Choices......Sigh.....

I have read so much about travelling from Turkey to Syria. I am now totally confused. I have found the forum to be great and was hoping to get a bit more info before my travels on the 22nd Dec.

1) I was under the impression that the Torosi express runs from Istanbul to Aleppo. Has anyone actually taken this train...in December ? I was told that no trains run from Istanbul to Aleppo? Is this true ? If they do run , will it be too cold and too dangerous, the journey across Turkey to Syria ? Is it something not feasible as the journey may take too long in the end ? The travel agent in Turkey has stated the price to be 70euros which I am not sure if I am being ripped off. I arrive in Istanbul on Sat the 22nd Dec at 10am. Will I have enough time to buy the Torosi train tickets than at Hyderpassa? Do they sell out of tickets ?

2) I recently read there are buses from Istanbul to Aleppo. I was told that they are extremely comfy. Is this true? Anyone done this journey ? Is there anything to see on the way to Syria by bus since its winter ? 30 hours by bus...sounds like a challenge.

3) I also found out there are flights. To Adana and forwards by bus to Syria. Increasingly looks inviting but will I be missing the sights if I take a flight. Adana to Aleppo looks like a long journey. Anyone done this and can offer advice?

4) Finally , the million dollar question. How safe are all these modes of transport? Anybody have any idea. Is Syria itself safe ?

Thank you so much in advance.

The correct ticket price is 48.20 euro- first class with one-bed sleeper.

You can buy the ticket at Sirceki train station as well as Hyderpassa.

The train leaves IST at 8.55am on Sundays. You have 'just' enough time to buy the ticket if you go straight to the train station- I have never been on a sleeper train in TK where all beds are taken so you should be OK.

I wonder, however, why you are not stopping to see anything of TK on the way............

Back in March 2004, my wife and I have taken the bus from Istanbul to Antakya (ancient Antioch - just a stone's throw from Aleppo) and back - that meant a 18 - 20 hours (I can't remember now) journey in a very modern and confortable bus. The bus company was Has Turizm (see their site in English at: http://www.hasturizm.com.tr/h_english/index.asp ); as far I can remember, the bus was leaving Istanbul's Esenler bus station about 2 PM, and arrived at Antakya next morning about 8-9 AM. Pls check the exact timetable with the company!

Before continuing to Aleppo, it's worth exploring Archeological Museum in Antakya (magnificent mosaics, a must!) and St. Peter's church (one day is enough).

For the transport to Aleppo, you have the choice between buses (as we have done - can get stuck at the border, as the procedure at the Turkish side was slow and chaotic; at the Syrian side, everythig went smoother) and shared taxis (it's usually said these are much faster - have no personal experience).

Before leaving Turkey for Syria, it's a good idea to get some Syrian liras (SYP) - no problem at exchange offices at Antakya - as we haven't seen any exchange office or ATM at the Syrian side at Bab Al Hawa. However, pls remember that all these informations are almost 4 years old!

Just fly--45 minutes (Istanbul-Aleppo) on Syrian air with full (and very good) meal service. Second choice would be bus. It's been my experience that the less time wasted in Turkey, the better--unless your goal is to see Turkey, which you would not be doing by traveling on the train. Also, yes, that ticket price is a rip-off.

I enjoyed reading the info about the train which i loved to have travelled but never got a chance,cos cant find train at the right time.so many times i took a bus from Istanbul to Antakya there are many many buses almost every hour or less some of them express kind of and some do too many stops which could take up to 36 hours,so you need to ask before you buy a ticket ,cost around uSD 50 .The best way to travel from Antakya(Hataya) to Aleppo by shared taxi the move whe they fill up with four passengers.cost 500 sp USD 10.From Aleppo to anywhere in Syria is very cheap to travel almost one tenth of that of Turkey.The busses are not bad though much more comfy in Turkey.
By the way Train to Istanbul leaves Aleppo every Tuesday 11 noon for sure.
Syriafullbottle from damascushostel.com

1. Currently there are no direct flights Istanbul > Aleppo v.v. in the actual Syrianair schedule ; you could fly with a transfer at Damascus, or also 5 times weekly via Amman with Royal Jordanian. Last alternative is via Vienna with Austrian, but I guess that this will be more expensive...

