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