bring you here "door to door".
They may be crowded, especially on weekends and holidays.
Suitability depends whether it connects conveniently, how much luggage you have and whether the possibility of no seat is an issue to you.

Schedules should also be checked at the Stations (open every day, often 24 hours) and
the possibility of delay or cancellation taken into consideration.

USEFUL PHRASE: "Lutfen, bana tren istasyonunu tarif edermisiniz ?"
("Can you please direct me to the train station ?")

IZMIR AIRPORT to SELCUK
0800 .... 0930 ..... 1545 ..... 1935

SELCUK to IZMIR AIRPORT
0625....0715....0830 .... 1210....1740 .... 1905

This schedule was provided by Selcuk Train Station Staff.
Schedules may (& do) change at anytime without warning.
Any train may be cancelled or delayed.
Thus these times are provided as a rough guide for planning purposes.

ON ARRIVAL IN SELCUK
We are only 5 minute's easy walk from Selcuk Station MAP.
Walk to the exit at the bottom of the footbridge-overpass.
Turn LEFT immediately and walk along the path next to the train line.
Pass the BLACK ANTIQUE STEAM TRAIN. Pass the T-junction at your right.
Turn RIGHT at the NEXT (SECOND) street - AFTER the furniture shops. There is a small florist on the corner.
Walk downhill for a minute or two - we are at the bottom, on the left. Look for our yellow facade.

THE OFFICAL WEBSITE OF TURKISH STATE RAILWAYS (TCDD)
http://www.tcdd.gov.tr/tcddwebenglish/index.html

ANOTHER TRANSPORT SITE with TRAIN TIME TABLES Turkey Travel Guide

TREATS for TRAIN BUFFS !
Check out our section on Camlik Steam Train Museum

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• Ferry schedules are effected by many factors: keep in mind that
  • Schedules routinely vary throughout the year according to seasonal demand.
  • Schedules may also change without notice due to unexpected changes in passenger numbers.
  • Bad weather cannot be predicted long term and ferries can "turn back", even after departure. (esp. Greek ones.)
  • Thus beware of informal advice & information. Off season, we have seen many horrified travelers stranded through taking insufficient care. From 1 October to 30 April, expect ferry schedules to be reduced. What another traveler tells you about their experiences may be completely irrelevent for your time frame. Be very careful to enquire directly with ferry companies or their ticketing (travel) agents.
  • Greek Ferries are also occasionally cancelled due to industrial  action.
  • Off season, private charters might accept other travellers: it is always worth enquiring !

ROUTES:

Samos - Kusadasi Lesvos - Ayvalik Chios - Cesme Kos - Bodrum

Rhodes - Marmaris Istanbul - Izmir Italy - Turkey

ALSO

• FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
• Greek Island Ferry Schedules
• New Arrivals to Turkey: Costs & Visas

• Free Transfer: To be met from the Samos ferry, please phone ahead from Samos.
• This also enables you to either confirm your reservation OR to check if we have a vacancy.
• Please phone when your ferry is
  • booked 
  • IMMEDIATELY if the ferry is cancelled or leaves late.
• Our Telephone number from Samos is 00 - 90 - 232 - 892 1982 or 6294
• Our Telephone number from Kusadasi is 0232 - 892 1982 or 6294

SAMOS, GREECE CONTACT: Directly opposite the port exit.
(Country Code: 30)
ITSA TRAVEL: (*2730) 23605 / 6. (*Add a "zero" if phoning within Greece)
E-Mail: itsa@otenet.com.gr

KUSADASI, TURKEY CONTACT: 50 metres from the port exit (Country Code: 90) MEANDER / DIANA TRAVEL: (*256) 612 8888 / 2646 (*Add a "zero" if phoning within Turkey)
E-Mail: dianashipping@superonline.com

NB: NEVER book off-season flights from Samos without first CHECKING directly with Meander / Diana Travel about how to get to Samos ! There ARE ferries between Chios & Samos but NOT daily.

LESVOS - AYVALIK FERRY

AYVALIK CONTACT NUMBER:
JALE TUR: Tel: 90 (*266) 312 2740 (* add a zero if phoning within Turkey)

LESVOS CONTACT NUMBER:
DIMAKIS TOUR: Tel: 30 (*251) 27 865 (* add a zero if phoning within Greece)

On arrival ask where to catch the bus to IZMIR BUS STATION. You want the "SEBAT" Bus Company. The bus to Izmir takes ~3 hours. On arrival, change for Selcuk (~1 hour). Go into the upstairs terminal to the midi-bus company offices. If no service, go downstairs to the big coach company desks
More bus info

CHIOS - CESME FERRY

CESME CONTACT NUMBERS:
(NB: rival companies who send ferries on different days: so check both, off-season, if necessary)

ERTURK: Tel: 90 (*232) 712 6768 (* add a zero if phoning within Turkey)
MASCOT: Tel: 90 (*232) 712 7654

NB: THIS IS A CONVENIENT OFF-SEASON SEA ROUTE to ATHENS.
THESE FERRIES CONNECT WITH THE OVERNIGHT CHIOS - ATHENS FERRY (departs ~2200 hrs).
There ARE ferries between Chios & Samos but NOT daily.

