Istanbul Friendly

Showing posts with label ship. Show all posts

Saturday, 27 June 2015

Kabatas means "rough stone" in Turkish. The neighbourhood supposedly took its name from a big rock, but today it isn't certain where the rock is or what it looks like.

Kabatas is between Findikli and Dolmabahce. It is a rather small neighbourhood, but its importance lies in the transportation. Kabatas is like a connection point.

It is on the opposite of Uskudar. So, many people who live at the Anatolian coast prefer to go to Kabatas and then get on other transportation means.

How to get in and out

Kabatas has a port. This means you can come from and go to the Anatolian coast. There are ferries and sea buses to Uskudar, Kadikoy, Bostanci and Prince Islands.

There is also a small bus terminal here. You can find buses to Sariyer, Bahcekoy, and many more.
Kabatas is the first and the terminal stop of Kabatas-Bagcilar tram that also passes from Sultanahmet.

It is very easy to come to Kabatas. You can even walk from Taksim or Besiktas.

What to do in Kabatas

Kabatas is very close to Dolmabahce, so if you come to Kabatas, you can walk for a couple of minutes and visit Dolmabahce Palace.

It is also close to Kucukciftlik Park, where many open air concerts take place.

Sunday, 21 June 2015

Istanbul is a very special city in many ways. Besides its historical treasure, it is situated on a special territory. Istanbul, like Rome, has seven hills. Moreover, it is half on Asia, half on Europe. Changing continents may be a big deal for many people, but not for Istanbulites.

If you visit Istanbul, you can easily go from Asia to Europe or from Europe to Asia. Here are the different ways you can try.

Ferries

I think ferries are the best way to change continents. Blue sea, blue sky and seagulls. Sometimes a lovely wind and beautiful clouds. You'll really enjoy your time in there. And this pleasure costs less than 1 Euro and almost 1 Dolar (one-way).

There are actually different kinds of ferries. There are bigger ones and smaller ones. The only difference along with their designs is their destinations. You can go from Kadikoy to Eminonu, Karakoy or Kabataş. You can go from Uskudar to Besiktas or Eminonu. You can check the schedules online or just there. These ones are really frequent.

There are some ferries that stop at beautiful Bosphorus ports, such as Bebek, Ortakoy, Arnavutkoy, Rumelihisari, Anadolu Hisari... This destinations are both useful and touristic. But these ferries aren't as frequent above. So, make your plans accordingly.

You can also use sea buses that will take you from Kadikoy to Bakirkoy and Avcilar, a very long destination shortened compared to the road. But this one is closed and lets you to enjoy the view less.

Bridges

Bridges are the second best way to change continents, unless you aren't on them at working hours. Istanbul has a heavy traffic jam at those hours. Apart from traffic, you'll be fine. The view on the bridge is near bird's eye and very panoramic. Prepare your cameras, because the shortest part of your road trip will be on the bridge (the traffic jam usually subsides just on the bridge).

You'll see different parts of Bosphorus, according to the side you sit on the bus. One-way ticket fees change due to the bus you are in, but it will be a little highter than 1 Euro at most. So, you can go back and fort to see different parts of the view, or combine your trip with one way ferry.

Subway

This is, for me, the less interesting way to change continents. It seems interesting to go from underground, but you don't see a single view. This subway has a special name: Marmaray. However, if you are in a hurry, this is quite useful. As a tourist, the most useful stops for you will probably be Uskudar and Sirkeci (this one is very close to Sultanahmet).

Thursday, 18 December 2014

Transportation in Istanbul is rather developed. You can reach almost everywhere with public or private transport. We have tickets and tokens but we prefer "Akbil". Akbil is a practical and electronic ticketing system which is cheaper than the individual tickets and helps you to save time.

Istanbul always have a traffic jam, but it is important to avoid working hours, 7 to 9 in the morning and 6-8 in the evening. At those times both the traffic jam is heavy and everywhere is too crowded. Here are the public transport means you can use:

1. Metro

Metro is one of the most comfortable vehicles in Istanbul. The only downside is that sometimes it is so deep underground that you have to walk much. They are frequent, you won't wait long.

Metro lines available in Istanbul:
- Yenikapi-Ataturk Havalimani
- Yenikapi-Kirazli
- Yenikapi-Haciosman (among it stops are Taksim, Osmanbey, Mecidiyekoy and Levent)
- Kirazli-Olimpiyat-Metrokent
- Kadikoy-Kartal

With the new Yenikapi line, it is possible for us to go from Taksim to Ataturk International Airport with transfers.

Marmaray is the newest "phenomenon" in Istanbul, but it is actually a metro, too. It goes under the Marmara Sea (but you don't see any scenes). Its stops are Ayrilik Cesmesi (near Kadikoy), Uskudar, Sirkeci, Yenikapi, Kazlicesme.

