Getting Around

In Turkey you can travel by plane, car, bus, or train. With the advent of several new domestic airline companies in recent years, competition has increased and the cost of domestic flights has come down, so if your aim is to see several different areas of the country in a short time, you may want to fly between destinations.

Turkey has an extensive bus network, with buses serving all the major cities and even the smallest towns. Buses are generally safe, reliable, and surprisingly comfortable, making them an excellent way to travel around the country.

Renting a car allows you greater flexibility than traveling by bus, and the chance to see to places that are more off the beaten path, as well a glimpse of small-town Turkish life. Although major roads are generally in good condition, minor roads can be rough and badly paved, and it's wise to avoid driving at night. If you don't want a stick shift, reserve well in advance and specify automatic transmission.

Although cheaper than buses, trains tend to be far slower and do not serve many areas of the country. A high-speed rail line between Istanbul and Ankara is set to open in 2009 or 2010, but for other routes it's not usually worth taking the train.