Istanbul is a natural starting point for the rest of north-western Türkiye: the ski slopes of Uludağ above Bursa, the lakeside hotels of Sapanca, the Ottoman mosques of Edirne and the battlefields of Gallipoli near Çanakkale. A private intercity transfer takes you from your hotel or the arrivals hall straight to your destination in a vehicle reserved for you alone, with your luggage in the back and nothing to change along the way. This guide explains how Solevra Travel's intercity transfers work, which routes travellers book most often and what to think about before you reserve.
How an intercity private transfer works
On the booking form you enter your pickup point (Istanbul Airport, Sabiha Gökçen, a hotel or any address) and your destination city. The price appears immediately, fixed and inclusive of VAT, with a breakdown of what it covers; it does not change on the road. If your journey starts at an airport you add your flight number, your flight is tracked and your driver is ready when you land. The vehicle is yours for the whole journey: no other passengers join, and no stops are added unless you ask for them.
Popular routes and typical journey times
Times depend on traffic and weather. The ranges below reflect what we see on a normal day.
- Bursa: roughly 2 to 2.5 hours via the Osmangazi Bridge. Our busiest intercity route during the Uludağ ski season and for the thermal spa hotels.
- Sapanca and Maşukiye: roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. Lakeside hotels and forest bungalows make this a strong weekend route.
- İzmit: roughly 1 to 1.5 hours. Mostly business travel and visits to the industrial zone.
- Edirne: roughly 2.5 to 3 hours. The Selimiye Mosque and the historic bazaar, as a day trip or an overnight stay.
- Çanakkale: roughly 4 to 5 hours via the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge. For Gallipoli and Troy, planning a rest stop matters.
Rest stops on long journeys
On journeys longer than about two hours your driver pauses at a safe service area for a short break. This break is already built into the arrival time calculated at booking, so the time you are told includes it. Families with children, or travellers who have just stepped off a long-haul flight, can ask the driver for an extra stop at any point. Because the vehicle is reserved for you, that flexibility is always there.
Book the outbound and return journeys together
Most intercity trips involve a return. Tick the round-trip option on the booking form and both journeys are stored under a single reservation number, each with its own date, time and address. On the day you leave, your driver collects you from the hotel and takes you to the airport or back to your Istanbul address. When choosing a departure time for an airport return, use the time ranges in our guide to when to leave the hotel for your flight.
Which vehicle class should you choose?
Comfort matters far more over four hours than over a short city ride.
- Eco Sedan (3 passengers, 3 suitcases): economical and perfectly adequate for solo travellers and couples.
- Business Sedan (3 passengers, 2 suitcases): quiet and spacious for travellers who want to work on the way.
- Eco Van and VIP Van (6 to 7 passengers, 6 suitcases): families and small groups, and the right choice if you carry ski equipment or extra luggage.
- Minibus and Midibus: larger groups; see our guide to group transfers.
Passenger and luggage capacity for each class is shown on the booking screen. If you are close to the limit, moving up one class makes a long journey noticeably more comfortable.
Luggage and special items
If you travel with skis, a bicycle or a pushchair in addition to standard suitcases, mention it in the booking note so the right vehicle class can be recommended. Infant and child seats are available on request.
Can the price change during an intercity transfer?
No. The price you see at booking is fixed and includes VAT. The breakdown shows exactly what it covers before you pay, and no additional payment is requested on the road.
Can we stop on the way?
Yes. On long routes your driver takes a break at a safe service area, and you can ask for an additional stop at any time during the journey.
Can I go straight from the airport to another city?
Yes. Enter your flight number when booking; your flight is tracked, your driver meets you on arrival and you set off directly for your destination.
Can I add the return journey later?
Yes. You can make a separate booking for the return or reach us through the contact page. The simplest option is to select the round trip when you first book.
To plan a door-to-door journey to Bursa, Sapanca or Çanakkale at a fixed price, get your price.