Turkey has a record of many significant events and cultural exchanges that has provided a shape over long periods of time.These historical events and traditions depict the affairs of Turkish people. Turkey is represented by arts and values and its well preserved heritage, which has provided a sense of identity to the sense of Turkish people. The country has bustling cities and stunning landscapes.Turkey also offers a wide range of transportation facilities for commuters and travelers.This article navigates the transportation system in Turkey, but it is important for a traveler to understand this system to ease his travel experience. We have tried our best to cover each aspect and provided a comprehensive guide on public transports, traveling in inter-city. Moreover we have also provided practical tips to commute in Istanbul and Ankara, which are considered the major cities of Turkey.
Public Transportation in Turkey: A Comprehensive Guide
Let’s understand how to commute in Turkey in detail. Public transportation is really important because it forms the backbone of commuting in various cities of Turkey. Transportation in Turkey provides efficient and affordable options for tourists and other people living in this country.
1. Istanbul
Istanbul utilizes one of the most reliable metro systems that usually connects various parts of the city with innovative and air-conditioned trains. People recognize the metro lines with color codes.These color codes mentioned on the lines make the navigation pretty much straight forward for tourists.
Here are the names of the metro lines which include:
- M1A (Yenikapı-Atatürk Airport): M1 A connects the city of Yenikapı with the airport of Atatürk.
- M2 (Yenikapı-Hacıosman): M2 passes through the major districts of Taksim and Şişli.
- M3 (Kirazlı-Olimpiyat):M3 provides services to the people living in the northern part of the European side.
- M4 (Kadıköy-Tavşantepe): M4 connects the Asian side of the country with Kadıköy and Üsküdar.
2. Ankara
The metro system present in Ankara is effective for people who prefer intra-city travel. The Ankara Metro includes:
- M1 (Kızılay-Batıkent): M1 line in Ankara connects Kızılay Square with Batıkent.
- M2 (Kızılay-Çayyolu): M2 starts the journey from Kızılay to Çayyolu and passes through important hubs.
Trams and Light Rail are widely served in Istanbul and Izmir:
Istanbul and Izmir are the cities in Turkey that have trams and light rail networks.Many Turkish cities, particularly Istanbul and Izmir, have extensive tram and light rail networks. These light rail networks and trams work alongside the metro systems and expands the overall capacity of public transit in those cities. These trams and rail networks usually fill the gap to serve different routes.
- Istanbul Trams: The trams of Istanbul cover various parts of the city which include the historical peninsula and modern districts of Istanbul.
- Izmir Trams: The trams in Izmir provide efficient transportation for travelers and local people along major routes in the city.
Buses
Buses are widely available at the same time in Turkish cities. These buses serve large areas and a range of locations that are not served by metro or trams. Istanbul’s bus network and municipal buses are operated by İETT and private bus companies. These buses or public transports cover a large portion of urban areas of cities in Turkey.
Inter-City Transportation: Exploring Beyond the City Limits
Tourists and local people travel between cities in Turkey through several modes of transportation according to their preferences and budgets.
Turkish State Railways (TCDD)
TCDD or Turkish State Railways usually operates the railway network and connects major cities and regions across the country. The key routes include:
- Ankara to Istanbul: Yüksek Hızlı Tren (YHT) is the high speed train that provides a route from Ankara to Istanbul to its passengers.
- Ankara to Izmir: Yüksek Hızlı Tren (YHT) is the high speed train that also provides a route from Ankara to Izmirl to its passengers with comfort and speed. The train passes through cities like Afyonkarahisar and Manisa.
Domestic Flights
Domestic Flights are convenient options for those travelers who cover longer distances in a short time. For this, Turkish Airlines(THY) operate flights between Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Antalya.
Navigating Istanbul: Tips to avoid heavy traffic
Istanbul is the largest city of Turkey and is considered a major tourist hub. Istanbul is a city which has heavy traffic during peak hours, which leads to delays in travel time and frustration for commuters. Therefore, the city deserves special attention when it comes to commuting. Here are some tips for travelers:
Istanbulkart: Your Key to Seamless Travel
The Istanbulkart is a rechargeable smart card that travelers and other people may use to facilitate themselves with various modes of public transportation. People purchase and top up at vending machines that are usually located in metro stations and major bus stops.
Peak Hours and Traffic Considerations
Travelers and local people in Istanbul should schedule the commute to avoid the times of day when traffic is at its busiest. Peak hours usually occur during day time and evening as a large number of people are traveling to and from work or school. It is advisable for the travelers to leave earlier before peak hours or later at night to experience lighter traffic conditions on the roads. It will save their time, otherwise they will spend time stuck in traffic jams. It is important to remember that the traffic is congested on bridges and highways that typically connect the European and Asian sides of Istanbul.
Alternative Transportation Modes
In addition to public transport, Istanbul also offers alternative modes of transportation for travelers and commuters such as:
- Ferries: Istanbul offers ferries to the passengers through which passengers, vehicles and cargo are transported through rivers, lakes and seas. These ferries typically connect the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, and offer scenic views of the Bosphorus to all the travelers.
- Taxis: Istanbul also offers taxis but it is usually expensive during peak hours.
Conclusion
In summary, travelers explore the historical streets and places of cities in Turkey for tourism or business activities. It is important to understand the available options for transportations such as metro lines, trains, buses, ferries and taxis. In this way, the journey becomes enjoyable and smoother in this captivating country. However, when travelers and local people are well familiarized with the transportation options, they can easily navigate between cities of Turkey.
