Travel

Travel Note

Transportation

Taxis (Taksi) are affordable and easy to find: yellow (standard), turquoise (mid-range), or black (premium), with short 2km (1.2-mile) rides starting at 135 TL ($3). Book via Uber or the BiTaksi app for reliability—just ensure the meter’s on. While some taxis take cards, cash (Turkish Lira) is a safe bet. Subway (Metro), trams (Tramvay), and ferries (Vapur) are also fast and cheap (~27 TL / $0.70), connecting key spots like Taksim and Sultanahmet. Contactless cards work at some stops, but grab an Istanbulkart if needed. For seamless travel, ask your hotel about private transfers.

Hotel

Le Méridien Etiler

$$ 10min to Ajia (Boat Transfer via Emirgan) 25min to Taksim (City Center) 30min to Sultanahmet (Old Town)

Hotel

Bebek Hotel

$$$$ 15min to Ajia (Boat Transfer via Emirgan) 30min to Taksim (City Center) 30min to Sultanahmet (Old Town)

Hotel

Radisson Blu Bosphorus Hotel

$$ 30min to Ajia (Boat Transfer via Emirgan) 30min to Taksim (City Center) 30min to Sultanahmet (Old Town)

Hotel

Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus

$$$$ 25min to Ajia (Boat Transfer via Emirgan) 30min to Taksim (City Center) 30min to Sultanahmet (Old Town)

Hotel

Delta Hotels Levent

$$ 25min to Ajia (Boat Transfer via Emirgan) 20min to Taksim (City Center) 25min to Sultanahmet (Old Town)