The best way of getting from Istanbul to other towns and cities is by long-distance coach. A bewildering number of companies offer services to every conceivable destination in Turkey, with several companies serving any one intercity route. It is worth paying a bit extra to travel with a reputable company, to ensure a safe and comfortable journey.
The rail network is much more limited than the coach network. Trains go to only a limited number of cities in Turkey and the service is less efficient. Even express trains take longer than the same journey by coach. For destinations across the Sea of Marmara, ferries and sea buses are a relaxing means of transport.

INTERCITY COACHES

The main coach station / for both domestic and international destinations is at Esenler, 14 km (9 miles) northwest of the city centre. The Otogar is poorly maintained; public conveniences and restaurants are dirty and it is generally unkempt. Unless you are staying in this part of Istanbul, you will probably not need to use it at all. All coach companies have city centre branches where you can buy tickets, and they tun a shuttle service to one of their collection points near the motorway. On the Asian side, too, they will stop at one of their own terminals.
You must make a booking for all coach journeys. Most companies accept credit cards. Varan and Ulusoy . the two most reputable bus companies, can make bookings and issue tickets for any of their destinations around Turkey from any of their city centre offices. They operate services between main centres such as Ankara, Antalya and İzmir, as well as to destinations along the Black Sea coast. Kamil Koç has a service to Bursa. The journey goes via Gebze, boarding the ferry to Yalova and takes about four hours. Çanakkale Truva Seyahat is the best company to use for getting to Gelibolu (Gallipoli), which takes about five hours, or Çanakkale, which takes about six hours. Metro Turizm is a large and reliable coach company that runs regular schedules to many destinations outside Istanbul. Smoking is not permitted on any coaches. Single passengers will usually be seated next to someone of the same sex. Couples can sit together. Mineral water, and sometimes other refreshments, are available on board free of charge. There will also be frequent rest and meal stops. On most coaches, the attendant will offer a refreshing bottle of cologne to passengers.

LONG-DISTANCE FERRIES

Ferries and sea buses are a convenient means of travelling long distances from a city surrounded by water. İDO ferries are very good value, and cars are carried on some routes. Few concessions are made to comfon, however; seating is often basic and the buffets offer only snacks.
The trip to Bursa can be made by a combination of sea bus or ferry, and coach. The fastest route is to take one of four daily sea buses from Kabataş to Yalova, just an hour away. Ferries also sail from Sarayburnu, in Eminönü, to Yalova. The port of Mudanya is even closer to Bursa but boats are much less frequent. Sea buses go there from Yenikapi, ferries from Sarayburnu. Frequent buses meet incoming boats at Yalova and Mudanya.
In the summer, sea buses go from Yenikapi to Marmara. IDO also has ferries to the Marmara Islands, departing from Sarayburnu. A car ferry runs from Kabataş to Avsa.

TRAINS TO EDİRNE

Journey takes six hours, twice the length of time taken by the coach. Advance reservations can be made at the railway stations in either city, or in certain travel agencies displaying the TCDD (Turkish State Railways) sign. Unfortunately, Bursa is not on the rail network.

CAR HIRE AND ROAD TRAVEL

Turkey's comprehensive intercity coach network means that a car is not necessary for travelling to other cities. However, if you do wish to drive, car hire companies such as Avis, Budget and Sixt have offices in the airport, as well as in the city centre. You do not need an international driving licence; a normal licence from your own country is all that is required.
All roads in Turkey, both in and outside cities, are made hazardous by reckless driving, and caution is recommended at all times. Traffic drives on and gives way to the right, even on roundabouts.
The Turkish Touring and Automobile Club (Turkiye Turing ve Otomobil Kurumu, or TTOK), based in Istanbul, is happy to give visiting motorists advice on driving in Turkey, as well as offering assistance with breakdowns, accidents and insurance. It has reciprocal agreements with the British AA and RAC.
There is a daily train to Edirne from Sirkeci Station. However, the DAY

TRIP TOURS

A number of companies offer day trips from Istanbul to the Princes' Islands, the Dardanelles, Bursa and villages on the Black Sea. These are often good value and offer an efficient and hassle-free method of simplifying your travel arrangements.
Reputable tour operators with English-speaking guides include Plan Tours, VIP Turizm and Türk Exprès. AU offer classical, biblical and heritage tours in Istanbul as well as to regions throughout Turkey. Some companies offer personalized tours all over Turkey. Plan Tours also operates a double-decker bus service around Istanbul. CARED (Çanakkale Tour Guide Association) can provide tour guides who speak many languages.

LOCAL TRANSPORT OUTSIDE ISTANBUL

The main means of public transport in both Bursa and Edirne is the dolmuş. These are either minibuses or saloon cars, with the destination displayed on signs on the roof. If you stay in the centre of either city and are moderately fit, you will find that all of the major sights are within easy walking distance.
In Bursa city centre, Heykel, at the eastern end of Atatürk Caddesi, is the main dolmuş terminus. From there you can get dolmuşes to most other parts of the city. There is also an efficient bus service.
Edirne is much smaller than Bursa, and the public transport system is not as comprehensive. To get from the coach station to the town centre, a distance of 2 km (1 mile), take a Merkez-Garaj minibus dolmuş, or a taxi.
There are no motor vehicles on the Princes' Islands. On Büyükada and Heybeliada there are phaeton carriages; otherwise you have to get I around on foot or by bicycle.