Skip to content
Kütahya Dumlupınar UniversityEducation 4.0 Student SymposiumInternational Student Congress

13–15 July 2026 · Kütahya

Venue & Transport

Symposium venue and transport details.

// Visitor Guide

The heart of the symposium will beat in Kütahya's historic center.

The opening program is set in the Yakub Bey II Complex, with parallel sessions organized around the Tile Museum and the Vacidiye Madrasa. Both venues sit around the Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami), within the historic urban fabric that carries the Germiyan memory — turning the program into not just an academic gathering, but a cultural route experienced on site.

Discover Kütahya

This information was compiled from online sources on 2 May 2026; please check official ticketing and airline pages for schedules before traveling.

Information
Opening Venue
Yakub Bey II Complex (Tile Museum)
Parallel Sessions
Tile Museum and Vacidiye Madrasa
Airport
Zafer Airport (KZR), Altıntaş
Rail Connection
Eskişehir high-speed rail + transfer to Kütahya

// Travel Plan

Getting to Kütahya from Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir

The most practical way to reach Kütahya depends on your departure city: a direct flight or road trip from Istanbul, rail via Eskişehir or road from Ankara, and road or TCDD rail connections from Izmir. The suggestions below are for preliminary visitor planning.

From Istanbul

The fastest option, if a suitable flight is available, is the Istanbul Airport - Zafer Airport route. Alternatively, consider the Istanbul - Eskişehir high-speed train (YHT), followed by a train or road transfer to Kütahya.

  • Flight: Istanbul Airport - Zafer Airport flights should be checked seasonally.
  • Train: Istanbul - Eskişehir YHT, then a regional train or private transfer from Eskişehir to Kütahya.
  • Road: The Istanbul - Bursa - Bozüyük - Kütahya route should be planned as roughly a half-day journey.

From Ankara

The strongest option from Ankara is rail via Eskişehir. Driving to Kütahya via Eskişehir also offers a simple route.

  • Train: Ankara - Eskişehir YHT, with the Eskişehir - Kütahya regional train connection.
  • Road: The Ankara - Eskişehir - Kütahya route is comfortable when planned with breaks.
  • Bus: Intercity services from Ankara AŞTİ to Kütahya Bus Terminal can be checked.

From Izmir

From Izmir, road travel is usually planned along the Manisa - Uşak - Kütahya route. For trains, check TCDD's current Izmir/Kütahya connections.

  • Road: The Izmir - Manisa - Uşak - Kütahya route is direct and straightforward.
  • Train: Long-distance and transfer options departing Izmir Basmane should be checked via TCDD.
  • Bus: Direct services from Izmir Bus Terminal to Kütahya Bus Terminal are a practical alternative.

// Airport

From the Airport to Kütahya City Center

Zafer Airport is located in Kütahya's Altıntaş district and is a regional airport serving the Kütahya, Afyonkarahisar and Uşak corridor. The airport's official page states that a Kütahya center - Zafer Airport shuttle operates for all flights. Since shuttle and flight times may change, check Zafer Airport's flight information and shuttle pages before booking.

Shuttle

Kütahya center - Zafer Airport shuttles run according to flight times.

Taxi

Taxi and private transfer options are available at the terminal exit.

Car Rental

If you plan to explore the Kütahya area and nearby routes such as Aizanoi, renting a car offers convenience.

> route = eskisehir_transfer

Getting There by High-Speed Rail and Train

There is no direct high-speed rail (YHT) line to Kütahya; the most functional connection is via Eskişehir. From Istanbul, Ankara and Konya, take the YHT to Eskişehir, then continue to the city center by Eskişehir - Kütahya regional trains or road transfer. The Eskişehir - Kütahya line is about 77 km and the journey takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes; check TCDD Taşımacılık for exact times and tickets.

YHT Transfer Point

Eskişehir Station

Arrival in Kütahya

Kütahya Station is close to the city center.

Planning Note

Allow sufficient transfer time between the YHT and the regional train.

// Symposium Venues

Two historic venues, one central route

The opening and parallel sessions are planned across two buildings close to each other in Kütahya's historic center. This proximity makes session transitions easy while making the symposium's bond with the Germiyan heritage visible through the venues themselves.

Opening day and main session venue

Yakub Bey II Complex (Tile Museum)

Paşam Sultan Quarter, next to the Grand Mosque / Kütahya Center

Built in 1411 by the Germiyan ruler Yakub Çelebi II, the complex's soup kitchen and tomb sections opened to visitors as the Tile Museum in 1999. As Türkiye's first and only tile museum, it brings together Kütahya and İznik tiles in a historic Germiyan setting.

  • Located around the Grand Mosque; easily reached on foot in the historic center.
  • Search for “Kütahya Tile Museum” or “2. Yakub Bey Külliyesi” in navigation apps.
  • On opening day, account for parking and pedestrian density in the surrounding area.
Open in Maps →
Parallel session venue

Vacidiye Madrasa (Kütahya Archaeology Museum)

Börekçiler Quarter, adjacent to the Grand Mosque / Kütahya Center

Known as the Umur bin Savcı Madrasa, the building was constructed in 1314 by Umur bin Savcı of the Germiyan dynasty; it is also called the Vacidiye Madrasa. With its stone portal reflecting Seljuk art and its enclosed madrasa layout, it is one of the strongest landmarks of scholarly life in the Germiyan era.

  • Adjacent to the Grand Mosque, it shares the same historic core as the Tile Museum.
  • Search for “Kütahya Archaeology Museum” or “Vacidiye Medresesi” in navigation apps.
  • Allowing a short walk between the two venues is enough for parallel session transitions.
Open in Maps →

// Kütahya Guide

Kütahya between sessions and after the symposium

The Tile Museum, the Grand Mosque, the Vacidiye Madrasa and Germiyan Street can be planned within the same visit rhythm; for longer breaks, the castle and Aizanoi routes stand out. Read the full guide →

01

Grand Mosque and Historic Bazaar

The heart of the city from the Germiyan era to today. Located right at the center of the symposium venues; the tile bazaars and historic artisan quarter are within walking distance.

02

Germiyan Street

The city's most photogenic route, with restored traditional Kütahya houses. With its cafés and craft workshops, it is ideal for a short break between sessions.

03

Kütahya Castle

Its walls overlooking the city offer sunset views. It can be reached from the historic center by car or a brisk walk.

04

Tile Workshops

See Kütahya's living tile tradition on site in its workshops — the city is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of crafts and folk arts.

05

Ancient City of Aizanoi

With its Temple of Zeus in Çavdarhisar, one of Anatolia's best-preserved ancient cities. About 50 km from the center; can be planned as a half-day driving route.

06

Hungarian House and Museums

The Hungarian House where Lajos Kossuth lived and the city museums are short stops that can be added to a historic center tour.

// Local Notes

Small preparations for symposium days in Kütahya

  • In central Kütahya the symposium venues sit within a historic pedestrian fabric; comfortable shoes are a good idea.
  • In July the temperature difference between day and evening can be noticeable; a light cardigan is handy for outdoor transitions.
  • The Tile Museum, the Grand Mosque, the Vacidiye Madrasa and Germiyan Street can be planned within the same visit rhythm.
  • As flight, train and shuttle times vary, the timing suggestions on this page will be finalized once the final program is announced.

// Sources