Izmir Travel Forum

Hello all
My wife and i will be coming into Turkey from Samos (Greece), believe the best port to come into is Kusadasi. We will stay in Kusadasi for a day then go to Pamukkale, then to Izmir and then to Istanbul for 2 days. Total trip will be 5 days. Any recommendations as to the best and cheapest way of travelling to all these places? Are there any other good sites we can visit along our way? If there are we can come to Turkey a day early increasing out trip to 6 days. We will be in Turkey from May 31-June 5 but we can arrive to Turkey on the May 30th as well. Any recommendations about transportation to all these cities will be extremely helpful and much appreciated. Thanks a lot

The best way to travel in Turkey is by bus!
They goes like a clock everywhere.

I usally take the more expensiver busses for longer trips.

Go to the bus station in Kusadasi and have a look around for prices and time tables. You will most likely manage to book all your buses from those difrent bus offices at the bus station. Not been to Kusadasi (yet) so not sure where it is.
Why not visit Efesos? Only 28 km away (just before you arrive Selcuk). There are dolmus' going there all the time.

I agree. Turkey's buses are an excellent and inexpensive way to travel. They are clean, modern and comfortable. They even have an attendant onboard.

And they even make sure that I as a single female are not disturbed by males and I can only sit next to another female :)

just to add; the more expensiver busses are still not expensive.

Dont forget to visit home of Virgin Mary/Mother Maria of Jesus Cristus on the top of Bulbul Dag the Nigtingale Hill near Ephesus the antic well preserved Roman city. In Selcuk just 22 kms away from Kusadasi there is the chuch and grave of St. John who took Mary from home and brought to Ephesus for a safer live. Papst visited this summer Home of Virgin Mary.
Just within 50 kms there is the ruins of the greatest Apollo Temple in a place called Didim. (search in this forum for Didim) Just downhill of Bulbuldag there is the cave of 7 Sleepers.
have a nice travel in Turkey. Come happily and return happily.

Sorry no destination for didim but Didyma:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/vt/ks/?s=Didyma&m=0&x=19&y=8

In addition to many sites about Izmir and Aegean region, I advise that you also look at the newly launched website www.izmir4u.com soon at www.izmirtourism.com
Best Regards

Sinan

Hello.

I have to say it sounds like a lot of travelling during 5 days at a fairly hot time of the year. I agree with other replies that it would be a pity to miss the opportunity to visit Ephesus and it takes time to make your way through there.

It is easy to get there from Kusadasi you can take a Dolmus [local type of shared mini-bus] approx £3 directly from the Port; or you can take a taxi directly from the Port for approx £25 on a sort of tour that includes Virgin Mary House. You would need to get a Dolmus to the main Bus Station [called Garage] if you want to take a regular Coach type bus - approx £6. the journey time is about half hour.

You could go on from there to either Pamukkale or Izmir and you can pick up a Coach in Selcuk [town beside Ephesus]. It takes about half an hour to get to Izmir and about 3hours to get to Pamukale......

I love visiting Pamukkale but feel i should let you know that I took some friends there a few months ago and was very disappointed with how it has changed. You can no longer get to the chalk pools or the spring water and it is very 'touristic'.

If you go to Istanbul by road via Izmir you can do excellent things on the way such as visit TROY, visit Gallipolli and ANZAC cove.

To get to Istanbul you can also fly from Izmir and Pamukkale [Denizli]. There are a few internal airlines now and cost around £25 each way [book in advance].

I know you sort of said you were on a budget but I suggest you check out organised 4 or 5 day tours from Kusadasi which include all the sites. They cost approx £75 per person and when you consider the short time you have and the time it takes just to find out how to get to where you are going it could be good value. Obviously these tours can be found in advance over the internet or with your travel agent or when you arrive in Kusadasi.

I try to live there for half the year and have to say it is the best place in the world and i'm sorry you only have five days to spend exploring it.... try to get back there for longer next time - Happy Holidays

Hi folks have you ever considered renting a car. I travel to Turkey 3 times a year and I rent from a car hire firm in Girne, Izmir( phone Can on 05422431241- usually around 45YTL per day for the likes of a Hyundai Accent petrol).5 days is a short stay in Turkey. On your way to Pumakkale you could visit Selcuk which has the attractions of Ephesus and The Virgin Mary's house. Also close by is a little Greek( the old stone houses) village of Sirenge. On route from beautiful Izmir you could travel via Canakkale to Istanbul talking in the village of Eski Foca and Ayvalik( both of which are by the sea, with Eski Foca being quite breath taking). If you had time in Canakkale you could visit Gelibolu(Gallipoli). Enjoy your trip.

Since you have limited time, I suggest you save Istanbul for your next trip and enjoy Izmir, Kusadasi, Ephesos, Pamukkale (do not miss Hieropolis and Aphrodisias-the latter is one of the largest ancient cities in the regionwith an excellent museum). As all the others mentioned, intercity coaches are the best way to travel as these cities are within a short range. Also, for this region you can rent a car and move on in your own time rahter than being dependant on buses. Of course, you should not let aggressive driving scare you :).
If you are keen on visiting Istanbul you can always take a night coach and at least save the day.
have a nice trip

Hi,

I am doing a cruise around the cyclades and stopping in Kusadasi for only 5 hours on June 2. I'd really like to make it to Pamukkale for the thermal pools. Is this possible? I saw a post you can no longer swim in the thermal pools? Maybe they were closed for the season? If it is possible to get to Pamukkale, how much is a taxi share? How far away?

Thanks,
Lissa