The long-distance buses are genuinely excellent and cheap, the high-speed trains are good on the routes they cover, and domestic flights are competitive.
- Turkish intercity coaches are better than most European trains - reclining seats, attendants serving tea, air conditioning - and they reach places no train or plane goes.
- Every town's otogar sits well outside the centre with free shuttle minibuses into town; ask for the "servis". Overnight buses save a hotel night and are genuinely comfortable.
- The YHT high-speed trains link Istanbul, Ankara, Konya and Sivas and are fast and cheap, but outside those corridors the rail network is slow and sparse.
- One Istanbulkart works on the metro, tram, bus, funicular and ferries, and can pay for several people. The Bosphorus ferries are public transport priced as public transport and the best sightseeing in the city.
- Yandex Maps and Moovit beat Google Maps for Turkish public transport, and BiTaksi or Uber for cabs. Avoid driving in central Istanbul entirely.
Buses are the backbone
Turkish intercity coaches are better than most European trains and this surprises everyone.
- Reclining seats, attendants serving tea, frequent stops, and air conditioning.
- They reach everywhere, including places no train or plane goes.
- Book ahead in summer and around public holidays. 12Go covers the main routes, including Istanbul to Göreme in Cappadocia, if you would rather book in one place.
- Every town has an otogar, the bus station, usually well outside the centre with free shuttle minibuses into town. Ask for the "servis".
- Overnight buses save a hotel night on long routes and are genuinely comfortable.
Trains and planes
- The YHT high-speed trains link Istanbul, Ankara, Konya and Sivas and are fast, cheap and pleasant. Book on the TCDD site or app.
- Outside those corridors the rail network is slow and sparse. The Eastern Express to Kars is a famous scenic journey rather than transport.
- Domestic flights are cheap and frequent, with Turkish Airlines, AJet and Pegasus competing hard. Istanbul to Antalya or Cappadocia by air is often no dearer than the bus.
- Check which Istanbul airport your domestic flight uses. Again.
In the cities
- Istanbulkart works on the metro, tram, bus, funicular and ferries, and one card can pay for several people.
- The ferries across the Bosphorus are public transport priced as public transport, and are also the best sightseeing in the city. Take one.
- Dolmuş minibuses run fixed routes and leave when full. Cheap, local, and you pass your fare forward along the seats.
- BiTaksi and Uber for taxis. Yandex Maps and Moovit for navigation, both better than Google Maps for Turkish public transport.
Driving
- An International Driving Permit alongside your own licence is expected by rental firms.
- Turkish driving is assertive. Lane markings are advisory and the horn is a communication tool.
- Speed cameras are everywhere and fines follow the rental company to you.
- Avoid driving in central Istanbul. Parking is impossible and the traffic is among the worst in Europe.
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