
There are many options for traveling within Turkey via plane, bus, car, train, ship & ferry. For transport from other countries to Turkey, see Getting to Turkey.
Although Turkey is a large country (see maps), it’s fairly easy to get around. You can find distances and travel times, in both kilometers and miles, for all major and many minor destinations in the Where to Go section of TurkeyTravelPlanner.com.
Take into consideration that there’s more congestion during major holidays so it’s advisable to book further in advance during those times. Read more about how to compare costs for various means of transport.
Plane
When traveling larger distances, flying is generally preferable. Flights are available and fairly inexpensive on a number of carriers such as: Turkish Airlines, Anadolujet, Pegasus Air, and Sun Express. Average fare prices can vary depending on season. Find more information about Major Airports and Airport/City Codes.
Bus
Thousands of modern, luxurious buses roar between Turkish cities and towns daily. This is how most Turks travel. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to get fare and schedule information, but you can make arrangements easily when you arrive in Turkey. Departures are frequent, so you won't need advance reservations for most routes. Find more information about how to buy bus tickets, taking the bus from Istanbul, and a list of popular bus companies.


Car
If you are an experienced driver and want to have more freedom when traveling, consider renting a car in Turkey. People drive on the right side of the road. If you are not traveling in a group, flying could be a cheaper option due to petrol costs.
Transfer
Getting around Turkey can be tricky especially if you don't know the language. It can feel stressful trying to navigate from city to city or from the airport to your hotel. Taxis can end up being quite expensive due to traffic and distance, so taking a transfer is an excellent option. Not only is there plenty of room for luggage, but it can also be a very affordable option if traveling with others or as a family. You can easily book a transfer using the widget on the sidebar or find out more about transfers here.
Train
The Orient Express is long gone, but Turkey is hard at work building an impressive network of high-speed trains which, within a decade, will link 15 cities holding half the country's population. A number of useful routes are already in operation.
Older, conventional trains can also be useful on some routes (here's a map). They may be slower than the bus but offer more seating-room and comfort for less money.


Ships & Ferries
Turkey is surrounded by seas, so ships play a significant part in the Turkish transport picture. Here are the major services:
Cruise Ships
Cruise ships from other countries dock in Turkey at Istanbul, Kuşadası (for Ephesus) and other ports. Here's information on the ports and docks.
Sea of Marmara Ferryboats
Sea of Marmara ferry services run between Istanbul on the north shore and Yalova and Bandırma on the south shore (map).
Dardanelles Ferries
Dardanelles ferries connect Europe with Asia, Çanakkale, and Troy with the Gallipoli battlefields.
Greek Islands—Turkey Ferries
Greek Island—Turkey ferries connect the islands with the Turkish coast. Look up ports, dates, times and fares on Feribot.net.
Inter-Island Ferries in Greece
Island-to-Island ferries in Greece help you travel between Athens, the Islands, and Turkey.
Italy—Turkey Ferries
Italy—Turkey ferries: no longer any direct service, but you can go via Greece.
Cyprus—Turkey Ferries
Cyprus—Turkey ferries connect Girne (Kyrenia) and Taşucu/Silifke all year, and Alanya in summer.
Odessa—Istanbul Ferries
Odessa (Ukraine)—Istanbul ferries have ceased operations, unfortunately.