ATHENS PROGRAMME – March 2025 Session
Dear Students, we are delighted to see your interest in participating in a course organized by Istanbul Technical University (ITU).
ARRIVAL DATE
We expect you On Saturday, November 15th, we are planning a "welcome coffee event" at 19:00. (obligatory - the first event of European Dimension Activities, EDA fees will also be collected during this event)
Please make sure you arrive on time!
Consider your transportation in Istanbul will take around 2 hours.
STARTING TIME AND PLACE
TERMINATION DATE AND TIME
The mobility will officially end on November 21, 2025, at 17:00.
COURSES
Classes will take place from Monday, November 17th to Friday, November 21th.
You will receive detailed timetable before the beginning of the session.
ACCOMMODATION
As ITU, we are recommending Wabi Hostels located in Taksim. It takes around 30 minutes by metro to reach ITU Ayazağa/Maslak Campus, where the lectures will be held. (Costs approximately 20€ per night)
This is only suggestion and you are free to browse the Internet and select an accommodation that you prefer. Please ensure that the area you choose for your accommodation is safe, secure and easy to reach the campus. Please make sure that you book accommodation with flexible cancellation policy as neither home nor host universities will be able to offer any reimbursements in case of course cancellation or switch to virtual mode.
EUROPEAN DIMENSION ACTIVITIES (EDA)
On Saturday, November 15th, we are planning a "welcome coffee event" at 19:00. (obligatory - the first event of European Dimension Activities, EDA fees (40 EUR) will also be collected during this event)
On Sunday, November 16th, we are planning to go to Prince's Islands by ferry at 12:00. The event will include orienteering and a guided tour of the island with a meal. (obligatory - the second event of European Dimension Activities)
*Alternative plans will be available depending on the weather conditions.
On Wednesday, November 19th, we are planning a traditional dinner at the restaurant at 19.00. (obligatory - the last event of European Dimension Activities)
More detailed information will be provided in due course.
AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION
There are 2 different airports in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Airport (IST), 42 km to the city centre, located in European side of Istanbul.
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), 44 km to the city centre, located in Asian side of Istanbul.
Istanbul Airport (IST)
For those who are going to use Istanbul Airport (IST), there is only one way to reach the city centre, Havaist. Havaist is a bus organisation operates 24/7. Through this link you can buy your ticket. You can use your ticket within 30 days. Therefore, we advise you to buy ticket before leaving your home-country. Ticket costs 204TL (approx. 5€)
You can use alternative ways to reach TAKSIM SQUARE. Check the whole map here.
To use metro, first of all, İstanbulKart should be bought. To buy İstanbulKart you can watch this video. IstanbulKart is the only payment method for the public transportation in the city. It should be bought in order to travel between the hotel and the campus.
Metro is not operated at night (operation hours: 06.00-24.00).
We advise you to use Havaist if you are not familiar with the city.
You can check fares here. Note that you will not be considered as student for transportation, that is why full fare will be charged.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
For those who are going to use Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), the first option to get to Taksim is Havabus. https://www.havabus.com/
As another option to use metro, first of all, İstanbulKart should be bought. To buy İstanbulKart you can watch this video. IstanbulKart is the only payment method for the public transportation in the city. It should be bought in order to travel between hotel and the campus.
Take the metro from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Ünalan Station. (Follow the PINK LINE M7 )
Transfer to the Uzunçayır Metrobus line, from Ünalan Metro Station. Get on the Metrobus from Uzunçayır to Zincirlikuyu Station. (Follow the LIGHT BROWN LINE METROBUS)
Transfer to the Gayrettepe Metro line, from Zincirlikuyu Metrobus Station . Take the metro from Gayrettepe to Taksim Station. (Follow the GREEN LINE M2) This line is operated at night during weekends (Friday and Saturday night).
You can use alternative ways to reach TAKSIM SQUARE. Check the whole map here.
You can check fares here. Note that you will not be considered as student for transportation, that is why full fare will be charged. For this journey approx. 2€ will be charged (costs may increase at night).
SCHEDULE
The mobility dates cover March 15, 2025, Saturday, and March 22, 2025, Saturday.
You will receive detailed timetable before the beginning of the session.
CONTACT
Gülben Demir
ATHENS Programme Coordinator
athens@itu.edu.tr
+90(505) 271 2419
We will be looking forward to meeting you in ISTANBUL!