Travel to North Cyprus by Train - London/Istanbul/Karaman

LaptaGeezer


Joined: 01/06/2010
Posts: 407

Message Posted:
31/12/2010 12:27

Hello all,

Has anyone had any experience of travelling out to Cyprus on the train? Seems to be a fairly straightforward process but that is on paper of course!

Would be interested in hearing of any experiences.



Happy New Year to everyone.

gary1950


Joined: 30/12/2010
Posts: 15

Message Posted:
31/12/2010 12:36

From Istanbul you'd have to take the Pamukkale Express to Denizli. Then take a bus to Tasucu or Alanya for the ferries across.

chico


Joined: 18/03/2008
Posts: 119

Message Posted:
31/12/2010 13:23

Hi LaptaGeezer



You might find this article helpful/interesting: -



http://whatson-northcyprus.com/cyprus_overland/trip.htm



Happy New Year to all!

LaptaGeezer


Joined: 01/06/2010
Posts: 407

Message Posted:
31/12/2010 14:11

Thanks Gary.



Chico, that is a very interesting link, thanks for steering me to that one.

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
31/12/2010 16:16

When I last researched train travel UK/Cyprus/UK for an Orient Express type experience, apart from the obvious sea crossings, it was a hotch potch of connections, with a journey time of some 4 days each way. The cost was well prohibitive taking into account being a captive audience for the provision of food and that quoted packages and prices did not include travel between Paris and UK. There appeared to be massive discounts for back packing students but no discount for pensioners. Can I enrol for Open University at my age ?

ianwfs


Joined: 08/01/2008
Posts: 563

Message Posted:
31/12/2010 16:33

Msg 3 and 5.

I don't think I would have liked to do the trip in one go. As you say a hotchpotch of connections. I took just under 4 weeks for the trip as I wasn't in any rush. The Orient Express still runs on occasions, but it's very much aimed at the de luxe end of the market. I got myself a Euro rail pass, which has no age restrictions. The main condition was that you could have no more than 10 days travel in a 21 day period. But that suited me as I wanted to see a bit of Europe.

In Turkey, rail travel is still a bit restricted and chaotic, as you might gather from my web pages, although if you have unexpired time on your pass, it covers travel in Turkey. Most people travel long distance by bus, which is comfortable, cheap, and efficient, with frequent refreshment stops.

To summarise. Go for it and enjoy yourself.

bonnie1707


Joined: 06/06/2010
Posts: 95

Message Posted:
31/12/2010 16:51

If you're not in a hurry, then after spending a few days in Istanbul, I also recommend you take the overnight "Pamukkale Express" train to Denizli and then spend one or two days in Pamukkale, seeing the sights and relaxing in the thermal waters, before taking a bus further south to catch a ferry. If there are at least two of you travelling then book a compartment on the said train - When I travelled on it a few years ago, I remember it was cheap and relaxing, albeit a little slow - not a problem though if you're not in a hurry.

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
31/12/2010 16:53

Ian. Thanks for that. . I am sure you must have very much enjoyed the experience. May I ask if you are blessed with any language skills or is it possible to simply "blag" your way through the journey without getting arrested or worse ?

ianwfs


Joined: 08/01/2008
Posts: 563

Message Posted:
31/12/2010 17:23

Schoolboy French, blagging, and lots of waving hands about. You can actually get by with surprising little language. I did a bit of research, so I knew where I wanted to visit, and I pre-booked a lot of excursions and all my hotels, so I had vouchers, location maps etc already printed out. That was a help. I also took along basic tourist guides for my transit points.. You need to plan ahead, as trains need to be booked, but be prepared to be flexible on the hoof.

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
31/12/2010 17:50

Ian, again thanks. I can just about recall some schoolboy French but always had trouble with Le and La ! I guess I will have to revive my research into this journey as the Wildebeest (bless her) wants us to do something exciting (together !) in the Summer of 2011.

EricCrapton



Joined: 30/12/2010
Posts: 325

Message Posted:
31/12/2010 18:53

What an iteresting thread.



I'm travelling to Cyprus overland next summer and have already planned my primary route. I land in Holland around the middle of May and plan to arrive in Cyprus late September. I intend to travel through, Germany, Czeck Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria along the coast of the Balck Sea to Istanbul. My intended route from Istanbul was: Ankara, Aksaray, Mersin, Tasucu. Because of message 7 (Thank you bonnie1707) I have added Denizil and Pamukkale.



As one can see I will not be in any hurry so If anyone has travelled in any of the above countries or knows of places of interest I should visit, please feel free to let me know. One of my many interests is photography so anything and everything is of interest to me.

bonnie1707


Joined: 06/06/2010
Posts: 95

Message Posted:
31/12/2010 20:15

Re ; mg 11 - "My intended route from Istanbul was ... but I have now added Denizil and Pamukkale"



Hi Eric. Very little to see in Denizli itself - my advice is that very soon after arriving at the train station you get on the dolmus taking you out to Pamukkale (It used to wait over the road in front of the main station entrance - maybe it still does). As I remember, seeing as it was an overnight train, we took breakfast in Denizli before taking the dolmus out to Pamukkale.

EricCrapton



Joined: 30/12/2010
Posts: 325

Message Posted:
01/01/2011 14:19

Thanks again bonnie1707



I've slightly missled as I will be travelling in my van. And What is the dolmus?

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
01/01/2011 22:39

Eric. Dolmus is a cheap form of transport, normally minibuses, which run bus route like journies. They can be hailed rather like taxis and usually show destinations and fares on or above the windscreens. On boarding it is normal to pass your fare to the driver via any passengers seated ahead and to stand and request it stop whenever you want to alight. If you are in your van perhaps best to steer well clear of them. If you want a good laugh google "what is a Dolmus" !!

TimothyCadman


Joined: 13/12/2007
Posts: 1040

Message Posted:
02/01/2011 02:03

"Can I enrol for Open University at my age ?"

Yes you can. The oldest student who gained a degree with the Open University was 75.

EricCrapton



Joined: 30/12/2010
Posts: 325

Message Posted:
03/01/2011 00:48

message 14 Yep I think I won't be going on any joy-rides. Yep googled it and the information certainly bought a smile to my face.



"Can I enrol for Open University at my age ?"



Yes you can. The oldest student who gained a degree with the Open University was 75.



Not sure where Timothy is going with that one?