When you Arrive in Ankara

The Office of Exchange Programs will provide airport pick-up services on the official arrival dates at 15:00 and 20:00 by arranging shuttle buses from Esenboğa Airport to Bilkent University Campus. Please contact the office for the bus schedules. (Upon arrival at the Esenboğa International Terminal in Ankara, please look for the Bilkent sign, as there will be Bilkent host student waiting for you.

OR

You can use HAVAŞ shuttle buses, which provide transportation between the city center and Esenboga airport. HAVAŞ shuttle buses stop at two terminals; the first stop is HAVAŞ City Terminal and then AŞTİ (Ankara Intercity Bus Terminal).

For further details please go to:
http://www.havas.net/en/

You need to take a taxi after your arrival at the AŞTİ Terminal to get to Bilkent University. It will cost around 25 TL (approx. 12 Euros) from AŞTİ to Bilkent University. Please make sure that you have enough amount of TL with you as you have to pay in cash.


Bilkent Transportation Services

Going Downtown Ankara
There is a free shuttle service from both Main and East Campus to two convenient locations in downtown Ankara, Sıhhiye and Tunus, (including after hours and weekends).

The Downtown bus service is free with your Bilkent Student ID.

Route signs on buses:
TM = Tunus-Merkez (Tunus-Main Campus)
TD = Tunus-Doğu (Tunus-East Campus)
SM = Sıhhiye-Merkez (Sıhhiye-Main Campus)
SD = Sıhhiye-Doğu (Sıhhiye-East Campus)

Main Campus Bus service (Ring)
(Main Campus Ring)
There is a free shuttle bus service running around the campus starting from the faculty housing going through the stops with "RING" sign on them up to the dormitories about every twenty minutes.

Inter-Campus Bus Service (Ring)
(Main Campus - Middle Campus - East Campus)
There is a free shuttle bus service connecting Main, Middle and East campus on a regular basis.

*Most students walk to classes from their dormitories, as it is easier, faster and a pleasant way to get to know the campus.


Urban Transportation

City Bus Transportation
EGO (Elektrik-Gaz-Otobüs) is the acronym for public bus transportation in Ankara . You can purchase single and multiple use bus cards at most newspaper kiosks, at EGO booths, and at Metro and Ankaray stations. Private "Halk" buses also provide transportation. EGO cards are not accepted on these buses. Tickets are purchased onboard from a conductor seated near the entrance. For routes and rates, see www.ego.gov.tr.

The #110 city bus travels between campus and Güvenpark in Kızılay. The bus runs in a circuit during the day. For your convenience you can buy fare cards at the kiosk across from the Tunus/Sıhhiye bus stops and at Sözeri market located on campus.
For the schedule, visit the following website:
http://www.bilkent.edu.tr/~transprt/ego.html


Metro and Ankaray
Ankara has a very clean, efficient underground rail system. There are two lines - Ankaray and Metro. You can use the same EGO payment card that you use on city run buses. For Metro and Ankaray routes and rates, visit the website www.ego.gov.tr.


Train
A city commuter train runs between Sincan at the far west of Ankara and Kayaş to the east. Tickets can be purchased at train platforms. The easiest station to get to is Yeniflehir at Sıhhiye, just a short walk from where the city shuttle bus lets you off. Heading east, the train will go through the Main train station where you can transfer to long haul trains.


Intercity Travel

Bus
Ankara Şehirlerarası Terminal İşletmesi - Ankara Intercity Bus Terminal (AŞTİ) is located on Mevlana Boulevard (known as Konya Road). There, you will find buses with service to virtually every location in Turkey. Bus transportation is an efficient and affordable way to travel. All bus companies are privately owned, and may have varying service schedules. It is best to make a reservation in advance for your trip. Please note that a single person is generally seated next to a passenger of the same sex.

AŞTİ is at the end of the Ankaray underground system line. The following intercity bus companies have branch offices on Campus for reservations and ticket purchasing. They offer special discounts for Bilkenters when you show ID.

Ulusoy Tourism at Bilkent: Located next to the University Bookstore, ext. 2077, www.ulusoy.com.tr

Kamil Koç Tourism at Bilkent: Located at the entrance of the Café In on the Main Campus, ext.2380, www.kamilkoc.com.tr

Train
Traveling by train (TCDD-Turkish State Railways) can be enjoyable and inexpensive, although there are not as many routes available as there are with buses. Train tickets are sold at many travel agencies and at the main station (İstasyon or Gar). Special rates are offered to teachers. You may benefit from this discount if you show your ID. The best way to get to the train station is to take the Sıhhiye bus (either SD or SM) from the University campus. Get off at the last stop by the Sıhhiye Bridge and take a dolmuş or a taxi. Even though the main train station is within walking distance, it might be difficult to do so with luggage. For more detailed information, visit the Turkish State Railway's website at www.tcdd.gov.tr.