Welcome to Istanbul! We hope that the following notes will assist you during your stay in Istanbul. Sabanci University Campus is located on the Asian side of the Bosporus and is approximately 30 miles from the city, which is about a 40-minute drive. You will be staying at Sabanci University dormitories. Dorm rooms, which accommodate 2 students, are equipped with showers, closets, and personal telephones. Automatic washing machines, driers and irons are for free in the laundry rooms in the dorm buildings. A private cleaning staff ensures that the housings and all shared common spaces maintain a high level of hygiene. Visa Requirments: Most current information on visa requirements for entering Turkey can be obtained at Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs e-consulate page (http://www.e-konsolosluk.net/visa/visa_query.aspx) Telephone Calls: There are 2 area codes used in Istanbul. Area code for the Asian side is (216) and (212) for the European side. In case you need to call the campus from the airport, you need to dial the area code (216) [Please note that to place a call which includes an area code you must first use 0 to gain access into the network and 00 for international calls]. You won t need the area code when calling a cell phone. When calling internally on campus, only dial the extension. Currency: At present 1 Euro equals about 2.3 Turkish Lira. However the rates change rapidly, therefore for exact exchange rates you should check with the local daily papers. Currency can be procured through local exchange offices at virtually the same rate as at banks. Banks are open Monday through Friday between 09:00 hours to 17:00 hours (all close for lunch between 12:30 and 13:30). There is a branch of Akbank on campus, located in the University Center. You may also find exchange offices at the airport, however due to airport taxes and higher commission rates, the purchase value would approximately be 10-12% less, in comparison to regular exchange offices or banks in the city. Credit Cards: Major credit cards such as Master Card, Visa and American Express are accepted at major hotels and restaurants, however you are advised to confirm before making any arrangements. Personal checks are not used in common. Taxi: The most convenient public transportation means would be taxis in the city. They have meters, which start with an initial charge of 2.5 Turkish Lira, and charge about 1.6 TL for every kilometer. The taxi drivers usually don t speak English unless they are operated by major hotels. Even then it is best to have your destination 1
written down or directed by a native speaker. It is customary to round up the fare to the nearest 10 TL to include a tip. Weather: At this time of the year, the weather in Istanbul is mostly sunny, the temperature during the day is around 20-28 0 C (69-83 F 0 ). Suggested Tourist Sites Sultanahmet area: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Covered Bazaar, Spice Bazaar Restaurants: Cicek Pasaji Traditional Turkish meyhane : a tavern / restaurant type place suitable for generally dinners. Highly recommended for a unique Turkish experience. Located in Taksim. General Information Arrival at the airport: Directions to Campus I)From European Side / By Public Transportation & Shuttle You should first go to Taksim from the Airport. Then from Taksim, you will take Sabancı Shuttle to our campus. You can check time table for the shuttle; http://www.sabanciuniv.edu/eng/?kampus_hayati/hizmet_ve_olanaklar/servis/servi s.php We recommend you to exchange money while you are at the airport since you will need it to get on the transportation services. From Ataturk Airport to Taksim: There are 2 options: 1) IETT bus (96T) (these buses are generally green) (there is a bus stop which is very close to the exit of the terminal.) it costs approximately 5 TL. For timetable : http://www.iett.gov.tr/saat/orer.php?hid=hat&hatcode=96t%3aatat%dcrk+hava ALANI-TAKS%DDM&BtnSaatler2.x=29&BtnSaatler2.y=9 2) HAVAS shuttles (this bus waits in front of the terminal s exit, it says HAVAS in big letters) it costs approximately 10 TL. 2
