How to get around Istanbul

Istanbul It is one of the most populated cities in the world, and therefore an impressive chaos. In addition, it is bathed by the sea wherever you go, which increases the traffic disruption even more. After arrival in the city and during the transfer to the hotel you will realize this. The most normal thing is to think: «uf, my mother, what a fuss ...».

Well then, let's try to help you move around Istanbul without too much trouble. You have several options to use as a means of transportation: taxi, tram, bus, and boat. Although there is a kind of voucher to use public transport, it is not very worth it due to its low prices. Note that a metro ticket costs just over 0 euros and the voucher would reduce it by 50%. With which, it is not too worth it.

THE TAXI

Let's say there is 3 types of taxis. The conventional taxis as we know them here, with taximeter; The illegal, without a meter; and the dolmus, which is a kind of minibus (a shared van) in which about 8 or 10 people can fit (it is the cheapest but I do not recommend it).

I would tell you to use the conventional taxi, with taximeter. It is the most expensive, but as always the safest. The illegal taxis They always try to charge you a lot more for the ride. The only thing that you will have to pay attention to in the conventional taxi is that it takes you on the right path and does not turn you around (generally it does not happen and they are quite honest). As a guideline, within the tourist area you will never be charged more than 20 lire Turkish (and that's already half an hour in a taxi). Another thing is that the taxi driver puts you in some trouble at the time of paying. Get serious and don't give him more money than he should. And if he rebukes you, pretend to call the police and in a matter of 5 seconds the matter will be fixed (they are quite afraid of them).

THE TRAM / METRO

El tram / metro en Istanbul It is a very useful means of transport especially to travel the area of ​​the old town Blue(Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, etc). In this section I will include all the means of transport on rails, be it the tram, the subway, the train, etc.

El trolley car it's fast, new, clean, and it doesn't cost more than 1 Turkish lira. It also has quite a regularity. Here you have a map to guide you (in the photo, the black line).

As data, tell you that the street Partition has a old tram which only runs from part to part (in the photo, the green line), costs very little money (half a Turkish lira) and is a good way to feel the long pedestrian avenue upon your arrival, in addition, it has a special charm. To get the tickets for this tram you will have to look for a man near each stop.

There is also a section of old subway with a very short route (in the photo, light blue line) that will take you from the vicinity of the bridge Galata (Karaköy) to the square Partition.

Finally, remind you that there is another train line called banliyo (in the photo, dark blue line) that runs through the tourist district of Blue bordering it by the coast.

THE BUS:

El bus It is also a very useful means if what you want is to move around the city for little money, in addition to being able to take it to travel to other cities far from Istanbul (You will find the central bus station at Buyuk Otogar). The only bad thing is recognizing the stops, which asking is quite difficult. But hey, you can try. More when the tram ends up crossing the Galata Bridge and the bus can bring you closer to it.

BOAT:

Since the city is washed by the sea wherever you walk (the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus and the Marmara), local citizens often use the boat or ferry to move from one part of the city to another. Especially to cross the sea from the european part of the city (western part) and the asian part (eastern part). It is a cheap, fast means of transport and, obviously, it is the most beautiful.

You have different options, so let's go by parts. From different points of the city you can get on a boat, depending on your destination. From the bridge Galata (in the part of Blue) you can get on board a boat to cross to the Asian side or to make a Bosphorus sightseeing tour or cruise (I recommend at sunset or at night, especially in summer; there are 1 hour and half an hour). The truth is that it is very cheap, although you can haggle and therefore the prices vary, count on some 10 Turkish lira. By the way, come closer before 19: 30 at night, later you will no longer be able to use it. Also at this point you can board a boat to cross the Bosphorus and go to the Asian side.

From the vicinity of the PAlacio Dolmabahce You can board a boat that will take you to the Princes' Islands. I would tell you not to go. There is practically nothing to see and it smells incredibly like horse shit, since there are no cars on them. In addition, you will lose a whole day of travel between coming and going. You are warned ...

En ortakoy you can for 5 Turkish lira take a boat to take you to do the Bosphorus cruise. It is the most recommended, since it is closer and you can catch it later than in Galataeven late at night.

Finally, tell you that logically in Istanbul there private boats to do these tours that can even include dinner, but are much more expensive. In addition, you can take a fisherman boat that can take you for a walk around it Golden horn at sunset for a few lire, haggling, of course.

I could inform you better, but this post is too long for me, so ask me If you have any questions, although you have more information in Come to Istanbul and ATurquía.com. Good trip.