Getting Around Turkey

By Air
Turkey’s internal air network is fairly comprehensive, and Turkish airlines link all major cities, including the busy Istanbul-Ankara route.

By Road
Long distance bus is the best way of getting around Turkey and there are frequent, cheap and usually comfortable bus services to everywhere in Turkey. There is no national bus company and most routes are covered by various firms who have their ticket booths at the otogars (bus stations) from which they operate and at offices in the town centre. There is no comprehensive timetable though individual companies have their own schedules.

Driving around Turkey though risky (accident prone) can help you see much more of the country more quickly. Though roads are adequate, they are narrow. You drive on the right and give priority to the right, even on roundabouts. Speed limit is 50 kph in towns and 90 kph on the main roads and the highway. Car repair service is cheap and easily available. The Turkish motoring organization, TTOK, have a break down service (tel 0212/280 4449), free to members of most foreign motoring organizations. The Turks are very rash and negligent drivers, so driving in cities should be avoided and also because of the unavailability of parking places and the heavy traffic. Foreigners are rarely stopped at the various checkpoints and if you are, do have your driving licence and proof of ownership of car, or car rental papers. You may be also fined for not using your seat belt or for speeding. Since recently the highway police have become a little harsh so pretend not to understand Turkish. Car rental is expensive. Local chains tend to charge 20 to 30% less than the multinationals. A full driving licence and a Green Card insurance carrying an expensive extra supplement are valid in Turkey.

Private taxis or private Dolmuses (shared taxis) that are either a car or a minibus are very convenient for short trips. To stop a dolmus hail it like a taxi.

Istanbul has a growing metro system of trains and trams. Ankara is also building a metro.

By Train
Trains are run by TCDD or Turkish State Railways and are not as fast or comfortable as buses, though traveling by sleeping car trains linking Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara may be a good idea.

By Waterways
The TML operates everything from shuttle city services, inter-island lines to international services. Overnight services are very popular. Ferries operate from Istanbul to Trabzon (June to September only) while there is a hydrofoil from Istanbul to Bursa. Car ferries give you a free day from driving and also give you an opportunity take a mini cruise along Turkish coasts. Hitching a ride is an option where public transport is scarce or unavailable, and lifts are usually friendly.