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Transportation

to and from

Ayvalık

How to get to Ayvalik from The Netherlands and back again

A straightforward and easy option is using Izmir airport with decent international connections, either through a direct flight or connecting via Istanbul, and making the 2 hours drive northward to reach Ayvalik. A rental car is advised but private transfer taxis can be arranged.

The smaller airport of Edremit is located a 45 minute drive southward to Ayvalik but has limited international flight options and thus requires a stopover in Istanbul but has the advantage of being close to Ayvalik. A bus or taxis are feasible options from Edremit.

Of course, flying into Istanbul and accept the 4 to 5 hours drive southwards to Ayvalik (or road trip in two or three days) is a good option, especially given the wide availability and range of timings of flights.

As an aside, people who are not in a rush could also opt to fly to the Greek island of Lesvos and cross directly to Ayvalik using the pedestrian ferry. However, direct flights to Lesvos are not available every day of the week.

Key details for these routes are provided below.

Renting a car?

It is not necessary to rent a car for the wedding events in Ayvalik when staying in the old city center. However, in case of a longer stay, having a car available is highly recommended to reach beaches, sights, etc.

For getting to and from Ayvalik from Izmir and Edremit, a car is the most comfortable way of getting back and forth while from Istanbul this is the only logical option.

An option to be considered is that many rental companies enable the car pickup in one location (e.g., Istanbul) and drop off to another location (e.g., Izmir). Fees vary depending on the rental company as well as foreseen demand in the various locations – if such an arrangement fits the travel schedule, please explore via respective car rental search engines / company specific sites.

Parking in Ayvalik

It is advised to seek guidance from your hotel or AirBnB in Ayvalik with regards to parking – many hotels and rental homes are located in the old city center where narrow streets make parking (and driving) not always an easy option but managers/owners will have solutions or guidance and will help out!

However, there are public/streetside parking spaces to be found throughout the town, especially in areas close to the coast and in proximity of the old Ayvalik city center (the same goes for Cunda).

Lastly, the ubiquitous managed ‘otoparks’, located throughout the old city center of Ayvalik, offer a solution for a fee – the daily rate changes but hovers between 100 and 200 TL (3-6 euros).

Flying to and from Izmir Airport (Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport; airport code ADB)

Turkey's third largest city Izmir is connected with direct holiday flights from Amsterdam and Rotterdam (as well as Dusseldorf, Cologne, and Brussels). Airlines with direct flights are Tui Fly Netherlands, Corendon Airlines. Depending on the airline there are direct flights available each day of the week and take 3:00/3:30 hours. Alternatively, connecting flights to Izmir with Turkish Airlines, Anadolujet, and Pegasus via the two airports in Istanbul depart on a nearly hourly basis. Connecting flights including stop-over in Istanbul usually take around 6-7 hours from Amsterdam to Izmir and can either go via the new Istanbul International Airport and the (budget airline focused) Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport – there is no difference when connecting.

Not all airlines fly every day of the week so depending on the planned travel schedule (departure and return) it may be needed to book two one-way tickets with different airlines. Please note that there is currently only one suitable flight scheduled on Sunday 9 June – recommendation is to book asap and also explore alternative flight options (e.g., extend your stay on the Aegean coast and visit some of the sights and eat some of the delicious food!).

Also, be aware that TUI and Corendon flights not always show up in skyscanner and other flight search engines, it may be needed to go to respective websites.

Flight search engine - Compare Cheap Flights & Book Airline Tickets to Everywhere | Skyscanner
TUI - TUI fly vliegtickets - boek goedkope vliegtickets online | TUI
Corendon - Corendon Airlines – Flight Tickets – Your Holiday Airline
Turkish Airlines (and its budget daughter airline Anadolujet) - Turkish Airlines ®️ | Flying to the Most Countries‎
Pegasus - Cheapest Flights & Booking Flight Tickets | Pegasus Airlines (flypgs.com)

Getting from Izmir to Ayvalik and back again

Many flights from The Netherlands to Izmir arrive around midnight, when driving straight to Ayvalik please check with your hotel/rental home to ensure they are aware of your late arrival (likely between 2:30 and 3:00am and are present to receive you.

