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Istanbul is a beautiful city in Turkey whose unique geographical feature is that it lies on two continents, with one half of Istanbul situated in Europe, and the other half situated in Asia. Needless to say, the city has plenty of architectural stunners and historical structures that tourists come to admire from all over the world. While it can be tricky to explore all the popular spots in the city, the best way to get around Istanbul is by using public transport. If you’re wondering how to make the most of our Turkey holiday packages and cover as much of the city as possible, you’re in luck, because we’re here to provide you with the best tips and tricks to experience the magic of this gorgeous city.
Here are some of the best ways in which you can travel around Istanbul when you avail one of our Turkey trip packages:
Trams are quite a common sight in Istanbul, and as you spot them in the city, you will surely want to get on board. Not only is it a simple way to get around Istanbul, but it’s also helpful in witnessing the major sites in the city. There are four tram lines that you can find when in Istanbul, and the Bagcilar-Kabatas (T1) Tram is the best one to take you to the most popular sightseeing destinations, such as the Istanbul Modern, the Hagia Sophia, and the Galata Tower. You can expect to spend about 4 Turkish Lira whenever you hail a tram ride.
Getting on the metro is one of the quickest ways to make your way around Istanbul. Metro Istanbul has six metro lines and the majority of them operate for the city’s European side. Fortunately for tourists, navigating the metro system in Istanbul is quite simple, and the rides are comfortable and convenient. Although you will find the metro lines to be quite crowded during peak hours, they are one of the most accessible ways to travel around the city. Istanbul’s oldest underground urban rail line is known as the Tünel, whose services were made open to the public in January 1875, and is reputed to be the second-oldest underground urban rail line in the world.
If traveling underground is not something you prefer, then you can always board a bus to see Istanbul. There are huge, yellow buses that roam around the streets of the city, carrying passengers from one destination to another. The city has about 3000 buses and 500 bus lines, which is why travelers can find a bus to reach just about any place in Istanbul. The buses usually move from the suburban region to the city area, and since traffic is an issue in certain places, it’s best to avoid getting a bus when you’re going around downtown Istanbul. The city’s hop-on hop-off bus tours can help you experience some of the most famous sightseeing spots, including the Istanbul Naval Museum, the Spice Bazaar, and Sultanahmet Square.
When you book one of our Turkey tour packages, you get to take a ferry in order to transport yourself from the European side of the city to the Asian side, especially because the bridge is almost always packed with traffic. Since the rush hour begins at around 8 a.m. and goes on till 6 p.m. on weekdays, you will find several commuters hopping on the ferry instead to stay away from traffic. The schedules of all the ferries are available on the Sehir Hatlari website so you can plan your itinerary accordingly.
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