When you leave the port building, cross the road to these Ferry Agents' offices to change money and ask where to catch the DIRECT bus to IZMIR BUS STATION. For evening arrivals, the final bus may be ~1830, so hurry.

IMPORTANT: check that late buses go all the way to "SENTRAL GARAJ" (Izmir Main Bus Station) and don't just terminate at UC KUYULAR Bus Station.

The journey is ~ 1.5 hours. On arrival, you change for Selcuk (~1 hour).
More bus info

KOS - BODRUM FERRY / HYDROFOIL

BODRUM CONTACT NUMBERS:
BODRUM EXPRESS LINES: Tel: 90 (*252) 316 4067 / 1087 (* add a zero if phoning within Turkey)

The bus trip to Selcuk is ~3 hours and you usually change at AYDIN for the final hour.
The final hour may be in a minibus. Check that you will travel DIRECTLY to Selcuk, not via Kusadasi.
More bus info click here

RHODES - MARMARIS FERRY / HYDROFOIL

MARMARIS CONTACT NUMBERS:
(NB these are rival companies who send ferries on different days: off-season, check both, if necessary)

YESIL MARMARIS: (*252) 412 2290 (* add a zero if phoning within Turkey)
ENGIN: (*252) 412 6944
Also Inter Youth Hostel: (0252) 412 7277

The bus trip to Selcuk is ~4 hours and you usually change at AYDIN: the final hour may be in a minibus. Check that you will travel DIRECTLY to Selcuk, not via Kusadasi. More bus info click here

ISTANBUL - IZMIR FERRY

Back in business in 2006 after several year's absence.
Turkish Website: www.denizline.com

Reservations:
ISTANBUL: (0212 or 0216) 444 33 69
KUSADASI: (0256) 612 45 98 or 618 3030

ON ARRIVAL, THE USUAL WAYS TO GET HERE FROM IZMIR HARBOUR are:

TRAINS: Izmir to Selcuk
Suitability depends whether your arrival connects conveniently. FARE: ~ US$1
More Train info click here

BUSES: Izmir to Selcuk
When you get off the ferry ask to be directed to the BUS COMPANY offices nearby. Shuttle buses run to the huge IZMIR BUS STATION out of town where you connect with another bus to Selcuk (1 hour).
More Bus info click here

PRIVATE TRANSFER: Izmir ferry to Selcuk
We can arrange this for you - just let us know via the travel desk section of this web site .

ITALY TO TURKEY FERRIES

There are 2 Routes:

1. BRINDISI (The "Heel" of Italy) to CESME: - 33 hour trip
Turkish Contact details: Tel: (*232) 712 1091 Fax: 712 0482 (* add a zero if phoning within Turkey) Cesme arrival information...

2. VENICE to IZMIR: - 3 days / 60 hours
Turkish Contact details: Tel: (232) 464 8889 Fax: 464 7834 (* add a zero if phoning within Turkey) Izmir arrival information...

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS re FERRIES

• Do I need to prebook Turkey - Greece ferries ?
• Are there ferries between Turkish Coastal Ports ?
• I want to go to the Greek Islands / Athens Off Season ......

NO. Bookings are normally only accepted along with payment. However, very large groups should phone ahead.

FAQ:Are there ferries between Turkish Coastal Ports ? eg Ayvalik - Cesme - Kusadasi - Bodrum - Marmaris - Fethiye - Antalya etc ?
NO, only private boats and "Gulet" cruises May to early October.

FAQ: I want to go to the Greek Islands / Athens Off Season ......

For ACCURATE information, ALWAYS contact the companies DIRECTLY.
Make first enquiries about 1 week before you want to go AND check again 24-48 hours before you were told the ferry is sailing.
CANCELLATIONS can occur at the last minute due to sea conditions / low numbers / industrial action.

From November - to March inclusive:
POSSIBLE:
Cesme - Chios
Bodrum - Kos
Marmaris - Rhodes

NO SERVICE (Possibility of very occasional private charters; ask the ferry company a few days beforehand)
Lesvos - Ayvalik
Samos - Kusadasi

Greek Islands Ferry Schedules

For loads of information, timetables and on-line bookings for travelling within the Greek Islands, visit these sites on Greek Ferries.
1. http://www.ferries.gr/
2. http://www.greekferries.gr/

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• Most nationalities require visas to visit Turkey.
• They vary in cost and length of permit.
• Most can be purchased over the counter on arrival. Occasionally, for some nationalities, they are free.
• Travel Agents & websites are typically not up-to-date. For accurate information, contact your closest Turkish Embassy, preferably in your home country.
• For greatest ease, have all fees ready in Euros, Pounds sterling or US dollars (see current exchange rates for the cheapest). The bills should be perfect and unmarked.

• Leaving Greece by ferry: ~ departure tax: payable in Euros only. Enquire on arrival in Greece, so you leave enough euros aside.
• Arriving in Turkey: Arrival / port tax will be charged, plus your 
• Visa: variable between countries. Rates can change at any time. The Turkish embassy in your country is the best source of information about how much you should expect to pay.