By Bus
Intercity buses are the backbone of Turkish land travel and they are excellent. The major companies — Metro Turizm, Kamil Koc, Pamukkale Turizm, and Ulusoy — run modern, comfortable coaches with assigned seats, onboard attendants, complimentary drinks and snacks, and sometimes Wi-Fi. Every significant town has an otogar (bus terminal), usually on the outskirts. Tickets can be bought at the terminal or online; book ahead on popular routes in summer.
Journey times are long because Turkey is large. Istanbul to Ankara takes around 6 hours; Istanbul to Izmir is 9 hours; Istanbul to Cappadocia (Goreme) is around 11 hours overnight. Night buses save time and a night's accommodation. Prices are reasonable — the Istanbul-Ankara route costs around $15-25 depending on the company.
By Train
Turkey has an expanding high-speed rail (YHT) network. The Istanbul-Ankara route is fast (4.5 hours) and comfortable. High-speed lines also serve Eskisehir, Konya, Karaman, and Sivas. Tickets are affordable and should be booked in advance at tcdd.gov.tr.
Conventional trains are slower and have less coverage, but some routes are scenic. The eastern routes — especially into the Anatolian interior — are atmospheric but can be very slow.
Domestic Flights
For longer distances, domestic flights are cheap and fast. Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, and AnadoluJet (a Turkish Airlines subsidiary) link Istanbul with virtually every city in Turkey. Prices are reasonable if booked in advance — as little as $20-40 on budget routes. The domestic terminal at Istanbul Airport and the whole of Sabiha Gokcen are worth knowing.
By Car
Renting a car opens up areas that buses don't reach well: the Aegean back-country, the valleys around Cappadocia, the Black Sea mountains, the far southeast. Roads are generally good; the motorway network (otoban) is well-maintained, though tolls add up. In cities, traffic is heavy and parking is difficult — particularly in Istanbul, where you really don't need or want a car.
Be aware that Turkish driving can be aggressive. Outside major cities, roads narrow and conditions vary. Mountain roads in the east can be challenging. International driving licenses are accepted.
City Transport
Istanbul has an extensive metro, tram, commuter rail (Marmaray and IETT), and ferry network. The Istanbulkart (smart card) covers all of it and is the easiest way to get around — buy one at any transit station. Taxis are plentiful but make sure the meter is running; taxi apps (BiTaksi, iTaksi) are safer and transparent on price.
Ankara has a metro and bus network; the Ankarakart covers both.
Izmir has a metro, IZBAN commuter trains, trams, and ferries across the bay.
Dolmus
The dolmus — a shared minibus that runs a fixed route and departs when full — is how you travel within and between smaller towns. Cheap, ubiquitous, and authentic. You flag one down or board at a designated point, tell the driver your destination, and pay when you arrive.