kurAnzac Day Tours 2009 Turkey

                          2009 Anzac Day Tours - Frequently Asked Questions


General


Q. How many people will be on my tour?
A.  Groups are broken up into buses and generally there will be no more than 40 people in a group.


Q: My friends booked there ANZAC tours some time ago and I would now like to join them in the same hotel and bus.
Is this a problem?
A. Providing you let us know at time of booking that you wish to join your friends or be part of a group then we will do our best to accommodate you. However if you make a booking close to Anzac Day then we may have already allocated hotels and bus groups. Once again we will do our best to accommodate you but we cannot make any promises.


Q. I see that you have ‘Welcome Drinks’ on the 21st April for your 8, 10 & 15 Day tours.   Will I arrive early enough to attend these?
A.  If arriving on the 21st April and wish to attend these Welcome Drinks then we recommend that you aim to arrive at the airport by about 4pm as this will ensure you have enough time to get to the hotel, get checked in and ready for the event.


Q.  I want to attend the Gala Dinner on the 22nd April but I am on a tour starting that day and I want to ensure I arrive in Istanbul in time to attend.  What time would you suggest I aim to be in Istanbul in order to ensure I can?
A.  If arriving on the 22nd April and wish to attend the Gala Dinner then we recommend that you aim to arrive at the airport by about 4pm as this will ensure you have enough time to get to the hotel, get checked in and ready for the event.


Q: I am travelling alone and was wondering if you have many people who travel alone on your tours? Also what are my options for accommodation?
A: Every year we have many people (both male and female) who travel alone on our tours and it is a great way to meet new people. In regards to accommodation you can either pay more for a single room or if you do not mind we can match you up with someone else who is travelling on their own (same gender) and put you in a twin/triple room for the lower rate.


Q: Do I need a Visa to visit Turkey?
A: It depends on what passport that you are travelling to Turkey on. New Zealand passport holders do not need a visa and can go straight to passport control.  Other passport holders are required to purchase a visa from the kiosk near passport control before proceeding through.

The following site has more information on visas:
http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/details/BorderFormalities/index.html


Q: Which currency do I need for Turkey and do I need to Exchange Money before leaving home?
A. The most common currency in Turkey is the YTL (New Turkish Lira) although other currencies are accepted in some shops and restaurants.  We recommend for ease that you use the local currency when paying in cash but you can purchase many things on credit cards also.  We advise all our passengers to carry some cash on you at all times for small purchases and paying for public toilets etc.  At Ataturk International Airport when you arrive there are a number of ATM machines that can be used with cards that are set up to be used overseas. You may like to check with your bank before leaving home if your card is ready for international use.


Q.  I am interested in going on the Bosphorous Cruise and attending the Gala Dinner, what time do they start and will I arrive in enough time to attend these?
A.  On the 22nd April we will pick people up from hotels for the Bosphorous Cruise at 2:30pm and the Gala Dinner will commence at 7.30 pm that evening.  You can easily attend both of these but if you wish to attend the Bosphorous Cruise and you are arriving on the 22nd then you will need to arrive early.


Q.  Do we need to give our guides and driver a tip at the end of the tour?
A.  Tipping is a big part of life in Turkey and the cost of your tour do not include any tips or displays of gratitude towards guides and coach drivers.  If you have enjoyed your tour and efforts of these people then please feel free to give them a tip.  The amount is entirely up to you and usually one person will collect these on behalf of the people in your group.



Accommodation


Q: I notice that you stay in Edremit away from Gallipoli prior to Anzac Day. Why is this?
A: It is difficult to get good quality accommodation close to the Gallipoli region and as we visit the battlefields on the 23rd April we want to ensure that you have decent accommodation to stay at and relax prior to the overnight stay at Anzac Cove on the 24th.  Very few companies who run Anzac Day Tours stay close to the Gallipoli area unless they are offering a budget hotel/hostel package.  The accommodation we use in Edremit is far superior to anything else we can find in the Gallipoli/Cannakale area.


