Public transit in Istanbul is really good, it's one of the things I love about this city. IDO, the company that runs most of the ferries here is the largest ferry transportation company in the world. My commute to work is a nice relaxing 25 minute ferry ride down the bosphoros, and I go past Aya Sofia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi palace, the galata tower, all these thousand year old historical buildings are just along the way to work (ok I'll stop bragging about my awesome commute.)
Buses run all over the place, and dolmuses (shared taxis) run services between many different fixed points around the city. The metro has two lines that access the majority of the major centres, and the metrobus is a really fast way to get around without having to be stuck in traffic. Many areas also have cable cars running a circuit around the neighborhood.
The metro, ferries, metrobus, trams, and public buses are all only 1.50TL, and if you have an akbil (an electonic key) you simply load it up and then pay with that every time you use transit, no need to buy tickets ever. You also get a discount each time you use successive forms of transit, like taking the metro, then a ferry then a bus.
The only drawbacks are that it's usually very crowded, and the transit system can be insanely complicated. It takes most people a few months to really work out all the intricacies, but after that it's really great.
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What you've done becomes the judge of what you're going to do -- especially in other people's minds. When you're traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don't have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road.
William Least Heat Moon, Blue Highways
Your toughest competitor lives in your head. Some days his name is fear, or pain, or gravity. Stomp his ass.
HOOKED ON THE WHITE POWDER
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