Istanbul otogar

Hi there I am looking at Metro's time schedule for buses from Istanbul Otogar to Edirne. Which name is the Istanbul otogar (meaning the one closest to travel to from Ataturk airport that is) - is it called Bayrampasa? Also what other bus companies travel to Edirne? Thank you.

The station is called Otogar. You can reach it from the airport by taking the metro.

Hi ahmd if I look at this link none of the departing terminal are called Otogar. Which otogar is the departing place closest to Ataturk airport if you take the metroline to it?

https://online.metroturizm.com.tr/BuyTicket.aspx?f=EDIRNE&t=ISTANBUL&d=16.07.2013

Ulusoy Turizm and Lüks Edirne Express Turizm also cover that route.
You can take the metro from the airport to Esenler which is the main otogar.For any buses which don't depart directly from there you'll be taken by service bus to their depot.

There is a metro station in the airport
http://www.istanbul-ulasim.com.tr/media/24900/ag_2200px_1546px-01.jpg

This is the map, you can see otogar station on the red line

Thanks Sarikanarya that was the name I wanted Esenler. Although it doesn't show on that link I provided which I pulled off another site when I was researching travel to Edirne. What would be the equivalent to Esenler on that link above for Metro Turizm?

Actually Sarikanarya if you have the time can you work out easily the best bus company and connection I could make without stressing too much and rushing with a suitcase from Ataturk if I am coming in on a Friday and arriving at Ataturk on an 07:30 international plane? Assuming it takes 2 hours to get through Customs and I'd then have to get to the Otogar by Metro. Would I be right in assuming tickets around 35 TL each way?

Also if I was returning to Istanbul on a Sunday are there many buses after 12 noon?

Yes it does...it shows as otogar :) as Ahmd said.So Metro Turizm would take you from their office at the otogar to their nearest departure depot,as possibly will the other two bus companies.Many are now pulling out of the main otogars on both sides of the city and using service buses between them and their own depots.

So,anyway,a bus to Edirne on a Friday morning...to be absolutely safe and not to have to rush and panic anything leaving from 10.00 onwards should be good for you.Metro looks to be the better bet for you;they have buses at 10.30,10.45 and 12 noon for this 3 hour .
For a return on a Sunday there are buses with Metro at 12.00 noon,12.30,13.00,14.00,15.00,15.30,16.00,17.00 right through to 22.00.On some bus times the price is 35TL and on others 30TL.Popular times more expensive I guess.

Thanks to both of you. I thought that Kalkis terminal meant the departing terminal name. Wow heaps of buses leaving regularly by the looks of it so there's nothing much to worry about.

Lol :)kalkış means departure time.Variş is arrival time(for future reference).Yes Metro offer pretty much an hourly service in each direction.Ulusoy cover the route but only a couple of times a day.

I have been to Edirne 6 months ago. This is a mini review of this wonderful city. look at message number 25.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/europe-eastern-europe-the-caucasus/turkey/30-days-in-istanbul?page=3#post_21524868

You will enjoy the city. happy traveling

Thanks all for your input. As you can see Sarikanarya being half Turkish myself my Turkish is really quite good (not LOL)!

I have been told that I can get lost inside a phone booth, but it is physically impossible to get lost on the Metro leaving the airport. There is only one line going in and it is the same one going out so mistakes are physically impossible. There are token dispensers at the turnstiles which will take notes up to 20TL and give you back a pocketful of useful coins (toilets are not free in Turkey). There will be a map of the stops inside the trains cars and Otogar will be clearly shown and all stops announced before reaching the staiton. When you exit the Metro at the otogar, if you look even remotely like a tourist (and everyone does), a tout will greet you and ask where you are headed. These guys know the bus routes and schedules for every bus line going in and out of the station, so if you simply Edirne you'll be on the next available bus and heading out of Istanbul in record time.

Lots of travelers ignore these touts, but for a few Lira, they can really speed up the process, especially if you have no prior arrangements or a preferred bus line.

Just checked in here....

Metro Turizm say their buses leave from Bayrampasa, but actually they go from the Essenler Otogar (the 'Otogar' stop on the city Metro map) or, sometimes, just over a ramp that's on a slightly lower level.
Just rock up to Metro's main office at Essenler - in plenty of time, of course - and they'll either direct you to a shuttle or, more likely, the bus will pull up to a bay at the rear of that office.

The Metro Turizm offices have a distinctive cyan blue band of colour, with a thin red line below, and white writing. There are two of them, almost next door to each other, and they are in the centre of the 'ring'of bus offices - you can find them easily by walking out through the middle doors of the otogar building.
Buses returning to Istanbul go straight to their 'Bayrampasa' stop - then there are shuttles to take you up to the main office, or to Aksaray if you wish.

Thanks mothercourage for your information. I read a while back that another tourist wrote Metro Turizm will not let you sit with a companion of the opposite sex if you are not married. Is that true? The person who wrote it never confirmed back.

I have travelled to Turkey many times before so I understand a sole female will end up with a female seated next to her but what if I want to travel with a male friend? Are we going to be separated when seated? The travellers comment sounded rather strange, especially for tourists.

Sorry and just to clarify in my situation I will be the tourist, my male friend the local.

No that is not true.If you are travel companions then of course you can sit together....this isn't Afganistan!The misunderstanding here is that bus companies will not accept a booking from an unknown male to sit next to a female(as you know on web sites they always show different colours for seats booked by men and women),as a solo woman you would be seated alone or next to another woman,never a man.But when you are friends travelling and booking seats together there is no problem.

Thanks Sarikanarya - it sounded weird and I've never seen it before myself when travelling. It was a while back that the person posted it and you actually asked them to clarify but they didn't so I just thought I'd double check. I hope you are well.

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