Arrival & Transport
By Plane
Turkey is excellently accessible from Germany by plane. The flight time is 2.5–3.5 hours, depending on the destination. Several international airports are directly served.
Important Airports
| Airport | Code | Region | Flight time from DE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Istanbul (new airport) | IST | Istanbul, European side | 2.5–3 h |
| Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen | SAW | Istanbul, Asian side | 2.5–3 h |
| Antalya | AYT | Turkish Riviera | 3–3.5 h |
| Izmir Adnan Menderes | ADB | Aegean coast | 3 h |
| Bodrum Milas | BJV | Aegean / Bodrum | 3–3.5 h |
| Dalaman | DLM | Lycian coast / Fethiye | 3–3.5 h |
| Kayseri / Nevşehir | ASR / NAV | Cappadocia | 3–3.5 h |
| Ankara Esenboğa | ESB | Central Anatolia | 3 h |
| Trabzon | TZX | Black Sea coast | 3.5 h |
Airlines & Prices
Direct flights from Germany: Turkish Airlines (Hub IST, best airline), SunExpress (Antalya specialist, cheap), Pegasus Airlines (low-cost carrier, SAW), Condor, Eurowings, Corendon Airlines, Freebird Airlines. Also Lufthansa, easyJet, and Ryanair on selected routes.
| Period | Price (round-trip) | Lead time |
|---|---|---|
| Low season (Nov–Mar) | 80–150 € | 2–4 weeks |
| Shoulder season (Apr–May, Oct) | 120–220 € | 4–8 weeks |
| High season (Jun–Sep) | 200–400 € | 2–4 months |
| Peak (Bayram holidays) | 300–500 € | 3–6 months |
Tipp
SunExpress offers the most direct flights from German regional airports to Antalya, Izmir, and Dalaman — often significantly cheaper than Turkish Airlines. For Istanbul, Turkish Airlines (IST) is the first choice: best service, new mega airport, short transfer times to domestic flights.
Domestic Flights
The Turkish domestic flight network is one of the best in the world — dense, frequent, and astonishingly cheap. For long distances (Istanbul → Cappadocia, Antalya → Trabzon), flying is the sensible option.
Airlines
- Turkish Airlines: Largest network, best service (snacks, drinks included), from IST. Prices from 500–1,200 ₺ (approx. 14–34 €) per route.
- Pegasus Airlines: Cheapest provider, from SAW and many regional airports. From 200–600 ₺ (approx. 6–17 €). Hand luggage included, checked baggage extra.
- AnadoluJet: Subsidiary of Turkish Airlines for domestic flights, often from Ankara. Very cheap.
Important Connections
| Route | Flight time | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul → Antalya | 1h 10 | 400 ₺ / ~11 € |
| Istanbul → Kayseri (Cappadocia) | 1h 15 | 500 ₺ / ~14 € |
| Istanbul → Izmir | 1h 05 | 350 ₺ / ~10 € |
| Istanbul → Trabzon | 1h 40 | 500 ₺ / ~14 € |
| Antalya → Istanbul | 1h 10 | 400 ₺ / ~11 € |
Tipp
Pegasus Airlines regularly has flash sales with domestic flights from 99 ₺ (under 3 €). Subscribe to the newsletter! Book at least 2–3 weeks in advance for the best prices. During Bayram holidays (Sugar and Sacrifice Feast), domestic flights are often fully booked and 3–4× more expensive.
Long-Distance Buses (Otobüs)
The long-distance bus is the backbone of Turkish travel. The network is vast, the buses modern and comfortable, the prices low. Every city has a bus station (Otogar), and there are connections to practically every corner of the country.
Top Bus Companies
- Metro Turizm: Largest network, good standard, frequent departures. Online booking: metroturizm.com.tr
- Kamil Koç: Comfortable, reliable, good value for money. Online: kamilkoc.com.tr
- Pamukkale Turizm: Especially for the west coast and southern Turkey. pamukkale.com.tr
- Süha Turizm, Ulusoy: Other good providers with regional focuses.
Comfort
Turkish long-distance buses are surprisingly comfortable: air-conditioned, leather seats, Wi-Fi, power outlets, screens. A steward (Muavin) serves tea, coffee, water, and cookies during the journey — free of charge. On longer trips, there are regular breaks at rest stops with restaurants.
Example Connections
| Route | Duration | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul → Antalya | 10–12 h | 600–1,000 ₺ / 17–28 € |
| Istanbul → Cappadocia (Göreme) | 10–12 h | 500–900 ₺ / 14–25 € |
| Istanbul → Izmir | 8–9 h | 400–700 ₺ / 11–20 € |
| Antalya → Fethiye | 3.5 h | 200–400 ₺ / 6–11 € |
| Göreme → Antalya | 8–9 h | 400–700 ₺ / 11–20 € |
Tipp
Night buses (Gece Seferi) are a good option for long distances — you save a hotel night and arrive in the morning. Buses usually depart around 10–11 PM. Bring a sleep mask and earplugs. Book seats on the shady side (left when traveling south).
