Bandirma, Turkey

Okay, there's nothing really wrong with Bandirma, the city on the southern shore of Turkey's Sea of Marmara (map).

It's the convenient transfer point between the fast ferries to/from Istanbul, the express train to Izmir, and buses to/from Çanakkale, the Dardanelles and the northern Aegean coast.

You can spend a pleasant few hours in Bandirma (bahn-DUHR-mah, pop. 80,000), but most travelers are just passing through.

Bandirma has hotels and restaurants within walking distance of the ferry docks, but few tourists stay here, preferring to move on to where they really want to be.

Here's info on buses and trains, distances and travel times to and from Bandirma.

Bandirma Trains, Ferries & Buses

Istanbul - Bandirma Fast Ferries

Izmir 6 Eylül Express Train

Sea of Marmara Ferries

Sea of Marmara Region

Maps of Thrace & Marmara Region

Thrace & Dardanelles Region

Aegean Region

Where to Go

TTP Homepage

Bandirma is mostly a modern, concrete city. These are among the very few Ottoman buildings you'll see.