[kay]

Had a bit of a mini disaster on my return on Friday at Izmir airport when the taxi driver was adamant I had to go to International (after all what did I know about travelling he was the local). Despite a huge arguement in two languages (I still cannot yell louder in English than a Turk in Turkish!), he decanted me suit cases and all at International when I needed the domestic (where I had arrived a couple of weeks before so was aware of the difference).

Back in the good old days you could book in for domestic flights with international connections at the old international - Not any more. Istanbul flights leave from Domestic.

I had plenty of time, however the suitcase was full - courtesy of a shopping trip with Magsfhy!.

The taxi driver wanted 35 Lira to go from Int to domestic so I walked. (yes I got that right in both English and Turkish!!!), and the Tourist Police confirmed the price.

To walk takes about 15 minutes and starts off Okay - all beautifully signposted, nice and easy, travellators etc etc, then all turns to custard when you arrive at the last notice and realise that the signs are taking you to the old international which is still in the process of renovations, and you have to walk DOWN an up esculator to get out of the place (assisted by a very nice policeman who carried the suitcase!), to go onto the old domestic one. Nice big gutters, lots of potholes and every obstacle you could find to interrupt the smooth movement of a suitcase on wheels.

So - message is - be really sure which terminal you need and if in doubt don't pay the cabbie until he has carried your luggage inside and you have confirmed your check in location or he will scarper and leave you with either a long walk or expensive ride if short of time.

[jonno]

we have the same taxi driver every time .he gets us from izmir airport for 75tl ,takes us to our house on silver beach the other side of kusadasi,about 16 kilometers outside,so its not just a normal fare ,and if we are in kus shopping,we can phone him and he will take us to silver sands ,and even stop at tansas and koc tas,about half an hour ,even come into the shop and help to carry stuff,all for 20ytl,then drive us home,the mans a gentleman,we actually use him in total ,about 50 or 60 times a year ,for us also when family arrives,summer and winter,so we give him business in the winter ,when other taxi drivers don't,a freind of ours got a taxi from kus to our villa in silver beach,and charge 45ytl what a rip off no wonder they have to sell there taxis of in the winter,the worst thing here is greed and some these people are cutting there own throats,has anybody else got a turkish freind like this ,they are very rare. ,and before you ask the answer is no,get your own,lol

[teosgirl]

bad experience kay
I think jonnos advice is great; try to find the same cabbie to do all your business with..you really will recieve much better service.
Did you complain about this guys behaviour to his company, or was he some type of freelance taxi? Either way its a good warning to people and I'm sure it will be very helpful to many.

On a different note, my dads friend flies into domestic from a connecting flight from Istanbul (departed u.k.) and then gets chauffered to international for arrivals So we were waiting to collect at domestic and she came out at international, BUT when we took her back she went into domestic..confusing? not at all!
The quicker the airport's finished, the better!
Charlotte

[kay]

I normally have a private transfer by friends however this trip work got in the way unexpectedly (eg 10 minutes before departure) so grabbed a cab. Don't worry - the message has got through that I was not happy!!!!.

Also agree with the chaos re arrivals. I had a similar experience at Christmas. I finished up at international and my case at domestic as despite telling the ground staff at the buses that I had only come from Istanbul she absolutely insisted I take the bus to international. This time I got that one right and slipped onto the domestic bus before I could be stopped by a very well meaning but ill informed person. Its a bit difficult for the staff sometimes to understand that I don't come charter flight - I have to swop both airlines and terminals at Istanbul. Tend to agree the sooner the new domestic terminals up and running the better it will be for all (at least the walks not too far then and its under cover.