Dolmuş & Minibus
The Dolmuş (literally: "filled") is the typical Turkish means of transport — a minibus or shared taxi that runs on fixed routes but without a fixed schedule. It departs when full and stops anywhere on hand signal.
Dolmuş are extremely cheap (short distances from 15–30 ₺) and operate in all coastal cities and between neighboring towns. You get in, tell the driver your destination, pay when getting off (cash!). No fixed schedule, but usually every 10–30 minutes. The route is displayed on the windshield.
Typical Dolmuş routes:
- Fethiye → Ölüdeniz (20 min., approx. 30 ₺)
- Bodrum → Gümüşlük (25 min., approx. 25 ₺)
- Antalya → Kemer (45 min., approx. 40 ₺)
- Kaş → Kalkan (25 min., approx. 25 ₺)
- Göreme → Ürgüp (20 min., approx. 20 ₺)
Tipp
Remember the phrase "İnecek var!" (I want to get off!) — shout this to the driver when you want to get out. In some Dolmuş, you simply press the bell button. Drivers rarely have change, so keep small bills ready.
Rental Car
A rental car is the most comfortable way to travel along the coast and in Cappadocia — in Istanbul, however, it's a nightmare.
Prices (Small car, e.g., Fiat Egea)
| Period | Price/Day | Price/Week |
|---|---|---|
| Low season (Nov–Mar) | 600–1,000 ₺ / 17–28 € | 3,000–6,000 ₺ / 85–170 € |
| Shoulder season (Apr–May, Oct) | 800–1,500 ₺ / 23–43 € | 5,000–9,000 ₺ / 140–255 € |
| High season (Jun–Sep) | 1,500–3,000 ₺ / 43–85 € | 8,000–18,000 ₺ / 225–510 € |
Providers
International: Europcar, Avis, Budget, Hertz, Sixt — reliable, more expensive, better insured.
Local: Garenta (largest Turkish provider, good), Circular, EuropCar Türkiye. Significantly cheaper, check reviews in advance.
Traffic Rules & Tips
- Right-hand traffic as in Germany
- Speed limits: Urban 50 km/h, country road 90 km/h, highway (Otoyol) 120 km/h
- Alcohol limit: 0.5 per mille
- Toll: Highways are toll roads (HGS system). Rental cars often have an HGS box, ask the rental company.
- Driving style: Turkish traffic is lively. Horns are used as a means of communication, lane changes without signaling are common, traffic lights are creatively interpreted. Drive defensively!
- Refueling: Gasoline (Benzin) approx. 45–50 ₺/liter (approx. 1.30–1.40 €), Diesel (Motorin) approx. 42–47 ₺/liter. Gas stations everywhere, full service common.
Achtung
Traffic in Turkey is significantly more chaotic than in Germany. Caution is especially advised in Istanbul, Ankara, and on the Riviera coastal road. At night, unlit vehicles, donkeys, and pedestrians on country roads are not uncommon. Drive defensively and avoid night driving on country roads.
Ferries & Boats
Ferries play an important role in Turkey — especially in Istanbul (Bosporus ferries), in the Aegean, and along the Mediterranean coast.
Istanbul Ferries
The Bosporus ferries are Istanbul's most beautiful means of transport. They shuttle between Europe and Asia every minute and offer the Istanbul panorama for free. The Şehir Hatları ferries (municipal) accept the Istanbulkart. Key routes:
- Eminönü → Kadıköy: 20 min., the classic Europe-Asia crossing
- Eminönü → Üsküdar: 15 min., view of Maiden's Tower
- Karaköy → Kadıköy: 20 min., from the trendy district to the Asian market
- Bosporus Long Tour (Boğaz Turu): 6h round trip almost to the Black Sea. Only 100 ₺ with Istanbulkart. Every day from Eminönü at 10:35 AM.
Greek Islands from Turkey
| Route | Duration | Price (from) | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodrum → Kos | 45 min. | 25–35 € | Bodrum Ferryboat, FerryLines |
| Çeşme → Chios | 30 min. | 20–30 € | Ertürk Lines |
| Kuşadası → Samos | 1.5 h | 25–35 € | Meander Travel |
| Kaş → Meis (Kastellorizo) | 20 min. | 20–25 € | Meis Express |
| Fethiye → Rhodos | 1.5 h | 50–70 € | FerryLines |
Bring passport/ID card — these are international crossings!
Gulet Tours (Blue Voyage)
The legendary Blue Voyage (Mavi Yolculuk) is a multi-day sailing trip on a traditional wooden gulet along the Turkish Aegean or Lycian coast. Visit bays, swim, dine on deck, sleep under the stars. 3–7 days, from 200–400 €/person including full board. The most popular routes: Fethiye → Olympos, Bodrum → Gökova, Marmaris → Fethiye.
Tipp
The Bosporus Long Tour (Boğaz Turu) from Eminönü is the best value-for-money experience in Istanbul: 6 hours on the water for under 3 €. Sit on the right side (in the direction of travel) for views of the palaces on the European side. Bring provisions — the onboard restaurant is overpriced.
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