Lonely Planet İstanbul Guide

FERRY TRAVEL

Ferries ply the following useful two-way routes: A Beşiktaş–Kadıköy A Beşiktaş–Üsküdar A Eminönü–Anadolu Kavağı (Bosphorus cruise) A Eminönü–Rumeli Kavağı (Bosphorus commuter line) A Beşiktaş–Eminönü–Kadıköy–Kınalıada–Burgazada–Heybeliada–Büyükada– Bostancı (Princes’ Islands ferry) A Eminönü–Kadıköy A Eminönü–Üsküdar A Karaköy–Kadıköy A Karaköy–Üsküdar A Üsküdar–Karaköy–Kasımpaşa–Fener–Balat–Hasköy–Ayvansaray–Sütlüce– Eyüp (Golden Horn Ferry) There are also limited services to, from and between the Bosphorus suburbs. İstanbul Deniz Otobüsleri operates car ferries between Eminönü and the Harem İskelesi (Ferry Dock). Taxi İstanbul is full of yellow taxis. There are also Turquoise taxis, which are newer, more comfortable and slightly more expensive. Some drivers are lunatics, others are con artists; most are neither. If you’re caught with the first category and you’re about to go into meltdown, say ‘yavaş!’ (slow down!). Drivers in the con-artist category tend to prey on tourists. All taxis have digital meters and must run them, but some of these drivers ask for a flat fare, or pretend the meter doesn’t work so they can gouge you at the end of the trip. The best way to counter this is to tell them no meter, no ride. Avoid the taxis waiting for fares near Aya Sofya Meydanı – we have received reports of rip-offs. Taxi fares are very reasonable and rates are the same during both day and night. It costs around ₺ 18 to travel between Beyoğlu and Sultanahmet.