MinistryNet: Antalya 2009 October 18-22

ARRIVING AT MINISTRYNET 2009

As you arrive in Turkey and make your way to the conference location, most of the connections will be fairly easy and basic.  Here are a few tips that might make your journey even easier.

ARRIVAL AT ATATURK AIRPORT (IST) – ISTANBUL

http://www.ataturkairport.com/eng/1.php

Most of you will arrive from your country at Ataturk International Airport (IST) in Istanbul.  You will arrive in the international terminal and before gathering your baggage you will need to obtain your visa (if you have not already done so) and go through passport control.

Most countries’ citizens must purchase an entry visa BEFORE getting into the passport control lines.  These are purchased at the counter to the LEFT of the passport control lines.  If you do not obtain the appropriate visa for your country BEFORE you go through passport control, you will be sent to purchase one and may have to wait through the passport line again.  The prices vary by country and must be paid in US Dollars (USD) or EURO.  Cash only. They are good for various time limits depending on your citizenship (from 30-90 days generally).  Check this website for specific information.

http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-fees-at-border-gates-for-2008.en.mfa

After you have your visa placed in your passport, get in line in the “OTHER NATIONALITIES” line (the LEFT portion of the passport control booths).

PASSPORT CONTROL

For most citizens there is no big problem gaining access to Turkey.  The passport control guy will likely ask some questions…but many times they do not.

An easy and honest response to “Why have you come to Turkey?” is to say “I’m attending a conference.”  This should suffice.

If there is a follow-up question it will probably be “what conference”. An easy, honest response would be “a conference on technology.”  Where?  “Antalya.”  The questions will not go beyond this in most cases.  Make sure that your answers agree with your letter of invitation.

BACKGROUND NOTE:  It is LEGAL to be a Christian.  It is LEGAL to practice your faith and teach it to others.  It is ILLEGAL to share with or teach minors.

Once you have passed through passport control, you will pick up your bags and then make your way to the domestic terminal for your flight to Antalya.

BEFORE PASSING OUT OF THE BAGGAGE AREA and through customs….

• CHANGE MONEY
  • This will be the most convenient place to change money during your entire trip AND better rates than you will get on the other side of the customs door or at the hotel.
  • The money is called the TURKISH LIRA (TL), with 100 Kurush = 1 TL.  (The exchange as of mid-September was generally about $1 = 1.46 TL)
  • Remember, you may not need much money since all food and drink is included at the hotel.

• GET A CART
  • They are free, but you need a 1 Euro coin or 1 Turkish Lira coin in order to release the connecting chain.  You get this back when you return the cart and attach the chain to another cart.

• GET YOUR BAGS
  • If your bags don’t show up on the carousel the baggage-handling offices are in the corner of this area by carousel 1.

• LEAVING CUSTOMS
  • The “customs” part of entering Turkey is very relaxed.  If you push your cart casually and confidently as you go through the sliding doors, you will most likely not even be stopped or spoken to.

AFTER PASSING OUT OF THE BAGGAGE AREA and through customs….

• ACCESS TO THE DOMESTIC TERMINAL WILL BE TO YOUR LEFT.  Follow signs for “DOMESTIC” or “İÇ HATLARI”.  You will proceed up a moving sidewalk ramp and down a corridor.  You will pass through security again before you arrive at your gate.

• There is a Starbucks in the International terminal to the right as you exit customs.  There is a Burger King on the 3^rd floor of the International terminal.  There are other local restaurants in the Domestic terminal.  Generally prices are high.

Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)

If you happened to have booked your flight to Antalya out of Sabiha Gokcen Airport (also in Istanbul), I would suggest you see if you can change your flight plans.  If you can’t here is a link that you can refer to for finding a way to the other airport in Istanbul.  SAW is quite a distance away on the other side of the city…nearly $80-100 by taxi.  http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Transport/ataturk2gokcen.html.

ARRIVAL AT ANTALIA AIRPORT (AYT)

http://www.antaliaairport.com/en/index.asp

This is easy!  Someone will meet you in baggage claim or just outside the doors holding a sign that you will recognize.  There will likely be several people traveling to the hotel together on the shuttle, so you may have to wait for a few minutes.  They will take you and your bags to the shuttle.  It will take 30-40 minutes to arrive at the hotel.