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Turkish Patent Institute
Samyeli Travel:
2007/21054
2011 Anzac Day Tours - Frequently
Asked Questions
General
Q: My friends have already booked there Anzac Day Tours and I
would now like to join them. Is this possible? 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 but please ask so we can check it out for you.
Q. Do the prices quoted include Entrance
Fees to sites visited and is their any local payment
component for these tours?
A. There is no local payment that needs to be paid for these
tours and all our tours include entrance fees to sites outlined in
the itineraries. When comparing the prices of tours across different
companies it is worth making sure that entrance fees are included as
they can mount up especially on longer tours and what seems like a
good price at face value may not really be the case. For example in
our 16 Day Anzac Tour the entrance fees make up approx £90 of the
overall tour price.
Q: What time do I need to arrive on the starting day of my tour?
A. The first day of all of our tours except the 2 day tour is an
arrival day and you are therefore free to arrive at anytime
throughout that day. If your tour starts on the 21st April then
please read below regarding 'Welcome Drinks' for these tours that
take place in the evening. If your tour starts on the 22nd April and
you wish to take part in the Bosphorus Cruise or Gala Dinner then
please read the questions below which relate to that.
Q. I see that you have ‘Welcome Drinks’ in Istanbul on the 21st
April for tours that start on that day (8 days, 16 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, meet with your guide and get ready for
the event. This event is a chance for you to meet your guide and
others in your group but if you cannot get flights it is not
essential that you are there for it.
Q. I want to attend the Gala Dinner on the 22nd April in Istanbul
but I am on a tour starting that day and I want to ensure I arrive
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 if you are flying as this will ensure you have enough time
to get to the hotel, get checked in and ready for the event. If
making your own way to the hotel then we suggest being there no
later than 6:30pm.
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
Bosphorus 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 Bosphorus Cruise and you are arriving on the 22nd then
you will need to arrive early. Those people on tours starting on the
21st April and who have the Istanbul City Tour on the 22nd will be
finished in time to go on the Bosphorus Cruise as well.
Q. I am booked on the 2 Day Anzac Tour and want to know where the
pick up and drop off points are in Istanbul.
A. The 2 Day Anzac Tour starts on the 24th April and all
customers need to meet at 6:30am at the Samyeli Travel meeting point
outside the entrance to Haghia Sophia in Istanbul. Haghia Sophia is
in the Sultanahmet Area and adjacent to the Blue Mosque. Please look
out for the Samyeli Travel signs once you arrive.
This point is also where you will be dropped off at the conclusion
of the tour on the evening of the 25th April. 2 Day Anzac Tour
customers are responsible for making their own way to and from the
meeting points.
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 on your own 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 or triple room for the lower rate. Please note that
this is subject to availability.
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.
PLEASE NOTE: If you do need a visa then please make sure you
look for the visa kiosk first before going to passport control.
Unfortunately this is not always clear once arriving so do not get
into the passport control line first. The Visa window has all the
prices for visas listed on the front of it so should be clear. Visas
need to be paid for in Cash and can be paid for in Euro, Sterling,
US Dollars or the local currency.
Q. How many people will be on my tour?
A. It depends on the number of people on your particular tour
but a group will be no larger than 40 people.
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 TL (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 them 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. 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 does not include any tips or displays of gratitude towards
guides and coach drivers. If you have enjoyed your tour and the
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 some of your tours 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 many of our tours 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.
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?
A. We can arrange both pre and post accommodation at our hotels
in Istanbul and in Kusadasi (6 Day Kusadasi Tour and 8 Day Bravo) 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 decide after booking then this can still
be arranged subject to availability. Please do not arrive early
without telling us and expect accommodation to be available because
we cannot guarantee that. We can also arrange arrival airport
transfers for our customers booking pre-tour accommodation (Please
see section below regarding Airport Transfers)
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 sometimes 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 have
regular stops along the way so all passengers can use toilet
facilities.
Q. For those tours that arrive back in Istanbul on the evening of
the 25th April, what time can we expect to arrive there?
