Local Information
Internet access at the venue
Middle East Technical University, Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences (FEAS)B Building has wireless access to Internet in most locations near the venue. Please seek technical assistance from the staff for wireless Internet authentication.
Climate and clothing
The temperature can vary from warm to very hot, with temperatures from 25 to 30 °C. The organizers suggest that you bring light clothing.
Current Weather in METU: 
Time zone
GMT + 2 hours. Same time zone is used all over the country.
Electricity
The electrical current in Turkey is 220/230V, 50 cycles alternating current (AC). Wall outlets take continental-type plugs, with two round prongs.
Weights and measures
Kilograms and metric system are used in Turkey as weight and measuring system.
Banking, money and credit cards
The big retail banks all have ATMs, some of them give cash advances for credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express. Almost all ATMs in the METU campus have a language key that enable to read the instructions in English. Credit cards are commonly used in Turkey, and pin codes are generally used. Banks can exchange foreign currency and travelers' checks with your passport as proof of identity. Exchange offices offer a faster service and better rates when compared to banks or hotels.
The Turkish Lira (TL - brought into circulation in 2009 to replace the new Lira - YTL) comes in banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200. The Kuruş (Kr) comes in coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 and one Turkish Lira.
100 Kuruş equals 1 Turkish Lira.
Some security features and Detailed information about the Turkish Lira can be found here.
Online Currency Rates can be found from the website of Central Bank.
The value-added tax (VAT), here called KDV, is usually 18% and nearly always included in quoted prices. Certain shops are authorized to refund the tax for foreign tourists.
Mail services and telecommunications
All post offices bear the distinctive yellow PTT sign, meaning Post, Telephone and Telegrams. There is a post office in METU Campus, near "Çarşı". The Post Office in METU is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Direct local and international calls can be made from public phones by using telephone cards sold in PTT and big newspaper stands. In some public phones credit cards can also be used for calling. GSM service is also available in Turkey, and Turkcell, Vodafone (in Turkish) and Avea as the main GSM operators of Turkey have roaming agreements with many other international operators.