{"id":784,"date":"2020-03-28T18:02:44","date_gmt":"2020-03-28T18:02:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/gcc2020\/?page_id=784"},"modified":"2026-01-11T23:47:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T23:47:30","slug":"travels","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/ankara2026\/travels\/","title":{"rendered":"Travels"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Travels and Visa<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Fly to Ankara<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Ankara Esenbo\u011fa Airport (ESB<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ankara Esenbo\u011fa 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.\u00a0Major Airlines: AJet, Pegasus Airlines, Turkish Airlines, SunExpress, Azerbaijan Airlines, Qatar Airways and others.<\/p>\n<p><strong>European Flights<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Vienna, Austria \u2013 AJet \/ Pegasus \/ SunExpress<\/li>\n<li>Berlin, Germany \u2013 Multiple carriers<\/li>\n<li>Frankfurt, Germany \u2013 AJet \/ Pegasus \/ SunExpress<\/li>\n<li>D\u00fcsseldorf, Germany \u2013 AJet \/ Pegasus \/ SunExpress<\/li>\n<li>Cologne, Germany \u2013 Direct flights available<\/li>\n<li>Brussels, Belgium \u2013 SunExpress<\/li>\n<li>Amsterdam, Netherlands \u2013 AJet \/ SunExpress<\/li>\n<li>London (Stansted), UK \u2013 AJet \/ Pegasus<\/li>\n<li>Budapest, Hungary \u2013 Wizz Air<\/li>\n<li>Krak\u00f3w &amp; Warsaw, Poland \u2013 Pegasus<\/li>\n<li>Lisbon, Portugal \u2013 Pegasus (seasonal\/limited)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Middle East &amp; Western Asia<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Doha, Qatar \u2013 Qatar Airways<\/li>\n<li>Amman, Jordan \u2013 AJet \/ Pegasus<\/li>\n<li>Baku, Azerbaijan \u2013 AJet \/ Azerbaijan Airlines<\/li>\n<li>Tbilisi, Georgia \u2013 AJet<\/li>\n<li>Tehran, Iran \u2013 AJet \/ Pegasus + others<\/li>\n<li>Baghdad, Erbil, Kirkuk (Iraq) \u2013 AJet \/ Iraqi Airways \/ Pegasus<\/li>\n<li>Dubai, UAE \u2013 AJet \/ Flydubai \/ Pegasus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>U.S. &amp; Other Long-Haul Flights<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Direct flights from the U.S. to Ankara generally do not currently exist \u2014 most itineraries from the U.S. involve at least one connection (typically via Istanbul, Doha, or a European hub).\u00a0If you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>From Airport to Ankara City<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Airport Shuttle:\u00a0<\/strong>HAVA\u015e or BelkoAir buses run regularly between Esenbo\u011fa Airport and central stops like K\u0131z\u0131lay and A\u015eT\u0130 (intercity bus terminal).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Taxi \/ Ride-Share:<\/strong>\u00a0Taxis from Esenbo\u011fa to central Ankara take about 35\u201345 min depending on traffic. Most accept credit cards, but always confirm before boarding.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Private Transfer:<\/strong> Many hotels and travel services offer bookable private airport transfers if you prefer a driver waiting when you land.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Reach the Conference Venue<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The IEOM conference is hosted by Gazi University in Ankara.<\/p>\n<p>Public Transit &amp; Local Travel<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Metro &amp; Bus: Ankara\u2019s metro and bus network is efficient and covers most of the city. From downtown areas like K\u0131z\u0131lay, you can take metro and\/or bus connections toward the university area.<\/li>\n<li>Taxis: Readily available across the city and easy for door-to-door travel between hotel, campus, and conference sites.<\/li>\n<li>Dolmu\u015f (shared minibuses): A local, budget-friendly option, but mostly used for shorter distances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Istanbul to Ankara<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em><strong>For local travelers or international travelers landing in Istanbul and taking local transportaiton<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><strong>High-Speed Train (Best option)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Operator: TCDD (Turkish State Railways)<\/li>\n<li>Train type: YHT \u2013 High-Speed Train<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0Travel Time ~4 to 4.5 hours<\/li>\n<li>Stations: Istanbul \u2192 S\u00f6\u011f\u00fctl\u00fc\u00e7e\u015fme (Asian side) or Halkal\u0131 (European side)<\/li>\n<li>Ankara \u2192 Ankara Gar (Central Station, downtown)<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0Frequency: Trains run every 1\u20132 hours, from early morning until late evening.<\/li>\n<li>Comfort: Very comfortable, airline-style seats, power outlets, Wi-Fi on many trains, food trolley \/ caf\u00e9, large luggage allowed<\/li>\n<li>Cost: Typically USD $15\u201330 (much cheaper than flying)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Why IEOM delegates prefer it<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>City-center to city-center<\/li>\n<li>No airport security delays<\/li>\n<li>Reliable even in bad weather<\/li>\n<li>Great for working during travel<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Intercity Bus (Cheapest option)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Turkey has one of the best long-distance bus systems in the world.<\/li>\n<li>Travel Time: ~5 to 6 hours (depends on traffic)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Terminals<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Istanbul: Esenler Otogar, Alibeyk\u00f6y, or Dudullu<\/li>\n<li>Ankara: A\u015eT\u0130 (Ankara Intercity Bus Terminal, connected to metro)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Major Bus Companies<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Metro Turizm<\/li>\n<li>Kamil Ko\u00e7<\/li>\n<li>Pamukkale<\/li>\n<li>Nil\u00fcfer<\/li>\n<li>Varan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Comfort<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Reclining seats<\/li>\n<li>Free snacks, tea, coffee<\/li>\n<li>Wi-Fi and USB<\/li>\n<li>Some buses have seat-back screens<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Cost: Typically USD $10\u201320<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>For IEOM conference travel, the high-speed train is usually the smartest choice if you are landing in Istanbul and traveling locally to Ankara.