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Istanbul's airport , 24km west, has two connected terminals, international and domestic. Buses run to Taksim Square northeast of Beyoglu ($4) stopping at Aksaray, from where trams run to Sultanahmet ($0.40). Taxis taking the direct route along the seafront road (Sahil Yolu) cost $12-15 - make sure they use the meter. Construction work on the airport metro station is due to be completed by the end of 2002, when it will give a direct link to the centre. There are two main train stations : trains from Europe terminate at Sirkeci , linked to Sultanahmet by a short tram ride; trains from Asia end at Haydarpasa on the east bank of the Bosphorus, from where you can get a ferry to Karaköy and a bus from there to Sultanahmet. From Istanbul's otogar (bus station) at Esenler, around 15km northwest, the better bus companies run courtesy minibuses to various points of the city including Taksim, although if you're heading for Sultanahmet it might be quicker to take the metro (actually an express tramway) to Aksaray, where you can change to the Eminönü-bound tram line which passes through Sultanahmet and Sirkeci. Most buses arrive at the Esenler otogar , including European and Asian services, although some also stop at the Harem bus station on the Asian side, from where there are regular dolmuses to Haydarpasa station.

The most central tourist office is in Sultanahmet near the Hippodrome on Divanyolu Caddesi (daily 9am-5pm, sometimes later; tel 0212/518 8754); with other branches at the airport and the two train stations. They usually have a good range of brochures and maps and can help with accommodation.