{"id":9552,"date":"2020-04-01T14:49:05","date_gmt":"2020-04-01T14:49:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sultanstrail.net\/?page_id=9552"},"modified":"2020-06-17T13:45:52","modified_gmt":"2020-06-17T13:45:52","slug":"section-6","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sultanstrail.net\/en\/section-6\/","title":{"rendered":"Edirne-Istanbul"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Section 6 of the Sultans Trail runs from Edirne to Istanbul and is about 341km long<\/strong>.
It follows the northern course of an old Byzantine route, through the foothills of the Istrancalar or Yildiz Mountains (Bulgarian: Strandzha), the mountain range at the Black Sea coast. Larger towns along the way are Kirklareli, Pinarhisar, Vize and Saray.
From Saray the Trail moves north towards \u04aailingoz Tabiat National Park to avoid the sprawl of approaching Istanbul. Development of Istanbul\u2019s new airport at the Black Sea coast and urban development rapidly changes the landscape, notably for the final 66km, from Sazlibosna at Lake Sazlidere onwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Hiking in Turkey in springtime<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Accommodation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hotel accommodation will only be found in the larger towns, Kirklarali, Pinarhisar, Vize, Saray and Istanbul. The villages along the way may be able to provide nightly accommodation through the mediation of the village major or \u201cMuhtar\u201d. This accommodation is often offered free of charge, yet a donation of ca 10\u20ac per person per night is appreciated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Sinan, most renowned Ottoman architect<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Special places<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Kirklareli is the Hizirbey Complex (Mosque and Hamam) worth visiting. Pinarhisar has visible remains of P\u0131narhisar Kalesi a fortification of Byzantine origin. In Vize remains of a Roman Amphitheater are still visible. The lake near Istanbul \u2018Alibey Baraji\u2019 is crossed by two major aqueducts that are worthwhile seeing. The waterway enters Istanbul and is still visible at the Valens Aqueduct and feeds the Basilica Cistern at the heart of the city. Istanbul has many historical monuments from all ages, among which the Sultans Trail related S\u00fcleymaniye-mosque and the Imperial Topkap\u0131 Palace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get there<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Tea, tea, tea, at every time of the day<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Edirne <\/strong>has no airport but does have a bus connection to Istanbul Esenler Otogari (leaving every 2 hours, duration 3h 55m, costs 5\u20ac-11\u20ac).
From Esenler Otogari into Istanbul use Metro M1 (leaving every 5 min, duration 22 min, price  1\u20ac). See M<\/strong><\/a>etro Istanbul<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Esenler Otogari to Istanbul Havalimani Airport (IATA code: IST), Havaist bus IST-3, departure every 30 minutes (between 05:00 and 01:30), duration approximately 75 min., depending on traffic, price 16 TL. See IETT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The train from Edirne \u015eehir to Istanbul Halkali leaves once a day and takes 3h 45m, price 3\u20ac-4\u20ac. See Seat61<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Istanbul <\/strong>has 2 international airports, Istanbul airport (IATA code: IST) on the European side and Sabiha G\u00f6k\u00e7en Airport (IATA code: SAW ) at the Anatolian side of the city. Former Atat\u00fcrk Airport does no longer service civil aviation, it is reserved for cargo and military operations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Istanbul Airport<\/em> <\/strong>is located 40 km north-west of the city at the Black Sea. It has a taxi connection to the city (duration 30m, price 16\u20ac-20) and a HAVAIST shuttle bus to different locations in the city. See Istanbul Airport<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the use of public transport in Istanbul, you need an Istanbulkart<\/strong><\/a>, available from the ticket machine at the bus terminal in the airport, 6 TL.
The bus terminal is located in the Airport building at floor -2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sabiha G\u00f6k\u00e7en Airport<\/em> <\/strong>is located 35km southeast of the city, on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. The airport is connected to Taksim square by a shuttle bus Havabus (every 30 min. duration 1h 30m, price 2\u20ac-3\u20ac).
From Taksim square leaves metro line M2 into the centre (every 5 min., duration 7 min., price 1\u20ac\/10TL). See www.sabihagokcen.aero<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Suleymaniye Mosque<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Map<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Map below shows the Trail on Open Street Map.
Click on “Fullscreen<\/strong><\/a>” to get a full view.
The container-icon may be used to show and browse through more map-layers.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n