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Typical IEOM Travel Flow<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you arrive internationally:<\/p>\n<p>Fly \u2192 Istanbul \u2192 High-Speed Train \u2192 Ankara \u2192 Hotel \u2192 Conference<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Visa &amp; Entry<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Turkey has expanded its visa-free entry policy so that citizens of <em data-start=\"107\" data-end=\"121\">78 countries<\/em> can enter Turkey without a visa for short stays (tourism or business) \u2014 typically up to 90 days within a 180-day period.<\/li>\n<li>Check with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your local consulate well before travel if you need any visa or not &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mfa.gov.tr\/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa\">https:\/\/www.mfa.gov.tr\/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Currency<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Turkish Lira (TRY) is the local currency. Cards are widely accepted, but having some cash is useful for small purchases and local transport.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Accommodations<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>See list of recommended hotels here &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/ankara2026\/hotels\/\">https:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/ankara2026\/hotels\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Ankara Sightseeing<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>An\u0131tkabir \u2013 The monumental mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atat\u00fcrk, founder of modern Turkey, and a major national symbol.<\/li>\n<li>Museum of Anatolian Civilizations \u2013 World-class archaeological museum with ancient artifacts from across Anatolia.<\/li>\n<li>Ankara Castle \u2013 Historic fortress with panoramic city views and atmospheric old streets.<\/li>\n<li>Haci Bayram Mosque \u2013 Beautiful 15th-century Ottoman mosque in the old quarter, near ancient Roman ruins.<\/li>\n<li>Temple of Augustus \u2013 Ruins of a Roman temple next to Hac\u0131 Bayram Mosque \u2014 great for history lovers.<\/li>\n<li>Museum of the War of Independence \u2013 Insightful museum about Turkey\u2019s independence struggle.<\/li>\n<li>Atakule Tower \u2013 Observation tower with a 360\u00b0 view over Ankara from its revolving restaurant at the top.<\/li>\n<li>Ku\u011fulu Park \u2013 Charming city park famous for its swans and relaxed atmosphere (great for a coffee break).<\/li>\n<li>Botanical Park &amp; Gen\u00e7lik Park\u0131 \u2013 Great for botanical exploration or a scenic walk.<\/li>\n<li>Hamamonu Historical Ankara Houses \u2013 Restored Ottoman-era neighborhood with cafes, galleries, and traditional architecture \u2014 perfect for soaking in local charm.<\/li>\n<li>G\u00fcvenpark \u2013 Central city park at K\u0131z\u0131lay Square \u2014 a lively hub for people-watching.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Istanbul Sightseeing<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Hagia Sophia &#8211; 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\u2019s most iconic landmarks.<\/li>\n<li>Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) &#8211; Famous for its blue \u0130znik tiles and six minarets, this Ottoman mosque is a stunning sight. It\u2019s still an active place of worship, so plan your visit outside prayer times and dress modestly.<\/li>\n<li>Topkap\u0131 Palace &#8211; 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).<\/li>\n<li>Grand Bazaar &#8211; 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.<\/li>\n<li>Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar)<\/li>\n<li>Basilica Cistern &#8211; An underground Byzantine water reservoir supported by atmospheric rows of marble columns \u2014 a mysterious and impressive stop.<\/li>\n<li>Galata Tower &#8211; A medieval stone tower with 360\u00b0 panoramic views over Istanbul\u2019s skyline, the Bosphorus, and the Golden Horn.<\/li>\n<li>Bosphorus Cruise &#8211; Take a boat tour along the Bosphorus Strait \u2014 seeing the city from the water offers a spectacular perspective of palaces, bridges, and waterfront neighborhoods.<\/li>\n<li>Taksim Square &amp; \u0130stiklal Avenue &#8211; The heart of modern Istanbul with shops, cafes, cultural venues, and nightlife.<\/li>\n<li>Istanbul&#8217;s scenic ferry &#8211; a crucial, scenic, and affordable way to travel across the Bosphorus Strait, connecting the European and Asian side<\/li>\n<li>Galataport &amp; Karak\u00f6y Waterfront &#8211; A lively redeveloped harbor area with restaurants, galleries, and shops \u2014 great for an evening stroll or lunch with views.<\/li>\n<li>Princes&#8217; Islands &#8211; bike rides, scenic views, historic houses, and beaches.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Travels and Visa Fly to Ankara Ankara Esenbo\u011fa Airport (ESB Ankara Esenbo\u011fa 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.\u00a0Major Airlines: AJet, Pegasus Airlines, Turkish Airlines, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-784","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/ankara2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/784","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/ankara2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/ankara2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/ankara2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/ankara2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=784"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/ankara2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/784\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1761,"href":"https:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/ankara2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/784\/revisions\/1761"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/ankara2026\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=784"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}