Van Airport Mini Guide
The Airport
Van Ferit Melen Airport is in the eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. It is named after a former prime minister who died in 1988. It is a small clean airport with limited facilities.
How Would I get There?
At the present time just seven airlines fly into Van from other cities in Turkey, such as
Ankara and
Istanbul.
Can I get to the Town Easily?
Yes, the town is just 7km away from the airport. Taxis wait outside the airport or walk to the main road where you can catch a dolmus minivan. The journey will take about 15 minutes.
Where can I Stay?
Hotel Bayra is located on Cumhuriyet Cad, in the heart of the town. There are 60 modern rooms with free Wi-Fi and there is a restaurant at the hotel. The tour desk will help you with any enquiries you have about the town and advise you on places to visit. If you would like to stay out of town, go to the 4 star Merit Sahmaran Hotel. It overlooks Lake Van and has 90 elegant rooms with scenic views. The hotel has a fitness centre and spa and free Wi-Fi for you to use. Enjoy a barbeque on the terrace at the hotel’s Artos restaurant.
What can I see Close to the Airport?
You can go into Van town, have the traditional breakfast and find some bargains in the narrow streets of the bazaar. Afterwards take a hike up to Van Castle and admire the spectacular scenery at Lake Van. If you still have time to spare, take a motor boat out to Akdamar Island and see the Armenian 10th century Church of the Holy Cross.
What If I Have a car and Want to see More?
Drive towards Dogubeyazit and you will find the Muradiye Waterfalls, they are approximately 80km north of Van. The town of Dogubeyazit is close to the Iranian border and you can visit the Palace of Ishak Pasha or Old Beyazit. Mount Ararat is nearby, just 15km away - it is where Noah’s Ark was supposed to have landed and the highest mountain in Turkey.
Van is found at the eastern extreme of Turkey and many people visit for the stunning scenery and the water sports on nearby Lake Van. The lake is the largest in Turkey and is saltwater, fed by the streams that run off the salt laden hills that surround it.
Beautiful in any season, the region is snow clad in winter and lush and green in summer. This is the Turkey of old, where people still work the land and traditional hospitality is still significant in people’s lives.