Venue:
The workshop takes place at the IMBM (Istanbul Center for Mathematical Sciences) which is located on the south campus of Bogazici University, indicated by an X on this campus map. One can find more detailed information here. The adress of the university is
Bogazici University South Campus
(Bogazici Universitesi Guney Kampus)
34342 Bebek, Istanbul, TURKIYE
Accommodation:
Istanbul offers a wide variety of hotels. For those not staying on campus we suggest to choose a hotel in the Taksim/Tunel area, at walking distance of the metro stations of either Taksim square subway station or Sishane subway station (google maps). For hotels closer to the university you can search in the Levent/Etiler/Bebek area.
Arrival to South Campus:
From The Istanbul Airport to South Campus:
This airport is on the European side as well as Bogazici University. There are various ways to get to the campus.
1) Havaist + Metro:
Go out of the arrival hall. In front of the building take the Havaist to Haciosman or 4. Levent. It costs 18 Liras. From Haciosman or 4. Levent, take the M2 metro line and change to line M6 at Levent Station. Get off at the last station which is Bogazici University.
http://www.istanbul-ulasim.com.tr/passenger-services/network-maps.aspx
http://nasilgiderim.iett.istanbul/
2) Havaist + Taxi:
Go out of the arrival hall. In front of the building take the Havaist to 4.Levent. It costs 18 Liras. From there, take a yellow cab. Tell the driver that you want to go
to "Boazitchi Universitesi Ghunei Kampus" (read all the letters).
It takes around 15 minutes to get to the campus and costs ~35 Liras.
From Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) to South Campus:
This airport is on the Asian side while the university is on the European side.
1) Shuttle + Metro:
After you exit the airport building continue walking in the same direction and try to find shuttles called Havabus/Havatas. Take the one going to Taksim.
https://www.sabihagokcen.aero/passengers-and-visitors/transport-and-parking/transportation/havabus-en
Although the final destination of this bus is Taksim it stops at few other locations on its way. The most convenient one for you is the first stop after the bridge over Bosphorus which is called "Levent". (This is the second stop after the bus leaves the airport). After you get off look for the metro sign. Once you enter the metro station there are machines to buy tickets. If
possible get an "Istanbul card" and charge it for. Charging is done again from the machine. This card can be used for all sorts of public transportations in Istanbul. It is also possible to buy a single ticket from the machine.
You should take M6: Levent-Bogazici University metro line. Metro map is here:
https://www.metro.istanbul/en/YolcuHizmetleri/AgHaritalari
This line intersects the green line. You get off at the last stop which is called Bogazici University.
Once you exit the metro station at Bogazici University stop walk towards your right and after few meters you will see the entrance of the University.
2) Bus + Taxi:
Go out of the arrival hall. In front of the building take the bus number E3. It reads Sabiha Gokcen Havalimani - 4. Levent Metro. You must buy an IstanbulKart or a card with several rides in it. You will get off at the last stop. The trip takes more than an hour and even more depending on the traffic. On the way you will pass across Bosphorus. As soon as you get off from the bus, (EITHER) use the underground passage to get across the street. At the other side take a (yellow) cab. Tell the driver
to take you to "Boazitchi Universitesi Ghunei Kampus" (read all the letters). It takes around 15 minutes to get to the campus and costs around 25 Liras. (OR) keep walking in the same direction until the metro station Levent. Take the metro M6 towards Bogazici Universitesi. Get off at the last stop.
3) Havatas + Taxi:
Go out of the arrival hall. In front of the building take the shuttle called HAVATAS to Taksim. It costs around 15 Liras. Get off at Kavacik. The trip takes nearly an hour and even more depending on the traffic. As soon as you get off, you will be on a very busy intercity road. Take one of the present (yellow) cabs. You will go in the same direction as the shuttle and eventually pass across Bosphorus. Tell the driver to take you to "Boazitchi Universitesi Ghunei Kampus" (read all the letters). It takes around 15 minutes to get to the campus and costs around 20 Liras.
Taxi: Tell the taxi driver to take you to Bogazici University (say: 'Boazichi'). He will take you to the main entrance, labeled as "Zincirlikuyu - Bebek St." on the campus map. From there you can either walk, or continue with the taxi, keeping right at the fork, until you end up at the main square. Note that cabs run on meter, we do not tip cab drivers in Istanbul. From the Taksim area a trip should cost around 50-60TL, from Istanbul airport around 130-170TL, from Sabiha Gokcen around 170-200TL. In general it is adviced to take taxi's from taxi stops instead of those simply passing by in the street.
Public Transport:
Most convenient public transportation for reaching to the university is the metro line. This line connects the university with the Levent metro station, which itself is connected by metro with Taksim square.
To use public transport you need to get an "Istanbulkart" which is sold at ticket machines at metro stations and newspaper stands where you can also charge them. The card itself is 6 TL and one ride is almost 3 TL. This card can be used at all public transportation types including boats.
You can find the Istanbul metro map here. Once you leave the subway station turn right,
after a few meters you will easily recognise the university gate, it is labeled as "Zincirlikuyu - Bebek St." on the campus map. The brown line (M6) that comes to the university intersects with the green line (M2) at Levent and with M2 it is easy to reach Taksim.
In addition to the subway the 559C (RUMELIHISARUSTU-TAKSIM) bus leaves every 10 minutes from Taksim square to the university, this takes about 50 minutes. The stop BOGAZICI UNIVERSITESI is next to the Etiler Gate of the university.
Eating on and around campus: There will be lunch at the Faculty Club (Kennedy Lodge) every day. For people staying at the university housing we suggest Teras Kantin, building 10 on the campus map, for breakfast. For dinner there are many restaurants in the Rumelihisarustu neighborhood (which is by the Etiler Gate of the University): Hazal Ana (kebab), Dalyan Balik (fish), Yenice (home cooking), etc. The Etiler Gate is labeled as "Zincirlikuyu - Bebek St." on the campus map. Or one can walk down to the Bebek-Hisari street, at the bottom of the campus map, next to the Bosphorus and explore the Bebek and Rumeli Hisari neighbourhoud.
Electricity: Turkey operates on 220 Volts, 50 Hz, with round-prong European-style plugs that fit into recessed wall sockets/points.
Water: Most people don't drink tap water in Istanbul. You can buy 0.5-liter bottles of water for 1.5 - 2 TL.
Tipping at restaurants: It is optional. Most people tip around 5-10 %.
Exchanging money: It is very easy in Istanbul. In Taksim and Sultanahmet, you will see many exchange offices. They do not charge any commission. The spread (i.e., the difference between the buying and selling prices) is around 2%. The spread at the exchange offices at the airport will be slightly worse. You can also of course withdraw TL from ATMs which are everywhere in the city, but they will charge you an ATM fee (a few euros) and their spread will be even worse.
Credit cards: Almost every restaurant and store will accept Visa and MasterCard. American Express is not as common.
Blackboard vs. beamer: In the seminar room of IMBM, there are multiple blackboards and a projector screen. It is possible to use the projector and write on the boards at the same time.
Wireless internet: There is free wireless internet on the Bogazici University campus, including IMBM. There is no password.
Visa to Turkey: Most of the participants coming from abroad will need a visa to enter Turkey. However, this is a rather trivial matter. Recently it has become possible to obtain an e-visa online before departure and this is the recommended route. It remains an option to obtain the visa on arrival at the airport. Once you land in Istanbul, there will be a desk just before passport control. There you pay a visa fee (price depends on nationality) and get a stamp. (Note that there might be exceptions. Please double-check if you are not a US or EU citizen.)
