Van Ili Travel Forum

I'm planning a trip to Van and Dogubeyazit this summer. I've seen on the net a couple of hotels which are in the nearby small town of Edremit. If I can find an affordable price, I thought it would be good to stay in one of these, rather than in the city itself. But am wondering what the public transport connections between Van center and the lake resort are like, and, also, if I take some day trips out with local travel agencies, would I be collected from an Edremit hotel by them? I've not visited the east of Turkey before (I live in Fethiye) ....I realise it is going to be different ..... (A similar situation here would not pose any kind of problem) but have no idea how different or in which particular ways. Any advice on this would be great ....I'm assuming Van is north of the problem PKK areas in the south east and so safe to visit. My Turkish is reasonable (about 65% fluent) so should be enough for everday situations. Also assuming that being a lone female traveller will not cause big problems ...........but please let me know if I'm wrong!

Hi

I need some information about Van province:

1. Online Map of City & province with full Tourism information

2. exact location of Xerxes relief near lake

3. List of hotels in the City

Thanks in Advance

Bus, minibus connecting Tabriz, Iran with Northeastern Turkey?

Is there a direct bus, or minibus connecting Tabriz, Maku, or the Iranian border, with Dogubeyazit, Turkey? I know there is a train running through Tabriz to Van, but I don't want to go to Van, I want to go to Igdir, or Kars (from Iran)?

Thanks

dear Vts

Do u know what is the best route to take from Van to Aleepo? Ive read there is 5 daily buses from Van to Diyabakir(7hrs) Does anyone know wht is the last bus dpart from Van to cities near syria border(Gaziantep)?

thx

Hi
I really appreciate all those who answered to my qustions. but there were diferent prices for plane ticket from van to izmir. I would be pleased if I know the price of the one way and two way plane ticket from van to izmir and where and how can I get it for april 15.
thanks a lot

I would like to go to izmir from van,but I dont know how. I want to know, if there are any buses from van to izmir and vice versa? what times,how much is it, and how long does it take to get to izmir? where can we get the ticket? Is it safe to go with your family? also are there any planes or trains to izmir and if there are, how much is the price and how can we get the necessary information

Hi Vt friends. We would like to travel to Van soon. We planned to go there by train from Tabriz. Now some questions:
Is it possible camping around lake ?
Is there enough hotel rooms in Summer vacations ?
Is there bus from Van to Antalya ? How long is it ? and How much is the ticket ?
Thanks for your help.

Hi everybody!
I am preparing to climb Ararat with my friends, as a part of an arranged mountain expedition. But all group will travel by train and bus, and I have not enough time, and I want to travel by plain from Belgrade to Van, then by bus from Van to Dogubayazit where I will join them. I found a lot infomation about Van, however, I have few questions:
1. Is it safe enough for me and my husband to travel this way (we will have Turkish sport visas in our pasports)
2. How I can find bus stop in Van (i can't find any city map of Van), is there everyday bus line to Dogubayazit, when (deparature time) and how long it take to reach there (arrival time), and of course, how much it cost?
3. Can you recomend me good and not to expensive hotel in Van or tourist office to organize some sightseeing ?

Hi to all!
We are 3 friends (a girl and 2 guys) planning on traveling to eastern Turkey form Istanbul by a rented car (without a guide)on March 22. I have been collecting all the possible information about the dangers that we could encounter and even though many people who have been travellig there usually by BUS(!) and during the season say it is OK to travel there, some Turkish friends do not recommend to travel to places like Van, or Dyiarbakir by car right now. Reasons? Off season, nationalistic moods since the will be Newroz festival on 25-26, plus ambushes and robberies. On the other hand, car gives one freedom to travel where one wants and leave when one wants and we were thinking it might be safer if you have a car in remote places, plus buses don't follow the scedule very precisely.
Does anyone know the real current situation? I am being too worried?
Another question, is it real to do Istanbul-Samsun-Trabzon-Dogubayazit-Erzurum-Urfa-Antalya in 6-7 days?

Thank you so much for any travel tips
San;)

Hi. I would like to obtain any information about getting to Van in March. We would like to rent a car and hopefully get to Van, does anybody know how the political situation and especially roads are there in the end of March?
Thanks,
Sandra

Can anybody tell me if it is possible to cross the border from Van to Iran via Riza (I think that is the name) on a bicycle. Somebody told me it may not be possible for foreign tourists...

Hi!
I am planning to go in February from Istanbul to Van by train. Does anybody have any experience with this and can give me some info? How much are the tickets, where can I buy them and - most important - is it safe for a woman to go alone by train. Thanks a lot in advance!
Silvia

I am writing a story in which the main character passes through van. So, I had some questions about bus travel from Van to Ankara.

Are there overnight buses from Van to Ankara and when do they leave, typically?

Do you buy the ticket at the bus company in the center of town and then go to the otogar, or can you just buy your ticket at the bus or otogar?

I have read that it takes about 18 hours to get to Ankara from Van. Is that right? How often does the bus leave?

Thanks in advance

I will be living for a long time in Van, and I really need to know about Van in general, life in Van, people in Van, difficulties you had, good or bad experiences, prices, hotels, whatever you have to tell me.. The city life, the traffic, the roads, commuting in the city, traveling around. Every bit of information is greatly appreciated.. I could reach touristic information about this city, but no real life, living experience information could be reached..
thank you for your time...
(in case you give me information about Van, I would do my best help you or your friends with a lot of things, arranging travel around, finding better hotels, arrange health care etc. once I settle there..promise)

Hello!
I am from Slovenia. In the summer I intend visit the lake of Van with my family . We will travell by car.
My question is: do anyone knows anything about special white cats around the lake. Where it is possible to meet them. And maybe un ugly question, is it possible to buy one. I heard that they are under protection of the government.
Thanks for answers.

What is the best way to get to Istanbul or Izmir from Van. How is the train or bus service in Turkey. How long it take and how much.

It is considered to be safe for Western Tourists to travel to Eastern Turkey, specifically the Lake Van area? (Planned visit in July 2003)
Also, from Van to Malatya, which transport method is better and quicker - train or bus?

Hi
We are a group of young travellers from Iran.
We are going to travel to Turkey/Van
in 9.Dec.2002 we only stay one day
in Van so, We would like to spend our time the best .
Is there anyone can help?
Thanks
Jahangard