Travels and Visa

Fly to Ankara

Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB

Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB) is a major international airport with direct (non-stop) flights to many cities across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and beyond. In total, there are direct scheduled flights from around 80+ destinations in 30+ countries. Major Airlines: AJet, Pegasus Airlines, Turkish Airlines, SunExpress, Azerbaijan Airlines, Qatar Airways and others.

European Flights

Vienna, Austria – AJet / Pegasus / SunExpress
Berlin, Germany – Multiple carriers
Frankfurt, Germany – AJet / Pegasus / SunExpress
Düsseldorf, Germany – AJet / Pegasus / SunExpress
Cologne, Germany – Direct flights available
Brussels, Belgium – SunExpress
Amsterdam, Netherlands – AJet / SunExpress
London (Stansted), UK – AJet / Pegasus
Budapest, Hungary – Wizz Air
Kraków & Warsaw, Poland – Pegasus
Lisbon, Portugal – Pegasus (seasonal/limited)

Middle East & Western Asia

Doha, Qatar – Qatar Airways
Amman, Jordan – AJet / Pegasus
Baku, Azerbaijan – AJet / Azerbaijan Airlines
Tbilisi, Georgia – AJet
Tehran, Iran – AJet / Pegasus + others
Baghdad, Erbil, Kirkuk (Iraq) – AJet / Iraqi Airways / Pegasus
Dubai, UAE – AJet / Flydubai / Pegasus

U.S. & Other Long-Haul Flights

Direct flights from the U.S. to Ankara generally do not currently exist — most itineraries from the U.S. involve at least one connection (typically via Istanbul, Doha, or a European hub). If you’re flying from North America, common routing is via major hubs such as Istanbul (IST) with Turkish Airlines or Doha (DOH) with Qatar Airways, then a short connecting flight on to ESB.

From Airport to Ankara City

Airport Shuttle: HAVAŞ or BelkoAir buses run regularly between Esenboğa Airport and central stops like Kızılay and AŞTİ (intercity bus terminal).
Taxi / Ride-Share: Taxis from Esenboğa to central Ankara take about 35–45 min depending on traffic. Most accept credit cards, but always confirm before boarding.
Private Transfer: Many hotels and travel services offer bookable private airport transfers if you prefer a driver waiting when you land.

Reach the Conference Venue

The IEOM conference is hosted by Gazi University in Ankara.

Public Transit & Local Travel

Metro & Bus: Ankara’s metro and bus network is efficient and covers most of the city. From downtown areas like Kızılay, you can take metro and/or bus connections toward the university area.
Taxis: Readily available across the city and easy for door-to-door travel between hotel, campus, and conference sites.
Dolmuş (shared minibuses): A local, budget-friendly option, but mostly used for shorter distances.

Istanbul to Ankara

For local travelers or international travelers landing in Istanbul and taking local transportaiton

Trains and buses are both excellent, fast, and inexpensive. Many conference travelers actually prefer them over flying because city-center to city-center is easier.

High-Speed Train (Best option)

Operator: TCDD (Turkish State Railways)
Train type: YHT – High-Speed Train
Travel Time ~4 to 4.5 hours
Stations: Istanbul → Söğütlüçeşme (Asian side) or Halkalı (European side)
Ankara → Ankara Gar (Central Station, downtown)
Frequency: Trains run every 1–2 hours, from early morning until late evening.
Comfort: Very comfortable, airline-style seats, power outlets, Wi-Fi on many trains, food trolley / café, large luggage allowed
Cost: Typically USD $15–30 (much cheaper than flying)

Why IEOM delegates prefer it

City-center to city-center
No airport security delays
Reliable even in bad weather
Great for working during travel

Intercity Bus (Cheapest option)

Turkey has one of the best long-distance bus systems in the world.
Travel Time: ~5 to 6 hours (depends on traffic)

Terminals

Istanbul: Esenler Otogar, Alibeyköy, or Dudullu
Ankara: AŞTİ (Ankara Intercity Bus Terminal, connected to metro)

Major Bus Companies

Metro Turizm
Kamil Koç
Pamukkale
Nilüfer
Varan

Comfort

Reclining seats
Free snacks, tea, coffee
Wi-Fi and USB
Some buses have seat-back screens

Cost: Typically USD $10–20

For IEOM conference travel, the high-speed train is usually the smartest choice if you are landing in Istanbul and traveling locally to Ankara.

