Istanbul Ili Transportation

  The train arrives at the upper station
by mtncorg
 
  • The train arrives at the upper station
      The train arrives at the upper station
    by mtncorg
  • View over the Golden Horn from the top station
      View over the Golden Horn from the top...
    by mtncorg
  • Istanbul
      Istanbul
    by lotharscheer
  • Istanbul
      Istanbul
    by lotharscheer
  • Istanbul
      Istanbul
    by lotharscheer
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Airport Private Transfer Service

by June.b

I've been visiting Turkey for 5 years now -- for 2 weeks to 1 month vacations, and I was able to get used to using the public transport. Landing at the Ataturk airport, I normally use the Metro+Tramvay.But there is this company that I trust very much whenever I need an impromptu private transfer at Istanbul airport. I've used their transfer service several times, most of the time for friends who aren't familiar with the city and the public transport. It's called Backpacker's Travel (Istanbul Airport Transfer).They are so reliable that they always have a prepared vehicle even booking on arrival date, or few hours from arrival time. The rates are so so competitive that even backpackers in couple or group could easily afford them. They have presentable vehicles and pleasant drivers, so I recommend them even for our top executives. Airport to city costs only EUR30 per car per way. They also...

Tip Photo
Sultanahmet to Chora Church by tram+metro

by June.b

Most people say take the bus from Eminonu, quite complicated for me esp. the part where you have to either guess the bus stop to the place or asking someone inside the bus.So I tried figuring out using the google map. After all, a tramvay + metro will do it more conveniently plus of course a few minutes walk. From Sultanahmet take the tramvay that goes to Zeytinburnu (not the one going to Eminonu or Kabatas which is the other way). Get off at Topkapi - the 8th stop from Sultanahmet station.At Topkapi station, walk up the stairs and you will see the Metro station few meters (see pics), just follow the people most of them goes to that metro station. Take the Metro that goes to Mescid-e-Selam, on the 3rd stop get off, it's called Edirnekapi.On ground level, walk all the way to the walls and you'll see what looks like a gate. it's a road actually, on the left wall side there is a small...

Tip Photo
Akbil: Small key to big city

by ozalp

Akbil, “Akilli Bilet” means “Smart Ticket”. It is a small plastic and metal object that we use as a ticket for public transportation in Istanbul. I am using mine for more than 5 years. It can be bought and refilled from kiosks or ticket cubicles near the main bus stops.It can be used in busses, ferries, trains, metro and tunnel but not in taxies, dolmus or any other private transport. It is a little bit cheaper than regular ticket but you have to pay some money advance to take it. I think this money can be taken by returning Akbil. I am not sure because I never tried to give it back. I cannot leave my little, red, cute Akbil. :)Also there is news that if you use two or more transports continuously, for example if you go to Besiktas from Taksim by bus and then you use a ferry to go Kadikoy, ferry (your second transportation) will be gratis or discounted.Akbil does not seem appropriate for...

Tip Photo
Taksim-Kabatas Funicular Tram

by June.b

The much modern version of the tunnel tram in Beyoglu (going down to Karakoy) is the Taksim-Kabatas funicular. This funicular tram runs from Kabatas to Taksim, connecting people getting off at Kabatas - the end stop of the tramvay coming from Zeytinburnu - to Taksim square.Therefore if you're coming from the airport and wants to go to Taksim, this is an alternative route - Metro to Zeytinburnu station - then connect to Tramvay to Kabatas (end of the line, some tram ends at Eminonu but you can always catch another tram from Eminonu that goes to Kabatas without changing station) - then Kabatas funicular to Taksim. And vise-versa.The cruise ferry dock and ferries coming from Bursa also is nearby Kabatas tram/funicular station, so cruise ferry passengers wanting to go to Taksim can just walk from the port to the funicular station underground to go to Taksim.This is also a good alternative if...

Tip Photo
Bus from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Taksim

by June.b

.Sabiha Gokcen International Airport is on the asian side and more far to the city center than the bigger Ataturk airport.Most budget airlines coming from europe or other parts of the world lands at this airport.Good news is, there are transport from there to diffferent part of the city.In fact - and I only discovered this when I arrived last month (June 2010 from Rome) - there is a Havas (airport bus) already going to Taksim from Sabiha Gokcen airport.I was actually looking for the airport bus going to the asian part as that's the transport I know and I will just take the ferry from there to Eminonu.Out of curiosity, I asked the dispatcher where is that bus (pointing to the next airport bus in line) going? He said Taksim....Alas! there's a direct bus! So I immediately get off the first bus and jumped in that Taksim bus. Fare costs TL13 - a bit costly but at least it's direct to...

