TRANSPORTATION IN ISTANBUL
Istanbul is a large, bustling city and its crammed with people. You'll enjoy your visit much more if you know how to get around before you arrive.
AIRPORTS
Istanbul has two airports, the major Atatürk International Airport (IST) which can be reachable by Metro (map); and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) on the east (Asian) side of the Bosphorus. Taxis and public transport serve both airports, but a private transfer is a better way to go for some travelers. If you can not afford a taxi, you can use a Havas Bus that will take you until the city center. After getting in the city center you will need a taxi to your hotel
HAVAS BUS
The private Havas bus is also useful to and from the airport. The Havas bus is considerably more comfortable and runs direct to and from Taksim Square. The Havas bus is most convenient for travelers staying in Beyoglu. For up-to-date information on schedules and prices for Airport transportation, look on the Ataturk Airport site.
METRO
The metro system that departs from Taksim Square is another option. The metro covers a limited part of the city, stopping in Osmanbey, Sisli, Gayrettepe, Levent and Levent 4. Another line departs from Aksaray and is most useful to get to international bus station (otogar) in Esenler. It’s effortless to get our school by metro. You must get off at the ITU ( Istanbul Technical University ) station. With metro, you can avoid the rush hour of Istanbul traffic which can be suffocating.
FUNICULAR
A funicular departs from Kabatas, making short work of the hike to Taksim Square. Another funicular, Tunel, traverses an even steeper route from Karakoy (the north side of the Galata Bridge) to the southern point of Istiklal Caddesi, in Beyoglu.
FERRY
The most pleasant branch of Istanbul’s public transit is the ferry system. Most travelers will depart from the docks at Eminonu, though Sirkeci, Karakoy, Besiktas and Kabatas may also be convenient stops. Ferry tokens can be purchased near the place of departure. Take a ferry across the Bosphorus and explore the Asian side, travel north, or simply to enjoy a cheap boat ride on the Bosphorus.