What riding experience do I need?
This is primarily a paved road tour, with some options to do ride some gravel tracks on certain sections of the tour. We consider that any experienced motorcyclist who has toured overseas before is suitable for this tour. Cities can be very busy, but once out of urban areas, road conditions are generally good. Road signs are familiar and generally direction signage is good.
Tell me about the motorcycle rental
You must be aged 25 years or older to rent a motorcycle. This tour includes the motorcycle rental which is organised by us with the local motorcycle rental provider, Baltac Tourism & Travel Ltd. We act as agents for the local rental company and we reserve motorcycles with them in accordance with your booking. Your rental fee includes:
- 7 days motorcycle rental
- Third party and motorcycle damage and loss coverage insurance are included in the price. There is an excess of €2,500 (euros). The excess is taken as a credit card authorisation on departure of rental and withheld until the motorcycle is cleaned and inspected upon return.
- Should you require panniers, a top box or tank bag, please request this on booking. There is an extra charge and it must be specifically requested
- GPS unit rental is not available, so please bring your own unit, with mount and power cables.
Your contract for motorcycle rental is with Baltac Tourism & Travel Ltd and not with us and you must comply with their terms and conditions for rental. We act as agent for Baltac Tourism & Travel Ltd, and on arrival you will be required to sign the local motorcycle rental contract. You can request a copy of these terms and conditions from us by contacting us in advance. You must provide the local rental provider with valid credit card details with sufficient credit limit as a guarantee against damages up to the insurance excess of €2,500. Please note that on rare occasions the local provider may need to substitute your choice of motorcycle for something equivalent.
Can I use my own motorcycle?
Riders are welcome to join this tour using their own motorcycle. However it is not cost effective to arrange motorcycle freight to Istanbul. If you are touring in Europe and you wish to cross the Turkish border to ride to Istanbul to join us, then that is great. We can provide advice on how to cross the Turkish border and what documents you will need. We will also give you the information so you can reach the group hotel, ready to meet the team.
What about flights?
We do not include flights in your tour price. Once we tell you that this motorcycle tour is a Guaranteed Departure, you must book your own passenger flights to arrive / depart in Istanbul. Please arrive no later than midday on the Official Start Date. You can book a flight home any time on the Official End Date.
You should note that Istanbul has two airports. The New Istanbul Airport (IST) is located on the European side, around 35 kms north of the city centre in the Arnavutkoy District. The Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) is located on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, around 50 kms from the city centre. This airport is used by Pegasus Airlines, which flies from London Stansted.
We do not include Airport Transfer to and from the Group Hotel in Istanbul. Please use the official Taxi Rank at the Airport. You can expect to pay round €35 – €50 for a private taxi transfer. The hotel can also organise a taxi for you back to the airport at the end of your trip.
Do I have to ride in a group?
We do not make you ride in convoy. We offer you the freedom to decide how you would like to ride. We give you a road book, with recommendations for lunch or coffee stops, fuel stops and hotel information. You also get an SD card with mapping, custom routes & GPS co-ordinates to download to your GPS. You can use these tools to self-navigate. Most riders prefer to have this freedom, so they can stop where they want and for how long they want without feeling under pressure. The only constraint you have is that we have included guided tours of historical sites, and some of these sites are visited are during the riding day (eg Troy) plus everyone has to be together for the ferry crossings.
If you prefer to ride with our Motorcycle Tour Manager, then you can also do this. They will give you a time to start in the morning, so please be prompt and ready to ride with them. Each day you can change between riding on your own, or with a small group of other riders on the tour or with the Tour Manager. We like to have a very flexible approach.
What is the average group size?
Our groups are normally 10 – 12 riders (some riders will have passengers). The majority of customers are from the UK, but sometimes we also get riders from North America, Australia and other European countries.
Is there a support vehicle?
Yes, this tour operates with a local Support Vehicle and Driver. It is capable of carrying up to three motorcycles and two passengers by providing temporary assistance to you if you have a mechanical problem or an accident and are injured. Our support vehicle carries a mobile (cell) phone, medical bag, spare fuel, water, tools, some spare parts. It will carry one small piece of luggage per person (maximum 60 litre bag), which must be waterproof and dustproof. Suitcases and wheelie trolleys are not suitable and can be left in the hotel in Istanbul.
Is this ride suitable for a passenger?
Absolutely. This is a popular trip for couples and we always have couples riding two-up on this tour. Your passenger needs to also be an experienced tourer. Your passenger must ride the motorcycle each touring day – there is no option to sit in the support vehicle unless the road conditions are too difficult for a rider and passenger to attempt two-up or if your passenger is ill or injured. You are able to place luggage (see above) in the Support Vehicle and the standard of accommodation on this tour is also very good.
