Transportation categories in Istanbul
Airports
Ataturk Havalimani
The Atatürk International Airport is the largest and busiest in Turkey. It is located 23 km west of European part Istanbul. It has a capacity of 14 ...
Sabiha Gokcen
Sabiha Göksen International Airport on Pendik is located about 50 km east of the Old City on the Asian side. It is becoming more and more popular ...
Public Transport
by tram
The tram system runs in a similar way to the buses with tickets interchangeable between the two. Istanbul has two tramways on the European side. A ...
by metro
The "Istanbul Metro", from Taksim to Levent (the city''s busiest business district) was opened in 2000 and it is very convenient if you want to see ...
by water
Passenger ferries are by far the most pleasant way to travel in Istanbul. The Bosphorus Strait divides Istanbul into its eastern Asian side and its ...
Taxis
Cabs are little and yellow and taxi drivers are even more reckless than other drivers in Istanbul. Scams are widespread. Be alert when catching a cab...
Tickets
Bus, metro, ferry and tram tickets are usually available near the main stops. They can be purchased either from a kiosk, all main bus and metro stops...
General
Transportation
by bus
There are numerous private and state-owned city buses in Istanbul that operate to different destinations in the city. However, because of traffic ...
by train
The national railway network is run by Turkish State Railways (TCDD) which is cheap but not very comfortable. There are two stations in Istanbul, the...
by car
The road network throughout Turkey is wide with numerous 3 lane highways and dual carriage ways. But the maintenance is mainly poor and sometimes ...
by Intercity bus
The most convenient travel method in Turkey is the system of intercity coaches, especially for Southern Turkey. The Uluslararasi Istanbul Otogarior...
Ataturk Havalimani
The Atatürk International Airport is the largest and busiest in Turkey. It is located 23 km west of European part Istanbul. It has a capacity of 14 million passengers a year and a number of regular services from the Middle East, the USA and Australia land here. The main airline is Turkish Airlines (THY) has flights to all major European and Asian cities. The Airport facilities include two health clinics with a 24 hours service, pharmacies, environmental health services, lost and found offices, banks, post offices, baggage service, restaurants and cafes, tourist information, shops and exchange offices. All major car hire companies have a desk over there.
The Havas service bus which goes to Aksaray and Taksim Square departs from the international and domestic terminals every half hour. The journey takes about 30 minutes. Visit their websites for departures and locations: www.havas.com.tr/en/otobus_istanbul_ahl.asp. Every hour there are also busses going to the Akmerkez shopping centre in Etiler. Another option is the taxi service which is rather expensive. The new metro system has regular trains going to Esenler, the main bus station, and to Aksaray (www.istanbul-ulasim.com.tr/en/default.asp?menu_id=1&sayfa_id=4).
The Havas service bus which goes to Aksaray and Taksim Square departs from the international and domestic terminals every half hour. The journey takes about 30 minutes. Visit their websites for departures and locations: www.havas.com.tr/en/otobus_istanbul_ahl.asp. Every hour there are also busses going to the Akmerkez shopping centre in Etiler. Another option is the taxi service which is rather expensive. The new metro system has regular trains going to Esenler, the main bus station, and to Aksaray (www.istanbul-ulasim.com.tr/en/default.asp?menu_id=1&sayfa_id=4).
Sabiha Gokcen
Sabiha Göksen International Airport on Pendik is located about 50 km east of the Old City on the Asian side. It is becoming more and more popular with cheap airlines. The airport covers a small number of charter flights to central Asia, as well as cargo and military flights. The airport facilities include ATMs, a bank, post offices, duty free shops, gift shops, restaurants and cafés, parking and business facilities. Busses are usually coinciding with flight times and depart to Kadikov, Bostanci and Kucukyali on the Asian side of the city and Taksim on the west, where other transport is available. For Havas transports visit www.istanbul-ulasim.com.tr/en/default.asp?menu_id=1&sayfa_id=4. Also taxis are offering a 24 hours service.
by tram
The tram system runs in a similar way to the buses with tickets interchangeable between the two. Istanbul has two tramways on the European side. A quick, modern commuter tram runs from Eminönü through Sultanahmet and onto outlying suburbs. It divides at Aksaray, where visitors should change trains to get to Esenler Otogar, the bus station. The other, referred to as the Nostaljik Tramvay, is slower and drives the length of Istiklal Caddesi from Beyoglu to Taksim Square and back. It is connected to Karaköy by the Tünel underground, which runs up and down the steep hill between Karaköy and the Istiklal Caddesi.
