Travel Istanbul » istanbul city

Transportation In Istanbul

admin — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 14:55:29 +0000

Istanbul‘s a crowded and complex city. Because of that, traffic is one of the biggest problems. For a longer stay you should purchase Akbil, a debit card that can be used for most kinds of public transportation within the city. There’re different kinds of public transportation in Istanbul.

Bus

Private and public buses are very common. According to the traffic time tables can change. So you may wait 10,15 or 20 minutes for a bus. There’re three kinds of buses: The blue-green buses are privately owned and you pay money to get on. Foreign currency’s not accepted. The second kind of buses belong to municipality and are generally crowded. However they’re cheaper. You can buy a ticket or use Akbil to get on. The last type of buses are double-deckers. They can be preferred for longer distances, for example going from the European side to the Asian side or from the Asian side to the European.

Minibus

Minibuses are small buses, you don’t need to wait for a minibus at a bus stop. Simply you get on, pay the money for the driver and tell him to drop you when you want to get out.

Ferry

The ferries are generally used to go from the European side to the Asian side or from the Asian side to the European. So if you want to see the Asian side you can take a ferry from Eminonu, Karakoy or Besiktas.

Subway (Metro)

The metro system is another alternative way. However, it covers a limited part of the city, between Taksim Square and 4. Levent. You can buy a ticket at the entrance or you can use Akbil.

Taxi

There are times you need to take a cab. Because public transit begins at 6,7am and shuts down at about 10pm. The cab driver may not know English. So be sure that he understands the destination correctly. You should also take a look at the meter, it should read GECE if it’s nighttime and GUNDUZ if it’s daytime.

Transportation In Istanbul is a post from: Travel Istanbul

The Grand Bazaar

admin — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:57:01 +0000

The Grand Bazaar is the oldest and largest covered bazaar in the world including sixty lanes and more than three thousand shops. In the 15th century it looked like a large city with its thick walls and domes. Then the streets around the buildings developed and covered. The city turned into a trading center. There were different professions and handicrafts produced here were controlled.
Today a lot of shops changed their characters. Their names just remain as street names now.

In the main street of the bazaar there’re jewelry shops and in the the side lane opening to this street there’re goldsmiths. Prices generally vary and bargaining is very common.

The Grand Bazaar is crowded whole day. You can find lots of hand-made articles produced in Turkey such as handmade carpets, jewelry, copper and bronze souvenirs and ceramics at the entrance of the bazaar.

The Grand Bazaar is a post from: Travel Istanbul

Beyazit Square

admin — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:34:27 +0000

Beyazit Square is in Beyazit, opposite of the University of Istanbul. It was built in 393. There’s Beyazit Mosque which gives its present-day name in the center.

In the past the square was called Square of Bulls. Because there was a gigantic triumphal arch decorated by bronze bull heads.

Today there’re a lot of shops selling books, maps, particles etc. here. You can find very interesting things in these shops.

Beyazit Square is a post from: Travel Istanbul