Istanbul - Post Report Question and Answers
Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Oh yes. Istanbul is hillier than San Francisco, and many of the sidewalks are stairs, or straight up and down slippery slides. The roads are similar. There are a few ADA compliant locations, but very very few. Getting around would be tough. - Aug 2021
Some - many older buildings are not accessible and some curbs are quite high. Public transportation, housing and more modern buildings are all accessible. - Sep 2017
Getting on and off the ferries (and you will take them if you want to get to the Anatolian side) can be hazardous, especially in rough water. Judging by the way that any disabled person (or me who tripped over every gecekondu brick in the pavement) would get around the city, I'd say there aren't many safe ways for people with disabilities to get around. I had a hard time just getting on the bus. There are no kneeling buses that I remember. - Oct 2010
Not a good place for the physically-challenged. Walking is not something you can safely do without constant attention to where you step and traffic around you. Lots of stairs and hills. - Jan 2010
Very difficult. No sidewalks and infrastructure uneven - Jan 2010
Mobility. This is not a good place to be on wheels in anything other than cars. Plus, to take advantage of public transportation, long walks and stairs are often encountered. - Dec 2009
Many. I don't think anything is handicap accessible. - Dec 2009