by metro
The "Istanbul Metro", from Taksim to Levent (the city''s busiest business district) was opened in 2000 and it is very convenient if you want to see the downtown and commercial centres. Hours of operation are between 6 am and 2 am. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance of the metro.
by water
Passenger ferries are by far the most pleasant way to travel in Istanbul. The Bosphorus Strait divides Istanbul into its eastern Asian side and its western European side. Central Istanbul, including the historic sites, is on the European side. The two largest ports are Eminönü and Karaköy. Karaköy port is where luxury cruise ships head for the Aegean and Mediterranean dock, as well as smaller CIS vessels. The major commuter ferry lines mainly depart from Eminönü, Karaköy, Besiktas and Üsküdar. Both Eminönü and Karaköy ports and all the ferry terminals and quays around them, have rows of buses, taxis and dolmus lined up outside. Tokens for the passenger ferries can be bought from dockside kiosks. The primary routes run roughly every twenty minutes (between 7 am and 11 pm, with exception of the Eminönü-Kadiköy service that stops at 8 pm).
Taxis
Cabs are little and yellow and taxi drivers are even more reckless than other drivers in Istanbul. Scams are widespread. Be alert when catching a cab in Sultanahmet or Taksim. One light on the metre means day rate, two mean night rate. Check your change carefully; rides within the centre should not cost more than 5.
Tickets
Bus, metro, ferry and tram tickets are usually available near the main stops. They can be purchased either from a kiosk, all main bus and metro stops and ferry terminals or from a private seller, who adds about 25% to the price. An akbil (electronic token) can also be purchased in advance. This token is valid for a number of journeys, at a slightly better rate, and is good for buses, ferries and the metro.
by bus
There are numerous private and state-owned city buses in Istanbul that operate to different destinations in the city. However, because of traffic jams, these are slow, uncomfortable and usually crowded. The timetables often do not reflect the actual situation; you may have to wait for a bus for 20 or 30 minutes. The services come to a halt at midnight. Tickets are available from the kiosks by main bus stops. Bus drivers sometimes fail to stop at the smaller bus stops and distances between the main stops can be quite long.
by train
The national railway network is run by Turkish State Railways (TCDD) which is cheap but not very comfortable. There are two stations in Istanbul, the Sirkeci Station, Ankara Caddesi on the European side and Haydarpasa Station, Haydarpaya Istasyon Caddesi on the Asian side. Both stations include kiosks, restaurants, waiting rooms and ATMs.
From Sirkeci Station trains go to Belgrade, Bucharest, Budapest and Sofia. Trains to Turkish destinations leave from Havdarpasa Station. There are also express trains to Major Turkish cities which can be sometimes very slow and crowded. Trains to Ankara are the Bogazici Express and the Baskent Express (both take about 6 ½ hours) and the Fatih Express (8 hours).
From Sirkeci Station trains go to Belgrade, Bucharest, Budapest and Sofia. Trains to Turkish destinations leave from Havdarpasa Station. There are also express trains to Major Turkish cities which can be sometimes very slow and crowded. Trains to Ankara are the Bogazici Express and the Baskent Express (both take about 6 ½ hours) and the Fatih Express (8 hours).
by car
The road network throughout Turkey is wide with numerous 3 lane highways and dual carriage ways. But the maintenance is mainly poor and sometimes dangerous. Driving in Turkey is not always the safes way due to the high amount of busses and trucks and the road rules that are not yet up to European standards. The road from Europe to Istanbul has been improved by the Istanbul bypass and two Bosporus bridges. Turkish road signs conform to the International Protocol on Road Signs and the codes for the Highway are similar to the ones in Europe. The fastest ways are the multilane highways, called otoyols, which link Istanbul to other major cities in Turkey. In order to drive in Turkey you must be over 18 years and be able to show your registrations documents, passport and international driving license when entering the country. If coming from Europe you have to have a Green Card and appropriate up to date insurance. Driving is on the right side and the speed limit lies at 120 km/h on motorways, 90 km/h on main roads and 50 km/h in towns.
by Intercity bus
The most convenient travel method in Turkey is the system of intercity coaches, especially for Southern Turkey. The Uluslararasi Istanbul Otogarior or the International Bus Terminal in Esenler which is located about 10 km outside the city centre, serves all domestic and international lines. Shuttle services depart from Inonu Caddesi and Sirasilveler Caddesi in Taksim. The tickets can be booked right before departure and most of the companies also accept credit cards for payment. Coach companies are for example Kamil Koç (www.kamilkoc.com.tr), Ulusöy (www.ulusoy.com.tr)and Varan (www.varan.com.tr).