Istanbul Transport, Transportation in Istanbul



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Istanbul Transportation

In Istanbul there is a hierarchy for mode of transportation that you should follow for ease and enjoyment of your trip in the following order from most desirable to least: your own two feet, ferries and sea buses, tram, metro, metrobus, bus and if necessary taxi. Avoid dolmush and minibuses, they are hard even for Turkish people.

For all transportation in Istanbul, all you need is akbil (smart ticket) that you can buy for a few Turkish liras. You pay a few liras for the chip and then for any credit you buy, start with 10. When you leave Istanbul you can give the chip back and get your chip money back (not the unused credit).

If you must get a cab have the taxi called from your hotel front desk or if you are out in the city look for a company name on the side door so you'll know the cab is not independant but working in association with a company.

Airport Transfers

Havas runs frequently and on time to many desinations in the city except the shuttle that goes Bakirkoy seabus port which is undependable. You can also get on a green colored regular bus cheaper but less comfortable. Or bus plus tram to the city center.

Instead of an airport taxi, an airport transfer company may be better choice.

Cruisehips arrive right in the middle of the old Istanbul center. You can easily go anywhere with a short ride, Taksim, Sultanahmet, or the Bosphorus area Besiktas and beyond.

Also check Taksim Hotels, Sultanahmet Hotels, Istanbul Flights, or back to Istanbul Travel Guide.