2. Metrobus

Here comes the most exciting!? transport in Istanbul. It is an adventure, if you want to sit. Be ready to actualize the "Survival of the fittest" principle. Joking aside, it is convenient (apart from working hours, of course.)

Metrobus lines in Istanbul:
- 34 Avcilar-Zincirlikuyu
- 34A Sogutlucesme-Cevizlibag
- 34C Beylikduzu-Cevizlibag
- 34G Beylikduzu-Sogutlucesme
- 34Z Zincirlikuyu-Sogutlucesme
- 34U Uzuncayir-Zincirlikuyu
- 34AS Avcilar-Sogutlucesme
- 34BZ Beylikduzu-Zincirlikuyu

A view from Mecidiyekoy. You can see the metrobus stop in the middle, then the bus stop. At the right of the road, the stairs going down takes you to the metro. The green area ahead is the sum of Armenian Catholic Graveyard and Italian Jewish Graveyard.

3. Tram

Tram is also quite convenient. But again, beware of the working hours. Then, beside from being crowded, it may stuck a little bit in the traffic jam.

Tram lines in Istanbul:
- Bagcilar-Kabatas (among its stops are Sultanahmet, Gulhane, Beyazit, Laleli and Aksaray)
- Taksim-Tünel Nostalgic Tram
- Kadikoy-Moda (also nostalgic)
- Topkapi-Habibler

4. Bus

Buses are very colourful in Istanbul, but their colours don't mean anything. Just look at the numbers. There are many local buses (too many to write here down). You can find the stops and schedules here: http://www.iett.gov.tr/en

Esenler Bus Terminal (Esenler Otogari) is the biggest bus terminal in Istanbul. Here, there are buses going to every province in Turkey. If you are going to get on transfer vehicles from Taksim, they usually take you to the closer Alibeykoy Bus Terminal, which was renewed recently and looks better than Esenler Bus Terminal. At Anatolian coast, you can go to Harem Bus Terminal and Salipazari Bus Terminal.

5. Minibus

Here is one of the most trickiest vehicles. Minibuses in Istanbul are almost equal to rollercoasters. No akbils and don't try to make jokes about it. Minibuses are usually blue. They take you to shorter distances and to smaller neighbourhoods. No akbils in minibuses and don't ever ask the drivers about it. Minibuses are blue in colour.

6. Dolmus

Dolmus is a yellow vehicle, bigger than taxis and can have 6-7 passengers. Dolmus lines accept no akbils, only cash. It is a comfortable vehicle, but it is more expensive than buses and others (still cheaper than taxis).

Dolmus lines in Istanbul:
- Kadikoy-Taksim
- Kadikoy-Nisantasi
- Kadikoy-Sisli
- Kadikoy-Bostanci
- Bostanci-Sisli
- Bostanci-Taksim (two types of this, one goes from "minibus" street, the other from the coastline)
- Bostanci-Pendik
- Sogutlucesme-Bostanci
- Uskudar-Kadikoy
- Uskudar-Baglarbasi
- Baglarbasi-Kadikoy
- Uskudar-Beykoz
- Uskudar-Baglarbasi-Erzurum Sitesi
- Uskudar-Cekmekoy
- Uskudar-Acıbadem
- Kadikoy-Cekmekoy
- Kadikoy-Beykoz
- Aksaray-Taksim
- Kocamustafa-Taksim
- Bakirkoy-Taksim
- Bakirkoy-Sisli
- Yenibosna-Taksim
- Besiktas-Harbiye
- Cevizlibag-Topkapı
- Cevizlibag-Taksim
- Topkapi-Taksim (Have in mind that this "Topkapi has nothing to do with "Topkapi Palace)
- Eminonu-Sisli
- Eminonu-Taksim
- Tesvikiye-Taksim
- Yesilkoy-Taksim

You can find the lines and fares here: http://www.saridolmus.com/tarifeler

7. Train

There is no inner city train lines nowadays. The railways are being rebuilt for the high speed train. Some speed trains started to operate, but their destinations are out of Istanbul. There used to be a Haydarpasa-Gebze line.

8. Funicular

Funicular lines are used as connections and they don't take more than 3-4 minutes. Taksim Tunel funicular line is the world's second oldest underground public transport. It is nice to be there at least once. Kabatas line begins 10 m below the sea, you'll see the signs about it.

Funicular lines in Istanbul:
- Taksim-Kabatas
- Karakoy-Beyoglu (Tunel)

9. Telpher

Telpher lines are also short, but they are rather scenic. They are touristic, but fare are the same as the public transport.

Tephers in Istanbul:
- Macka-Taskisla
- Eyup-Piyer Loti

10. Taxi

Taxis are one of the most expensive vehicles of transport. No akbils of course. We all need taxis at some time. Most taxi drivers do their job decently, but as a tourist, don't forget to take a look at the taximeter. Some taxi driver don't want to take you in for short distances. There is a complaint line for those problems. There is also a mobile app that helps you to call a taxi. By the way, in Istanbul taxis are yellow.

