XIth international congress of thracology

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. 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.

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 November 7th. 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.