TRANSPORTATION
Within Campus
Main Campus Bus Service (RING)*
A free shuttle bus service operates (weekdays only) on Main Campus. Buses run from the Main Campus faculty housing area to the dormitories and back every twenty minutes, stopping at several locations indicated by signs reading “RING.” The Ring service schedule, which is announced at the beginning of the academic year, is printed in the Bilkent News (the University's weekly newspaper), and also posted on the Transportation Unit’s website and on the departmental bulletin boards located in campus buildings.
Inter-Campus Bus Service (RING)*
(Main Campus - Middle Campus - East Campus)
There is also another Ring shuttle bus, which connects the Main, Middle and East Campuses on a regular basis. Again, the bus schedule and any changes are announced in the Bilkent News and posted on the Transportation Unit’s website and on departmental bulletin boards.
* Ring service buses may have different bus stops than city shuttle buses (see To and From Ankara, below). Make sure you stand at the right bus stop for your route and destination. Visit www.bilkent.edu.tr/~transprt to see an animated map that shows all stops and to obtain bus schedules for all routes.
Bilkent University Shuttle Bus ID Cards for Spouses and Children
Bilkent University students, faculty and staff members can use the free shuttle buses
with their University ID cards. Even though an affiliate ID card is not available for
spouses and children, bus cards for family members can be obtained by filling out an
application form for a Bilkent University temporary access card and returning the form to the Housing Office.
The temporary access card application form can be found at
http://www.bilkent.edu.tr/bilkent-tr/admin-unit/ssgm/gecici_giris_formu_yakinlar.doc
Taxis (Yellow-cabs)
An easy way to get from point A to point B is by taxi. Rates are set and a meter system is used. Tips are not expected. Murat Taxi, the yellow cab service on campus, is available twenty-four hours a day by calling ext. 1678 or 2406, or 266 4440
Parking and Traffic on Campus
Faculty, staff and students who drive their cars or motorcycles on campus must obtain a parking sticker, which is available at the Security Office. Your department secretary can help you with the procedure. Students and faculty members are allowed to park in designated areas only. If you do not obey the campus traffic and parking regulations, you will receive a "notice of traffic violation" and charged with violation points. If a vehicle impedes the flow of traffic, it will be towed at the owner's expense. If a driver commits a moving violation, such as passing another vehicle illegally, driving in the wrong direction or not stopping at pedestrian crossings, the University Traffic Board will register the fine his/her record. Please note that these measures are to ensure your safety. For more information and inquiries regarding traffic on campus, visit www.traffic.bilkent.edu.tr or call Ms. Nermin Fenmen, Head of the Traffic Committee, ext. 5061.
Parking Sticker: You can obtain a sticker for your vehicle from the Traffic Office (ext. 1439) located in the FEASS Building, Room Z – 51, by providing the following documents:
TO AND FROM ANKARA
Going to Downtown Ankara
There is a scheduled free shuttle service between the Main and East Campuses and two convenient locations: Sıhhiye (near Ulus, and a short walk to a major bus stop, the main train station, a commuter train station, a metro station and dolmuş terminals) and Tunus (at the south end of Kızılay, and a short walk to a metro station and the Güvenpark city bus and dolmuş terminal). Shuttle buses to downtown Ankara run all day, in the evenings, on weekends and on holidays, and have signs on their front windows indicating the route:
TM Tunus/Main (Merkez) Campus
SM Sıhhiye/Main (Merkez) Campus
TD Tunus/East (Doğu) Campus
SD Sıhhiye/East (Doğu) Campus
Please note: Special bus schedules are in effect during national holidays and academic recess periods. These schedules are announced in the Bilkent News, and sent out via university-wide e-mail messages (BAIS announcements).
Please check the Transportation Unit’s website for more information at www.bilkent.edu.tr/~transprt.
