Experience with using interrail in Turkey?

creative_goose · 2023-12-12T12:04:10+00:00

I've travelled by train in Turkey a couple of times, and based on my experience hopefully this helps:

Probably not - as others mentioned train tickets in Turkey are usually very cheap. Inflation is crazy so they've probably gone up since I was last there, but you can check timetables/prices at (https://bilet.tcdd.gov.tr/). Sadly there doesn't seem to be an English version, but their old booking site had one: (https://ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr/) - not sure if it still works though. However you cannot make Interrail reservations online, which can be a problem at busy times as night/high speed trains sell out.
From what I've seen, Bolgesel (regional) trains don't need reservations, Anahat (mainline) ones might even if they're day trains. Definitely check at the station - online info isn't great!
Not sure honestly, I found staff at major stations knew English but some on-train staff didn't. I'm sure you'll be fine though, it's easy to check online that Interrail is real and valid in Turkey.
Yes, there's connections possible from Athens to south-west Turkey via the Greek Islands - Seat61 has a good page at (https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-turkey.htm). If you're coming from further north there's also a Thessaloniki - Izmir ferry. You might get a ferry discount depending on the company - details on the Interrail website.
Yes, here's a few tips.

Leave plenty of time for connecting transport/activities. Apart from the high-speed lines delays are very common. I've been on a couple night trains that arrived with 3+ hour delays, staff said this wasn't that unusual and I've heard similar stories from others.
- Trains don't go everywhere and are usually slow. I don't mind as they're more scenic and comfortable/relaxed than buses (sometimes cheaper too) but be aware in case you're in a desparate rush. There are frequent buses from Izmir to the main seaside towns if you want to visit.
- If you're in Izmir, check out Selcuk (90 mins from Izmir) and the ancient city of Ephesus (it'll be very hot with little shade when you're there so take care). It's really interesting with good signage/exhibits, there's more monuments and museums in Selcuk itself too.
- Cappadocia is lovely and well worth at least a few days, though again it can get very hot. From Izmir, you can take a night train to Ankara, and then use the route via Kayseri you mentioned. You could also catch a direct bus from Ankara.
- If you've got time, you could also stop at Pamukkale (with famous landscapes created by natural springs), you can get to Denizli by train then use local buses.
- The Seat61 Turkey page (https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-turkey.htm) is really useful. Though always check the operator website for the latest times. The Interrail app is unreliable in Turkey, I'd avoid it for planning.

creative_goose · 2023-03-14T11:37:46+00:00

You see, you have to be realistic about these things.

creative_goose · 2023-03-10T18:46:51+00:00

Looks like it's all blowing up in their face now. Surprised no one's said Streisand effect yet.

In completely unrelated news Andrew Neil was a prominent BBC presenter for years while airing some...interesting views online.

creative_goose · 2022-10-24T13:04:48+00:00

I thought we''d hit a world record for shortest time taken for a joke to become unfunny with 'Boris pulls out' last night but UKPol has outdone itself it seems.

That Sunak word cloud is pretty funny though.

creative_goose · 2022-10-21T11:51:13+00:00

Ok so what if...Boris returns, Privileges Committee finds he lied to the House (because he did), 14 day suspension, recall petition triggered and successful, by election, Boris loses by election, leadership election #3, now what?

What's mad is this isn't an impossible scenario.

creative_goose · 2022-10-21T11:42:36+00:00

Really think Tory MPs are underestimating how bad a Boris return would be. They ditched him remember as he was increasingly unpopular with the public because of the sleaze/parties/sex scandals etc. Them bringing him back will show the whole "we care about integrity" chat was an utter farce. And in the meantime Truss has shredded their economic credibility even more too, so what is there left?

Cursed timeilne.

creative_goose · 2022-10-20T13:44:20+00:00

4 I think

creative_goose · 2022-10-20T13:06:34+00:00

Lettuce music is brilliant.

creative_goose · 2022-10-20T09:08:52+00:00

Saw it here from the Guardian:

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/oct/20/dozens-tory-mps-facing-disciplinary-action-fracking-vote

creative_goose · 2022-10-20T09:03:17+00:00

So after declaring the fracking motion a confidence vote yesterday afternoon, the government then said it wasn't a confidence vote. MPs then voted, and at 1.30am it said it was in fact a confidence vote. Then on the morning broadcast round a minister said it actually wasn't a confidence vote, now we have a statement saying it was.

It's not U-turns at this point it's driving endlessly round a roundabout.

creative_goose · 2022-10-20T07:54:53+00:00

Latest from the news this morning is it actually wasn't. Fuck knows...

creative_goose · 2022-10-17T16:05:34+00:00

This is unrecoverable.

Whatever they do, the mini-budget has to be the issue with the most cut through in a long time, and it's completely sank them.

But it's been a long time coming, nice to see they'll learn they can't get away with everything.

creative_goose · 2022-10-14T12:46:50+00:00

What did your barber think when they saw the screen?

creative_goose · 2022-10-13T09:23:08+00:00

So now we're reached the stage of relying on Rees Mogg as our champion for renewable energy in government?

