Getting from Airport to Accommodation.

Taxi: Walk to Exit No. 9 of Istanbul Airport (exit luggage to the left) and line up for a yellow or blue taxi. For Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) I don’t really know the exact location of the taxis, but would be the easiest option. The rates currently range from 300TL – 450 TL. It really depends where you’re going, but this is a rough benchmark for the end of your trip. Use official taxis and not random drivers standing around offering to drive you for an exorbitant amount.

Bus: Havaist will get you straight to Taksim area for 67TL. And then you’ll have to lug your suitcase or still get a cab/Metro/Tram to your accommodation.

Taxiing in General.

Taxis are super convenient. But the traffic is not, especially in the weekends. Also bear in mind that not all taxi drivers are nice. You might get angry, you might feel cheated, and you might feel like your rights as a person does not matter. That’s normal in Istanbul. Or any chaotic city. Just make sure they use the meter. The rides may give you the experience of being in a tumbledryer, so if you’re prone to car sickness, bring a piece of candy or whatever you need to hold yourself together. Download the Moovit app to figure out how to plan your trip.

Getting around town.

Most of you will be staying centrally in Istanbul and may want to do a little exploring. Get yourself an Istanbulkart from a kiosk at one of the tram or train stations to move around easily within the new and old city. The T1, Marmaray line and Metro lines will connect you to where you want to go. And you don’t need an Istanbulkart each; you can share one if you plan to stick together the entire time. If your legs have miles on them, walking everywhere is also completely and totally possible. Will you be tired? Nothing a çay or kahve break can’t help.

Getting to Bebek.

Taxi it . But in the worst case scenario where you cannot get a cab, get to a Metro M2 line and travel to Levent Station, change to the M6 line and head down to Boğaziçi University Station. Then it’ll be a 20-minute walk down to Bebek from there. May good taxi vibes be with you.

Getting to Lyncker Residence aka The Poolhouse.

Hail a taxi, or book one via Uber or BiTaksi. Otherwise get to a Metro M2 line in the direction of the Haciosman stop, and ride all the way to the end station Haciosman. Easy peasy. Then get a taxi from there (10 minutes ride) to our home.

Getting from the Lyncker Residence or Yeniköy back to your accommodation.

Taxi it.

Other modes of transport.

Car rentals: rent a car, join us in the emotional rollercoaster that is İstanbul traffic.

Short term rentals: E-scooters, bicycles, mopeds and cars (you’ll have to register a day or two beforehand) are located all around Istanbul. Drive/ride at your own risk.

Chauffer-driven car hires: For those who want the comfort and ease of having reliable transportation for sightseeing, hiring a car with driver for half/a day will save you a lot of hassle. Or select a tour guide who can drive you around.

Families with small children in Kinderwagen.

Not every street is pram-friendly. Most aren’t. You may end up having to push your pram/child on the streets, depending on where you are. The Metro lines generally have elevators but always keep in mind that not all are easily accessible. The tram lines are easy to get to because they’re on the road as opposed to underground, but it gets really packed in the Sultanahmet side of Istanbul. As for taxis, there may not be baby car seats available in most taxis unless pre-arranged, so you may have to go Asia-style and hold your child(ren) on your lap(s).

Scams and pickpockets.

In the more touristic parts of Istanbul (Sultanahmet, Eminonu, Galata bridge, Grand Bazaar etc) lurk scammers who will try their luck with you and your wallet. The goal is always to make the most money off of you. You can say no, as bad as that feels for your morality. Say no if you don’t want something. Beware the shoeshine scam. Watch your bags and rear pockets in crowded areas, and unless you’re lost, don’t talk to strangers.

The typical taxi scam of taking longer routes, changing money and trying to overcharge for tolls and traffic exists in this city too. But you know that. A new scam I heard of today came from a young Malaysian girl who just arrived in Istanbul for the first time in her life. The taxi driver told her she had to pay in European Turkish Liras because she was on the European side of Istanbul. There is no bloody such thing. Jesus. It’s Turkey, you should pay in Turkish Liras.