Cheap air fares and low wintering charges Turkey ?

catmandoo

catmandoo

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Thinking about going to Turkey next year . Been there about 15 years ago - Bodrum , Fethiye , English harbour , Amazon creek etc . Due to family problems can only do 3 weeks at a time. Also have to travel down from deepest darkest Perthshire

However in the current economic climate I wonder if that would be a good move .

I also remember a long trip by bus and or taxi from the airport in Turkey - very hairy . As it is I already have a one hour bus trip to Glasgow airport from an isolated bus stop in the sticks so it currently takes me about two days to get to Aigina in Greece and despite now being over 70 can still sleep on airport floors . I would like to improve on that!

Also what would it be like in the winter at what ever you might suggest - not full time liveaboard -i.e. only to do regular maintenance and make modifications without SWIMBO hanging around and complaining in my ear while I wrestle with a fuel tank - air fare from UK -Glasgow , bus / taxi from airport , facilities for parts , paint , power supply and reasonable toilet facilities although I have used a bush toilet in the recent past at the same time looking out for hyenas anf hippos in the dark /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
If you have not been to Turkey in the last 15 years, you will not recognise it. There has been enormous investments in infrastructure; roads, airports and (yes!!) yacht marinas.

There are two main airport gateways to the south west coast: Bodrum and Dalaman. Both are served by a multitude of cheap charter flight in season. Dalaman is also served by EasyJet year-round.

Around Bodrum, you have three very good marinas; Bodrum, Turgutreis and Yalikavak. All within easy 45 mins from the airport.

From Dalaman, you have Göcek/Fethiye with five marinas accessible 30/60 mins from the airport. Marmaris with three marinas (including the two largest on the coast) is 1.5 hours away and Orhanyie with one marina is 2 hours away.

Weather; well, winter is always difficult to predict. The last winter was awful with a lot of rain for weeks on end and temperatures around 10-15 degrees (compared to Glasgow, that is maybe considered good weather...?? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif). No severe storm though. The winter before that was beautiful with very often sunny skies and temperatures reaching around 20 degrees many days. But then there were also two very severe storms with lots of rain and winds of 60+ knots. Expect the worst and you will be pleasantly surprised.
 
Marmaris Yacht Marine = about 80 mins from Dalaman airport by luxury aircon coach, smooth ride, good drivers, £10. Flights available all year via skyscanner.net.

Great winter liveaboard community, many single-handers, either mix in with others or sit quietly on your own. Lots of help with maintenance from same community. Commercial engine fitters, riggers, stainless steel fabricators, woodworkers, canvas and sail lofts, ...just about everything you need. Costs around 110 euros per month for 12 metre boat.

Reasonable toilets? Ah, there you have it.......these are only cleaned about six times a day, all tiled, air-conditioned and with piped music.....bit rough really!! /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
Not only are the toilets cleaned 6 times a day, but are of the muslim sort, with "bum wash" incorporated. Took me weeks to work the system out, but was very pleasantly surprised when I finally had a go.
 
Fear not, mon brave. I have it on good authority that this is not the case. EJ have not finalised or published the winter flying programme yet, which is why you can't see DLM after Oct. It may be less frquent, but word is it will still run.

Now, what's all this about a £10 luxury coach to Yat Marine fom the airport? Can anyone take it? Does it drop in Marmaris? Anyone able to supply details please?
 
Coach from Marmaris to Dalaman......the HAVAS.....from the bus depot in town, serves both the domestic and international airport terminals. 25YTL (about £10), and yes, anyone can buy a ticket and get onboard. Timetables are available from the depot.

Now everyone here is trying the 'bum wash!' /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Easy jet have their Winter schedule up - the last flight (as the small print points out) is on 01 November.

I have been unable, despite 3 e-mail contacts, to get a straight answer, but the inference to be gained from the answers I have had is that flights will be stopping during the Winter 2008-9.

I have no personal need to fly to Dalaman - however the expectations that what happened last year, will happen this year appears misplaced.
 
Even if EasyJet would stop flying to Dalaman during the winter (bummer!), there are still direct flights to London and Birmingham operated by the Turkish Cypriot Airline KTHY. Website: KTHY In addition, you can most days get good rates on Turkish Airlines via Istanbul. They operate daily flights from Dalaman to Istanbul throughout the winter and it is an easy connection.
 
I am very surprised to hear that info re DLM as I had it from the highest authority.

Tomorrow I will quiz minions and see if I can get a definitive answer.

Coach from bus depot - which - Dalaman town or Marmaris? Do I understand it passes throught he airport? I had understood that no public buses did that. Also, is the timetable available online, as I'm not in Turkey yet!

I have to say that knowing the safety record of Turkish air carriers I am not enthused with the idea of using one. Ever.
 
What is your data source for airline safety records?

The coach goes from Marmaris bus depot to Dalaman airport and back. Don't know if the timetable is available online; try google 'Havas'.
 
Jessie, from a career in aviation.

Turkish aviation has a poor record in comparison with western european carriers.

Banning airlines form National airspace is a very, very rare occurrence, and one that tends to have serious Diplomatic repercussions. It is exceptionally rare in Europe, though there are a few Indonesian (by far the most dangerous nation in Aviation terms) and some African (hardly unexpected) companies banned from European skies.

The level of incompetence and shocking operating standards to achieve this sanction is, surprisingly, very hard to achieve. Western European nations are very, very lenient when it comes to banning airlines, the most appalling standards are known about for years yet nothing is done.

Onur Air achieved it in 2006.

Google "Onur Air Banned"

or see http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-132421148.html

While you are at it, see what you can google on other recent Turkish air accidents. Not impressive.

Even so, probably safer flying Onur than driving to heathrow, but all things are relative. Why take the risk?
 
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