In Edremit you will also get to see a different aspect of Turkish life and it will allow you to compare life in Istanbul versus the rest of Turkey


Q.  Where are your hotels located in Istanbul?
A.  Our hotels are all within walking distance of each other and are located in the Fındıkzade district.  All hotels are only a few minutes walk to the metro system and a short trip to the Sultanahmet area of Istanbul where the Blue Mosque and other significant attractions are located.  The map below shows the location of our hotels:


                             


Q.  If I want to arrive in Istanbul earlier than my tour starts or stay later after the tour finishes can I arrange accommodation with your company at the time of booking my tour with you?
A. We can arrange both pre and post accommodation at our hotels in Istanbul so if you would like to arrive early or stay later then please let us know and we can arrange that for you.  It is best you let us know at time of booking but if you change your mind later then we can add this to your tour.  It is important you request this additional accommodation no later than 7 days before the tour commences.  If you request it closer to the start of the tour or request it upon arrival in Istanbul then we may not be able to assist you with your request.


Q.  I have heard that it is common to leave your passports behind reception at hotels in Turkey.  Is this really the case and is it safe to do so?
A.  By law hotels are required to register your details with the authorities and it is therefore common place to leave your passport with reception and it can be collected either on departure or once this registration has been done.  This is for your security and your passports are kept safe with reception staff so there is no need to worry.


Transport & Travelling


Q: I have heard from friends that the ferry crossings at Gallipoli can sometimes be very crowded. Will this affect travelling times and is there any risk of us missing the Anzac Day Commemorations?
A. The ferry crossings between Eceabat (Gallipoli Peninsula) and Canakkale (Mainland) can be very busy during the Anzac Day period. Unfortunately our travelling times are dependent on the ferry running properly and subject to the number of buses trying to cross so therefore times given are best estimates. We ensure that on the night of the 24th we leave with ample time to spare so we can get to the ferry early. We do our best to ensure all times quoted in itineraries are accurate but due to this being a busy time delays are unavoidable.


Q: Do you have toilets on your buses and are there regular toilet stops during long journeys?
A: Unfortunately it is not common to have toilets on buses in Turkey so it is very hard for us to provide. However we will stop at regular stops along the way so all passengers can use toilet facilities.


Q.  What time do we depart for Gallipoli on the 23rd April?
A.  This will be an early departure for the battlefields after breakfast and your guide will discuss the timing with you the night before.  It is essential that we keep to set times as the earlier we leave the more time we can spend looking around the Battlefields.  It is also not fair on the majority of customers if we have to wait for some people so we place the responsibility of being on the bus on time with the customer and we will depart on time.  Any customer who has not been able to make it on time will have to make their own way to Gallipoli and meet the group there later in the day if this is possible.


Q.  Do we stop off for a break on the way from Istanbul to Gallipoli?
A.  Yes we will stop at a spot where you can use the toilets, order some snack foods such as grilled toast and pick up snacks for lunch.  This will be our only opportunity to stop before Gallipoli and once we get there, while some toilet facilities will be available, there are not any places to eat so we suggest all customers buy something to keep them going until the evening when you arrive at your hotel in Edremit.


Q.  What time will we arrive back in Istanbul on the 25th April?
A.  The arrival time back in Istanbul will vary depending on how busy the Gallipoli Peninsula is and the traffic back to Istanbul.  Generally you can expect to arrive back to Istanbul between 8pm and 11pm.


Airport Transfers


Q.  How far away are your hotels from the airport in Istanbul?
A.  There are two international airports in Istanbul (Istanbul Ataturk Airport IST and Sabiha Gokcen Airport SAW)

-Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is located Europe side of Istanbul and 15 km away from our hotels and the old city center Sultanahmet Area. Most of major international flights arrive at Ataturk Airport.

-Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) is located on the Asian side of Istanbul and 60 km away from our hotels and the old city center Sultanahmet Area. Sabiha Gokcen Airport is used by mainly domestic flights and budget airlines such as Easy Jet.


The map below shows the location of these airports:


                          


Q: How will the Airport transfers work upon arrival?


Ataturk International Airport – Most International Flights


For customers on the 5,6,8,10,15 day tours who arrive at Ataturk International Airport between 6am on the 21st April and midnight on the 22nd April will you pick you up for FREE from this airport and transfer you to your hotel.


For customers who arrive outside of these times we can arrange a transfer for you but there will be a small cost to you (please see schedule below).


*Note:  You must be staying at one of our hotels to qualify for a FREE or paid arrival transfer therefore if you are arriving into Istanbul before your tour starts and you have arranged your own accommodation then we are unable to provide a transfer for you.