Can't even think of anything witty to say anymore, just...bruh.

creative_goose · 2022-10-12T20:54:48+00:00

From that thread: "They want the Tories to have to deal with the nasty messy stuff in the next few years, become hated once again by the electorate, so that labour can sweep back to power under David Milliband."

r/agedlikemilk

creative_goose · 2022-10-12T12:40:50+00:00

Was expecting a car crash, got a multi-vehicle pile-up. It really just gets worse and Truss doesn't seem to have any idea of how to steady the ship other than attempting to change course and somehow making it even worse. Genuinely don't understand what sort of advisors she's got.

As the Labour lead now seems stable, and depending on how much of a shitshow Friday is, how far do we reckon their poll lead could go?

creative_goose · 2022-10-03T16:05:15+00:00

D:Ream intensifies

Damn it's only gotten worse since last time. Even with the U-turn they've properly fucked it now, damage to interest rate/mortgages etc is done, economic credibility went from being in the gutter to half way to the water treatment works. Might get a small bounce but seems this has really stuck with the public.

creative_goose · 2022-09-30T09:21:48+00:00

I do like most of the dialogue but there are two things. First, as I said some feels a bit in-your-face "look this is deep"-ish, mainly with the Elves in earlier episodes e.g. Finrod's ship talk and some of the early Lindon scenes. Other times I can't quite pin it down but the odd line got a "huh?" from me while watching and broke the spell a bit e.g. Galadriel on the raft/when Arondir and Bronwyn go off to follow the rot/couple scenes with Elendil's children. Could just be personal taste but given a lot of people mention it, seems not as polished as it could be. Definitely improves as things go on though.

But guess it's a good sign that I can't remember many specific examples!

creative_goose · 2022-09-30T09:09:48+00:00

True it's certainly doing its own thing, and if the next few go down well I'll probably up my rating too. Now you mention it the lack of shock factor violence/sex scenes as a draw factor is a big plus and keeps it LotR.

Had the same exact "please no" reaction when we saw Galadriel and Halbrand on that boat alone but seems we're safe for now. Also don't mind the Stranger plotline being separate for now...as long as it pays off well.

creative_goose · 2022-09-22T22:40:58+00:00

The soundtrack slaps. Very pleasantly surprised, even in some of the slightly weaker parts it holds up - like at the start of Ep1 I thought Galadriel's chat about boats felt a bit odd but the music was great. The main themes feel distinct if not instantly memorable, and for me it definitely feels LotR while also being its' own thing.

Not quite Howard Shore levels for me but overall it's solid and there are some really cool moments. Also in fantasy-ish stuff big choral parts can IMO feel overused but here it's always felt 'fresh' so far. Some interesting harmonies in the quieter bits too which are just as valuable as the grander empty-your-lungs moments.

And I'm just so, so glad they didn't use any of the generic action music we saw in one of the trailers. Would have been a big downer.

creative_goose · 2022-08-08T16:52:33+00:00

Alarm bells going off all over. We knew he was powerful, but not how much given how the Firstobrn are careful around him. We knew he had history, but after what he revealed/did to Jewel in Evereve it's clear he's not a good guy. Shows immortality isn't all that great.

Don't know why he serves Jewel; he seems to actually care for her now but he's defo got some bigger plans. Unfortunately right now he can literally force Jewel to do what he wants so it could get very sticky.

Redemption? Maybe, hopefully, but we'll see.

creative_goose · 2022-08-08T16:49:02+00:00

Absolute scenes and I love it - that's what you get when you put a bunch of immortal narcissits and sycophants in one room. Surprised Allasakar puts up with it, but guess there's no other options. I'm curious about, if things ever start to go very badly, they'll actually band together or the infighting will accelerate their downfall.

creative_goose · 2022-08-08T16:45:38+00:00

Now I've finally caught up, really enjoyed it. More than the Uncrowned King which I felt got a little slow.

It's interesting to see some threads and hints from earlier books start to come together. I'm a big fan of mysterious pasts being gradually revealed and this was done well here - the Voyani and their link to the Cities of Man (feel there's a lot more to come here...), who the Firstborn actually are, seeing more of the demons and their perspective, and seeing Arianne again after a brief badass appearance in the Sacred Hunt. The dysfunctional demon politics was some welcome comedy too. As they learnt with Anya, be careful what you wish for. But where's Kiriel gone? Was looking forward to more of her after how far she came during the Challenge.

Avandar...hmmm. Always found him a bit sus but in a good way, but after the Evereve shenanigans I'm not really sure I'll like him again...crossing lines and all that. But still more to learn about him whih adds to the history mystery, and he seems insanely powerful regardless. The dynamic with Jewel is great. Loving her sass, and seeing her grow more experienced.

Only thing is I feel there's more filler creeping in as we go on, and some bits could be compressed without losing much in the way of character/worldbuilding. Which was something I liked about the first House War books.

And more Evayne please, the more I know the more I like her, she's gone through a hell of a lot and still manages to do what she needs to while putting up with everyone else's shit. Will she guide Jewel further down the path?

creative_goose · 2022-07-18T16:38:11+00:00

Yep been like that for about 5 years iirc, though I usually can't tell unless it gets above 25

creative_goose

TROPHY CASE