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The city:
Istanbul that is also known as “Constantinople” is the largest and most colorful city of Turkey. As only city in the world it is located on Europe and Asia, so two continents. It is situated on the two banks of the Bosporus, the narrow connection between the Black Sea and the Sea or Marmara.
This city is rich of old history and many interesting things from the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Examples are the Topkapi Palace and the Hagia
If shopping is your hobby, Istanbul is your city. It supplies the Big Bazaar and the Egyptian Bazaar and the surrounding streets like a little shopping paradise.
The city has a very international high population with approximate more that 8 million inhabitants. Traditionally there are living many Greeks, Armenians and Jews in the city.
Airports
The international Airport of Istanbul is Atatürk (IST) and is located around 20 kilometers to the south west of the city.
Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is the second international Airport they built because there was such a lot of air traffic. Except by Turkish Airlines, this airport is used a lot by budget airlines.
At both airports it is easy to get the right car for you if you wish to rent a car and travel more comfortable. In these hectic cities it is always recommendable as visitor to book in advance your car.
Public transport
Traditional transport is the DolmuÅŸ taxi, which is a shared taxi. They drive day and night on fix routes, but without set stops. The idea is that each passenger only pays one eight of the fee a normal Istanbul taxi would charge for the same destination.
As a visitor you will use the T4 line the most, which connects the entertainment centres of Sultanahmet and Taksim Square.
The metro consists of only two lines: one to the north and one to the south. There is a regular ferry service between the European and Asian parts of the city.
A cheap form of transport in Istanbul is the yellow taxi.
Traffic and Parking
Chaotic is the only word that one can possibly apply to the traffic in Istanbul. Make the best out of it and be patient. Take the time and enjoy the magnificent views you can have from the bridges. If you go across one of the bridges from the European to the Asian part of the city, you have to pay a toll.
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