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Ankara Turkey: Insider Tips, FAQs & Links |
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The
full name of the Ankara Airport is Esenboga airport. It is
46kms from the city center. There is shuttle service available which costs about $2, or taxi service will cost about $25-30. The telephone number for the airport is (312) 311 87 68. You can fly with Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to Ankara -- the 55 minute flight costs about $175 (roundtrip). You can book the flight directly with Turkish Airlines - in the USA call toll free 1 800 874 8875. |
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Reliable
train service operates between Istanbul's Haydarpasa train
station (on the Asian side) and Ankara. There are five departures daily:
The Baskent Express departs at 10am, the Bogaziçi Express
departs at 1:30pm, the Anadolu Express departs at 10pm, and the Fatih
Express departs at 11:30pm. It takes about 5 hours. Cost of a
one-way ticket is between $10 and $15. The Ankara Express, a sleeper
car, departs Istanbul at 10:30pm and costs just under $50. This takes
about 8 hours. The trains are clean, comfortable, air-conditioned and
usually have a dining car. We suggest that you purchase tickets directly
at Haydarpasa station in Istanbul (or have a travel agent get the
tickets for you). You can also make reservations by phone (but they only
speak Turkish) at (216) 336 0475 for the regular train) and (216) 336
4470 for the sleeper train. |
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Or
take a bus! Here is all the web info we could find about the busses in
Turkey... Varan- http://www.varan.com.tr/english/ Fez Bus- This is a hop on - hop off service: http://www.feztravel.com/ |
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The
metro system is a fast and easy but not practical for tourists. The bus
system and dolmuses (mini bus) are a better choice, but transfers are
confusing. The buses and dolmuses depart from Güven Park in Kizilay and
from Ulus to all points around the city at a cost of anywhere from 25¢
to 75¢. If you are only in Ankara for a short time, your best choice
would be to take a taxi. |
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The
following Car Rental Companies can be found at the airport: Avis, Tunus Cad. 68/2, Kavaklidere Tel: (312) 467 2313 Europcar, Küçükesat Cad. 25c, in Bakanliklar Tel: (312) 417 8445 Hertz, Atatürk Bulvari 138B, in Kavaklidere Tel:: (312) 468 1029 De-Car (we recommend this one) Tandogan Tel: (312) 222 2375 |
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Speed limits
are generally 80 kms to 110kms on highways. Within the city speed limits
are 50kms. There are speed traps on major highways. In addition, random
police check points are common in Turkey. You may be surprised to see
military soldiers with rifles looking ominous at some of these points.
Do not be afraid. If you are stopped - just present your papers, and in
moments you will be back on your way. |
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In
general the Turkish highway system is a very good one. Well maintained 4
lane highways connect Turkey's larger cities so travel is comfortable
and quick. Roads within larger cities are paved 2 lane roads and
maintenance condition varies per city. Small towns usually have a few
paved 2 lane roads, but you move out of the towns, road conditions are
worse and you may find dirt roads. Most roads to ruin sights will be
dirt roads. Speed limits are generally 80 kms to 110kms on highways.
Within the city speed limits are 50kms. |
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Average
temperatures: January is between 14F (-10C) and 41F (5C). July is between 61F (16C) and 86F (30C). |
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Ankara
is 2,789 Feet (850m) above sea level.
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You
can change money in the airport, banks, hotels and exchange offices. All
of these alternatives are good and there is not much difference in the
rate - just shop around. We suggest the best place to change money is at
an exchange office. |
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Gazi
mustafa kemal bulvari,No:121 Tandogan-Ankara. Tel no: (312) 229 2631 |
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3,236,626 |
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The
Embassy of The United States of America 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, Ankara 06100 Phone +312 455 5555 Fax +90 312 468 6131 Website: http://www.usemb-ankara.org.tr/ |
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Ankara is a very safe city (as most Turkish
cities are). But as in any big city, we recommend you be aware of
pick-pockets and common petty thieves. Keep your cameras, valuables,
purses and wallets close to you. Although these incidents are uncommon, it
is good practice to be prepared. |
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Water
from the tap is for use, like for washing, you should not drink it. To
have drinking water - I recommend the bottled water that is securely
closed. This water is good quality and you can find it in any grocery
shops and restaurants. Always carry a bottle of water with you whenever
you are sightseeing. Do not drink the bottled water with tin foil tops
(they are sometimes filled with tap water). The Turkish word for water
is "su". Drinking water is "taze su", pronounced
"ta-zey sue" The best hospital in Ankara is Adana State Hospital at Riza caddesi Seyhan, in the city center. Tel no: (322) 321 5752 |
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FAQ |
My brother went from Belgium with his
jeep to Ankara. He is looking for a camping site in or near Ankara. Where
can he find one? -- Emmanuel I have been told that there are no restrictions for camping in Turkey - you can camp anywhere you want as long as you clean up and restrict campfires. Below is information on possible camp areas plus one formal camp facility in Bayindir... Twenty-five kilometers to the south of Ankara on the Konya road is Golbasi Lake,a popular place to visit for its attractive scenery and its fine lake side restaurants. Incek, 15 km southwest of Ankara is a favorite rest area for Ankara residents, with its lovely fruit trees, green areas and picnic sites. Another favorite place for picnics is Karagol Lake, 68 km north of the city on the airport road, for which one should take the turn off for the town of Cubuk. Walkers will delight in exploring the three main forests around Ankara, South of the city, on the Kirsehir Highway (54 km), is the Beynam Forest, while to the north, on the Istanbul Highway (82 km), is the Kizilcahamam Soguksu National Park and farther along in the same direction (110 km) is the Camkoru Forest. All are delightful retreats from the clamor of the city, and each provides many lovely places for picnics. The three dams around the city, Cubuk(15 km on the Cankiri Highway), Kurtbogazi(50 km on the Istanbul Highway) and Bayindir(15 km on the Kirikkale Highway) are pleasant places to visit for swimming and picnicking. There are also restaurants, and at Bayindir, good camping facilities. Other dams in the Ankara province include Sariyer, Kesikkopru, Hirfanli, Asartepe, and Camlidere. Here is the contact information for Bayindir camp facility... Bayindir Dam Camping Kayas / Ankara Tel: (312) 372 27 31 |
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Ankara Sights, Places of Interest and
Do-It-Yourself Tours Great Travel Tips Our Favorite Travel Links |
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| US Embassy http://www.usemb-ankara.org.tr/ | |||
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This
page was last updated on |
If you have any comments
or if you have any full or half day trips you would like to add, we
would be very happy to share them with the world! |
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