What will the weather be like?
October is a great time to travel in this part of Turkey, long after the huge summer crowds have gone, but still when the weather is warm and pleasant. There may be a few rain showers, but generally day time temperatures will still be around 20C – 22C. It’s a great time to visit.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather
http://www.worldclimate.com/
How expensive is Turkey?
Eating out can suit all budgets and there are plenty of choices from small local cafes to fine dining in the larger towns. Fuel is cheaper than the UK and you can expect to pay around £0.75 for a litre.
What documents do I need?
You will need your original documents as follows: Passport, Driving Licence from the country of your residence, and Travel Insurance Certificate (see below).
At time of writing, UK, EU, New Zealand, Citizens do not require a visa for travel. USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa Citizens need a visa for travel. Nationalities who need e-visas can obtain them via the official government website www.evisa.gov.tr
We advise you to check the requirements for your nationality prior to travel as these may change. You can with our preferred visa agency www.thevisamachine.com.
You should note that we need to request copies of some of the above documentation, which we have to send to suppliers in respect of motorcycle rental and hotel reservations. Please refer to our Privacy Policy.
Finally, note that it is obligatory in Turkey to carry ID at all times – for locals and foreigners alike – so when on tour, at least carry a photocopy of the pages with your details and Turkish entry stamp on your person.
What about my health when I am abroad?
You need to be physically fit and healthy and also take the necessary health precautions. It is essential for you to consult your doctor or travel clinic for up-to-date medical travel information prior of travel, particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition. For up-to-date medical advice you may wish to use the Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad “MASTA” https://www.masta-travel-health.com/, the NHS website http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.aspx or NaTHNaC https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/
You will be obliged to disclose any medical condition or medication that you are taking to GlobeBusters in advance and to your Tour Manager at the start of your Tour, for health and safety purposes. We provide you with our Emergency Details Form for this purpose and to collect information about who to contact for you back home in the event of an emergency.
Do I need Travel / Medical Insurance?
It is a condition of you travelling with us that you are adequately insured. Your insurance policy must cover you for the costs of any medical expenses, medical treatment or repatriation needed, due to injury or illness on this trip, including those that occur whilst motorcycle touring, either as the rider or a passenger. It is important that your insurance company understands that the MAIN PURPOSE of your trip is motorcycle touring, using your own large capacity cc motorcycle or a rental motorcycle.
In addition, we strongly recommend that your insurance policy has cover for loss or damage to your personal belongings, delay at your outward or homeward point of departure, personal liability, overseas legal expenses and cancellation and curtailment.
We also strongly recommend that you take out your travel insurance at the time of paying your deposit for your trip as cover will commence for predeparture cancellation from the policy issue date. This will therefore provide cover should you have to cancel your trip for an insured reason such as illness or serious injury. We do not refund your deposit simply because you failed to take out insurance in sufficient time.
Is Turkey safe?
We have travelled by motorcycle in Turkey for almost 20 years and we have never experienced any issues relating to security or safety. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) monitors overseas destinations and provides destination travel advice for UK nationals. As a UK Company, GlobeBusters reviews the advice from the FCDO and any decisions taken regarding a Tour’s safety and security will use the vast experience of the company’s 16 years of operating as well as the FCDO advice. In the interests of your safety and security, changes may be made to your Tour based on any FCDO warnings given.
We strongly recommend that you read the information about the country you are planning to visit to be fully informed – each country has a summary and general information as well as advice on safety & security, local laws & customs, entry requirements and health, and road conditions.
You can see the FCDO advice here https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey. You should note that “British nationals made over 2.5 million visits to Turkey in 2019. Most visits are trouble free”.
There are currently warnings and travel restrictions in place about travel to Turkey due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We assume that by the time of travel these will have been withdrawn.
If you are not a UK national please make sure you have checked your own country’s travel advice for your destination/s: The US Department of State: http://travel.state.gov Canadian Foreign Affairs: www.voyage.gc.ca Australian Government Travel Advice: www.smartraveller.gov.au NZ Government Travel Advice: www.safetravel.govt.nz .
What about local currency?
The base currency for this trip is any major currency. All can be readily exchangeable for the local currency, the Turkish Lira. It is easy to get local currency from ATMs using your debit / credit card in all towns and cities. Cards are readily accepted by hotels, restaurants, fuel stations. The websites below will give you the current rates of exchange.
http://www.oanda.com/
http://www.travelex.co.uk/
Minimum Numbers
We require a minimum number of 8 riders on this tour. If we do not have this number of bookings, then we reserve the right to cancel the tour. If we have to cancel the tour we will provide you a minimum of 84 days notice prior to departure.