Dolmuş/Shuttle Bus
This is a shared minibus. On Main Campus, you can flag down a dolmuş that goes to the Sıhhiye/Ulus area. On the way, it stops upon request at locations including Bilkent Center; CEPA shopping center; across from Armada shopping center; and near the main bus terminal, Ankara Intercity Bus Terminal (AŞTİ). No ticket is needed; the fee is paid to the bus driver according to an established list of rates. Costs vary depending on distance, with shorter rides being slightly cheaper. Passengers pass money to the driver, stating where they wish to go. It is a unique and often entertaining way of getting around.
University Cars
The University has a car pool. Cars in this pool are for official use only (e.g., to provide
transport to and from the airport for arriving and departing faculty members), and are made available on request from the chairperson of the faculty member’s department.
TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT
One of the most inexpensive ways to get to and from Esenboğa Airport is by the city bus (EGO bus route #442) that runs between downtown and the airport. A slightly more expensive alternative is the HAVAŞ shuttle bus, which also runs from the city center to the airport. The nearest stop to Bilkent University for both the HAVAŞ bus and the EGO #442 is outside the lower level of AŞTİ (Ankara Intercity Bus Terminal). Both the Sıhhiye and Tunus buses stop across from AŞTİ on their way downtown. To return from AŞTİ, you can take a dolmuş or taxi. Taxis can also be taken from the University to the airport, but cost around 100 TL, whereas the HAVAŞ bus costs about 10 TL, and the EGO bus costs 3.70 TL. More detailed information about HAVAŞ shuttle buses is available at www.havas.com.tr.
Depending on your budget and schedule, there is also another alternative available. Private airport shuttle services provide taxi service to and from Esenboğa at a relatively affordable price. They pick you up at your address and take you to the airport according to your flight schedule.
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 on board from a conductor seated near the entrance. For bus routes and rates, see www.ego.gov.tr. The #111 city bus makes stops along İhsan Doğramacı Boulevard going by East Campus. The #110 city bus runs between the University campus and Güvenpark (a major bus stop located in the center of Kızılay). For detailed information and schedules, please visit 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 buses. For Ankaray and Metro routes and rates, visit the website www.ego.gov.tr.
Train
A city commuter train runs between Sincan in the far west of Ankara and Kayaş to the east. Tickets can be purchased at train platforms. The easiest station to get to is
Yenişehir at Sıhhiye, 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 intercity trains.
INTERCITY TRAVEL
Bus
Ankara Şehirlerarası Terminal İşletmesi (AŞTİ)/Ankara Intercity Bus Terminal is
located on 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 person traveling alone is generally seated next to a passenger of the same sex.
AŞTİ is located at the end of the Ankaray underground line. The following intercity bus companies have branch offices on campus for reservations and ticket purchases. They offer special discounts for Bilkent students and faculty members with a University identification card.
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 trains do not serve as many destinations as buses do. Train tickets are sold at many travel agencies and at the main station (İstasyon or Gar). Special rates are offered to teachers. You may receive 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. For information on the InterRail system (for travel to Europe and the Balkans by train), including routes, destinations and rail passes please check the website at www.tcdd.gov.tr/tcdding/avrupa_ing.htm
For more information on travel in Turkey:
www.turktravel.net
www.twarp.com
http://www.tourism-turkey.net/establishments.htm
http://www.tcmb.gov.tr/yeni/kurlar/kurlar.html
TOURISM and TRANSPORTATION
Ministry of Culture and Tourism
İsmet Inönü Bulvarı No: 5 Bahçelievler
Phone: 212 8300
www.kultur.gov.tr
Tourism Information
Esenboğa Airport
Phone: 580 4000, TAV Operator: 463 3000
www.esenbogaairport.com/esben/
Turkish Airlines (THY)
Atatürk Bulvarı No: 154, Kavaklıdere
Phone: 428 0200 (5 lines), Reservations: 428 1700
Esenboğa Airport: 398 0100 (5 lines)
www.thy.com
Turkish Railways (TCDD)
Talatpaşa Bulvarı, Gar - Ulus
Phone: 311 0620 (4 lines), Reservations: 311 9494 or 310 6515
www.tcdd.gov.tr
Ankara Intercity Bus Terminal (Ankara Şehirlerarası Otobüs Terminali – AŞTİ)
Söğütözü
Phone: 207 1000
www.asti.gov.tr