* From Taksim to SU Campus: There is one option which is Gursel Shuttle (Sabancı University Shuttle) On these shuttles, it says Gürsel in big letters and you can see Sabancı Üniversitesi name plate on the front window of the bus. The departure place of Gürsel in Taksim: Please see the interactive map of the departure point in Taksim: http://www.sabanciuniv.edu/tr/kampus_hayati/hizmet_ve_olanaklar/servis/krokiler /Taksim.html The departure point is very close to Atatürk Kültür Merkezi (AKM) (Atatürk Convention Center) in Taksim Square Time: From Taksim to SU Campus, it takes approx. 60 minutes. Cost: The shuttle costs 8 Turkish Liras per person; the payment is made on the bus upon arrival to campus. II) From European Side / By Taxi / Private Car & Bus to SU Campus: If you are planning to come with a private bus/car, please give the below *directions to the taxi driver. Depending on the traffic, from the old city, it approximately takes 60 minutes to SU Campus. Also, we have a shuttle service from Kadıköy and Taksim, below please find the timetable: http://sabanciuniv.edu/eng/?kampus_hayati/hizmet_ve_olanaklar/servis/servis.php... * Below, there are directions to be given to TAXI driver in Turkish when coming from Europen side. Atatürk Havaalanı yönünden gelirken: İstanbul yönünden gelirken Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsünden yaklaşık 38-39km sonra Şeker Pınar çıkışından çıkılacak.gişelerden 400m sonra ilk sağa dönülüp düz devam edilecek. Bu sırada sağda Suzuki tabelasını göreceksiniz. Yaklaşık 150m sonra Shell Benzin istasyonunu görür görmez hemen sağa dönülecek. Düz yolu takip ederken 700m sonra solunuzda Opet Benzin istasyonunu göreceksiniz. Düz devam ederek otoyolun altından geçip BOSB girişini görür görmez ışıklardan sola dönülecek. Bankalar sağda kalacak şekilde 3 trafik ışığı geçildikten sonra Sağda Sabancı Üniversitesi görülür. 3
In addition here is an English version, so you can get a sense of how what the driver is doing: From the airport, take the TEM freeway. After you cross Bosporus via the Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridge you will drive for approximately 39 kilometers. Exit the TEM freeway at the Seker Pinar exit (you will actually see the university from the freeway as the exit is a bit beyond the university). 400 meters after passing through the Sekerpinar tollgate turn right. You will see a Suzuki sign, keep going until you see the Shell gas station where you need to turn right. Keep on this road for 700 meters until you see the Opet gas station. Keep going until you see the entrance to BOSB, then turn left at the lifts. There will be several training offices of banks on your right. The entrance to Sabanci University is at the third traffic light. Welcome! SU campus plan: http://www.sabanciuniv.edu/eng/kampus_hayati/hizmet_ve_olanaklar/kampus_pla n_eng.jpg III) From Asian Side / Kadıköy to SU Campus There is a regular shuttle service from Kadıköy, on these shuttles, it says Gürsel in big letters. Below please find the interactive map of the departure point: http://sabanciuniv.edu/eng/kampus_hayati/hizmet_ve_olanaklar/servis/krokiler/ka dikoy.html The departure point is in front of Simit Sarayı which is next to Rıhtım Hotel. Time: From Kadıköy to SU Campus it takes approx. 45 minutes. Cost: The shuttle costs 7 Turkish Liras per person; the payment is made on the bus upon arrival to campus. IV)From Asian Side /Sabiha Gokcen Airport to SU Campus There is a rare shuttle service from Sabiha Gökcen Airport to SU Campus. You can see the details from the link below; http://www.sabanciuniv.edu/eng/?kampus_hayati/hizmet_ve_olanaklar/servis/servi s.php Another option is to arrive by taxi. Sabiha Gökçen Airport is not far away from SU campus, you can easily reach to campus by taxi Arrival at Campus & Accommodation 4
Upon your arrival to campus, you will be directed to dormitories. You can see the campus plan from the link below; http://www.sabanciuniv.edu/eng/kampus_hayati/hizmet_ve_olanaklar/kampus_pla n_eng.jpg During the workshop dates form 18 July to 22 July you can take your meals at the University Center Cafeteria, or from Other on-campus food& beverage services are available through cafes near dorm area. There are three fastfood restaurant around dorms. There is also another cafe near the lake. Campus Facilities: There is an open tennis and volleyball court and a walking / running track by the lake available at any time of the day. Sports Center is the second main building by the lake. It has fitness, squash and multiuse court for basketball, tennis, volleyball etc. The Health Center is located at D2 building, and is open 24 hours a day. The Center also has a fully equipped ambulance available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Security is located at the main gate, there is also mobile security at various locations on campus There is a Communication Center located in the D2 Building. The Center provides postal and courier services. You may purchase calling cards for making distance calls on campus. The University Center is where the campus cafeteria and fast food court are located. The campus Cafeteria serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Information Center (library): office hours; Monday Friday: 09.00 17.30 Cafeteria Breakfast is served between : 08:00 09:30 Lunch is served between : 12:00 14:00 Dinner is served between : 19:00 21:30 Useful Phone Numbers: Campus operator : (0216) 483 9000 (campus extension) Health Center : 9923 Security : 3045 Call Center : 9988 5