Arriving in Istanbul

By Air: Istanbul Ataturk international airport is 24km west of the city. There's a taxi rank outside the arrivals terminal, it's a good place to try out your haggling skills, the fare to the city centre should be £7-12. The Havas shuttle bus leaves every 45 minutes from outside the Arrivals Terminal to Taksim Square (£2).

By Coach: The coach station ( Otogar ) is located in Esenler, 10km west of the city centre. It's best reached either by taxi or tram (the Tramway leaves from Aksaray).

By Train: Trains travelling on the European side of Turkey depart from Sirkeci Station (near the Galata Bridge ). Trains travelling on the Asian side of Turkey depart from Haydarpasa Station (reached by ferry from Karakoy).

Tourist Information
Istanbul has a number of Tourist Offices; the following are the easiest to get to:

Sultanahmet: Divan Yolu 3 (a single storey rectangular building on the corner of the Hippodrome and Divan Yolu). Tel: 212-518 1802

Taksim: Next to the French Consulate on Istiklal Caddesi. It's housed in an old stone kiosk.

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