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 the Istanbul 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 on the European
side of Istanbul and 15 km away from our hotels and the old city
center Sultanahmet Area. Most 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 and Pegasus Airlines.
The map below shows the location of these airports:
Q: Are Arrival
Airport Transfers Available with these tours?
Ataturk International Airport – Most International Flights
9 Day Tour Customers - Tour Start Date: 18th April 2011
If you arrive at Ataturk Airport from 8am until midnight then
we will meet you and transfer you for FREE to your hotel. If
arriving outside these times or to Sabiha Gokcen Airport you
will need to make your own way to the hotel or use our optional
transfer service which has a cost involved and is explained below.
8 Days, 16 Day Customers - Tour Start Date: 21st April 2011
If you arrive at Ataturk Airport from 8am until midnight on
the 21st April then we will meet you and transfer you for FREE to
your hotel. If arriving outside these times or to Sabiha Gokcen
Airport you will need to make your own way to the hotel or use
our optional transfer service which has a cost involved and is
explained below.
5 Days, 6 Days (excluding
6 Day Kusadasi) Customers - Tour Start Date: 22nd April 2011
If you arrive at Ataturk Airport from 8am until midnight on
the 22nd April then we will meet you and transfer you for FREE to
your hotel. If arriving outside these times or to Sabiha Gokcen
Airport you will need to make your own way to the hotel or use
our optional transfer service which has a cost involved and is
explained below.
4 Day Customers - Tour Start Date: 23rd April 2011
If you arrive at Ataturk Airport from 8am until midnight on
the 23rd April then we will meet you and transfer you for FREE to
your hotel. If arriving outside these times you will need to make
your own way to the hotel or use our optional transfer service which
has a cost involved and is explained below. In early April you will
be provided with full details of how to get to your hotel.
Optional Paid
Airport Transfer Service - Ataturk International Airport
If arriving at Ataturk International Airport outside of the above
times of the free airport arrival transfers then you can either make
your own way to the hotel or make use of our optional Airport
Transfer Service. The cost is based on the number of people we
transport from the airport at the same time as you
Pricing Schedule for Transfers - To be paid in cash on board the
transfer coach.
1 Passenger £30 per person
2 Passengers £15 per person
3+ Passengers £10 per person
Optional Paid Airport Transfer Service - Sabiha Gokcen
International Airport
Easy Jet, Pegasus and Turkish Airlines run flights from London to
Sabiha Gokcen Airport and if arriving on these flights then there is
a set transfer cost of £15 per person. This can be paid on
board the transfer coach in cash.
Easy Jet Flight Schedule
9 Day Tour - 18th April
London Gatwick - Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen: Arrival Time 12:20pm
London Luton - Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen: Arrival Time 15:30pm
8 Day & 16 Day Tours - 21st April
London Gatwick - Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen: Arrival Time 12:20pm
London Luton - Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen: Arrival Time 15:30pm
5 Day & 6 Day (excluding 6 Day Kusadasi) Tours- 22nd April
London Gatwick - Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen: Arrival Time 12:20pm
London Luton - Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen: Arrival Time 15:30pm
4 Day Tour - 23rd April
London Gatwick - Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen: Arrival Time 12:20pm
London Luton - Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen: Arrival Time 15:30pm
Pegasus Airlines Flight Schedule
9 Day Tour - 18th April
London Stanstead - Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen: Arrival Time 18:25pm
8 Day & 16 Day Tours - 21st April
London Stanstead - Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen: Arrival Time 18:25pm
5 Day & 6 Day (excluding 6 Day Kusadasi) Tours- 22nd April
London Stanstead - Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen: Arrival Time 18:25pm
4 Day Tour- 23rd April
London Stanstead - Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen: Arrival Time 18:25pm
Turkish
Airlines Flight Schedule
9 Day Tour - 18th April
London Stanstead - Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen: Arrival Time 04:25am
8 Day & 16 Day Tours - 21st April
London Stanstead - Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen: Arrival Time 04:25am
5 Day & 6 Day (excluding 6 Day Kusadasi) Tours- 22nd April
London Stanstead - Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen: Arrival Time 04:25am
4 Day Tour - 23rd April
London Stanstead - Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen: Arrival Time 04:25am
If you arrive on a
different day or at a different time then we can arrange a transfer
for you but there is a cost involved and it is based on the number
of people we transfer at the same time.