Typical IEOM Travel Flow

If you arrive internationally:

Fly → Istanbul → High-Speed Train → Ankara → Hotel → Conference

Visa & Entry

Turkey has expanded its visa-free entry policy so that citizens of 78 countries can enter Turkey without a visa for short stays (tourism or business) — typically up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Check with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your local consulate well before travel if you need any visa or not – https://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa.

Currency

Turkish Lira (TRY) is the local currency. Cards are widely accepted, but having some cash is useful for small purchases and local transport.

Accommodations

See list of recommended hotels here – https://ieomsociety.org/ankara2026/hotels/

Ankara Sightseeing

Anıtkabir – The monumental mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of modern Turkey, and a major national symbol.
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations – World-class archaeological museum with ancient artifacts from across Anatolia.
Ankara Castle – Historic fortress with panoramic city views and atmospheric old streets.
Haci Bayram Mosque – Beautiful 15th-century Ottoman mosque in the old quarter, near ancient Roman ruins.
Temple of Augustus – Ruins of a Roman temple next to Hacı Bayram Mosque — great for history lovers.
Museum of the War of Independence – Insightful museum about Turkey’s independence struggle.
Atakule Tower – Observation tower with a 360° view over Ankara from its revolving restaurant at the top.
Kuğulu Park – Charming city park famous for its swans and relaxed atmosphere (great for a coffee break).
Botanical Park & Gençlik Parkı – Great for botanical exploration or a scenic walk.
Hamamonu Historical Ankara Houses – Restored Ottoman-era neighborhood with cafes, galleries, and traditional architecture — perfect for soaking in local charm.
Güvenpark – Central city park at Kızılay Square — a lively hub for people-watching.

Istanbul Sightseeing

Hagia Sophia – A world-famous architectural masterpiece originally built in 537 AD, later a mosque, then a museum, and now functioning as a mosque again. Its massive dome, mosaics, and layered history make it one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks.
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) – Famous for its blue İznik tiles and six minarets, this Ottoman mosque is a stunning sight. It’s still an active place of worship, so plan your visit outside prayer times and dress modestly.
Topkapı Palace – Once the residence of Ottoman sultans, this huge palace complex offers breathtaking views of the Bosphorus and houses imperial treasures, ornate rooms, and the famous Harem section (often with a separate ticket).
Grand Bazaar – One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, with thousands of shops selling carpets, jewelry, spices, textiles, and more. A must-visit for shopping and soaking up local atmosphere.
Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar)
Basilica Cistern – An underground Byzantine water reservoir supported by atmospheric rows of marble columns — a mysterious and impressive stop.
Galata Tower – A medieval stone tower with 360° panoramic views over Istanbul’s skyline, the Bosphorus, and the Golden Horn.
Bosphorus Cruise – Take a boat tour along the Bosphorus Strait — seeing the city from the water offers a spectacular perspective of palaces, bridges, and waterfront neighborhoods.
Taksim Square & İstiklal Avenue – The heart of modern Istanbul with shops, cafes, cultural venues, and nightlife.
Istanbul’s scenic ferry – a crucial, scenic, and affordable way to travel across the Bosphorus Strait, connecting the European and Asian side
Galataport & Karaköy Waterfront – A lively redeveloped harbor area with restaurants, galleries, and shops — great for an evening stroll or lunch with views.
Princes’ Islands – bike rides, scenic views, historic houses, and beaches.