In Istanbul and the rest of Turkey, going by bus is a quick and easy way of making do-it-yourself tours. It is the cheapest and convenient method to travel; some even prefer this to going by train. These ply the route to other cities in the country, as well as European and Asian countries such as Greece, Iran, France, Germany, Bulgaria and so on.
There are quite a number of bus companies that ply the different routes, connecting you to other points in Turkey and to international destinations. Because of the number of buses, there usually is no problem in the thought of just going to the bus terminal, going up to the counter to buy your ticket and then to wait for the bus to come. However, for Turkey’s government and religious holidays, you may have a problem booking your ticket. So take note of the day you will need to travel to see if you have to book your tickets in advance.
Here are some tips:
- use the facilities in the terminal, as there are often no toilets in the bus
- for long trips, it’s best to take a plane or train and then ride the bus to destinations that are not served by the plane and train routes
The bus terminal (Buyuk Terminal) is a gigantic way station that serves to connect you to the rest of Turkey, as well as Central Europe, the Balkans, Bulgaria and Greece. Called the International Istanbul Intercity Bus Terminal, this is located in Bayrampasa, on the European side. Another bus terminal is the Harem Terminal, located north of Haydarapasa and on the Asian side of Istanbul, especially if you are traveling to Anatolia.
Here are some of the bus companies in Istanbul or Turkey.
Adana Luks 212 658 2400
Adiyaman Gularas Tur 212 658 0537-38
Agri Dagi Luks Seyahat 212 658 0405-06
Akdeniz Seyahat 212 658 3144
Aksaray Yesil 212 658 24 00/ 212 658 1752
Alasehir Turizm 212 658 0861-62
Amasya Itimat 212 658 0858
Ankara Ozen Turizm 212 658 0884
Ardahan Dogus 212 658 3662
Artvin Ekspres 212 658 0191
As Turizm 212 658 1262
Asya Tur Seyahat 212 658 0454
Aydin Turizm 212 658 0909
Bafra As Turizm 212 658 1768
Bafra Seyahat 212 658 0400
Bartin Yeni Oz 212 658 0869-70
Batman Midyat Koc Turizm 212 658 0386
Bayburt Seyahat 212 658 0053-55
Bingol Tur 212 658 0393-94
Bosfor Turizm (Y.Disi) 212 658 3000
Canakkale Truva 212 658 3380
Cayiragasi Vip 212 658 2727
Corum Hitit Tur 212 658 3370-71
Denizli Seyahat 212 658 3532
Dikici Tur 212 658 1867
Diyarbakir Luks 212 658 0980-81
Dogan Korfez 212 658 0722
Edirne Birlik 212 658 1907-08
Efe Tur 212 658 0930
Elazig Hazar Turizm 212 658 2323
Erzincan Baris Turizm 212 658 0875-3
Erzurum Dadas Turizm 212 658 1369
Findikkale 212 658 2828
Guler Seyahat 212 658 2747-48
Habur Oz Tur 212 658 1380
Hakiki Koc 212 658 4010
Hatay Pan Turizm 212 658 3150
Isparta Gurman Turizm 212 658 3838
Istanbul Tur (Y.Disi) 212 658 2532
Izmir Seyahat Koop. 212 658 1571-72
K.Maras Aksu 212 658 0250-5
Kamil Koc 212 658 2001
Kars Dogu 212 658 1857-58
Kastamonu Ozlem 212 658 0613
Kayseri Ipek 212 658 3840-41
Kent Tur 212 658 0830
Kesan Birlik 212 658 0382
Kirikkale Es Turizm 212 658 0366-67
Konya Set Turizm 212 658 0778-79
Koksallar 212 658 0843
Koseoglu Seyahat 212 658 1030
Kutahyalilar 212 658 3566
Luks Adana 212 658 0689
Luks Yalova Seyahat 212 658 0741
Malatya Seyahat 212 658 1960-61
Mardin Ekspres 212 658 0202
Mersin Seyahat 212 658 1800
Mersin Vip Turizm 212 658 3535
Metro 212 658 3232
Nevtur Goreme 212 658 1213
Nisikli Tur (Y. Disi) 212 658 0469-70
Otogar Danisma Harem 216 333 3763/Esenler 212 658 0036
Onder Bafra 212 658 1314
Oz Emniyet 212 658 3208
Pamukkale Turizm 212 658 2222
Rize Sahil Seyahat 212 658 1893-94
Sec Turizm 212 658 0260
Sezer Turizm 212 658 3333
Show 212 658 0842
Siirt Luks 212 658 2017
Sivas Kervan 212 658 1058
Star Adana 212 658 0689
Suzer Seyahat 212 658 0192
Sarkoy Seyahat 212 658 1766-67
Tanriverdi Seyahat 212 658 3150
Tatlises 212 658 2575-5
Tokat Seyahat 212 658 2666
Uludag 212 658 0600/10
Ulusoy Seyahat 212 658 3000
Vangolu Turizm 212 658 3030
Varan Turizm 212 658 0270
Yeni Adana 212 251 3320