Half of Turkey's intercity bus tickets for the school break are already sold

Planning to travel during the mid-term school break? Don't wait. Half of the intercity bus tickets on sale are already gone.

The break starts on 16 November. Mustafa Yıldırım, head of the Federation of Bus Operators (TOF), says he expects every ticket to sell out within a few days.

Travel will pick up from Friday evening, 13 November, with the heaviest crowds on 14 and 15 November. Return trips should peak on 21 and 22 November. Yıldırım advises passengers to buy round-trip tickets in advance.

Across Turkey, 343 bus companies run 8,000 buses. On normal days they make about 22,000 trips daily. During holidays that rises to as many as 27,000.

Yıldırım also urged caution on the roads. Buses should be serviced and checked, drivers should set off well rested, and passengers should wear seat belts.