Flight Timing following RS Tour

Mary, I'd suggest contacting the RS Tour department, as they'd have the best information. In most RS tours, the Tour Bus usually leaves the group a day or two prior to the end of the tour, as it's not needed at the last stop. Based on what you've said, it sounds like that particular tour retains the Bus to provide transport to the airport at the end of the tour. Happy travels!

I am a bit nervous about that also - however have gone ahead and booked the flight leaving at 10:40 from Izmir on the 22nd of Sept to Istanbul and then on to Athen - Santorini ..........
Not much help to you but will advise if the timing works - if not all part of the trip .

Took the Best of Turkey tour in Septemeber 2010. People with earlier flights (e.g. 8:00 am) took taxis to the airport, but those of us with later flights took the bus. The guide knew everyones departure time and made sure the bus departed the hotel and arrived at Izmir airport in time for our flights. It's a very small and easy-to-navigate airport. You may also be able to check-in online while at your Kusadasi hotel so that you can go straight to the security check and departure gate, which is maybe a 2 minute walk from the bus.

I was going to reply to this but Frank said EXACTLY what I was going to post so I second what he said. I did so enjoy that tour and especially Istanbul.

Thanks for the help. You made me feel much better and I have booked flights. Now for a hotel at or near the airport. We have a very early departure the following day for home. Any suggestions?

I found a very good rate on the Ataturk airport hotel's website. While not exactly cheap, the convenience of a 5 minute walk or short shuttle ride to the international terminal made it worth the price. Eating at the hotel is very expensive, so I took public transit (inexpensive, takes about an hour each way) into Sultanhamet for the evening.

I'm going on this same tour in June 2012 with some friends and we're looking at flight details now. Am hoping to benefit from your experience, Mary. Did you find the 10:40 Turkish Air flight worked well or did you feel too rushed? Also, did you fly out from Istanbul immediately upon arrival or did you stay for a while after that? I've read on the RS site that sometimes an overnight in Istanbul might be required but I'm hoping that's not the case. Any advice/suggestions are most appreciated. Thank you!

We took the tour last September. The 10:30 flight was not a problem. We arrived at the airport on the RS bus in plenty of time. We had a flight with BA out of Istanbul the same day so had a few hours at Ataturk airport. All worked out well for us.

Paula from Mision, if you want to go to Santorini and Athens you can do it quite cheaper. We went from Kusadasi to Samos by ferry. Then to Mykonos and Santorini and then again by ferry to Athens.

First of all, the tour was wonderful. We took the RS bus to Izmir. Our guide had booked a 10:00am flight and she had done this many times, so knew were going to be okay. There were many of us flying Turkish Air to Istanbul at various times. As there were extra seats on the 10 am flight most were put onto the earlier flight. Airport is small, check in speedy and we did not feel rushed. Booked at Airport Hotel which worked great. Took subway and tram back into old town for more shopping and baklava. We had very early departure for home the next day. Hope this helps. Would be happy to answer any questions. Have a wonderful time.

We did this same trip last spring, and I, too, was concerned about missing the flight from Izmir to Istanbul. I talked to someone at the RS office, and she assured me that the 10:30 flight would not be a problem. She was right. No problem. In fact, as we were checking in at the Izmir Airport, the Turkish Airlines agent suggested we take an even earlier flight that had room and would be boarding in a few minutes. Since we were going to stay two more days in Istanbul, we had arranged with our hotel to be picked up at the Istanbul airport, as we had when we first arrived in Turkey. With the earlier flight from Izmir, we were early for the arranged pick up. However, the young man from the transportation service recognized us from the previous time and shuffled through his papers to find the sign with our name. Best of Turkey was a wonderful trip!