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Date of the journey:- September 2019
Distance travelled:- 436 miles
Although we were making our way to Pamukkale, the journey was too long to be done in one go. Therefore, we made the decision to break the journey with an overnight stop in Izmir.
From our accommodation in Istanbul, Fehmi Bey hotel, we made our way back to the Otogar Esenler bus station. A short walk from our hotel to the Cemberlitas tramway station. From where we got the tram to Yusufpasa tramway station. Another short walk from the tramway station to Aksaray metro station, from where we took the M1A line to the metro station of Otogar Istasyonu. Up the escalators and we were in the huge Otogar Esenler bus station.
The plan was to purchase bus tickets to Izmir, from one of the 40 or so bus company ticket offices at Otogar Esenler.
Tickets
We purchased our tickets from Metro Turizm. Paying 95 Turkish Lira per person.
Our bus departed at 1100 hrs and was scheduled to arrive in Izmir at 2000 hrs, a 9hr journey.
The bus left on time, but owing to road closures and the traffic congestion in Istanbul, went north towards the Black Sea coast. This didn’t afford us the opportunity to go over the Bosphorus via the famous Bogazici (15 July Martyrs) Bridge. Instead, going over the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge.
The bus was, as the majority of buses in Turkey, extremely comfortable. The seating arrangement was 2+1 as opposed to the usual 2+2, giving plenty of space. We were fed cake and ice cream, as well as being given juice and water to drink.
Although there wasn’t a toilet or any WiFi on the bus. As a rule Turkish buses don’t have onboard toilets. It is a Muslim religious belief that cleaning oneself should be done in running water.
The bus stops regularly, about every hour and a half to pick up or drop off passengers. Leaving sufficient time to nip to the toilet.
On arrival at İzmir Şehirler Arası Otobüs Terminal, around 2025 hrs, we transferred to the bus company’s free minibus transfer service into town. Transfer time is approximately 30 mins. Drop off in the town was at the Metro Turizm office.
From the Metro Turizm office, it was an 11 min walk to our accommodation. The Perla Arya Hotel booked through Hotels.com.
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast. We walked to the Pamukkale Turizm bus company’s ticket office, which is on the same roundabout as the Metro Turizm office.
We purchased our tickets to Denizli, the nearest town to Pamukkale we could get to on the bus. The purchase of the tickets cost 44 Turkish Lira each for the 3.5 hr journey.
With the bus departing from İzmir Şehirler Arası Otobüs Terminal at 1230 hrs. There was a free transfer to the bus station from the Pamukkale Turizm office. We arrived at the office at 1100 hrs. With the transfer coach leaving at 1130 hrs, for the 30 min transfer. Another luxurious bus, this time with WiFi. Food, water, and coffee were all provided throughout the journey.
The arrival at Denizli bus station was on time. For the remainder of the journey Pamukkale, we would need to take a dolmus. A minibus that can get right into the town where buses can’t.
From the main bus terminal concourse, enter the ticket hall and take the escalator down to the lower level. Exit the building into the underground dolmus parking area. The dolmus for Pamukkale leaves from bay 76.
Tickets are purchased from the dolmus driver for 4.5 Turkish Lira each. The driver will be found hanging around where the dolmus is parked. This final leg of the journey to Pamukkale takes about 20 mins and the drivers are flexible with where they drop you, so just shout when you want to get off.
Our accommodation was at the Pinar Hotel. Booked through Booking.com. A 10 min walk from the Pamukkale park entrance.