Izmir, as the third biggest city of Turkey,
has a good network of transport system utilizing possibilities
at sea and on land. If you come to Izmir by air, the
possibilities are as follows:
1.- If you do not care about the budget, the easiest way is to
take a taxi. To the city center it would cost appr. 25 USD.
2.- Havas-local ground handling company operates coaches to
different points of the city center and it costs appr. 6 USD.
3.- Do not reckon with the train at the moment. There is a train
station at the airport. However, the existing railway is being
rehabilitated to become a part of the extended metro system; it
is expected that in one year's time it will be ready.
If you come to Izmir-port, then it is located in Alsancak in the
very center of the city. If you have limited time in Izmir, then
using a taxi is advised to reach, for example, the Basar.
In case you come to the main central bus-terminal of Izmir, the
best way is to take the so called services buses operated by the
bus-companies. At the bus-terminal, take the service bus to the
city center. These service buses usually drive to the central
parts of the city.
Within the city of Izmir, the main public transport means is the
red municipal buses. As a foreigner in Izmir, it may be
difficult to find out where to take the bus, which bus and to
where. Therefore, unless you want an adventure, for short stays,
taking the municipal buses is not advised. In these buses you
can use money (appr. 1 USD) or you can use "Kent
Kart" (City Card). The last named can be bought
at the bus ticket offices or at some shops. Look for the sign
"Kent Kart" to buy this card. You pay appr. 3 USD and you have
to fill in some credits which you then spend on the bus. You
simply show the card to a device besides the driver and the cost
shall be deduced from your total credit. Using "Kent Kart" is
more reasonable.
Between the following points there are municipal boat/ ferry
services:
Passenger boats Konak/ Karsiyaka/ Konak, Konak/Bostanli/ Konak,
Konak/Bayrakli/Konak, Goztepe/Karsiyaka/Goztepe (few departures
a day) and ferry boats (for cars and passengers) Uckuyular/Bostanli/Uckuyular.
In the summer, there are boat trips from Konak to Alman Adasi
outside Urla, where there are swimming possibilities.
Izmir Metro approximately 11 km. long with 10 stations. The end
stations are Bornova and Uckuyular. If you are in the very
center of Izmir-close to the Basar, the nearest stations are
Konak, Cankaya and Basmane. The Municipality of Izmir is
extending the metro system; after the construction of the new
railways and the rehabilitation of the existing ones, it will be
a superb development in the public transport system of Izmir.
In addition, there are also minibus ("dolmus")
services usually outside the very central parts of Izmir.
Taxi in Turkey in general is quite reasonable. So, if you, as a
visitor, do not have stressing budget limitations it is an
advisable means of transportation. You should of course remember
to provide for that the taxi-driver turns on the "taksimetre"
showing how much you should pay.
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