Travel in Turkey and Greece

Overview

Fez hop-on hop-off bus (the Fez Bus) is Turkey's only hop-on hop-off bus network. It's a popular service pitched at independent budget travellers and backpackers, departing every destination several times a week in an anti-clockwise direction from Istanbul.

All departure points and times are listed in the timetable below and departure dates can be viewed here.

Your pass is valid all season (25 April - 23 October) and is designed to cater for those wishing to see a little or a lot of Turkey, with great additional options along the way, so you're not on a bus all day!

One of the great things about the hop-on hop-off pass is that you don't have to start in Istanbul. You can start anywhere you like around the circuit. Just let Fez know where you want to commence your travel and they'll be there to pick you up (as long as it coincides with Fez's schedule). You need at least 2 weeks to really enjoy your trip, however, we suggest three weeks or more!

It is possible to complete the full circuit in 9 days, however, if you plan on taking a Gulet cruise (traditional handmade Turkish yacht) around the Mediterranean, make sure you include this in your schedule. You may need to spend an extra day in a town where the gulet departs from or finishes.

There are 3 different types of passes available. The Turkish Delight pass allows you to do a full loop (usually from Istanbul to Istanbul but start anywhere and finish where you started). The Silk Trail pass is a great option if you are coming to Turkey from the Greek Islands, as it starts in Kusadasi/Selcuk and continues around the circuit back to Istanbul. If you only have a short time in Turkey then the Turkey Express pass covers the Aegean coastline and also the magnificent wonders of Pamukkale, Egirdir and Cappadocia before returning to Istanbul. As you can see, the Hop on Hop off passes cater to everyone's travelling needs.

How it works

Fez bus pick-up schedule

Holders of 'Turkish Delight' (Sector 1-8), 'Silk Trail' (Sector 3-8) passes should view this table.

Holders of 'Turkish Express' passes should view this table.

KUSADASI/SELCUK - PAMUKKALE - EGIRDIR LINK DEPARTURES

This is a local bus Link and at the time of printing there were departures daily - check with OWH or Fez for the latest timetable.

If you wish to stop in Pamukkale, our associated pension can provide you with your local bus ticket from Pammukale. Your Pamukkale Link also gives you the option of taking a local bus from Pamukkale to Egirdir, then a bus to Cappadocia. Lale Pension in Egirdir will arrange your local bus ticket from Egirdir. The pension in Goreme can pick you up on arrival if you have booked in advance.

No matter where around the circuit you are staying, the Fez bus can pick you up on several days a week at any of our designated pick up points. When you stop at a designated overnight stop (e.g. Gallipoli) you can depart with the same bus to do the next sector the following day. If however, you want to stay a longer, then wait for the next bus to come through.

As long as you tell us on the bus, which bus you want to board next - your seat is guaranteed!! If you don't know when you want to be picked up, no problem, you can call on a Fez'sToll-free number and book your next sector via their head office. All bookings not made on the Fez bus however, must be made at least 48 hours beforehand to guarantee a seat. Otherwise your travel on the Fez bus will be on a standby basis and will be dependant upon availability. OWH can book you first sector in advance to ensure your seat, or alternatively open date your ticket for ultimate flexibility.

Your pass is valid all season, but you can only do each sector once e.g. if you have been on the bus from Istanbul to Gallipoli, you are not able to use your pass again for this part of the circuit.

Fez buses have overnight stops at the following places to give their drivers and tour leaders a well deserved rest:

• Gallipoli
• Selcuk / Kusadasi (Ephesus)
• Koycegiz
• Fethiye / Oludeniz
• Olypmos
• Egirdir
• Cappadocia
• Istanbul

Travel planning

You will be provided with a timetable and travel planner to plan your trip and ensure you don't miss a bus.

Remember to check your departure times as well as your departure date. Some of the departure times have been organised to allow you enough time to see the major attractions of the area, without the need to stay extra nights. For example our departure from Kusadasi is not till 14:00, allowing you the whole morning to experience Ephesus.

Also don't forget that the last sector is an overnight bus, saving you time and money.

If you are sailing on a Gulet, then consider the Gulet departure dates when planning your trip. You may not necessarily be able to depart on your Gulet trip the day after you arrive in Fethiye. In the following example, the Fez bus arrives in Fethiye on the May 3rd, however, the next 'Mediterranean dreaming' Gulet departure is not until May 5th, finishing on the May 8th. So you would need to spend a full day in Fethiye before your cruise departs. Not really a problem as there is plenty to do. Why not try paragliding (Oludeniz is the best place in the world) or diving, just ask your on board tour leader, they can arrange everything. Your cruise will finish in Olympos on the evening of May 8th. In this case, the next Fez bus to depart from Olympos is Bus No. 6 on May 10. So again you'll need to spend a day and 2 nights in Olympos.

Pass Inclusions

• Your Fez pass includes transport around Western Turkey with a Turkish driver and an English speaking tour leader.
• Your onboard tour leader is a super knowledgeable Tour Leader, not a Tour Guide. They are there to make sure you have the time of your life and take that extra burden away from you, by helping you out with things like accommodation bookings, as well as helping you plan your trip and any optional tours or activities you may wish to do. Their job is to tell you everything that there is to do, your job is to decide how much or how little you want to do.
• All Fez buses are fully air-conditioned, non-smoking, 14 - 46 seater coaches, with onboard PA systems and stereos.
• Troy tour and Pergamum tour (except ANZAC and Silk Trail passes) - entrance fees not included
• Although all passengers are insured while onboard a Fez bus, all Fez passengers require their own personal travel insurance, to ensure you are fully covered while not onboard a Fez bus. Ask your consultant for a great deal.

Prices
Tour Name	AUD	NZD
Fez Bus
Turkish Delight Over 26	379*	456*
Turkish Delight Student/Youth	349*	425*
Silk Trail Over 26	299*	359*
Silk Trail Student/Youth	269*	325*
Turkey Express Over 26	299*	359*
Turkey Express Student/Youth	269*	325*
*Prices are for 2007 departures, these are subject to change without notice. Conditions apply, please contact you consultant for more information. All meals, accommodation and entrance fees are at your own expense, unless otherwise stated.Remember: You are your own responsibility the moment you step off the bus. Please Note: Your departure date AND departure point MUST be advised to Fez at least 48 hours before departure and may be amended any time up until 48 hours before departure

Add on - Gulets

Gulets are an extremely popular add on to the Fez hop-on hop-off bus. Imagine a few days lazing on the deck of a traditional wooden Turkish sailing boat on the Mediterranean under the sun.

In 2007 Fez have these Gulet cruises available that fit in well with the Fez bus circuit:

"Mediterranean Dreaming"
From Fethiye to Olympos, 3 nights on board the gulet. Jump off the Fez bus in Fethiye to catch your gulet and you can jump back on the Fez bus from Olympos.

"Blue Escape"
From Fethiye - Fethiye, 3 nights on board the gulet. Jump off the Fez bus in Fethiye to catch your gulet and you can jump back on the Fez bus from Fethiye.

Prices
	AUD	NZD
Blue Escape (Low)	242	292
Blue Escape (High)	269	325
Mediterranean Dreaming (Fet - Oly) Low	269	325
Mediterranean Dreaming (Fet - Oly) High	325	389
*If you are sailing on a Gulet, then consider the Gulet departure dates when planning your trip and remember: you may need to spend an extra day in Fethiye to coincide with your Gulet departure date. Prices are based on twin share, single supplements will apply to single travellers. Conditions apply, please ask your consultant for more information.

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