Istanbul Transportation Tips by H-TownJourneyman

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: Taxis are everywhere in Istanbul, and, depending on the traffic situation, can be the fastest way of getting from point A to point B. In a city where traffic can be a stand still for much of the day, many of these drivers cut in and out of traffic as if they were an emergency vehicle rushing to the scene of an accident! But generally, most taxi drivers are safe, and they are just trying to get you to where you want to go as soon as possible. All taxis have meters, and the drivers are required to use them, and I never had any problems with them trying to negotiate a fare or anything like that. But it's always good to just make sure they are using it. Most of the taxis are fairly small cars, able to fit usually 3 people at most. And the fares are in most cases pretty reasonable, probably the most you would pay for a taxi would be for a ride into town from Ataturk airport, which ran us about $12. It is not usual to tip the drivers, but we would always just round up and let him keep the change.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: Trains & Trams can be a very efficient and inexpensive way of getting around Istanbul, especially during the day when traffic is backed up. Lines are located throughout the new city in the Beyoglu, Sisli, & Besiktas districts, as well as the older parts across the Golden Horn near Sultanahmet. There are kiosk machines at each stop to purchase the tokens to ride, and they cost less than $1 per ride. One of the most interesting trams is the Istiklal Caddesi Tram, which runs down this famous Istanbul avenue in the Taksim area, and has restored 19th century street cars running along the line.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: The Ferry Boats that cruise through the waters around Istanbul are not only an efficient way to get around, but can also provide you with some of the best views of the city. There are several ferry points around the city, including ones on the European side in Karaköy, Eminönü, and Besiktas, and ones on the Asian side, including Kadiköy & Bostanci. There are ferries that can take you up the Bosphorus near the Black Sea, and others that can take you to the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara. Ferries are actually the best way to take a trip over to the Asian side and check out some of the sights. And most ferry rides are fairly inexpensive, usually costing no more than a couple of U.S. dollars.

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