Transport in Izmir

Photo: WOW Turkey

by Sinan Tortum

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.

Latest comments about this article

 By co  18.8.2007

As far as I know, it is now illegal for the taxi´s to have the rate set to the gece (night) rate when traveling FROM or TO the airport.

 By fidgit  6.2.2007

A couple of additions: 1) If taking the Havas bus from the airport to the city centre, you should get out at ”Efes” (named for a hotel which, at the time of writing, is closed!) which is next to the Hilton and within easy reach of all central points and Metro connections. 2) Coming from the bus station on the company´s service bus, the most central destination is Basmane. 3) At the time of writing, the metro does NOT go as far as Uckuyular. The furthest stop in that direction is Ucyol. 4) When taking a taxi, check that the metre registers ”gunduz” (day rate), if travelling before midnight. If you are taking a taxi from the centre to the airport the metre will legitimately be put to ”gece” (night rate) whatever the time of day.

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