Plane tickets are expensive, those who go to Europe go to the bus
Bus travel from Turkey abroad has increased, especially after the Kovid-19 outbreak.
In the summer period, bus companies organize 80-100 trips from Istanbul to many European countries every day.
Passengers travel by bus to many countries such as Germany, Austria, Greece, Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Albania from different points, especially Istanbul Grand Bus Station and Aksaray European Garage.
Ticket prices to the Balkans start at 40 euros, while those traveling to different cities in Germany pay between 100 and 160 euros depending on the city they go to.
NO BAGGAGE LIMIT
Birol Özcan, president of the Turkish Bus Drivers Federation (TOFED), said that passengers are transported to Europe from the Greater Istanbul Bus Station, Aksaray and some districts.
Expressing that there are flights to Germany, the furthest from Istanbul, and the number can reach 8 per day, Özcan said that the interest in traveling by bus to Europe has increased and the vehicles are full.
Birol Özcan, President of the Turkish Bus Drivers Federation
Stating that before the pandemic, interest in traveling abroad by bus was low, Özcan said:
“Due to the increase in air ticket prices, our number of flights has increased. At the same time, there is a problem with luggage on the plane, there is a weight limit. Bus companies also take luggage when passengers come with 3 suitcases. Passengers prefer to travel by bus because of luggage. Also, a family of 4-5 people comes to Turkey, for example, for 500 euros. If you get on the plane, it may be 5-6 times. Some passengers can also transfer. For example, you go to Germany and then you go to Belgium and the Netherlands. During the summer period between 80 and 100 daily flights are made from Istanbul to European countries. In winter, the number of flights decreases.
Özcan stressed that in addition to Europe, they also transport passengers from Istanbul to eastern countries.
EXPENSIVE FLIGHT TICKETS ARE EFFECTIVE
Aysel Demirkurt, manager of a company that transports passengers from Istanbul’s Grand Bus Station to Germany, said her company takes passengers to Germany except on Thursdays and Sundays.
Demirkurt stated that there are many passengers arriving in Turkey from Europe at the moment and there will be an increase in the number of passengers going to Europe between August 15 and September 15.
Demirkurt affirmed that the number of bus passengers is good due to the cost of plane tickets, saying: “Those who are afraid of planes, those with a lot of luggage and new passengers with visas prefer to travel by bus.”
Explaining that they carry passengers from Munich to Dortmund, Demirkurt said: “Our ticket prices are 100 euros from Istanbul to Munich and 160 euros from Dortmund. Ticket prices from Istanbul vary between 130 and 175 euros, as it is season of arrivals from abroad.
Demirkurt stressed that the journey from Istanbul to Munich can vary between 27 and 30 hours under normal conditions, saying:
“When the queue of vehicles increases at customs, the journey can take between 40-45 hours. The less they stop at customs, the sooner the trip will end. Also German distribution point. Those who want to go to France, Norway, Holland, Sweden and Switzerland can go from here. After the pandemic, our number of passengers also increased.”
15 TIMES A WEEK
Süleyman Balkan, manager of a company that transports passengers from Istanbul to the Balkan countries every day, said his buses go to North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia and Kosovo.
Stating that they make expeditions to North Macedonia every day, to Albania and Kosovo for three days, and to Serbia once a week, Balkan said: “Passengers go to North Macedonia in 12 hours, to Kosovo in 15 hours, to Albania in 13-14 hours.” .
balkan suleiman
Balkan said: “We organize 15 times a week in total. The plane is expensive, the passengers prefer the bus. The price of our one-way ticket is 40 euros to North Macedonia and 50 euros to Kosovo, Albania and Serbia”.
Balkan stated that the passengers were extremely satisfied with the bus trip.
THERE ARE ALSO OPTIONS DUE TO THE FEAR OF PLANES
Meryem Ünle, an employee of the company that transports passengers to Europe, said that they take passengers to Greece and Romania every day.
Ünle stated that they only carry passengers as they are an express company, saying, “Since we do not carry cargo, we go through express without waiting at customs. That is why it is preferred. Passengers prefer the bus because of the high prices of planes.
Passenger Haydar Şeker, who went to Germany from Istanbul, explained that he has lived in Germany for 32 years, saying, “I prefer the bus ride because I have panic attacks. I also took the plane a lot, it’s not as comfortable as the bus. The trip lasts between 36-40 hours. During the journey, we stopped at 4 places. I think the prices are reasonable,” he said.
Emre Mutlu, on the other hand, stated that the prices of flights to Zagreb, Croatia are high and they cannot find a place. I thought about going from Bosnia by plane. It’s the same over there. The prices were around 7 thousand lire. The price of the bus ticket is 100 euros. (AA)