Istanbul is Turkey’s most populated city with about 16 million inhabitants. Given its size and population, a great deal of work has been put into its transportation system to aid ease of commuting. From the ferry, to trams, to metro, to metro buses, to buses, and taxis, there is a good number of options to pick from when trying to get around.
For me, coming from the big city of Lagos, Nigeria, with a population of about 17 million, the size and crowds in Istanbul didn’t bother me. I was used to it. However, although we have similarities in population, the transportation and road system in my city is very different from Istanbul.
In Lagos, you can easily burst out to a destination using several routes. Also, much of the road networks are straightforward. This is especially true for Lagos Island. Buses are scheduled for several destinations and you can get off pretty much anywhere.
My first confusion with Istanbul’s otobüsler was their numbering. Furthermore, everyone but me seemed to know their numbers and which ones went where. So instead of taking the bus, I started taking the metro even if it meant entering three different ones for a single trip. I just understood it better. In conversation with friends, I would casually mention the route I used to get to a place and instantly, they would mention like three random buses that could take me to said location faster.
So after avoiding the otobüs for the longest time, I decided to be brave and use the otobüs. Incoming second dilemma. Have you ever waited so long for something that you started to feel like you were waiting for the wrong thing? Just me? Anyway, I experienced several episodes of waiting at the bus stop for my special bus with a specific bus number, and when everyone else at the stop found their buses and got on, I started to think I must have gotten the bus number wrong. So I decided to get on a random bus or at least one with a close number to my actual bus. I mean, if 50C goes to my destination, so should 50D, right? ‘Cause after the letter C is the letter D. My logic.
I soon figured that getting on random buses wouldn’t get me to my destination. Also, the route from one stop to the next can look like a dive through the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland. One moment everywhere looks familiar, and next thing you know, everywhere is so different. The third dilemma I faced was getting off at the right stop. Even with the help of Google Maps, sometimes there is a network delay and I get alerted to get off a minute too late. And you can be sure the doors won’t be opened once you pass a stop.
You would think that I have now gotten a grip of how the Istanbul bus system works, but to be honest, I am still figuring it out. So I will share what I do to have fewer failed bus rides. First, I double-check my route before heading anywhere. I look out for alternative buses in case one doesn’t show up. I also try to have mobile data before heading out so I can always check the bus schedule.
My second tip would be to ask the driver before getting on to confirm the bus is going to your destination. Many times I have done this and they were kind enough to let me know the right bus to take or that I was not standing on the right side of the road. Third tip: when possible, I take the bus with a friend who understands the route better or at least wouldn’t mind getting lost with me. It’s comforting to have company, so we can turn our commuting woes into random adventures. Istanbul does have beautiful sights and a high chance for random discoveries.
Finally, don’t hesitate to ask fellow commuters for help. People are generally warm and friendly. Many times, I have had even indigenes ask me for directions to places and while I momentarily get surprised that they thought I had a better knowledge than them, I was happy to help when I could.
Ultimately, as a foreigner, there is always one thing or the other that takes a while to get adjusted to. And for some things, you just might never fully get a hang of it. Rather than letting these things weigh you down, remember to be kind and patient with yourself. See every mistake as a learning curve and every difficulty as a chance to build resilience. Finally, know that you are not alone. So many people have had similar experiences as you. Laugh at the experience and approach every journey with enthusiasm and grace.
