'''Van''' is in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey. It is located on the eastern shore of Lake Van (''Van Golu''), a salt lake which is locally known as ''Van Denizi'' (_gthe sea of Van_h). Lake Van is largest lake in Turkey.

Get in

by bus

Buses leave to most destinations in Turkey. A ticket to Diyarbakir costs 20 YTL (09:00, 12:00 and 23:00, 6 hours) and to Malatya costs 25 YTL (08:30, 9 hours).

Minibuses to Dogubeyazit and Yuksekova for border crossings to Iran.

There are also two buses a day to and from Urmia in Iran costing only 15 Euros.

by train

From Istanbul_fs Haydarpa?a station (on the Asian side) there are trains direct to Tatvan, a town on the west side of Lake Van, three times a week. This train (''Vangolu Express'') departs Haydarpa?a on 20:05 (08:05 pm) and calls in a number of cities and towns across Anatolia, including Eski?ehir, Ankara, Kayseri, Sivas, and Malatya among others. According to the timetable all the way between Istanbul and Tatvan takes almost 42 hours, frequent and probably long delays discluded. This is the longest (both in terms of miles traveled and time spent inside the train) non-international train journey in Turkey and gives a through panorama of almost all regions of inland Turkey. Inter Rail pass is accepted in this train. Once arrived in Tatvan, you can take the ferry which crosses the lake to Van.

International train from Istanbul to Tehran (''Trans-Asia Express'') calls in Van once per week, see [http://www.tcdd.gov.tr/tcdding/ortadogu_ing.htm].

Apart from ''Trans-Asia'', there is also another international train service once a week (one of the days which Trans-Asia doesn_ft call) between Van station and Tabriz in NW Iran.

by plane

There is an airport ('''Van Airport''') located about 5-10 km away from the city. There are flights from Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara and Antalya. Outside the airport there are taxis to the city costing 20 YTL, but you can also walk 10 minutes for the main road where dolmuses stop and take you to the city only for 1 YTL. A new bus run by the municipality now serves the security entrance to the airport (past the taxis and towards the main road).

by boat

There is a ferry line in the Lake Van, between Tatvan on the western shoreline and Van on the eastern shoreline.

Get around

See

  • The '''castle''' and old city of '''Tu?pa''' a few kilometres west of the city.
  • The ancient Armenian church ('''Ahtamar''' or '''Akdamar''') on a small island in Lake Van is beautiful, the church has recently been re-opened after an extensive restoration, making its impressive frescoes possible to see. The price of the boat ride varies (30 YTL if less than 12 people, 2.5 YTL if more than 12 people). Buses and taxis are available to drop you at the boat dock.
  • Do

    Buy

    Eat

    The city is famous for its '''breakfast halls''' (''kahvalt? salonu''), in which for a not-so-high price, you are served a really filling breakfast including locally produced cheese (different types) and honey among many other stuff. The price usually includes an unlimited amount of tea. Look around.

    Drink

    Sleep

  • '''Hotel Aslan''' in the middle of the bazaar, is clean and has friendly staff. A double room with TV costs 14 YTL and a double with en-suite bathroom costs 19 YTL.
  • '''Hotel Asur''' beside the tourist office, offers clean rooms with attached bathroom. Single 20-25 YTL including breakfast. The staff speak English and are very helpful.
  • Get out

    Iran is only tens of kilometres away in the east. It is possible to go by road or rail. (Be sure to have your visa ''before'' you arrive in Van)