VISAS

As there will be many nationalities arriving for the Congress, the best and most accurate visa information is available at www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa

TRANSPORT

There are various ways to arrive into the city from the Istanbul Ataturk International Airport.

Taxis Obviously the fastest and easiest way are the taxis.  All taxis have meters and they are obliged to use them.  From 06.00 until midnight 24.00 day rates apply and from midnight until 06.00 in the morning the rates are 50% more expensive.  For a taxi ride from the Airport to the Laleli area ,where almost all the hotels are located, the taxi-fare should be about 25Turkish Liras during the day and about 50% more at night.

Metro The combination of a Metro line and Tram ride would actually bring you to the LALELI/UNIVERSITE tram stop just in front of the Congress Venue, from where most of the hotels are only a 3-5 minute walking distance.

Once you collect your luggage and get out of the customs first make sure that you have some Turkish currency – as most of you will be arriving on Sunday Sept. 13. you will need to change some money.  This can be done at the airport easily at any of the numerous banks.  However, do not change a lot because on a Sunday at the airport the exchange rates are not that favorable.

Then follow the signs to get to the Metro level, one floor down, buy your token / jeton and board the train.  This is the Airport / Aksaray line.  However, do NOT take it all the way to the last station.  You will see above the metro wagon doors inside all the coming stops and make sure that you get out at the Zeytinburnu station.  This is the beginning station of the Eminonu – Kabatas line Tram.  Again you get your token / jeton - and then follow the signs for Eminonu or Kabatas Tram.  Just like the Metro, the Tram also has all the stops listed above the doors inside.  Once you get out at the Laleli/Universite station, use the maps provided in our website to walk to your hotel.  Total cost of this should not exceed 4 Turkish Liras.

Havaş Bus  There is a private company offering airport /city transfers from the Airport to Taksim square and it passes through Aksaray.  It will stop for passengers to get off from the bus in Aksaray, but they will not stop long enough for luggage to get unloaded from the luggage compartment unless it is late at night when there is no traffic on the streets.  The price of the ticket is 10 Turkish Liras per person.

Municipal Bus  There is a municipal bus running the same route as the Havaş Bus.  It is not as regular as the other transportation services and although it makes stops along the route and is the cheapest option, we would not recommend it.

Private Transfers  As Tachda Tours we can of course arrange for private transfers in Mini-vans with the accompaniment of an English speaking person.  Once you have informed us of your arrival details such as flight number, city of departure and arrival time and upon your request we can try to group some of the participants for private transfers to decrease the cost per person.

TOURS

Please note that the Congress will be taking place during the last five days of the Moslem Holy month of Ramadan and Sept.19th is the day just before the Eid Al-Fitr or Sheker Bayram in Turkish, starts.  As a lot of families will probably take this opportunity to go on a short holiday, overland transport and hotel rooms are at a premium.  Obviously we have made tentative reservations for those who have shown an interest in joining the programs, BUT we are under pressure from hoteliers to release rooms that we are not certain to occupy.  Thus we would kindly ask you to make your intention of joining these tours early and book them accordingly as outlined in the Reservation & Payment Form.

CLOTHING

The month of September, especially the second half of the month, can be warm and balmy, but it could also be unexpectedly wet and chilly.  Besides summer clothing we would urge you to bring along a warm pullover, a light raincoat and possibly an umbrella.  Also those who are booked to travel to Cappadocia should be more careful about warm seaters as the evenings can get chilly.