Dolmush

by June.b

Dolmush are those yellow shared taxi vans. They're very useful especially at times when the big buses aren't available. The dolmush are a local's favorite transport mode, they have a lot of routes and they are everywhere in the city.In Taksim/Beyoglu area, there are dolmush going to Aksaray and from Aksaray you can take the ever popular tramvay to Sultanahmet. They're parked and waiting for passengers near the main square, from the statue on the very center of Taksim Square go the main Tarlabasi Bulvari (boulevard), turn left exactly where the flower market is, continue walking down about a minute or 2 and you'll see the yellow vans - that's the Dolmush. Look for the "Aksaray" sign if you're going to Sultanahmet, get off at Aksaray and take the tram (Eminonu or Kabatas route) - you'll never miss it.

Akbil Key

by A_L_I

The Akbil key is definitely the best feature of the Istanbul public transportation network. It is a small stainless steel button in a plastic holder that can be used for all public transportation except on a Dolmuº or minibus. The Benefits of Akbil:1. It is very easy to carry and will save you time while getting on buses, trams, metros or ferries. since you won’t have to look for a token or ticket sales office.2. It will save you money. You will get a 10% discount by using your akbil for the first station and a 40% discount for the next five transits you make within a 120 minute period.3. If you’re traveling with a party of two or more, there is no need to get more than one akbil. However, keep in mind that while everybody will still benefit from the basic 10% fare discount, only one will get the 40% transit fare discount. Where and How to Get Akbil?The easiest way to obtain the Akbil is...

Tip Photo
Istanbul Ili around by bus

by Kuznetsov_Sergey

We’ve crossed Istanbul Province from west to east by bus. The initial point of my trip was Yesilköy, where the Atatürk International Airport is located and where I had arrived from Moscow by air, to Istanbul. After having lived four days in Istanbul we went by bus to Kocaeli Province to the east. After having made a ring around Turkey we came back to Istanbul Ili from the western province Tekirdag. In the end of 10-days trip I departed the International Airport to Moscow. You can watch my 2 min 16 sec HQ Video Istanbul Arrival by bus part I out of my Youtube channel with Turkish pop music by Baris – Olu Cicekler,3 min 40 sec HQ Video Istanbul Around by bus part I out of my Youtube channel with Istanbul (Not Constantinople) by Tiny Toonfm,3 min 29 sec HQ Video Istanbul Around by bus part II out of my Youtube channel with Turkish pop music by Koray Candemir – Eskisi Gibi Olmaz,2 min 17...

Tip Photo
Istanbul Airport

by Kuznetsov_Sergey

Atatürk International Airport located in Yesilköy, on the European side of the city. It is 15 km southwest of the city centre. The airport is named in honor of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. I got Istanbul by VIM avia from Moscow. It took me about 3 hours of pleasant flight.You can watch my 2 min 37 sec HQ Video Istanbul Arrival by air Istanbul not Constantinople out of my Youtube channel with Istanbul (Not Constantinople) by Skacubano.You may watch my high resolution photo of Istanbul on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 40° 58' 42.15" N 28° 49' 8.34" E or on my Google Earth Panoramio Istanbul Airport.

Tip Photo
From the Airport to Sultanahmet

by June.b

The first time I went to Istanbul, I took the Havas Bus from the airport to the city which costs around 10YTL...juz bcuz my hotel is in Taksim area.This time around (my hotel is in Sultanahmet) I took the cheapest yet very comfortable way --- the metro-tramvay combination that costs only a dollar or so. This is how it works:We arrived at the Ataturk Airport very early in the morning so we have plenty of time before the check-in time at the hotel. So we decided to take the public transport. Upon exiting from the main arrival gate of the airport, walk just a little follow the M (Metro) sign approx. 10 to 15 meters and you will see the escalator going down - either of the 2 exits the escalator is at the middle - just on the same side of the exit, you don't need to cross the road. Don't worry you wont miss that, that's where the people are smoking since smoking inside the airport terminal is...

Tip Photo

Top 3 Hotels in Istanbul Ili

Esans Hotel  Istanbul

 7 Reviews and 184 Opinions  a very new hotel. very near to grande museums and sophia dome. sea is very near to hotel. we enjoy... 

 Hotels in Istanbul

Sirkeci Konak Hotel  Istanbul

 2 Reviews and 1326 Opinions  I cannot write a glowing enough review of this hotel and I stay in hotels about 35 weeks a year for... 

 Hotels in Istanbul

Four Seasons Istanbul  Istanbul

 6 Reviews and 301 Opinions  This is the 2nd time I come to Istanbul....the last time I came I came with my buddies, so we stayed... 

 Hotels in Istanbul

The Place

Reviews and photos of Istanbul Ili attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Istanbul Ili sightseeing.

Experience Istanbul Ili
 

Questions and Answers

tracyskf profile photo

Q:  Hi, I am researching on a short trip to Istanbul and have many questions. Hope to have some responses to help me plan ahead.... 

Mikebb profile photo

A: We visited Istanbul & Turkey Sept/ Oct 2010, weather was good, not hot. Turkey and Istanbul can get very hot so I recommend you Google up Istanbul Tourism - weather. This... 

Read 16 Replies

postQuestion_button