Survival Guide - Discover Turkey: Experience the Best of Turkey - page 770

Varan Turizm ( 444 8999; www.varan.com.tr ) Mostly focuses on western Turkey, going as
far east as Ankara and Trabzon.
COSTS
Bus fares are subject to fierce competition between companies. Prices reflect what the
market will bear, so the fare from a big city to a village is likely to be different from the
fare in the opposite direction.
TICKETS
Although you can usually walk into an otogar (bus station) and buy a ticket for the next
bus, it's wise to plan ahead on public holidays, at weekends and during the school holi-
days from mid-June to early September. You can reserve seats online with some of the
companies listed.
» At the otogar When you enter bigger otogars, prepare for a few touts offering buses to
the destination of your choice. It's usually a good idea to stick to the reputable big-name
companies. You may pay a bit more, but you can be more confident the bus is well main-
tained, will run on time, and will have a relief driver on really long hauls. For shorter
trips, some companies have big regional networks.
» Men and women Unmarried men and women are not supposed to sit together, but the
bus companies rarely enforce this in the case of foreigners. You may be asked if you are
married, without having to produce any proof of your wedlock, or both travellers may find
their tickets marked with bay (man).
» Refunds Getting a refund can be difficult; exchanging it for another ticket with the
same company is easier.
» Seats All seats can be reserved, and your ticket will bear a specific seat number. The
ticket agent will have a chart of the seats with those already sold crossed off. They will of-
ten assign you a seat, but if you ask to look at the chart and choose a place, you can avoid
sitting in the following black spots:
» At the front The front row of seats behind the driver has little legroom, plus you may
have to inhale his cigarette smoke and listen to him chatting to his conductor.
» Above the wheels Can get bumpy.
» In front of the middle door Seats don't recline.
» Behind the middle door Seats have little legroom.
» At the back Can get stuffy, and may have 'back of the cinema' connotations if you are a
lone woman.