PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON ISTANBUL AND TURKEY

Coming to Istanbul
Istanbul hosts two international airports on both European and Asian sides of the city. The recommended hotels and the conference venue are all on the European side, therefore it is recommended to fly to Atatürk Airport. All major airlines fly to Istanbul, in addition to Turkish Airlines.

Currency and Credit Cards
The Turkish currency is Turkish Lira (TL). The exchange rate changes daily. The Central Bank of Turkey daily determines exchange rates for Turkish Lira, which are published in newspapers. All major international credit cards, such as Visa, MasterCard, Eurocard are accepted almost everywhere. American Express and Diners Club are accepted in some hotels, restaurants and shops but not commonly used.

Banking and Currency Exchange
Foreign currency can be exchanged on arrival at Istanbul Atatürk and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airports. Banks in Turkey are open from 9.00 to 12.00 and 13.30 to 16.30 Monday through Friday. Some downtown banks provide extended banking hours. Banks are closed on the weekend. Cash Point (ATM) services are available through most banks. Additional exchange facilities are also available at the airports, hotels and exchange bureaus.

Climate
The climate of Istanbul is hot in summers and temperate and rainy in winters. April to October and winters are pleasantly mild. The humidity is a little bit high, about 70%.
Istanbul is really a heavenly place where the summer season is about 5-6 months long. The climate in late June in Istanbul is warm and humid. The temperature varies between 17-27 C degrees.

Clothing
In Marmara, Northern Black Sea and Middle Anatolian Regions, from May to September light, preferably cotton clothing is needed with a jacket or wrap for evenings. In other months, heavier clothing is recommended, especially in the evenings. In Aegean and Mediterranean Regions from April to mid-November light, preferably cotton clothing is needed with a light jacket or wrap for evenings. In other months slightly heavier clotting is recommended.

Time
Greenwich Mean Time plus 2 hours. Eastern US time plus 7 hours
Electricity
AC, 50 cycles, 220 volts. The electrical connection is a 2-pin (cylindrical) plug.

Language
Turkish is the official language. In big cities many people speak English, German, or French. As Latin alphabet is used, it is easy to read street names and signs.

Holidays
The working week is Monday to Friday between 09.00 to 17.00 for banks and government offices and Congress Department of Bakhus.

Transportation
From the airport to Taksim Square region, where most accomodation options are, a taxi ride costs around 25 TL. From the hotel to the conference venue, public transportation or taxi could be preferred. Metro to conference venue region is also expected to be functional before the conference, in Spring.

Further information is available from Bakhus Travel and Tours or the conference secretariat.