Car Rental

The easiest option is to rent a car at the airport in Izmir and drive the 2 hours on a comfortable highway to Ayvalik – this is an easy drive both during the day and at night. The Izmir ring-road is usually busy and some traffic can be expected leaving the airport and coming back. The last 30/40 minutes to Ayvalik are on a smaller road along the coast. The largest segment of the drive is on a new toll road for which the rental companies have subscriptions and a few euros will be deducted from the deposit. Car rental fees are usually fairly affordable, early booking is recommended.

Route from ADB - https://goo.gl/maps/AxAMtWjyEufEHcZn8

Rental car search engines

Rental Car search engine (international) - Goedkoop Auto Huren, Vergelijken Huur Prijzen - Rentalcars.com
Rental Car search engine (international) - Car Hire | Carjet is Your Best Price Comparision Site
Rental Car search engine (Turkish)
List of rental car companies at Izmir Airport - İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport

Private transfer

Private transfer cars (car with driver) can booked online or arranged upon arrival in the terminal (pre-booking is recommended). Costs mostly exceed rental car prices for a return transfer. Most transfer cars are vans and can seat 6 or more people which may make this an attractive option for groups – especially in case of a Sunday morning departure when the eyesight could still be a bit blurry.

Many other options are available and could also be arranged on the spot (prepare to pay in that case though!). Feel free to contact Mats and Lara in case this is your preferred way of getting to Ayvalik.

Public Transport

It is possible to reach Ayvalik using public transport from Izmir airport. However, due to the time this takes and the hassle of having to change from regional metro to bus this is not recommended.

Especially with regards to flight options Istanbul is a good option for reaching Ayvalik from The Netherlands. However, the drive from Istanbul takes 4 to 5 hours depending on the airport flown into. Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen (SAW; 4 hours) is the most preferred option, with Istanbul International Airport resulting in a longer drive (IST; 5 hours). A rental car is needed as other public transport options are not time efficient.

Getting to Istanbul (Istanbul International Airport; airport code IST and Sabiha Gokcen Airport; airport code SAW)

Istanbul can be reached using multiple airlines which makes tickets to Istanbul usually cheaper than flying into Izmir or Edremit. Moreover, with multiple flights a day the greater flexibility in flight times can be helpful. Flights from Amsterdam or Rotterdam to Istanbul take around 3/3:30 hours.

Flight search engine - Compare Cheap Flights & Book Airline Tickets to Everywhere | Skyscanner

Getting from Istanbul to Ayvalik and back again

Car rental

The 4- or 5-hour drive from Istanbul is mostly on large highways and may be an overlooked but very useful option. If time allows, some sights / cities (e.g., Bursa) can be visited on the way (and a scenic route via the Gallipoli peninsula, Troy, Assos/Behramkale could also be considered – this requires at least one overnight stay though). The largest segment of the drive is on a new toll road for which the rental companies have subscriptions and a few euros will be deducted from the deposit. Car rental fees are usually fairly affordable, early booking is recommended.

Route from SAW - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vdwgc3bxjXhDUgWc7

Route from IST - https://maps.app.goo.gl/FkDnoiLs8QULaRhs6

Rental Car search engine (international) - Goedkoop Auto Huren, Vergelijken Huur Prijzen - Rentalcars.com
Rental Car search engine (international) - Car Hire | Carjet is Your Best Price Comparision Site

Private transfer & public transport

Given the distance between Istanbul and Ayvalik, private transfers and public transport options are not recommended.

While not recommended for travel efficiency but for definitely for a fun trip, an interesting route to and from Ayvalik is to travel via the Greek island Lesvos which is connected to Ayvalik with a pedestrian ferry (and potentially return with a flight from Edremit or Izmir). The ferry connection takes around an hour and departs twice daily; passengers on the ferry are often Greek tourists who cross to Ayvalik for the day to do some shopping/sightseeing. Transportation is required from Lesvos/Mytilini airport to the port, this is most easily done by taxi. Arrival in Ayvalik is in port facilities close to the city center; depending on the location of the hotel/AirBnB a taxi may be needed – they are available outside the ferry terminal (or see the taxi numbers in the Edremit section above or on the contacts page).

Lesvos – the home of Ouzo – is a great travel destination and worth spending a few days exploring (requires a rental car). Visiting Lesvos in combination with the Turkish Aegean coast is also very interesting given the fact the Greek islands and western Turkey have throughout history been one cultural unit (with Ayvalik, in addition to the countless ancient sites as well as the similar food, being a prime example of this).

How to get to Mytilini?

