Driving
Turkish people legally drive on the right-hand side of the road, but you may find drivers careening over the road lines to pass you illegally. In addition, the international road signs are visible, but generally ignored. Istanbul is highly pedestrianised, which creates some problems for the city's many drivers. It is very important to pay attention to people walking on or near the street in any major Turkish city. In general, foreign nationals who intend to drive in Turkey need only a valid licence, which means that your home-country licence will suffice. However, an international driver's permit, which can be obtained through your home-country automobile club, may be useful if you are stopped by the traffic police.
Taxis
Bright yellow in colour, Turkey's taxis are often easy to find and relatively inexpensive compared to other European countries. Most taxis use meters which charge passengers according to the distance travelled. Currently, a taxi starts its meter by TL 650,000 (US$0.65) and adds TL200,000 (about US$0.20) every 200 meters.
Dolmus
Similar to ordinary buses, Turkey also offers dolmus or minibus services. Like regular buses, most dolmus' operate on a fixed scheduled route, often picking up and dropping off passengers en route to their final destinations. In fact, you can flag down a dolmus from the street, just as you would a taxi. The signs marked Dolmus Durak indicate places where drivers usually stop when flagged down. When you enter, sit down and then pass the correct amount of money to the front via the other passengers. Just before your stop you must yell out "Inecek Var" (pronounced in-a-jeck-var) to let the driver know there is someone who wants to get off. Be prepared for frequent stops and the curiosity of locals who aren't used to seeing foreign nationals as dolmus passengers, but know that dolmus' are considered to be even cheaper and more convenient than the regular public buses.
City Buses
City buses reach every corner of the city, but they may prove to be difficult to board and exit, particularly during rush hours. Bus numbers are indicated in bold and followed by an ordered list of visited districts. There are two types of buses operating in Istanbul, the private buses (always orange-coloured) and the city-run "belediye" buses. Although they do not publish any route maps, you can find a bus going to your destination by inquiring at any bus station office. Tickets must be bought in advance from these offices, although they are also available from newspaper kiosks and fast-food booths. It not advisable to buy them from touts at the bus station. Tickets are usually sold in blocks of ten and cost approximately US$0.50 or less each. When boarding the bus, deposit your ticket next to the driver. When taking an orange bus, you usually have the option of paying the driver in cash.
Metro
Istanbul is one to the first cities to build an underground railway. This short route built in 1800's is still working between Karakoy and Beyoglu. However Istanbul metro did not expand as it started and today there is only a small underground and tramcar network.
The routes are:
1. Karaköy - Tunel (old metro)
2. Taksim - Aga Camii - Galatasaray - Odakule - Tunel (historic tramcar)
3. Aksaray - Ulubatli - Bayrampasa - Kartaltepe - Esenler
4. Aksaray - Ulubatli - Bayrampasa - Otogar - Merter - Atakoy - Y. Bosna
5. Eminonu - Gulhane - Beyazit - Yusufpasa- Topkapi - Zeytinburnu
6. 4. Levent - Levent - Zincirlikuyu - Mecidiyekoy - Osmanbey - Taksim (underground metro)
Ferries
Ferries are slower but larger than sea buses. Like sea buses they are very useful to avoid traffic. Ferries on most of the routes below run every 15-30 minutes. We highly recommend ferry tours to the islands and the Bosphorus. For more information please call 0212 249 1896



Sea Buses
Sea Buses are fast catamaran type boats. They are a very good alternative to city buses www.ido.com.tr
Trains
Train routes are very limited in Istanbul. They are useful for residents but not very interesting for visitors. There are two main routes:
1. Sirkeci - Kumkapi - Zeytinburnu - Bakirkoy - Yesilkoy - Kanarya - Halkali
2. Haydarpasa - Bostanci - Kartal - Pendik - Tuzla - Gebze
Intercity coaches:
Buses seem to be the most convenient, effective and inexpensive mode of transport for long distance journeys. As there are numerous coach companies scattered throughout Turkey, you would be wise to ask friends and colleagues which companies are the most reliable. The bus companies in Turkey are all privately owned, very competitive with one another, and vary in comfort and services. Fares and destination times should be available outside bus offices. During some holidays and certain times of the year, advance reservations may be necessary for a long bus trip. Reservations are generally handled by ticket agents throughout Turkey's larger towns and cities.
Intercity coaches (Bus) Terminals ISTANBUL OTOGAR (212) 658 05 05 ISTANBUL HAREM (216) 333 37 63
The Turkish State Railway
The Turkish State Railways offer service to many areas of Turkey. When planning an intercity train trip, it is wise to take the blue train (mavi tren), an express or motor train. These trains run faster than the other types of trains and are generally more comfortable. Train seats on the better trains must be reserved in advance, and it is advisable to reserve sleeping cars well in advance. Railway Stations ISTANBUL Asian Side HAYDARPASA Info. (0216) 336 04 75 - 336 20 63 European Side SIRKECI Info: (0212) 527 00 50 - 51