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Something bad is happening on the streets of Istanbul right now. There are too many cars! And not enough roads for them all. This makes a huge traffic jam. The traffic is so bad because there are too many people living in Istanbul now. But the roads are still the same small size as before.

It is very slow driving in Istanbul traffic. In fact, Istanbul is the third most traffic-jammed city in the whole world! Drivers in Istanbul waste over 100 hours every year just sitting in their cars, not moving. The big bridges like Bosphorus Bridge and main roads like D-100 are the worst traffic jams.

But don’t be sad if you are a tourist visiting Istanbul! You can still get around if you are smart. This article will give you some good tips.

, , via Wikimedia Commons

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Walk This Way

Do not try to drive a car in the oldest parts of Istanbul like the historic peninsula. This area has very small roads and not many parking spots. It is better to just walk around and see the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and other old buildings. Walking is fun and you might find some great hidden spots!

Take the Trains and Boats 

Istanbul has trains, trams, funiculars and ferry boats that can take you many places. If you get an Istanbulkart travel pass, you can ride all of these and avoid traffic jams. Just try to not go at rush hour times when it gets very crowded.

Tours Are Good

If you want to go outside the center of Istanbul, a good bus tour is best. The tour buses have professional drivers who know how to go around the bad traffic. And you can just relax on the bus and not worry about driving.

Or Take a Taxi

For going shorter distances, you can take a taxi or use ride apps like Uber. But the taxis will probably cost more when there is a lot of traffic. You can also try to negotiate a fixed price with the taxi driver if you are good at bargaining.

No Matter What, Be Patient

More than anything, you need to be patient and calm in Istanbul traffic. This city has survived for thousands of years, so the traffic is not going anywhere soon! If you take it slow and follow these tips, you can still have an amazing time in Istanbul.