Travel

Hotel

Tuzla Garden Hotel

We highly recommend booking a room at Tuzla Garden Hotel & Spa during your stay in Tuzla, as it is conveniently located near both the wedding venue and downtown Tuzla. The rate also includes access to the Turkish spa (hamam) and breakfast. We’ve arranged a special discount for our guests: when booking through their website at www.tuzlagarden.com, you can use the promotion code “ZEYNEP” for 10% off your stay.

Discount Code - ZEYNEP

Travel Note

Flights to Istanbul

Istanbul has two airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW). Istanbul Airport is the larger of the two and is where most direct flights from the U.S. arrive. It typically takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes by car to reach Tuzla, where the wedding will take place. Sabiha Gökçen Airport does not receive direct flights from the U.S., but it does serve many flights from European cities. If you’re connecting through Europe or flying from within Europe, SAW may be the more convenient option. It’s closer to the venue and usually takes about 20 minutes by car to reach Tuzla.

Travel Note

Transportation to/from Airports

While Uber is officially not in use in Turkey, the app still allows you to request rides to and from both airports. We highly recommend using Uber instead of regular taxis to avoid potential scams.

Travel Note

Taxis&Uber

In Istanbul, you can use ride-hailing apps to make getting a taxi easier. Uber operates here, but instead of a private Uber car, a regular yellow taxi will arrive. The app gives you an estimated fare and route, but you pay the driver at the end of the ride, usually in cash or by credit card. Another very popular option is BiTaksi, the official municipality-backed app. It also dispatches regular taxis and shows you the estimated route and average fare in advance. Please be aware that taxi scams unfortunately happen—drivers sometimes take longer routes or claim the meter is broken. If a driver asks for much more than the average price shown in the app, politely but firmly refuse and insist on paying a fair fare or end the ride. We strongly recommend using Uber or BiTaksi so you can track your trip and avoid misunderstandings.

Travel Note

Moovit (App for Public Transportation)

Istanbul has an extensive public transportation system, including metro lines, trams, ferries, and buses, which are often much faster and more convenient than driving, especially with heavy traffic. Rental cars are generally not recommended due to congestion and limited parking. To make getting around easier, we highly recommend downloading the Moovit app. Moovit helps you plan routes across all types of public transport, shows live arrival times, and provides step-by-step directions in English. It’s a great way to explore the city confidently and avoid traffic delays.