1 Passenger £60 per person
2 Passengers £30 per person
3 passengers £20 per person
4+ passengers £15 per person
Pre-Tour Accommodation & Arrival Flight Transfers
If you book pre-tour accommodation through Samyeli Travel then we
are able to offer you an airport transfer service as per the details
below.
Ataturk International Airport
If arriving 21st April between 8am and Midnight = Free
If arriving 22nd April between 8am and Midnight = Free
If arriving 23rd April between 8am and Midnight = Free
If arriving outside of these dates and times we can arrange a
transfer for you from Ataturk International Airport and the cost is
based on the number of people we transport from the airport at the
same time.
Pricing Schedule for Transfers
1 Passenger £30 per person
2 Passengers £15 per person
3+ Passengers £10 per person
Sabiha Gokcen
Airport
If arriving 21st April on an Easy Jet or Pegasus Airlines flight
from London = £15
If arriving 22nd April on an Easy Jet or Pegasus Airlines flight
from London = £15
If arriving 23rd April on an Easy Jet or Pegasus Airlines flight
from London = £15
If arriving outside of these dates or with a different airline then
we can arrange a transfer for you from Sabiha Gokcen Airport and the
cost is based on the number of people we transport from the airport
at the same time.
Pricing Schedule for Transfers
1 Passenger £60 per person
2 Passengers £30 per person
3 passengers £20 per person
4+ passengers £15 per person Important Note: Please ensure we
have your arrival flight details no later than the 7th April 2011
if you wish to use either our free or paid airport transfer service.
If you do not provide these then we cannot guarantee an airport
transfer.
Q: Do you operate transfers back to the airport at the end of the
tours?
A. At the conclusion of your tour in Istanbul you can make your
own way to the airport using either taxi or public transport or you
can use our Optional Departure Transfer Service.
On the 26th and 27th of April we have departure transfers available
to Ataturk Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport. In order to arrange an
airport transfer for these dates then please ensure we have your
departure flight details by no later than the 7th April 2011.
Departure Airport Transfers cost a set price of £20 per person to
Sabiha Gokcen Airport and £10 to Ataturk Airport. Departures will be
at set times from your hotel and you will be advised by your guide
of the pick up time that best meets your flight departure time.
These can be paid in cash in the transfer coach on the way to the
airport.
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 in early April 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.
Anzac Day in Gallipoli and the Overnight
Stay
Q. Where do we stay on the night of the 24th April before the
Dawn Service?
A: We arrive at Gallipoli on the evening of the 24th and spend
the night at Anzac Cove. There is temporary seating and a grassed
area that you can sit on. Unfortunately every year people take up
more room than they need to by either lying on the grass or over a
number of seats in the seating area. The main organisers from the NZ,
Australian & Turkish Governments do all they can to get people to
move and make room for those arriving but we suggest that you should
not be shy in asking one of your fellow countrymen to sit up or take
up less room. Unfortunately seating and organisation at Anzac Cove
and the other memorials is outside the control of Samyeli Travel and
other tour companies and we are not allocated any specific areas for
seating.
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
small pack or bag with you with everything you will need until you
can access your bags again in Eceabat/Istanbul or Edremit depending
which tour you are on.
There are ample toilet and food/beverage facilities at Anzac Cove
and near the Australian and New Zealand Memorials.
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 at 57th Regiment and the New Zealand
Service at Chunuk Bair. The timings for these change each year but
are published closer to the time and your guide will inform you of
these times. 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 so 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 and it is
approx a 1.15min walk from Anzac Cove to Chunuk Bair.
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 at our meeting point at both these
places and make sure you are ready at the time they say. All the
coaches from all tour 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.
