- By Bus:
- Turkey has an extensive bus network that connects various cities and towns. You can find buses traveling to Van from major cities in Turkey.
- Look for bus companies that operate routes to Van. They usually have regular schedules throughout the day.
- Buses usually arrive at Van’s central bus station. From there, you can take a taxi or a local minibus (dolmuş) to Gevaş.
- By Car:
- If you prefer driving, you can rent a car and take the road to Van.
- Major highways connect Van with other cities in Turkey, such as Istanbul and Ankara.
- The journey from Istanbul to Van by car takes approximately 18-20 hours, depending on the route and traffic conditions.
- Once you reach Van, you can drive to Gevaş, where you’ll find boats departing for Akdamar Island.
- Boat to Akdamar Island:
- To reach Akdamar Island, you need to take a boat from Gevaş, a town located on the eastern shore of Lake Van.
- Boats depart regularly from the Gevaş pier during the tourist season (usually from May to September).
- The boat trip to Akdamar Island takes about 30 minutes.
- It’s recommended to check the boat schedules in advance, as they might vary depending on weather conditions and demand.