Arriving in Istanbul (and Turkey)
You will arrive at one of Istanbul’ Airports. The main international airport is the new Istanbul Grand Airport (Airport code: IST). This massive area is next to the Black Sea and has many runways and a large terminal. Aviation in Turkey has grown exponentially, and Istanbul’s main airport varies from being the 4th busiest, to the busiest airport in Europe, to the 2nd busiest.
Sadly the land based infrastructure has not kept up with the airport and so while there is a fantastic three lane motorway to the airport there is no metro or train. All transport must go by bus or taxi. The buses are called HAVAIST and cost 19 lira (around £2.60)
A taxi to Sultanahmet is now probably 140 Lira (around £20). This of course is depending upon the route taken and how badly he rips you off. The private shuttle busses offered by tourist companies are slow (they are minibuses but do multiple drop offs and only leave when quite full) and a rip off (£10 per head).
There is an H2 bus which goes to Mediciyekoy, from where you can get on the metro. This is best for people who are quite adventurous and have a backpack only. It costs very little (use your Istanbul kart) and you are then on the city’s metro system.
Now that the new airport is near the Black Sea, some people on a stopover tour want to stay near the Black Sea and so there is a HAVA IST coach to Sariyer. If you arrive very early in the morning, you could get this bus, and then have breakfast in Sariyer before taking a GEZI (tour) ‘vapur’ to Eminonu. This is a great way to spend a day in Istanbul, but make sure you do this with small backpacks only! The smaller ferry boats are NOT suitcase friendly.
If you arrive at Sabiha Gokcen (Airport code SAW), you have a choice of a town bus to Karakoy and a ferry to Eminonu (for Sultanahmet) or a taxi straight to your location. A taxi from Sabiha Gokcen to Sultanahmet usually costs 150-200TL. In all cases, taxis from the airports are the fastest and often best value to your hotel. Shuttle buses sound cheap but make you wait ages. For 2 of you, you are nearly always better off in a government authorised orange taxi cab with a meter. Yes the driver may extend the route slightly, but in this modern day and age, you can complain and the driver will be penalised heavily (so they are now generally more straight).
Travelling around Turkey by Air
Getting around Turkey has never been easier. Turkish Airlines and their baby “Anadolu Jet” serve every civil airport in Turkey. Prices are very reasonable. Not to be outdone, the low-cost carrier Pegasus operates flights to many others.
Travelling around Turkey by Train
The Turks themselves are insatiable travelers, and with the low value of the Lira, their own diverse nation becomes a very attractive option. A series of high speed trains link Ankara with Istanbul, Konya and Kayseri. Old fashioned overnight trains connect Istanbul to the entire nation via Ankara.
Travelling Around Turkey by Bus
Running alongside these trains is a network of comfortable and excellent intercity buses. The buses continue to run to the coast, whereas the railway is stunted by mountain ranges. When the bus or train goes no further, a series of minibuses will transport you up to tiny villages, remote beaches or into suburbs.
Taxis
Taxis are reasonably priced and you can often engage out of town cabs for the entire day or half a day.
Travelling Around Turkey by Car
Car hire starts at £30 and all the usual international companies are represented in Turkey. Drive carefully and in a measured manner, for the Turks themselves sometimes don’t. Never drive under the influence of alcohol or you will be arrested. There is zero tolerance for this.
