Bus station and subway in Istanbul: how not to get lost?
Istanbul Metro
Istanbul Metro is a system of high-speed urban, mainly underground passenger transport in the largest city in Turkey, Istanbul.
The metro consists of 8 lines with 101 stations, 6 lines are located in the European part of the city, 2 lines - in the Asian part.
It is noteworthy that the Istanbul metro is an underground metro system, one branch of the Marmaray ground train, 3 branches of the tram, branches of a vintage tram, 3 branches of the funicular. The metro system also includes two cable car lines (Turkish for "Teleferik"). As transportation they are useless, but there are good views.
Subway travel is possible on the Istanbul map. The ticket must be paid in yellow kiosks, its cost on average on the underground branch of 8 Turkish liras. The money will be credited to the card. The purchase procedure is simple: attach the card to the white square on the right, immediately deposit money into the terminal hole - and that's it.
Transfers inside the subway are not possible. To transfer between lines, you need to change direction and pay for the ticket again at full cost. A bit unusual for Russians.
On the "Istanbul map" you can go by tram or bus, leaving the subway. The cost of the card itself (plastic) is about 20 Turkish liras in the terminal (but due to the limited amount it is almost impossible to buy them there) and about 40 liras from hands.
The subway opens around 6am and runs until late. The metro scheme is clear, the stations are linear, there is no ring line, as in the Moscow metro, but there are many lines. Line schemes are located in each car and at metro stations. Frequency of trains during peak hours 4-6 minutes.
During the hours when Turkish citizens go to work or from work, the carriages are crowded. Nobody wears a mask. It is customary to sit on ledges, for example, at the end of each car, on the floor. No room to give up. If you are a tourist (beautiful woman) or a lady with a child, you are likely to be seated.
Of the most remarkable metro stations that can be useful to tourists: Floria metro (popular at the local beach on the Marmara Sea), Otogar metro (bus station), Yeni Kapi metro (Golden Crown issue points).
Where to spend an hour in Otogar Istanbul?
Istanbul (Turkish) bus station is one of the largest in Europe. A rare tourist will not be here at least once in his life. Transfer through Turkey during the period of sanctions against Russia is vital for everyone.
Buyuk Istanbul Otogar (or in translation into Russian the large bus station in Istanbul) is the largest of the bus stations in Istanbul. From the bus station, buses depart not only throughout Turkey, but also far beyond its borders: to Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Central Europe and even the Middle East, Georgia, Ukraine.
Turkey receives at least 40 million tourists annually. Most of them are on their way to Otogar. The bus station has a modern look, toilets (cost 1 Turkish lira in cash or card "Istanbul cards"), a hotel, a cafe, local food shops, a police station, access to the metro directly from the bus station.
Despite the efforts of the Turks to equip the station, keep it clean, not to allow vagabonds, garbage collection, some places of the bus station have a local flavor.
Cafes located in many places on the territory of the station offer a Turkish menu, dishes that the Turks eat every day. Not every stomach will withstand such a test!
Of the cleanest and most cultivated places of the station can be called a cafe Gar cafe. It is located near the entrance to the subway, on the back of it. The institution will offer tea for 6 Turkish liras, coffee for 15 liras or other drinks. You can charge the phone (for this there are special outlets) and spend an hour without annoying staff on soft leather sofas.
Text and photo: Madeleine Barr
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