Detailed Guide to İDO Arabalı Vapur
As a leader in Turkey's maritime transportation sector, İDO Arabalı Vapur plays a vital role at critical crossing points in the Sea of Marmara. Breathing life into Istanbul's heavy traffic, this system offers fast and safe travel to tens of thousands of passengers and vehicles every day. Standing out by shortening road journeys and saving fuel, İDO Arabalı is one of the most important transportation infrastructures directly contributing to the economic and touristic mobility of the Marmara Region.
Foundation and History
Emerging as a separate entity in 2010 to focus specifically on car ferry services under the İDO umbrella, the company represents a deep-rooted maritime tradition. By renovating the Eskihisar and Tavşanlı piers to increase capacity, the company accelerated its toll booth systems and implemented contactless payment and HGS (Fast Transit System) integrations. Through these innovations, it has become Turkey's most preferred maritime vehicle transport brand.
Fleet and Vessels
The İDO Arabalı fleet includes 6 modern car ferries with high vehicle and passenger capacities. With an average capacity of 80-120 vehicles, these ferries feature spacious indoor lounges for foot passengers. The vessels are designed to provide a safe and smooth sailing experience, even in challenging weather conditions.
Operated Routes
The company's operations center around two main routes. The first is the Eskihisar-Tavşanlı line, which is Turkey's busiest car ferry route, operating over 100 daily departures. The second route is the historic Sirkeci-Harem line, connecting the two sides of Istanbul. To alleviate passenger and vehicle congestion, services on both routes run 24/7 without interruption.
Purchasing Tickets
Ticket purchasing is highly practical. Passengers can buy tickets at the pier toll booths using cash or credit cards. Thanks to the HGS integration on the Eskihisar-Tavşanlı line, vehicles can pass through without stopping. For foot passengers on the Sirkeci-Harem line, the İstanbulkart is valid. Real-time schedule information can be tracked via the website (http://www.idoarabali.com.tr).
Discounts and Promotions
- Special price advantages for round-trip ticket purchases.
- Discounted foot passenger fares for students, teachers, and passengers over 65.
- Free or discounted travel rights for disabled citizens and veterans.
- Corporate agreements and fleet discounts for frequently traveling commercial vehicle fleets.
Service Standards
Boarding and disembarking processes are organized by expert personnel. The indoor passenger lounges feature air conditioning, comfortable seating, and clean restrooms. During the voyage, cafe/buffet services are available, selling hot/cold beverages and snacks. Passengers may also choose to remain in their vehicles for the duration of the trip.
Contact and Support
Prioritizing customer satisfaction, the company provides 24/7 support through its call center. Passengers can connect to the live support line via the website or send an email to submit their requests and complaints. Information desks at the piers also assist in resolving immediate issues.