Lonely Planet İstanbul Guide

CLIMATE CHANGE & TRAVEL Every form of transport that relies on carbon-based fuel generates CO 2 , the main cause of human-induced climate change. Modern travel is dependent on airplanes, which might use less fuel per kilometer per person than most cars but travel much greater distances. The altitude at which aircraft emit gases (including CO 2 ) and particles also contributes to their climate change impact. Many websites offer ‘carbon calculators’ that allow people to estimate the carbon emissions generated by their journey and, for those who wish to do so, to offset the impact of the greenhouse gases emitted with contributions to portfolios of climate-friendly initiatives throughout the world. Lonely Planet offsets the carbon footprint of all staff and author travel. Boat Cruise ships will arrive at the new Galataport dock and terminal in Karaköy when it opens in 2021. They currently arrive at a temporary dock near the Fındıklı tram stop. Bus The Esenler Otogarı (Büyük İstanbul Otogarı, Big İstanbul Bus Station; % 0212-658 0505; m Otogar) is the city’s main bus station for both intercity and international routes. Often called simply ‘the Otogar’ (Bus Station), it’s located at Esenler in the municipality of Bayrampaşa, about 10km west of Sultanahmet. The metro service between Aksaray and the largely decommissioned Atatürk International Airport stops here (Otogar stop). From the Otogar you can take the metro to Zeytinburnu ( ₺ 5) and then easily connect with a tram ( ₺ 5) to Sultanahmet or Kabataş/Taksim; both of these trips will be cheaper if you purchase and recharge an İstanbulkart (travel card; ₺ 10, including ₺ 4 credit) from the machines at the metro entrance. If you’re going to Beyoğlu, bus 830 leaves from the centre of the Otogar every 15 minutes between 6am and 9.50pm and takes approximately one hour to reach Taksim Meydanı (Taksim Sq). You’ll need an İstanbulkart. A taxi will cost approximately ₺ 45 to Sultanahmet and ₺ 50 to Taksim. There’s a second, much smaller, otogar at Alibeyköy, where buses from central Anatolia (including Ankara and Cappadocia) stop en route to Esenler. From here passengers can take a servis (shuttle bus) to Taksim; the transfer is included in the ticket cost. The only problem with this option is that drivers rarely speak English and passengers sometimes