Getting Around Eskişehir: Estram Trams, Contactless Cards and Walking

In 2004, Eskişehir's zero-emission Estram light-rail tram system won the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) World Rail Transport Award, and it remains the easiest way for visitors to link the train station, bus terminal, riverfront and hilltop Odunpazarı.

1. How to Pay: Tap Any Contactless Visa or Mastercard at the Turnstile

Notice that Estram tram stops in Eskişehir have low waist-high glass turnstile gates at the entrance to every street platform, you pay before boarding the tram rather than inside the carriage. You do not need to buy a local plastic Eskart for a 2- or 3-day visit: simply tap your contactless Visa or Mastercard debit/credit card (or Apple Pay / Google Pay) directly on the red/blue validator screen on the turnstile (and on the validator inside municipal buses).

2. The 4 Estram Stops Every Visitor Needs to Know

Almost every central tram line converges along the pedestrianised downtown loop between İsmet İnönü (Doktorlar) Caddesi, İki Eylül Caddesi and Çarşı:

• 1. Gar Stop (Lines 1 & 3, SSK to Otogar / Osmangazi): right outside the main YHT High-Speed Train Station.
• 2. İsmet İnönü / Espark / Bağlar Stop: drops you right at the western end of Doktorlar Caddesi, the 1961 Devrim Car Museum, Haller Youth Centre and the university bar streets.
• 3. Çarşı Stop: right at the Köprübaşı Porsuk River bridge, step off here for the Venetian Gondola and Riverboat piers, Adalar cafés, Karakedi Boza and Hamamyolu.
• 4. Atatürk Lisesi or Odunpazarı Stop (Lines towards Osmangazi Üniversitesi / Şehir Hastanesi): drops you directly on Atatürk Bulvarı right in front of OMM, the Wax & Glass Museums and the cobbled alleys of Odunpazarı.

3. Reaching Sazova Park and the Phrygian Valley

Because the tram does not enter Sazova Park, hop onto red/black municipal Bus 11, 16, 17 or 38 from the Odunpazarı (Alaeddin Park) or Atatürk Bulvarı bus stops (15 mins straight to Sazova gate), or take a quick 12-minute metered yellow taxi. For the Phrygian Valley (Yazılıkaya) 75 km south, rent a car for the day at the YHT Train Station or arrange a half-day round-trip taxi.