In contrast to the metro, the tram is a network through the center of Istanbul and goes so many places of interest. From the port Eminonu to Yusufpasa metro station, located near the beginning (Aksaray) and continue in a south-westerly direction. The tram runs from 5 am to midnight and departs approximately every five minutes.

The Akbil-pass
The Akbil-pass is a card of Istanbul that is valid in the city bus, the ferry, the metro and the tram. The pass, which is actually a key tag, is sold at one of the many Akbil-kiosks. The pass will give you 10% extra discount on the already very low rates and you can travel with several people on one pass.

The metro network in Istanbul is not so long in use; They are even still working on it. The Aksaray metro is now (West of the bazaar quarter) further to the West and splits there. In the old districts themselves are still no underground connections, but there are already plans, so that eventually the airport has direct links with most districts in Istanbul to far above Taksim. The metros are available from about 5:30 until 23:00. They go every ten to fifteen minutes.

In Istanbul there are driving red-beige city buses. Of course you must have a ticket before you get in, you can buy these at a kiosk, in a bus station or at a newspaper seller at a bus stop. For each trip, however long it takes, you need one ticket. This ticket you throw into a metal bin in front of the driver when you get in. Buses run from 6 am or 7 am to 9 pm or 10 pm. Some drive until midnight, but there are no night buses.

Ordinary taxis are slightly more expensive, but still pretty cheap for our concepts. There is usually a meter present in the taxi, but make sure you also clearly know what the daily rate is, so you’re not surprised. Because many taxi drivers hardly speak English, it is useful to write down your destination and show it to the driver. Never speak about a price in advance, but make sure the meter is turned on. Please note: don’t look at the night rate (gece) but on the daily rate (gündüz)!

To avoid the hustle and bustle in the city and also the toll charges on the various bridges, it is useful and also nice to use a ferry. The main port on the European side is Eminonu, where six piers can be found with each a separate destination. The main destinations from Eminonu are Kadikoy and Uskudar; the Asian side and the Bosphorus. For tourists who are keen to go to the Asian part of Istanbul, a boat trip is highly recommended. From Eminonuthere a going boats to Uskudar every 15 minutes between 6 am and 11:30 pm.