2012 Workshop

Airport Transfer and Tourist Information

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Dear MIT GSW 2012 Attendee –
We hope that the following information will assist you in travelling to the Hilton and the (adjoining) Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center.
- MIT GSW Team

Critical Addresses:

Money – Transportation in Turkey still requires cash.  You will need to withdraw / change money at the airport.  Recommended amount for airport transfers, taxis and incidentals: $200 - 400 USD.
See attached airport map with ATMs and Bureau de Change marked.
Current approximate exchange rates: 1 USD = 1.78 TRY; 1 euro = 2.36 TRY

From Atatürk Airport (European side):

Airport Taxi
All taxis are yellow colored in Istanbul. The taximeter opens with 2,70 TRY and charges 1,73 TRY per kilometer, 0.27 TRY for every 5 minutes of waiting time.
Approx. cost from Airport to Hilton Hotel: 50TRY
Approx. transit time: 35 min

Airport Shuttle (HAVATAS) - Recommended
Ticket price: 10 TL
Approximate journey time: 45 minutes
Arrival: Ataturk Airport - Sahil Yolu - Aksaray – Taksim
Hilton guests should take a taxi from the last stop to the hotel for approx. 5TRY.
Departure: Taksim - Aksaray - Sahil Yolu - Ataturk Airport
Taksim Departure Point: IETT Bus Stop, in front of the THY Office
Schedule: From both Ataturk Airport and Taksim every 30 min. on the hour and half hour from 04:00 - 01.00.
Hilton guests should take a taxi from the last stop to the hotel for approx. 5TRY.

Public Bus (Operated by IETT)
Route: There is an express line 96T from Taksim/Atatürk Airport/Taksim. (See Appendix for schedule)
Stop on the right end of the terminal.
Approx. transit time: 1 hour
Ticket cards must be purchased beforehand. Cost for 2 rides 5 TRY; 5 rides for 12 TRY.

Hilton guests should take a taxi from the last stop to the hotel for approx. 5TRY.

From Sabiha Gökcen airport (Asian side)

Taxis are available outside the terminal but it can be quite expensive to travel to central İstanbul. From Sabiha Gökcen, the easiest way to get to Taksim (Hilton Hotel) is the HAVATAS airport shuttle.

Airport Shuttle (HAVATAS) - Recommended
Ticket price: 12 TL
Approximate journey time: 1.5 hours approx.
Arrival:  Sabiha Gokcen Airport - Kavacik FSM Bridge - 1 Levent - Zincirlikuyu Metrobus- Dolapdere - Taksim
Departure:  Taksim - Besiktas - Bosphorus Bridge - TEM Connection Highway- Sabiha Gokcen Airport
Taksim Departure Point: IETT Bus Stop, in front of the THY Office
Schedule: From both Ataturk Airport and Taksim every 30 min. on the hour and half hour from 04:00 - 01.00.
Hilton guests should take a taxi from the last stop to the hotel for approx. 5TRY.

Personal Car – Driving a rental in Istanbul is NOT recommended!

Directions from International Ataturk Airport (IST) to Hilton Istanbul by car
Take the Airport exit and turn to first right intersection and follow the signs for the Sirkeci/Sahilyolu Caddesi (Parallel to the coast). After about 15 km you will come to roundabout of Yenikapi. Turn left from the roundabout towards the Taksim signs. Keep straight to Taksim. After approximately 5 km you will reach Taksim Square where you will be following signs towards Sisli. After 4 road junction Hilton Istanbul entrance is 250 meters on your right hand side.

Directions from Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) to Hilton Istanbul by car
Take the E-6 motorway and continue through TEM Kurtkoy Airport counter. Go on towards Kartal, follow the signs for the Bosphorus (Bogazici)Bridge (I. Cevreyolu). Go over the Bosphorus Bridge and follow the first sign to Besiktas. Keep on the same road which will turn to Dolmabahce Palace and follow the signs to Taksim. When you approach the 4 road junction turn right. Hilton Istanbul entrance is 250 meters on your right hand side.

Highway Exit from European Side (Mahmutbey)
Once you exit from tolls follow the signs to Kadikoy/Ankara. Following the signs, after approximately 7-8 km, you will see Okmeydani exit on your right hand side. Once you reach the Okmeydani junction, follow the signs Dolapdere / Taksim. Drive towards Taksim. After approximately 2 km you will reach Taksim Square where you will be following signs towards Sisli. After 4 road junction Hilton Istanbul entrance is 250 meters later on your right hand side.

Highway Exit from Anatolian Side (Kartal)

When you pass the Gebze tolls you first you will see Kurtkoy junction. Keep straight towards Kartal tolls. After Kartal tolls follow the sign to I. Cevreyolu which will connect you to the Bosphorus (Bogazici) Bridge (I. Cevreyolu). Go over the Bosphorus Bridge and follow the first sign to Besiktas. Keep on the same road which will turn to Dolmabahce Palace and follow the signs to Taksim. When you approach the 4 road junctionn turn right. Hilton Istanbul entrance is 250 meters later on your right hand side.

Appendix