2. I'have been considering a similar trip too, but if I would have to choose, the train would definitely my preference if travelling overland. 30 hrs on a bus seems just a nightmare to me ! Can you imagine a better alternative than a comfortable night train, where you can sleep horizontally in a sleeping berth or real bed ? I can't - and addition Turkish buses don't have exactmy the best safety reputation... Thus I would suggest : go for the train !

Hi Indianbear...

You can't miss Goreme !!! The "town" itself is really charming, and you can walk 1-2 kms to the Goreme Open Air Museum, which is a fantastic collection of unearthly rock formations. As if that wasn't enough, you can enter some of the caves and see the frescoes, some of which more than 1500 years old.

If you just raced across Turkey you would miss Goreme... don't do it !!!

I flew from Istanbul to Kayseri (1 way $70) then took a minibus to Goreme via Nevsehir. When I left Goreme I took a minibus to Nevsehir, and a standard bus to Adana. Then I transfered in Adana and got a standard bus to Antakya. I stayed in Antakya for the night so I could see the mosaic museum the next day ( don't miss the museum !! It's by far the best one I visited in Turkey !!) and then I took a bus from Antakya to Aleppo in Syria.

The other posters have given much better details then I can, but you should think about stopping somewhere between Istanbul and Aleppo. It can be done quickly and cheaply, and its well worth it. I vote for Goreme :)

btw... if you want any Goreme related info just pm me.

Cheers !!

-- Lyra

hello

thanks for the tips on goreme. I will certainly check it out. i have got a few responses suggesting a stop over in Turkey so i may try it.

thanks again

venga

Edited by: indianbear

you can travel from turkey to syria via antakya to aleppo

the public transport seems to fall down in this part of turkey. whereas other parts of turkey normally have an excellent and most importantly locatable public transport system antakya has its transport system spread out, language wise you'll find it harder in antakya than other places in turkey.

the bus station you will need to travel to aleppo sits way out of town. if you stay in ahotel in antakya get them to write (or learn how to speak the name of this place)

the "jet" bus company has a service to aleppo at this bus station. the guys at the hotel should be able to tell you when it leaves. to keep your sanity stay in antakya one night to see the sites and have a rest.
you should have no problem getting money in syria, aleppo has many atms that you can use. i didn't bother getting any syrian pounds in turkey before i left. you can find an atm a couple of meters south of the post office on sh al - jalaa or next to the tourist information office next to the museum or along sh al mutanabi heading towards the city along this street you will find some large banks and atms (pretty sure its was sh al mutanabi theres a huge roundabout/ junction nearby)

you will probably find syria and turkey cold this time of year. turkey closes some tourist attractions during the winter. you will find both countries safe to travel in. i can recommend the al andalib restaurant near the baron hotel. syria for tourists from this point is probably only worth travelling by taxi (don't worry its affordable) if you take the tours run by the hotels in aleppo you can probably arrange the taxi to taxi to do the tour then drop you off at the next hotel in the next city you are going to. the best city for tours and checking out the sites from is hama. hama sits slap bang in the middle of most things you'll want to see.

personally i feel that it would be better waiting until april/may before travelling to either country. moneywise you'll get to see more for less in syria (turkey has many, many places to visit, it is a huge country). most tourist sites in syria are relatively hassle free (except palmyra which can become hideous). the exchange rate is very good for syria (for western currencies) which means you can more or less hire a guide for any tourist site (but beware the mangled english can become very wearing after a couple of months of travelling).

for ease of covering miles turkey is the clear winner in the region, it has excellent buses between most cities. the turks are on the whole more organised to deal with tourists their industry is more developed.