Travelling Around Diyarbakir, Mardin, and Sanliurfa

Hi There!

We were hoping to travel to Diyarbakir, Sanliurfa and maybe Mardin. I can see various stories of unrest, shootings, etc in news reports however, I'm wondering if there is anyone who currently resides in this area or has traveled there recently and can tell me what the atmosphere is really like and if we should visit or skip this area?

Thanks!

Welcome to the forum Meghan!If you scroll through the forum page a bit there is a recent trip review from a forum member Kras232b and another member also recently there has commented on the same thread.So that gives you a start for info.
As things are right now avoid Diyarbakır unless you have to make bus connections there,but Urfa(also for visiting Harran from there too) is fine as is Mardin city centre.In Mardin Province outside the city there are some area's which are now militarised zones and off limits.
I also know of someone else(not a forum member)who was in the Urfa area over Kurban Bayram week before last and they had a great time there and were made very welcome wherever they went and at no time did they feel unsafe.You'll see a lot of refugees hanging around the streets there but they are to be pitied rather than feared.

Thank you Sarikanarya for your help!

I'll second Sarikanarya on that. Just to add that at Diyarbakir the bus station/s (separate ones for long distance and more local minibuses) and also the train station are outside of the city walls. It doesn't cost much to take a taxi from one to the other.
We did that trip last year, taking the train from Ankara to Diyarbakir. We gave that city a miss, but everywhere else we went we were received with open arms. This year, however, I'd avoid Gazinatep as it's the 'dormitory town' for people going to join Daesh (ISIS). (Last year was ok, though the otogar felt a bit 'wild west'.)

This year, however, I'd avoid Gazinatep as it's the 'dormitory town' for people going to join Daesh (ISIS)>

In other words just as harmless as Paris, Bradford or Antwerp...

I'm personally avoiding Paris, too!

Can anyone tell me if Trabzon is ok to go to this time of the year? I was hoping to go there in November

Yes,it's fine but do be aware that Sumela Monastery is currently closed for renovations until spring at least.That is the main reason for people to visit Trabzon and I'd hate you to make a wasted journey.

@mothercourage So coming from Mardin, transferring at Diyabakir in order to catch a bus to Istanbul, I wouldn't even have to enter the city? Not sure if I got you right...
Do you know more about cost of transportation around Turkish Kurdistan? Like how much trips from Mardin to Diyabakir are?

Mardin,Midyat and Kızıltepe to Diyarbakır are by local minibus service so that will be cheap,maybe c.5 or 6 TL.
BTW,from Mardin why not just take a bus direct to Istanbul?Why change in Diyarbakır?You could even fly although flights on that route do tend to be a bit pricey.

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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