Istanbul Public-Transport

Istanbul Public-Transport information

Trams

Istanbul boasts one fast tramway line which runs from the Eminönü ferry terminal through Sultanahmet Sq, to Aksaray, where you can change to the metro, and out to the suburbs along the Marmara coast. Tickets cost just TRY1, any distance. A separate "historic" tramway runs the length of the pedestrianised Istiklal St, in Beyoglu - tickets TRY1.

Metro

Istanbul currently has two metro lines with more under construction. One line runs from Aksaray via the main inter-city bus station at Esenler to the western suburbs and the airport. A separate line runs between Beyoglu's Taksim Sq and the northern suburbs, and is in the process of being extended. All tickets TRY1, on sale at the stations.

Buses

The bus system is comprehensive but, for the outsider, nigh on impossible to fathom on short acquaintance. Main hubs for buses are adjacent to the ferry terminal at Eminönü, and at Beyoglu's Taksim Sq. For visitors the most useful service is the number 14 which runs a circular route connecting Sultanahmet Sq with the fish restaurant district of Kumkapi and Taksim Sq in Beyoglu. If you are catching a bus be prepared for a bit of a squeeze, public transport seems very popular in Istanbul. Full buses might not stop at every scheduled halt either, so be prepared to shout out as you approach where you want to get off. For public buses you must purchase tickets in advance from a ticket booth or newspaper kiosk. On privately operated buses you buy the ticket on board.

Trains

Istanbul has two urban train lines with services every 20 minutes or so running through the suburbs on the European and Asian shores respectively. Tickets for both cost TRY1 regardless of distance. The European line, which commences at Eminönü, is particularly pleasant, running under the ramparts of Topkapi Palace and along the Byzantine Sea walls to Yedikule.

Ferries

Ferries operated by TDI, the state ferry operator, leave from several terminals of which the most useful for visitors is Eminönü. From here ferries depart every 20-30 mins to Kadiköy and Üsküdar on the Asian shore, and nearly a dozen times a day to the Princes Islands. Special Bosphorus tour ferries run twice a day in summer, and once a day at weekends in winter. Seabuses - fast, modern hydrofoils - operate between several points around the city. The routes between Kabatas and the Islands are likely to be most useful for tourists.

Driving

The whole of Turkey has a particularly high traffic accident rate so take care when travelling by road. A grossly overcrowded road system, and appalling road manners make driving in Istanbul little short of a nightmare. Outside the city on the major motorways things are easier, but many main highways between cities are still only two-lane and traffic can become frighteningly heavy, and fast. To bring your own car you'll need a valid driving license, full vehicle registration documents and "green card" third party insurance with Turkey a specified destination. Your car will be registered in your passport along with the date by which you have to take it out of the country. Driving with excess alcohol and exceeding speed limits are subject to on-the-spot fines. The speed limits in Turkey are 50km per hour (31mph) in built up residential areas, 90km per hour (56mph) on open roads and 120km per hour (74mph) on motorways. The driver and all front passengers must wear seatbelts. Seatbelts are also advised in the rear. Take note that "full" insurance in Turkey is not comprehensive. In order to avoid having to pay for even minor damage, you'll need a Police report - to verify that you haven't been drinking. There is no metered parking in Turkey. Parking officials monitor the streets and collect fees for on-street parking. The sign reading "Park Yapilmaz" means no parking. If driving nationally, tolls are charged on motorways between Erdine-Istanbul, Istanbul-Ankara, Tarsus-Pozanti, Izmir-Aydin and Izmir-Cesme.

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Taxis

With such a confusing transport system most visitors opt to use taxis when walking is not an option. Taxis are omnipresent, yellow, clearly marked and should use a meter. Beware that with the chronic traffic problems, at peak times you might end up stuck in a jam and actually be quicker (and richer) walking. Also make sure you keep an eye on the meter at all times - a few words of explanation follow. After midnight taxis are 50% more expensive than they are through the day. "Gündüz" is the daytime rate while "Gece", is the higher rate charged between 00h00-06h00. Make sure you're paying the correct rate, as a favoured trick of unscrupulous drivers is to switch to the night rate surreptitiously. The meter should display on it somewhere which rate is currently being applied.