Flights to Turkey

Airports

The three main airports in Turkey are:

Ataturk International Airport (40°58’34”N 028°48’51”E) is the major international airport in Istanbul, Turkey. The airport is located 24 km west of the city centre.

Izmir Adnan Menderes International Airport (38°17’33”N 027°09’25”E) is located 18 km south of the city Izmir.

Dalaman Airport (36°42’53”N 28°47’34”E) is situated in the south-west of Turkey and serves the Dalaman area.

Airlines

The following airlines have regular flights to Ataturk International Airport, Izmir Adnan Menderes International Airport, and Dalaman Airport:

• Egyptair (from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban)
• Etihad Airwasy (from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban)
• Emirates (from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban)
• Turkish Airlines (from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban)
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban)
• Qatar Airways (from Johannesburg)
• Lufthansa (from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban)
• British Airways (from Cape Town and Durban)
• Virgin Atlantic Airways (from Cape Town and Durban)
• Air France (from Johannesburg)
• Swiss (from Johannesburg)
• Ethiopian Airlines (from Johannesburg)
• bmi British Midland (from Durban)

About Turkey

Turkey spans across two continents and is surrounded by seas on three sides; there is the Aegean Sea on the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south and the Black Sea to the north.

Turkey has a rich history and its previous occupants include Hittite tribes, Romans, Persians, Lycians, and Phrygians.

Its rich history left Turkey with plentiful historic sites and archaeological wonders throughout the country. These sites include the Greco-Roman city of Ephesus, hidden cave churches in Cappadocia, Roman aqueducts, Byzantine churches, Ottoman mosques, and palaces.

Tourism

What to see

• Gallipoli Peninsula
• Topkapı Sarayı
• Selçuk
• Galata Dervish House
• Mausoleum of Mausolus
• Spice Bazaar
• Castle of St. John
• Rüstem Paşa Mosque
• Lycian tombs
• Hagia Sophia
• Safranbolu
• Basilica Cistern
• Mevlana Tekkesi
• Cappadocia
• Turkish and Islamic Art Museum
• Sumela Monastery
• Grand Bazaar
• Bosporus Boat Tour
• Archeological Museum Complex
• Yıldız Palace and Park

Weather

The area of Turkey that borders the Mediterranean Sea has mild Mediterranean weather. Here the summers are dry with cold and wet winters. Moving towards the interior of the country, the weather changes and you experience distinct seasons. Winters are extremely cold with temperatures as low as -40°C and snow falls 3 months of the year. In the west of the country, summers are hot and dry (30°C) with cold winters (1°C).

In general, May is the wettest month of the year with July and August being the driest.

General Info

Istanbul is seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (GMT +2) and the currency used is the New Turkish Lira.

Public transport in Turkey is very reliable and clean. It includes a metro, trains, trams, buses, shared vans, and water ferries.

Wear comfortable walking shoes. Sightseeing is best experience on foot, and to save your precious little feet from the steep hills, cobbled lanes, and uneven pavements, you are best off wearing sturdy footwear.