City Transport, Istanbul
Public transportation in Istanbul varies greatly. Municipality busses, public
busses, inner city and general ships, car ferries, the tunnel, metro and suburban
train systems all vary in price and have either tokens or ticket fares to pay.
If your decision lies with living in Istanbul, it is essential that you obtain
an "Akbil", a smart ticket key.
Akbil
Akbil, means smart ticket. An Akbil comes in different colors and has a refillable
battery on the end of a plastic key. It is possible to buy your Akbil at major
bus stops for about 6 YTL and have it filled to the amount you desire.
There are Akbil filling stations around all major bus stops, ports and Tünel.
Your Akbil is valid on all busses, ships, sea busses, metro and tunnel systems.
It gets you different discounts from 10-25% on all transport listed above.
Taxi (Taksi)
Taxis are numerous in all Turkish cities and are recognizable by their yellow
color and word "taksi" on top of the car. All taxis have the letter
T in their license plates. The fare shown on the meter reads according to distance
traveled. Be sure that the meter is on day rate "gündüz", from 06:00
a.m till midnight, that starts at 2 YTL, and 1.30 YTL
per kilometer. Night rate "gece" is from midnight till 06:00 a.m,
starts at 3 YTL, and 1.95 YTL per kilometer.
Please note that the passenger pay the crossing fee of the Bosphorus bridges
whether destining to European or Asian side.
Turn off the music - müziği kapatın, Close the window - camı kapatın,
Open the window - camı açın, Stop here - burada durun, Left -
sol, Right - sağ, Turn on the meter - taksimetreyi çalıştırın,
Wait please - lütfen bekleyin, Wait here - burada bekleyin,
Dolmus (Dolmuş)
Dolmus is a special service found only in Turkey. This is a collective taxi,
which follows specific routes. It may be a car or a minibus. Each passenger
pays according to distance traveled and can get off at specific or requested
stops. In order to get off, the passenger need only say, "inecek var"
meaning "someone to get off here" and the dolmus stops. This is a
very practical means of transportation and much cheaper than a taxi. You pay
the fee to the driver. Prices differ depending on distance traveled. They usually
have a sign in the lower or upper right-hand corner of their windshield that
specifies the direction to which they will be traveling. The relatively cheap
prices are set by the municipality and displayed somewhere visible within the
vehicle.
Bus (Otobüs)
There are two types of bus lines in Istanbul.
- One is run by the municipality, Belediye Otobüsü, these busses are
red, green or covered with colorful advertisements. On these buses you can use
your Akbil, special discount cards or tickets that you can buy
around any major bus stop.
- The second type of bus is privately run, Halk Otobüsü, orange or blue
and again, allowing you to use your Akbil, special discount cards or, in this
case, money. Tickets are not welcome on these buses but the price is the same.
On some of the more lengthy destinations the double-decker buses can pleasantly
surprise you. These buses require 3 tickets if passing over the Bosphorus bridge
and 2 for other regular destinations. The green colored double-deckers are privately
owned thus require cash payment and not tickets. However your Akbil is valid
on these buses, as well.
Metro (Metro, Hafif Metro)
It is quite unfortunate that Istanbul, a city with a population of 10 million
is home to one of the most inadequate metro lines. There are three lines presently;
one stretching from Kabataş to Eminönü and to Zeytinburnu via Aksaray and another line from
Aksaray to Atatürk International Airport via Yenibosna, passing through Otogar. The last line is a real under ground system and
connects Taksim to 4. Levent via Sisli. Your Akbil is valid here. It is possible to obtain a discount metro card from
any of the metro stations.
Tunnel (Tünel)
It is the easiest way to get from Karaköy to Beyoğlu, instead of climbing the
steep streets. The coaches were pulled by horses when it was first opened to
the public in 1875 but today it is pulled by electricity. The Tünel tokens are .90 YTL and can be bought at any of the Tünel entrances while you can also
use your Akbil. It is a common joke for foreigners to wait for the non-existent
second stop of the Tünel Coach since the ride seems to promise more than the
short trip up or down. mymerhaba.com would strongly suggest that you take your
time one day and walk down (not up!) the famous Yüksek Kaldırım Street (High
Pavement Street) that ties Karaköy to Beyoğlu; it is an unforgettable experience.
Tünel is open every day from 07.00 to 21.00 (Sundays from 07:30 to 21:00).
Tramway (Tramvay)
The Istiklal Street (or Pera as it was once known) between Taksim and Tünel,
is closed to traffic, making the only way of transportation the old trams. You
may acquire a tram ticket before you board or ask the conductor "nicely"
to let you buy one where you embark. You may use your Akbil but keep in mind
that there is almost no difference between the amount of time it takes to walk
briskly or take a tram.
Another tramway line is between
Kabataş and Zeytinburnu. This 14 km line
provides fast and comfortable transport. This line was extended to Bağcılar with its
Zeytinburnu-Bağcılar and makes connection to the light rail
(Hafif Metro) system at Zeytinburnu and Aksaray stations.
Funicular
Taksım – Kabataş funicular railway
system links Zeytinburnu-Kabataş tram and the Kabataş ferry docks to Taksim-4
Levent metro. Sea busses and ferries sail from Kabataş to Kadıköy, Üsküdar and
Princes’ Islands. Busses run from Kabataş to Mecidiyeköy and the Bosphrorus.
The tram provides transportation from Kabataş to Eminönü and Aksaray. You can use your Akbil, special discount cards or can purchase tokens.
Ship (Vapur)
The ships in Istanbul travel from one side of the Bosphorus to the other or
to distant points on the same side. Please bear in mind that prices for
tokens vary for the Princes' Islands ships or Bosphorus cruises.
Motorboat (Motor)
These are small to medium sized boats that travel between short distances such
as Kadıköy-Eminönü-Kadıköy, Beşiktaş-Üsküdar-Beşiktaş, Karaköy-Üsküdar-Karaköy.
They are reminiscent of the Dolmuş at sea and payment is made to the captain's
assistant after you board. They can be found next to ship ports.
Ferry Car (Araba Vapuru)
The car ferries that travel between Sirkeci - Harem (every day) can be a breath of fresh
air for the driver tired of rush hour traffic. Tickets can be purchased before
boarding.
There are a number of car ferries that leave Istanbul and travel to other city
ports.
Sea Bus (Deniz Otobüsü)
The fastest way to travel in the city. It is ideal if you need to bridge distant
destinations such as Bostancı-Bakırköy, or Kadıköy-Sarıyer. There are, again,
many that go to other city ports and to the Islands. You can purchase tokens
at the sea bus ports or use your Akbil for discount.
Suburban Train (Banliyö Treni)
There are suburban trains traveling from Sirkeci on the European and from Haydarpaşa
on the Anatolian side. They can be an alternative when traffic is an issue but
it is best to remember that since these trains are the most affordable way to
travel longer distances, they can be extremely crowded, dirty and not very preferable.
Tickets can be bought at the station. Monthly discount cards
are also available. You can also use your Akbil at the trains.
Also See:
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