Information Desk
The information desk of the PCO (TURK EKSPRES) with the EMBC 2001 banner will be available at the arrival area of the Istanbul airport, outside the customs area.

Transportation from the Airport to the City
The shuttle bus service is provided by the PCO at the rate indicated on the Reservations Form.
Other transportation possibilities are Airport Taxi, HAVAS Shuttle Service and the Municipal Buses.

• The airport taxi to the Conference District costs approximately 15 US$ and takes around 40 minutes. The taxi-meter charges a daytime standard fee of 500,000 TL and then charges 375,000 TL per kilometer as of July. The nightly charge is double the daily rate.
• HAVAS Shuttle Busses go to TAKSIM SQUARE, the major plaza of Istanbul within walking distance to the Conference District. The fare is approximately 2 US$.
• Municipal bus services between the Airport and the Taksim Square are coded 96T and the trip lasts 60 minutes. The fare is presently 550,000 TL. The tickets should be purchased before getting on the bus, which does not have any facilities for luggage placement.

Approximate exchange rate as of July: 1 USD = 1.400.000 TL.

Accommodation
You are advised to use the “Hotel and Tour Reservation Form” provided by a link on the conference web page in order to secure room reservations at the conference rates. The deadline for securing rooms at the conference rate is August 30, 2001. The “Reservation Form” can be downloaded from the conference website:
http://embc2001istanbul.bme.boun.edu.tr

Tours
City tours are available on a daily basis during the conference. Pre and Post Conference tours to historical sites in Turkey are also organized. It is advised to make your reservations as early as possible.

Time
Turkey time is 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

Weather
The weather statistics pertaining to the month of October indicate to a mean temperature of 21°C although one should expect temperatures ranging from 15-20°C during the last week of October. There is a slight possibility of rain is during this time of the year, so it is wise to bring a light raincoat, an umbrella and a sweater. Comfortable shoes are necessary for visiting archeological and historical sites.

Money
The national monetary unit is Turkish Lira (TL). In Turkey, exchange rates for foreign currencies are published daily. At the Change Offices, foreign currencies could be exchanged and Eurocheques can be cashed immediately as can traveller’s cheques upon presenting a valid I.D. or passport. The foreign currency can be exchanged at the airport and at most hotels and at the exchange offices. The exchange offices are also open on Saturdays and they charge commission. Banking facilities are available at the Airport. Almost all hotels, restaurants and shops accept common credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard. Banks are open from 9:00-17.00 hrs., Monday through Friday with one hour of lunch break at 12:00.

Tipping
In restaurants, hotels and hairdressers, 10 % tipping is customary.

Communication
Post offices are easily recognizable by their yellow 'PTT' signs. Major post offices are open 08:00 - 24:00 hrs., Monday-Saturday; 09:00 - 19:00 hrs., Sunday. Telephone cards are available at post offices or from vendors around the telephone booths. At most places, phone machines that operate by credit cards are available. Private telephone and fax offices are also available. The country code for Turkey is 90. Turkey has GSM digital networks. Facilities for email will be available at the Conference Centre.

Electricity
Two-pin round electric (220 volts, 50 Hz.) European standard outlets are used in Turkey.

Water
Bottled water is suggested. Even though tap water is chlorinated in most areas, it is not recommended for drinking.

Metric System
All physical quantities are expressed in the metric system.

Health
Modern Western-style health care can be found in Istanbul. The American Admiral Bristol Hospital is within 10-minute taxi ride from the Conference Centre.

Holiday
October 29 is the Republic Day, thus it is a public holiday and all government and public offices will be closed.

Transportation within the City
For transportation within the city, taxi rides are recommended as compared to relatively crowded public transportation. Taxis in the city are safe, fast and relatively inexpensive.

Restaurants
Conference District being very centrally located, restaurants, other dining facilities, bars and entertainment centers in its neighborhood are quite plentiful and diverse.

Consulates
The consulate offices of most European countries, United States and Japan are located within a few minutes of walking distance from Taksim Square.

Entry Requirements
A valid passport is required for entry in Turkey. Visas are available on a reciprocal basis. If you need a Visa and you do not obtain it at the Turkish Consulate in your country, you will be asked to pay in CASH the fee for the Visa upon your arrival at the Istanbul airport. Please consult the nearest Turkish Embassy for special details. Comprehensive information is available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website under consular information at: http://www.mfa.gov.tr/consular.htm. This same website can be reached from a link provided under tourist information at the conference webpage.

Duty Free Shopping
Visitors to Turkey may purchase duty free goods, which are not subject to local taxes, from airport duty free shops on both arrival and departure.

Shopping
Shops are open 9:00 -19:00 hrs. (13:00-14:00 noon break) Monday to Saturday. In certain malls, late night shopping until 22:00hrs. is possible. Turkish carpets and kilims, hand made ceramics of Iznik and Kutahya, copperware, gold and silver jewellery, leather, meerschaum, a unique silicate-clay-like material found in Eskisehir, are some of the Turkish handcrafts that are recommended purchase.