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Anzac Day Tours Turkey and Gallipoli Tours with SamyeliTravel.Co.Uk - 25th April 2009 94th Anniversary Gallipoli Turkey |

Frequently
Asked Questions
General
Q. How many people will be on my tour?
A.
Groups are broken up into buses and generally there will be no
more than 40 people in a group.
Q: My friends booked there ANZAC tours some time ago and I would
now like to join them in the same hotel and bus.
Is this a problem?
A.
Providing you let us know at time of
booking that you wish to join your friends or be part of a group
then we will do our best to accommodate you. However if you make
a booking close to Anzac Day then we may have already allocated
hotels and bus groups. Once again we will do our best to
accommodate you but we cannot make any promises.
Q. I see that you have ‘Welcome Drinks’ on the 21st April for
your 8, 10 & 15 Day tours. Will I arrive early
enough to attend these?
A.
If arriving on the 21st April and wish to attend these Welcome
Drinks then we recommend that you aim to arrive at the airport
by about 4pm as this will ensure you have enough time to get to
the hotel, get checked in and ready for the event.
Q. I want to attend the Gala Dinner on the 22nd April but
I am on a tour starting that day and I want to ensure I arrive
in Istanbul in time to attend. What time would you suggest
I aim to be in Istanbul in order to ensure I can?
A.
If arriving on the 22nd April and wish to attend the Gala Dinner
then we recommend that you aim to arrive at the airport by about
4pm as this will ensure you have enough time to get to the
hotel, get checked in and ready for the event.
Q: I am travelling alone and was wondering if you have many
people who travel alone on your tours? Also what are my options
for accommodation?
A:
Every
year we have many people (both male and female) who travel alone
on our tours and it is a great way to meet new people. In
regards to accommodation you can either pay more for a single
room or if you do not mind we can match you up with someone else
who is travelling on their own (same gender) and put you in a
twin/triple room for the lower rate.
Q: Do I need a Visa to visit Turkey?
A:
It depends on what passport that you are travelling to Turkey
on. New Zealand passport holders do not need a visa and can go
straight to passport control. Other passport holders are
required to purchase a visa from the kiosk near passport control
before proceeding through.
The following site has more information on visas:
http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/details/BorderFormalities/index.html
Q: Which currency do I need for Turkey and do I need to Exchange
Money before leaving home?
A.
The most common
currency in Turkey is the YTL (New Turkish Lira) although other
currencies are accepted in some shops and restaurants. We
recommend for ease that you use the local currency when paying
in cash but you can purchase many things on credit cards also.
We advise all our passengers to carry some cash on you at all
times for small purchases and paying for public toilets etc.
At Ataturk International Airport when you arrive there are a
number of ATM machines that can be used with cards that are set
up to be used overseas. You may like to check with your bank
before leaving home if your card is ready for international use.
Q. I am interested in going on the Bosphorous Cruise and
attending the Gala Dinner, what time do they start and will I
arrive in enough time to attend these?
A.
On the 22nd April we will pick people up from hotels for the
Bosphorous Cruise at 2:30pm and the Gala Dinner will commence at
7.30 pm that evening. You can easily attend both of these
but if you wish to attend the Bosphorous Cruise and you are
arriving on the 22nd then you will need to arrive early.
Q. Do we need to give our guides and driver a tip at the
end of the tour?
A.
Tipping is a big part of life in Turkey and the cost of your
tour do not include any tips or displays of gratitude towards
guides and coach drivers. If you have enjoyed your tour
and efforts of these people then please feel free to give them a
tip. The amount is entirely up to you and usually one
person will collect these on behalf of the people in your group.
Accommodation
Q: I notice that you stay in Edremit away from Gallipoli prior
to Anzac Day. Why is this?
A:
It is
difficult to get good quality accommodation close to the
Gallipoli region and as we visit the battlefields on the 23rd
April we want to ensure that you have decent accommodation to
stay at and relax prior to the overnight stay at Anzac Cove on
the 24th. Very few companies who run Anzac Day Tours stay
close to the Gallipoli area unless they are offering a budget
hotel/hostel package. The accommodation we use in Edremit
is far superior to anything else we can find in the
Gallipoli/Cannakale area.
In Edremit you will also get to see a different aspect of
Turkish life and it will allow you to compare life in Istanbul
versus the rest of Turkey
Q. Where are
your hotels located in Istanbul?
A.