Pricing Schedule for Transfers (outside of set times for free transfers)


1 Passenger                 £30 per person
2 Passengers               £15 per person
3+ Passengers             £10 per person


Sabiha Gokcen International Airport – Easyjet Flights from London


For customers on the 5,6,8,10,15 day tours who arrive at Sabiha Gokcen International Airport on the 21st and 22nd April via an Easyjet flight from London then we are able to provide an arrival transfer to your hotel for only £15 per person.  If you arrive on another airline (internationally or domestically) then we can arrange a transfer for you but the cost will be as per the schedule below.


1 Passenger                 £50 per person
2 Passengers               £25 per person
3+ passengers             £15 per person


The reason that we cannot provide a free transfer from this airport is because it is a considerable distance from the center of Istanbul.


Important Information:  It is very important that we know your flight details in order to arrange a transfer.  If you do not know your flight details at time of booking (there is a section where these can be completed) then it is your responsibility to ensure you send full flight details by email 7 days before the tour starts including Company Name, Flight Number, Arrival time.  If we do not have your complete flight details then we cannot guarantee a transfer has been arranged for you.


Payment for arrival transfers is to be made to our representative at the airport in cash.


Q: Do you operate transfers back to the airport at the end of the tours?
A. We will operate transfers back to Ataturk International Airport & Sabiha Gokcen International Airport at the completion of your tour.  Please advise your guide of your flight departure details when you arrive back in Istanbul and they will arrange your transfer and advise you of the departure time from the hotel.


The cost of the departure transfers is shown below:

Payment for departure transfers is to be made to our representative at the airport in cash.


Q: What if I am arriving by another form of transport other than air.  How do I get to my hotel and meet my tour?
A. If arriving in Istanbul by train, bus, ferry or car then you will need to make your own way to the Hotel to meet your tour.  You will be provided with the Hotel name and address so you can easily travel by taxi or metro from any point of entry to the hotel.  Likewise if you are departing Istanbul by any means other than flying then you will need to make your way to the relevant port/station at the completion of your tour but your guide can assist you in ordering a taxi or give directions via the metro system.  The map below shows where are our hotels are located in relation to the main bus station.


                                 


Anzac Day - Gallipoli


Q.  Where do we stay on the night of the 24th April before the Dawn Service?
A: Due to the number of visitors to the Gallipoli Peninsula at this time of year and the need to get a good position at Anzac Cove we arrive at Gallipoli on the evening of the 24th and spend the night at Anzac Cove. We strongly suggest you take warm clothes and maybe even a sleeping bag and blanket as a minimum.  Once you arrive at Anzac Cove you will not have access to your luggage on the bus so you may like to take a day pack with you with everything you will need until the evening of the 25th when we arrive back in Istanbul.


There are ample toilet and food/beverage facilities in this area.


Q: I have heard there can be long delays at Gallipoli when looking at the various sites before Anzac Day. Is this true?
A: Every year the total number of people visiting the Gallipoli area ahead of Anzac Day varies and it can get quite busy.  We visit Gallipoli on the 23rd April and therefore miss most of the crowds who tend to visit on the 24th.  By doing this we ensure you can get the most time at each place and with less people around.


Q.  Following the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove how do we get to the rest of the services at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair?
A.  The Dawn Service is followed by the Australian service at Lone Pine, the Turkish service and the New Zealand Service at Chunuk Bair.  The timings for these change each year but are published close to the time and your guide will inform you of the times in 2009.  The only way to get to each service is to walk but there are shuttles available for elderly and disabled visitors to the area and if you wish to use these then please let your guide know they can inform the relevant people and let you know where to access these services.  We recommend that after the Dawn Service that you begin walking as soon as possible to the other services and that New Zealanders wanting to get a good spot at Chunuk Bair head straight there as space is very limited in that area.


Q.  How will we get back to our buses at the end of the day at Gallipoli?
A.  We have two pick up points for collecting customers.  The first is at Lone Pine and the second is at Chunuk Bair.  You will need to look out for our staff and meeting point at both these places and make sure you are ready at the time they say.  All the coaches from all companies will make their way up to the two pick up points in the order in which they arrived the night before and there is a very short time to get people on the buses.  We ask people to be patient during this time as the timing of buses is completely out of our control.