Istanbul becomes much easier once ferries are treated as normal transport rather than only sightseeing.
Use tram for central historic routes
Tram connections are practical around key visitor corridors.
Use ferries across the Bosphorus
Ferries connect districts and provide some of the best city views.
Use metro for longer journeys
Metro reduces dependence on road traffic for many cross-city trips.
Plan airport transfers carefully
IST and SAW can require significant travel time depending on the hotel area.