Our hotels are all within walking distance of each other and are
located in the
Fındıkzade district. All hotels are only a few minutes
walk to the metro system and a short trip to the Sultanahmet
area of Istanbul where the Blue Mosque and other significant
attractions are located. The map below shows the location
of our hotels:

Q. If I want to arrive in Istanbul earlier than my tour
starts or stay later after the tour finishes can I arrange
accommodation with your company at the time of booking my tour
with you?
A.
We can arrange
both pre and post accommodation at our hotels in Istanbul so if
you would like to arrive early or stay later then please let us
know and we can arrange that for you. It is best you let
us know at time of booking but if you change your mind later
then we can add this to your tour. It is important you
request this additional accommodation no later than 7 days
before the tour commences. If you request it closer to the
start of the tour or request it upon arrival in Istanbul then we
may not be able to assist you with your request.
Q. I have heard that it is common to leave your passports
behind reception at hotels in Turkey. Is this really the
case and is it safe to do so?
A.
By law hotels are
required to register your details with the authorities and it is
therefore common place to leave your passport with reception and
it can be collected either on departure or once this
registration has been done. This is for your security and
your passports are kept safe with reception staff so there is no
need to worry.
Transport & Travelling
Q: I have heard from friends that the ferry crossings at
Gallipoli can sometimes be very crowded. Will this affect
travelling times and is there any risk of us missing the Anzac
Day Commemorations?
A.
The ferry
crossings between Eceabat (Gallipoli Peninsula) and Canakkale
(Mainland) can be very busy during the Anzac Day period.
Unfortunately our travelling times are dependent on the ferry
running properly and subject to the number of buses trying to
cross so therefore times given are best estimates. We ensure
that on the night of the 24th we leave with ample time to spare
so we can get to the ferry early. We do our best to ensure all
times quoted in itineraries are accurate but due to this being a
busy time delays are unavoidable.
Q: Do you have toilets on your buses and are there regular
toilet stops during long journeys?
A:
Unfortunately it is not common to have toilets on buses in
Turkey so it is very hard for us to provide. However we will
stop at regular stops along the way so all passengers can use
toilet facilities.
Q. What time do we depart for Gallipoli on the 23rd April?
A.
This will be an
early departure for the battlefields after breakfast and your
guide will discuss the timing with you the night before.
It is essential that we keep to set times as the earlier we
leave the more time we can spend looking around the
Battlefields. It is also not fair on the majority of
customers if we have to wait for some people so we place the
responsibility of being on the bus on time with the customer and
we will depart on time. Any customer who has not been able
to make it on time will have to make their own way to Gallipoli
and meet the group there later in the day if this is possible.
Q. Do we stop off for a break on the way from Istanbul to
Gallipoli?
A.
Yes we will stop at a spot where you can use the toilets, order
some snack foods such as grilled toast and pick up snacks for
lunch. This will be our only opportunity to stop before
Gallipoli and once we get there, while some toilet facilities
will be available, there are not any places to eat so we suggest
all customers buy something to keep them going until the evening
when you arrive at your hotel in Edremit.
Q. What time will we arrive back in Istanbul on the 25th
April?
A.
The arrival time back in Istanbul will vary depending on how
busy the Gallipoli Peninsula is and the traffic back to
Istanbul. Generally you can expect to arrive back to
Istanbul between 8pm and 11pm.
Airport Transfers
Q. How far away are your hotels from the airport in
Istanbul?
A. There
are two international airports in Istanbul (Istanbul Ataturk
Airport IST and Sabiha Gokcen Airport SAW)
-Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is located Europe side of
Istanbul and 15 km away from our hotels and the old city center
Sultanahmet Area. Most of major international flights arrive at
Ataturk Airport.
-Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) is located on the Asian side
of Istanbul and 60 km away from our hotels and the old city
center Sultanahmet Area. Sabiha Gokcen Airport is used by mainly
domestic flights and budget airlines such as Easy Jet.
The map below shows the location of these airports:

Q: How will the Airport transfers work upon arrival?
Ataturk International Airport – Most International Flights
For customers on the 5,6,8,10,15 day tours who arrive at Ataturk
International Airport between
6am on the 21st April and midnight on the 22nd April will you
pick you up for FREE from this airport and transfer you to your
hotel.
For customers who arrive outside of these times we can arrange a
transfer for you but there will be a small cost to you (please
see schedule below).
*Note:
You must be staying at one of our hotels to qualify for a FREE
or paid arrival transfer therefore if you are arriving into
Istanbul before your tour starts and you have arranged your own
accommodation then we are unable to provide a transfer for you.
