Official Language
The official language of the conference will be English

Invitation Letter
For delegates who require a Letter of Invitation for application for a visa, please note that this will only be issued after you have registered and made payment.

The Letter of Invitation will not be issued, if payment has not been received.

Please write to the Registration Secretariat (DEKON), quoting your registration reference number and with proof on of paid registration, in order to request the Letter of Invitation.

IIW 2010 Registration & Accommodation & Tours Secretariat

DEKON Congress & Tourism
Yıldız Posta Caddesi
Akın Sitesi 1. Blok no : 6 / 3
34394 Esentepe / Istanbul - TURKEY

Telephone: +90 212 347 63 00
Fax: +90 212 347 63 63

Contact: Ms. Ebru ERANIL
E-mail: ebru@dekon.com.tr - dekon@dekon.com.tr
Web Page: http://www.dekon.com.tr

Transportation

From Atatürk International Airport to the city

Taxi: Taxis are available around the clock and operate by the meter. The trip takes between 35 and 75 minutes, depending on traffic.

Bus: HAVAS Company operates regular shuttle bus transportation at half hourly intervals from 06:00 till 24:00 hours. The trip to Taksim takes between 45 and 75 minutes, depending on traffic .

Metro: A light metro system operates from Atatürk International Airport to Aksaray, where shuttle bus is available to Taksim. In addition, there is also a connection in Aksaray station to the tram, which operates via Sultanahmet to Kabatas. In Kabatas is an underground metro system available to Taksim

Private Airport transfers: Please contact the Registration Secretarait (DEKON) and provide the arrival details.

Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to the city

Taxi: Taxi's are available outside the terminal. It can be quite expensive if you intend travelling all the way to central Istanbul.

Bus: HAVAS Company services departs at least hourly from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Taksim.

Private Airport transfers: Please contact the Conference Secretarait and provide the arrival details.

Driving Licence
Most international driver's licenses are recognized in Turkey. Car rental companies require a valid national or international licence. Remember to keep to the right-hand side of the road and wear your seat belt at all times.

Work Hours and Holidays
Banks are open weekdays from 8:30 to12:30 and from 13:30 to 17:00. However, there are some banks which continue to serve during lunch breaks. ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) are open 24 hours and are located throughout the city and surrounding areas. Almost all ATMs have a language key to enable you to read the instructions in English.

Museums are generally open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 to 17:30 but closed on Monday. Palaces are open the same hours but are closed on Thursday. For specific information on museums, please visit our museums section.

Shops and bazaars are normally open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 to 19:00, but closed all day on Sunday. However most stores in shopping malls and crowded streets are open seven days a week, including lunch breaks. You can find restaurants or cafes open virtually at any time of the day or night.

Post Offices are painted bright yellow and have PTT (Post, Telegraph, and Telephone) signs on the front. The central Post office is open Monday through Saturday from 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM.

Climate
The climate of Istanbul is mild. The weather during July is predominantly dry and sunny, with temperatures ranging between 28°C / 32°C during the day and 20°C / 23°C at night.

Electrical Appliances
The electrical supply is 220 volts, 50Hz. The connection for appliances is European plug (2 pin plug). Visitors who have flat 3-pin or other plugs, are advised to bring an appropriate adaptor or check availability with their hotel in advance.

In line with the efforts to improve the nightlife experience for all, there are smoking restrictions on entertainment outlets. Smoking is no longer allowed in all pubs, discos, karaokes, bars and other public nightspots unless within approved smoking rooms /corners.

Effective 1st January 2009, smoking is prohibited at:

• indoor public places e.g. shops, shopping/neightbourhood centres, factories, offices regardless of whether or not they are air conditioned
• in lifts and hotel lobbies
• within 5m of entrances and exits of indoor areas of buildings and facilities where smoking is prohibited
• playgrounds and exercise areas
• markets
• ferry terminals

Tipping
Tipping in the more expensive restaurants is expected, with around 5 to 10 percent being the usual amount. Taxi drivers do not have to be tipped. Hotel porters will expect a tip of around 2 to 3 percent of the cost of your room.

Currency
The monetary unit is the "Turkish Lira"(TL), which comes in bank notes of 5; 10, 20, 50 and 100 and coins of 5, 10, 25, 50 "kuruş" and 1 "TL". At present (February), the exchange rate is 1 Euro ~2.1 TL. Facilities for exchange of currency are available at the airport, hotels, banks and exchange offices. Exchange offices generally offer better rates than other options.

Credit Cards & Cheques
Visa and Master Card are widely accepted at hotels, stores, shops and restaurants.
American Express Cards and traveler's cheques are rarely accepted.

VAT
Value-added tax is nearly always included in quoted prices.
Certain shops are authorized to refund the tax free.