Getting Around

From the airport

A taxi from the city's Ataturk airport to Sultanahmet or Taksim takes 30-45 minutes (depending on the traffic). Current prices are clearly displayed at the taxi rank outside the arrivals hall.

There are also regular buses to Taksim Square and the Esenler bus station departing from outside the arrivals hall.

Walking

All you need to get around the Old City are your feet, and occasionally a ride on the excellent modern tram. There are nice walks along the Bosphorus between the suburbs of Arnavutkoyu and Bebek or Rumelihisari.

Trams

A vintage tram runs the length of Istiklal Caddesi from the top of the funicular railway, or Tunel, to Taksim square. There's also a modern tram running from Eminonu, through Sultanahmet to the Grand Bazaar and beyond to the bus station at Esenler. This is a very fast and convenient way of getting between the main sites of the Old City.

Ferries

Ferries are an excellent way of getting around the traffic-clogged city and they are fun too. Departing from Eminonu pier 2 are special tourist services at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm and 2:10 pm, which travel up the Bosphorus to the suburbs of Sariyer or Anadolu Kavagi, just short of the Black Sea. Alternatively, get on the regular commuter ferries across the Bosphorus to the Asian suburbs of Kadikoy or Uskudar.

Ferries to Kadikoy also call at Haydarpasa, the city's main train station.

Taxis

Taxis are cheap, though the Istanbul traffic is notoriously bad. Avoid road travel during rush-hours at all costs, unless you enjoy sitting bumper to bumper in traffic jams. Don't rely on your driver knowing how to find where you want to go. It can be helpful to have someone in your hotel write the name and address of your destination on a piece of paper.