11. Steamship (Vapur)

No traffic, no cry. If you are not seasick (like me) this is the heavenly vehicle that offers you beautiful scenes, gives you the chance to meet seagulls and does those without entering traffic jams.

Steamship lines in Istanbul:
- Kadikoy-Eminonu
- Karakoy-Kadikoy
- Karakoy-Haydarpasa
- Uskudar-Eminonu
- Uskudar-Besiktas
- Kadikoy-Kabatas
- Halic Line
- From Bosphorus-To Bosphorus
- Sariyer-Anadolu Kavagi
- Kucuksu-Besiktas
- Cengelkoy-Istinye
- Kadikoy-Sariyer
- Kucuksu-Istinye
- Kabatas-Kadikoy-Adalar-Bostanci
- Bostancı-Adalar

There are also short and long Bosphorus tours. Don't confuse them with the touristic tours that begin from Eminonu. Touristic tours accept cash and they are more expensive than cityline steamboats.

12. Motorboat

Motorboats are faster and also more courageous than steamboats. Courageous, because they are the last thing to be cancelled in case of fog and other extreme weather conditions. Quick tip: If the weather is fine, sit upstairs and feel the air.

Motorboat lines in Istanbul:
- Eminonu-Kadikoy
- Karakoy-Kadikoy
- Karakoy-Uskudar
- Bostanci-Adalar (It may take you to particular islands, so check if your island is included)
- Kartal-Adalar (Prince Islands)
- Yesilkoy-Adalar
- Cinarcik-Kadikoy-Eminonu
- Eminonu-Cinarcik
- Eminonu-Esenkoy
- Eminonu-Kocadere
- Esenkoy-Kadikoy-Eminonu
- Kadikoy-Cınarcik
- Kadikoy-Esenkoy
- Kadikoy-Kocadere
- Eminonu-Armutlu
- Kadıkoy Armutlu

13. Ferry

Ferries are frequently used in Istanbul, especially by the car owners.

Ferry lines in Istanbul:
- Eskihisar-Topcular
- Sirkeci-Harem

Speed ferry lines:
- Yenikapi-Bursa
- Yenikapi-Bandirma
- Yenikapi-Yalova
- Pendik-Yalova

14. Seabus

Seabus is a little more expensive than steamships and motorboats, but it is definitely much more faster. If your focus is time, then this is your vehicle on sea.

Seabus lines in Istanbul:
- Bostanci-Kadikoy-Yenikapi-Bakirkoy
- Bostanci-Kabatas
- Adalar
- Bosphorus
- Maltepe-Bostanci-Kabatas-Bakirkoy
- Bostanci-Kadikoy-Yenikapi-Bakirkoy-Avcilar
- Kadikoy-Yenikapi-Armutlu-Bursa
- Kadikoy-Yenikapi-Bursa
- Bostanci-Yenikapi-Marmara-Avsa
- Kartal-Yalova

15. Sea Taxi

It's expensive for backpackers and students. If you have money and have really really no time, it may be very helpful. One of its advantages is that it can go anywhere on the coast, even to small piers. No akbils.

16. Seabird

It's kind of a fantasy transport (actually charters) and it needs reservation. If you have enough time and if you are a backpacker or student, you can find cheaper alternatives for the destinations it will take you.

17. Airplane

Istanbul has two big airports: Ataturk International Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport. Ataturk International Airport is one of busiest airports in Europe. Sometime it takes several minutes to find an available spot and land. Sabiha Gokcen Airport is relatively smaller, but it is also cheaper in terms of food and drink.

There is also a private airport, Hezarfen Airfield. It hosts big music events and youth festivals.

As mentioned above the metro goes to Ataturk International Airport with a couple transfers. There are public buses to Sabiha Gokcen Airport from Kadikoy. But if you like, there are inexpensive Havatas buses that takes you to both airports. Their terminal is at Elmadag, in front of Point Hotel.

18. Coach

Motor vehicles are forbidden at Prince Islands, so the vehicle at Buyukada, Heybeliada and Burgazada is the couch. However, because of the ruthless treatments to the horses, I recommend you not to use them. I always walk or rent a bike instead. There is no motor vehicle, after all!

You can also travel by rental car, by your car, by motorbike, by bike and on foot. But you should be extra careful when you are travelling by bike or on foot. Unfortunaly, majority of Istanbul drivers have nothing to do with traffic rules and most of them don't count bikes, even motorbikes, as transportation means.

Life is also hard for pedestrians. Crosswalks are usually ornaments, so don't trust them. Don't even trust the traffic lights, because the vehicles, especially taxis think it is possible to avoid them in order not to stop for a few more seconds.