Istanbul Transportation
One of the most surprising things about Istanbul is the traffic and fast driving drivers. Although there are strict traffic rules and penalties moslty because of the traffic and Mediterrenean character of the Turks, the drivers of Istanbul can scare you sometimes. Be careful when passing the road even from the pedestrian crossing or if you're driving be aware that a car can change lanes any time. Just like most things, both life and the traffic is never boring in Istanbul.Taxis in Istanbul
Istanbul is full of taxis. They are yellow colored in the city center. All taxis are regulated under strict laws and they have to carry a taximeter for the fee. If a taxi driver offers you a flat rate or claims that the taximeter is broken, don't take the ride. Night rates are about 50% more expensive compared to daytime (6 am to midnight). If you took the taxi on daytime be sure that the taximeter has the wording "Gunduz" (day in Turkish) on it ("Gece" is night). Most taxis are new and have necessary safety equipment.
Bus & Trams
The International Istanbul Bus Station ("otogar" in Turkish) is the Istanbuls' main bus station for both intercity routes. The Otogar is in the western district of Esenler, just south of the expressway and about ten kilometers west of Sultanahmet district. The tram service from Aksaray to the Yessilkoy Airport stops here (Otogar station). Many intercity bus companies offer a free shuttle between the otogar and the Taksim Square or Sultanahmet. If you’re booking a ticket out Istanbul from a bus office in Taksim (or elsewhere), ask about this service. Also, when you arrive to Istanbul, ask the bus driver for this shuttle service. Most known and reliable intercity bus companies are Ulusoy and Varan in Turkey.
Air Travel
Istanbul's main airport is the Ataturk International Airport in Yesilkoy. Ataturk Airport is about 24 kilometers west of the city center (Taksim). There are shuttle services to Taksim and a tram to Aksaray district which is nearby Taksim. A second airport, the Sabiha Gokcen Airport, is opened in 2002 on the Anatolian Side of Istanbul. This airport is about 50 km. away from city center. If you can choose, prefer the Ataturk Airport for its wide variety of transportation facilities to and from the city center. Major airlines in Turkey are Turkish Airlines (THY), Onur Air and AtlasJet.