Bus Travel - Superb

[Ian]

Just had a week in Bodrum and 3 days in Didim all by bus - never late on any journey - typed this as we travelled back by Pamukkale Tekno Bus from Aydin (what a lovely town) - with free wifi - soft drinks and coffee - superb!

All seats allocated so no rush and the "conductor" checks and does a count at every stop against his manifest - they even shouted out by name the person missing from seat no 40 in Aydin who sadly didn't get on!!

Great service and Gill who doesn't like traveling has agreed she could do a lot more of this - Trabzon here we come :-)

Ian

[Big Doug]

Sounds like just the ticket Ian.

Do you mind me asking what the cost was and how long it was each way?

[Ian]

Doug - hi - it was 30 tl each one way to Bodrum and the bus stops right in the centre unlike many other town otogars that are on the outskirts of then and you then need to get a dolmus into town - took 4 hrs but we had a full bus going out so not many stops.

Our hotel in Bodrum cost me £14 a night for 2 in a twin room - half board and it was very nice 

Then 20 tl - Bodrum to Didim (2 hrs) stops near beach in Altinkum as final stop.
(this is a once a day service and may not run in the winter)

Then 14 tl Didim to Aydin (2 hrs)

The 32 tl Aydin to Fethiye on big Pamukkale Coach - took 4 hrs.

Hope that helps?

Ian   

Really nice countryside and sea views around Mugla / Marmaris and Bodrum / Didim

[Big Doug]

Thanks Ian, sounds just up my street.

Will try something like that out.

Again thanks for the info.

[Ray1951]

I have traveled by coach from Fethiye to Izmir and on to Ayvalik and from Besni to Antalya and found the services to be excellent.  I agree that the coaches run like clockwork and the conductors really look after the passengers. There are regular comfort stops and stops for food (all at inexpensive Turkish restaurants).  The UK (National Express & the like) should take a leaf out of the Turkish Transport systems book.  Not only is travel by coach in and around Turkey very comfortable, it is VERY affordable.

[valleyboy]

Totally agree Ian I went to Didim in June to visit my brother and used Pumukkale coach from Fethiye to Aydin, it was very impressive; with the comfort of the seating, air conditioning, coupled with the attentive service of a very smartly dressed attendant providing regular complimentary refreshments including hot drinks (with biscuits/ cake), water, ice creams, the 4 hour journey was a breeze !, in fact it was a pleasure.
All that for 30 Tl, the UK could certainly take a "leaf out of the book" of Turkey where public transport is concerned !.   

[col]

I have also done similar coach trips with most companies out of fethiye
and found them all to be very good.
I'm not a lover of coach journeys, but on the coast here, we have little
choice, and yes....UK coach companies need to vastly improve.
Despite the hire of a car in Turkey, which gives freedom, when you
consider car hire, petrol, tolls etc, if there is only one or two of you,
coaches are inexpensive and for the most, a pleasure.