Turkey bridges Europe and Asia, offering an extraordinary blend of ancient history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. From the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia to the turquoise coast, Byzantine mosaics to Ottoman palaces, Turkey delivers unforgettable experiences for every type of traveler.
- Public
- Istanbul has an excellent multi-modal system (metro, tram, funicular, bus, ferry) all on one IstanbulKart. Ankara and Izmir have efficient metro systems. Antalya has a tram line.
- Taxi
- Taxis available everywhere but meter scams common especially near tourist areas — use BiTaksi or Uber app to book for transparent pricing
- Rental
- Car hire useful for Cappadocia, Lycian Coast, and rural areas; avoid driving in Istanbul where traffic is chaotic and parking near impossible
- Walking
- Istanbul's Sultanahmet and Beyoğlu are walkable but hilly with cobblestone streets; Antalya's old town, Cappadocia valleys, and coastal resort towns are all walkable
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Taxi: $30-40 (45-60 min)
- Shuttle
- Havaist Airport Bus: $3 (60-90 min to various districts)
- Bus
- Metro: $2 (under construction, opening 2025)
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
- Istanbul
- Comprehensive IETT bus network. $0.50 with IstanbulKart. Metrobüs rapid transit on dedicated lanes. Night buses available.
- Intercity
- Comfortable coach buses connect all cities. Companies: Metro, Kamil Koç, Pamukkale. Book online or at otogar (bus station).
- Local
- Every city has dolmuş (shared minibuses) - cheap but confusing routes. Flag down, pay driver $0.50-1.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, ferry
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Rates
- Base fare $1-1.50 + $0.30-0.40 per km. Istanbul taxis start at $1.50. Always insist on meter ('taksimetre'). Tipping not required but round up.
- Apps
- BiTaksi and Uber operate in major cities. Often cheaper and more reliable than street taxis.
- Tips
- Yellow taxis official. Avoid taxis at tourist sites - walk to main road. Many scams at airports and Sultanahmet.
- Apps
- Uber (limited), BiTaksi, Yandex Go available in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya
- App Names
- Uber (limited), BiTaksi, Yandex Go available in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
- Overview
- Excellent coach network connects all cities. Clean, comfortable, WiFi, tea service. Cheaper than flights.
- Major companies
- Metro Turizm, Kamil Koç, Pamukkale, Ulusoy. Book on company websites or busbud.com
- Costs
- Istanbul-Ankara $15-20 (6 hrs), Istanbul-Antalya $25-30 (12 hrs), Istanbul-Cappadocia $20-25 (12 hrs)
- Stations
- Otogar (bus stations) often outside city center. Metro/tram connections usually available.
Flights
Routes: Hub in Istanbul. Flights to all major cities: Antalya, Izmir, Cappadocia (Kayseri/Nevşehir), Bodrum, Trabzon, Van
- Airlines
- Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, SunExpress, AnadoluJet. Competitive prices, frequent flights.
- Costs
- Istanbul-Cappadocia $30-80, Istanbul-Antalya $25-70, Istanbul-Izmir $20-60. Book early for best prices.
- Tips
- Check both IST and SAW airports in Istanbul for best prices. Pegasus often cheapest. Baggage fees extra on budget airlines.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Istanbul Airport (IST)
From centre: 40 km to Sultanahmet
Options: Taxi: $30-40 (45-60 min); Havaist Airport Bus: $3 (60-90 min to various districts); Metro: $2 (under construction, opening 2025); Private transfer: $35-50 pre-booked; Uber/BiTaksi: $25-35
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
From centre: 50 km to Sultanahmet (Asian side)
Options: Taxi: $35-45 (60-90 min); Havabus: $4 (90 min to Taksim); Metro + Marmaray: $3 (2 hours); Private transfer: $40-55 pre-booked
Antalya Airport (AYT)
From centre: 13 km to city center
Options: Taxi: $15-20 (20-30 min); Havas Bus: $3 (30-40 min); Hotel shuttle: Often included at resorts; Tram + Bus: $2 (45 min)
Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV)
From centre: 40 km to Göreme
Options: Taxi: $40-50 (45 min); Hotel shuttle: Usually $15-20 per person; Shared shuttle: $10-15 per person pre-booked
Kayseri Airport (ASR)
From centre: 75 km to Göreme
Options: Taxi: $60-75 (75 min); Hotel shuttle: Usually $20-30 per person; Shared shuttle: $15-20 per person pre-booked
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
BiTaksi
Turkey's leading taxi app — essential for Istanbul to avoid meter scams; shows driver details, estimated price, and routes
Trafi Istanbul
Best real-time public transport navigation for Istanbul covering metro, tram, bus, and ferry with live arrival times
Obilet
Book intercity bus and train tickets across Turkey with price comparison between multiple operators
TCDD Taşımacılık
Official Turkish Railways app for booking high-speed (YHT) and regional train tickets
Uber
Available in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya — sometimes cheaper than taxis but availability variable
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy an IstanbulKart on arrival at Istanbul airport or any station — reduces fare from $1 token to $0.50 and works on all public transport including ferries
Use BiTaksi app for all Istanbul taxi journeys to ensure metered rides and avoid overcharging — street taxis near Sultanahmet and airports frequently scam tourists
Book intercity bus tickets online through Obilet or company websites — print or show mobile ticket at station
The Bosphorus public ferry from Eminönü is the most scenic and cheapest way to cross to the Asian side — $0.50 with IstanbulKart
For Cappadocia, rent a car or book a guided tour — public transport between sites is limited and taxis expensive
Intercity buses in Turkey are excellent — comfortable, WiFi, tea service, and punctual. Companies like Metro Turizm and Kamil Koç are most reliable