Travelling Around Diyarbakir, Mardin, and Sanliurfa

Thanks a lot for the information. I actually didnt know about direct bus lines from Mardin to Istanbul. I am aware of the vast distances in Turkey, yet I would prefer the bus over the plane because of the prices. How much do you think would it be from Mardin to Istanbul - approximately?

There are 4 bus companies cover the Mardin to Istanbul route;-Metro Turizm(13.00), Mardin Seyahat(13.00 and 18.00),Özlem Cizre Nuh Seyahat(13.30 and 18.30) and Star Mardin(18.00) for this 23 hour journey(yikes!) ,cost is 120T.L
For flights...I don't know your exact travel date but just looked at some random dates in early to mid November and found flights with Pegasus into Istanbul SAW for...75 T.L :) taking just 2 hours.Anadolujet also has flights for 75 and even THY flying into Istanbul Ataturk has flights for 105 T.L.
People often shy away from flying due to price but here in Turkey we are lucky enough to have very cheap domestic airlines and all offer excellent service.Tempted?I bet you are!

Sorry for the delay in answering - I've been away.
No, you don't have to enter the city to change buses, or to change any form of transport - bus, minibus (dolmus) or train.
From memory, last year we paid about 9-10 tl between Diyarbakir and Midyat, then another 9-10 tl from Midyat to Mardin.

Thanks for your reply! Thats good to know. I actually found a flight from Diyabakir to IStanbul for 17!! Euros. Crazy cheap. I guess I will just get a ride to the airport then and fly to Istanbul, rather than taking buses there.

Well, here's my 2 cents: it would be a pity to visit the Southeast and write off its heart, Diyarbakir from the beginning. Perhaps you could get up to date info while in the area and decide then. I left Diyarbakir yesterday having spent a couple of days in the old city. I had zero problems. I saw enough turkish tourists taking selfies in Hasan Pasha Hani (burstling full) and Dagkapi. Ulu Camii is only partly under restauration and accessible for the most part, the lovely Sülüklü Hani too. The destruction from the fighting is not visible as the affected southeastern part of the old city is completely sealed off (unfortunately that's where the magnificent Surp Giregos church is). Police presence is suffocating, but it doesn't affect you as a visitor. Anyway, it seems now that the fighting has moved to rural areas, Diyarbakir has no reported significant ISIL presence and Kurdish guerillas are really not a threat for you. Of course anything can happen everywhere, but this includes the suicide attack in Attatürk airport or the mortar attack in Sabiha Gökcen,ie I don't think Dyarbakir is more dangerous at the moment than let's say Istanbul. I'm anything else than an expert and perhaps I'm being naive, but this is my opinion. I'm now in Gaziantep, which should reportedly be avoided because of strong ISIL presence and I haven't been beheaded yet (obviously) but I promise that should anything like that happen I'll let the travel community know:-)

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