1. By ferry.
There is a ferry from Istanbul to Yalova. The ferry departs from the Yenikapı Pier in Istanbul. On the first tier of the ferry there is transport, on the second – places for passengers. There are toilets, a buffet, comfortable chairs, open areas to watch the scenery and feed the seagulls.
From the Yenikapı Pier (Yenikapi İDO İskelesi) the ferry runs every two hours every day: 7:45, 9:45, 11:45, 13:45, 15:45, 17:45, 19:45, 21:45. Travel time 1.5 hours.
A passenger ticket costs from 40 liras, transportation of a car from 140 liras for a car and a driver, and another 40 liras for each passenger.
You can buy tickets at the box office of the ferry terminal or online on the website of IDO (İstanbul Deniz Otobüsleri), a company that operates regular ferry flights from Istanbul to Yalova.
If you buy in advance 2-3 days before the trip, you can buy tickets at a discount of 10-30 lira. Tickets are also sold at the box office on the pier. But they cost 10-20% more than online.
Further from the pier in the city of Yalova, you can get to Yalova Termal by minibus (dolmush). Minibuses depart from the pier in Yalova every 15 – 30 minutes. You need to focus on the inscription “Thermal” on the windshield or you can take a taxi. The fare for the dolmush is 4 lira.
2. By bus.
There are several stops in Istanbul from which buses leave for Yalova.
Istanbul Bus Station (Esenler): Fare starts from 65 lira. Drive about 2.5-3 hours. Each transport company has its own route.
Alibeyköy bus station: tickets cost 70-90 lira, the trip takes 1.5-2 hours.
Sancaktepe (Samandıra Terminali): a seat on the bus costs from 90 lira. You’ll be there in about an hour.
3. Rent a car.
The cheapest are cars on the mechanics, the most expensive are SUVs and business-class sedans. If you take a few days, they will make a discount.
Car companies have rules: the tenant cannot be younger than 21, and the driving experience is at least 1 year.
You can also get from Istanbul to Yalova by ferry with a car. Another option is to drive along the shore and cross the strait on Osman Gazi. Then along the way you can stop in small towns. 2 roads lead from Istanbul to the resort – D-100 Karayolu and the Anadolu highway. On them you need to get to Dilovasi, where the bridge begins, and then go along the sea to Yalova. If there are no traffic jams, the trip will take 1.5-2 hours. Near the port of Yalova there are several paid parking lots where tourists leave their cars.
4. By taxi.
A taxi to Yalova will cost about 300 lira. If you go with a family or a company of 3-4 people, it turns out cheaper than by bus.
Holidays in Yalova are suitable for those who do not like noisy places, are accustomed to peace and quiet. It is also worth visiting for those who want to improve their health and just relieve stress. Yalova is very close to Istanbul, there are sea, mountains and forests of great beauty. It is real to spend a vacation here for any wallet. The resort is open all year round.
Approximate prices:
– kebab and drink – 10 lire;
– a three-course lunch for one person in a cheap cafe of Turkish cuisine – from 15 liras;
– dinner on two of three courses (without alcohol), in a middle-class restaurant – from 90 lire;
– a grocery basket in a supermarket for a week of food for one person – from 200 lira;
– 0.5 glass of draft beer – from 10 lire;
– hookah – from 50 lira.
The cost of goods and services here is somewhat lower than in the more popular Turkish resorts.