During the summer season a few budget holiday flights serve Mytilini airport directly from The Netherlands. At the time of writing no direct routes were determined/visible, but in past years Transavia, Corendon, and TUI have flown directly to Lesvos from either Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Eindhoven. Alternatively, a often quite cost effective flight with Aegean airlines via Athens will bring you to Lesvos (6 hours; however, in this case one night in Athens with its cozy neighbourhoods, good food, and cocktail bars would be a perfect chance!).

Flight search engine - Compare Cheap Flights & Book Airline Tickets to Everywhere | Skyscanner
Sunexpress - Book cheap flights & fly to top destinations | sunexpress.com
TUI - TUI fly vliegtickets - boek goedkope vliegtickets online | TUI
Corendon - Corendon Airlines – Flight Tickets – Your Holiday Airline
Aegean Airlines - Book Flights Online | Official Website | Aegean Airlines

Getting from Mytilini to Ayvalik

As noted, pedestrian ferries make the 1-hour crossing between the island and Ayvalik departing from the port in Mytilini. A taxi (or potential public transport options) help make the trip to the port from the airport and depending on the location of the hotel a taxi would be required upon arrival in Ayvalik. Ferry terminal location in Ayvalik here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tnKvg1rmEHgEVCV77

For further information on ferries from and to Lesvos, please see:

Edremit is has limited international flight options and thus requires a stop-over in Istanbul resulting in 7-8 hours travel time from The Netherlands. However, the main advantage to fly into Edremit airport is the proximity to Ayvalik (45-minute drive) and the easier public transport connection using a bus-line or the comparatively affordable taxis. Renting a car is also possible.

Getting to Edremit (Edremit Koca Seyit Airport; airport code EDO)

Flying to Edremit from The Netherlands requires a stopover in Istanbul, with Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines being the main carriers on the AMS -IST/SAW - EDO route. The route Amsterdam – Istanbul – Edremit usually would take between 6-8 hours travel time excluding time needed for check in and to reach Ayvalik. Connecting flights can either go via the new Istanbul International Airport and the (budget airline focused) Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport – there is no difference when connecting.

Flight search engine - Compare Cheap Flights & Book Airline Tickets to Everywhere | Skyscanner
Turkish Airlines (and its budget daughter airline Anadolujet) - Turkish Airlines ®️ | Flying to the Most Countries‎
Pegasus - Cheapest Flights & Booking Flight Tickets | Pegasus Airlines (flypgs.com)

Getting from Edremit to Ayvalik and back again

Given the proximity to Ayvalik all options for reaching the town are feasible.

Car Rental

The easiest option is to rent a car in Izmir and drive 45 minutes on the coastal road to Ayvalik.

Route from EDO - https://goo.gl/maps/i1hLiiMLe1wbLCP68

Rental Car search engine (international) - Goedkoop Auto Huren, Vergelijken Huur Prijzen - Rentalcars.com
Rental Car search engine (international) - Car Hire | Carjet is Your Best Price Comparision Site
Edo Rent A Car - Araç Kiralama

Taxi or private transfer

Taxis can be found outside of the terminal building and will drive using the taxi meter to all locations within Ayvalik. Similarly, returning from Ayvalik to Edremit airport can be done by taxi – advance booking is recommended (a google search brings you to all taxi companies and phone numbers), some examples below:

- https://ayvaliktaksi.com/ (Turkish)
- https://www.merkeztaxi.com.tr/iletisim/ (Turkish; translate function available)

Private transfer cars (car with driver) can booked online or arranged upon arrival in the terminal (pre-booking is recommended). Costs mostly exceed rental car prices for a return transfer. Most transfer cars are vans and can seat 6 or more people. Private transfers either will drop passengers at a central location or straight to any hotel/AirBnB in Ayvalik.

VIP Transfer (edremitrentacar.com) (Turkish)

Public transport

Buses depart from Edremit airport southwards to Ayvalik at regular intervals. Bookings can be made in advance but this is usually not required. Some busses stop in Ayvalik on their way while for others Ayvalik is the final destination. It is recommended to ask bus drivers which of the busses waiting outside of the terminal building will head towards Ayvalik (also look for the signs with destinations behind the windscree). Airport busses don't usually run on a timetable and depart when they are (more or less) full. Payment is made with TL in cash in the bus. The dropoff point is usually at the Marina in Ayvalik with a bit of walking required to reach the city center.

Transportation

to and from

Ayvalık

Contacts & RSVP