Pricing Schedule for Transfers (outside of set times for free
transfers)
1 Passenger
£30 per person
2 Passengers
£15 per person
3+ Passengers
£10 per person
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport – Easyjet Flights from
London
For customers on the 5,6,8,10,15 day tours who arrive at Sabiha
Gokcen International Airport on the 21st and 22nd April via an
Easyjet flight from London then we are able to provide an
arrival transfer to your hotel for only £15 per person. If
you arrive on another airline (internationally or domestically)
then we can arrange a transfer for you but the cost will be as
per the schedule below.
1 Passenger
£50 per person
2 Passengers
£25 per person
3+ passengers
£15 per person
The reason that we cannot provide a free transfer from this
airport is because it is a considerable distance from the center
of Istanbul.
Important Information:
It is very important that we know your flight details in order
to arrange a transfer. If you do not know your flight
details at time of booking (there is a section where these can
be completed) then it is your responsibility to ensure you send
full flight details by email 7 days before the tour starts
including Company Name, Flight Number, Arrival time. If we
do not have your complete flight details then we cannot
guarantee a transfer has been arranged for you.
Payment for arrival transfers is to be made to our
representative at the airport in cash.
Q: Do you operate transfers back to the airport at the end of
the tours?
A.
We will operate transfers back to Ataturk International Airport
& Sabiha Gokcen International Airport at the completion of your
tour. Please advise your guide of your flight departure
details when you arrive back in Istanbul and they will arrange
your transfer and advise you of the departure time from the
hotel.
The cost of the departure transfers is shown below:
|
No. Passengers |
Ataturk International Airport |
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport |
|
1 |
£30 per person |
£50 per person |
|
2 |
£15 per person |
£25 per person |
|
3 |
£10 per person |
£20 per person |
|
4+ |
£10 per person |
£15 per person |
Payment for departure transfers is to be made to our
representative at the airport in cash.
Q: What if I am arriving by another form of
transport other than air. How do I get to my
hotel and meet my tour?
A.
If arriving in Istanbul by train, bus, ferry or car
then you will need to make your own way to the Hotel
to meet your tour. You will be provided with
the Hotel name and address so you can easily travel
by taxi or metro from any point of entry to the
hotel. Likewise if you are departing Istanbul
by any means other than flying then you will need to
make your way to the relevant port/station at the
completion of your tour but your guide can assist
you in ordering a taxi or give directions via the
metro system. The map below shows where are
our hotels are located in relation to the main bus
station.

Anzac Day
- Gallipoli
Q. Where do we stay on the night of the 24th
April before the Dawn Service?
A:
Due to the number of visitors to the Gallipoli
Peninsula at this time of year and the need to get a
good position at Anzac Cove we arrive at Gallipoli
on the evening of the 24th and spend the night at
Anzac Cove. We strongly suggest you take warm
clothes and maybe even a sleeping bag and blanket as
a minimum. Once you arrive at Anzac Cove you
will not have access to your luggage on the bus so
you may like to take a day pack with you with
everything you will need until the evening of the
25th when we arrive back in Istanbul.
There are ample toilet and food/beverage facilities
in this area.
Q: I have heard there can be long delays at
Gallipoli when looking at the various sites before
Anzac Day. Is this true?
A:
Every year the total number of people visiting the
Gallipoli area ahead of Anzac Day varies and it can
get quite busy. We visit Gallipoli on the 23rd
April and therefore miss most of the crowds who tend
to visit on the 24th. By doing this we ensure
you can get the most time at each place and with
less people around.
Q. Following the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove
how do we get to the rest of the services at Lone
Pine and Chunuk Bair?
A.
The Dawn Service is followed by the Australian
service at Lone Pine, the Turkish service and the
New Zealand Service at Chunuk Bair. The
timings for these change each year but are published
close to the time and your guide will inform you of
the times in 2009. The only way to get to each
service is to walk but there are shuttles available
for elderly and disabled visitors to the area and if
you wish to use these then please let your guide
know they can inform the relevant people and let you
know where to access these services. We
recommend that after the Dawn Service that you begin
walking as soon as possible to the other services
and that New Zealanders wanting to get a good spot
at Chunuk Bair head straight there as space is very
limited in that area.
Q. How will we get back to our buses at the
end of the day at Gallipoli?
A. We have two pick up points for collecting customers.
The first is at Lone Pine and the second is at
Chunuk Bair. You will need to look out for our
staff and meeting point at both these places and
make sure you are ready at the time they say.
All the coaches from all companies will make their
way up to the two pick up points in the order in
which they arrived the night before and there is a
very short time to get people on the buses. We
ask people to be patient during this time as the
timing of buses is completely out of our control.