Getting Around, Izmir Travel, Transport and Car Rental

(Izmir, Turkey)

Although public transport is readily available in Izmir in the form of buses and Metro trains, many tourists prefer to travel around the city on foot, using one of the specified walking routes to explore the centre.

Bus transport is well suited for day trips outside of Izmir, while local taxis are ideal for those simply wishing to travel short distances and can be either hailed from the street or found at one of the many taxi ranks based outside of leading hotels. However, the most scenic way to travel outside of Izmir is without question by ferry.

Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) / Arriving by Air

Address: Menderes Izmir-Aydin Otoyolu, Atifbey, Turkey, TR
Tel: +90 0232 455 0000
Adnan Menderes Airport is to be found just under 20 km / 12 miles from central Izmir and lies directly to the south, where it offers good connections to both Turkey (including Adana, Ankara, Antalya and Istanbul) and much of Europe, such as the countries of Austria, England, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland, amongst others. Ground transport is on hand in the form of regular airport shuttles, which run every 20 minutes and are a popular way to travel into the city centre. There are also several trains linking Adnan Menderes Airport with the city's Basmane railway station.

Car Rental

There are a good selection of international car rental franchises and local operators to be found at the airport, with further desks located in central Izmir itself. Your very own set of wheels is perfect for half-day excursions, with Cesme, Manisa and Tire all proving to be extremely popular destinations and just a short drive away.

Book your Izmir Car Rental here.

Buses and Coaches

City buses are a common sight on the main thoroughfares around Izmir, although many tourists do find that the one-way network and the unnumbered bus stops can prove a little confusing at the best of times. Most bus transport either travels from the Konak station alongside the Ataturk Evi, or from the Montro Meydani terminal next to the Kultur Park. Bus tickets can either be purchased onboard, or from one of the numerous kiosks in the city.

Trains and Metro

There are no less than two separate train stations situated within Izmir, with Basmane being the most centrally located and an important hub for inter-city trains, which connect cities such as Ankara, Denizli, Eskisehir, Isparta, Kutahya, Nazilli, Pamukkale and Selcuk. To the north, the extremely historic Alsancak train station is actually Turkey's oldest and tends to be used by commuters for local journeys, and by tourists headed for Bandirma.

The ever-expanding Metro network of subway train transport is a highly efficient and cheap way to travel to your choice destination, running between Ucyol and Uckuyular, and passed Konak along the way. Other prominent Metro stations include Basmane, Bolge, Halkapinar, Cankaya, Halkapinar, Hilal, Konak, Sanayi and also Stadyum.

Boats and Ferries

Ferry transport is a particularly scenic way to travel to the lively city of Istanbul, with ferries tending to depart at least once a week and offering a total journey time of some 18 or 19 hours. All local ferries depart from the Alsancak Ferry Terminal and the piers of Konak, on the northern side of Izmir, and also provide a pleasant way to sightsee around the coast, especially on a sunny day. There are even weekly ferries that travel as far as Venice, Italy, in just under three days.