Getting Around Amasya
Amasya sits in a narrow valley along the banks of the Yeşilırmak River, and its compact, linear layout is a gift to visitors: most of what you have come to see is within walking distance of everything else. The historic core along the river — the Ottoman timber houses, the Hazeranlar Mansion, the bazaar and the rock-cut Pontic royal tombs — is small and largely flat along the waterfront, and it is best explored on foot. Traffic is restricted in the Old Town and diverted through a tunnel, which keeps the riverside pleasant to stroll.
Walking
Walking should be your default mode of transport in Amasya. The riverside promenade is lined with shops, cafes and historical homes, and local drivers are generally respectful toward pedestrians. The one notable exception is Amasya Castle, which requires an uphill walk; many visitors prefer to take a taxi up and walk back down. Cycling is also possible, especially along the river areas where the terrain is gentle, though it gets steep near the castle and in the peripheral parts of the city, and cycling infrastructure is not fully developed — main roads may lack dedicated bike lanes.
Metro, Tram and Rail
Amasya has no metro or tram network, so you can rule those out entirely. Rail service is limited to the Samsun–Sivas line, served by slow regional trains; there is a single daily Samsun–Amasya regional train that leaves Amasya very early in the morning, so check current TCDD times if you plan to use it. Amasya railway station (Amasya Garı) sits in the west part of town. If you are catching the early train toward Samsun, you will probably find someone on the platform selling samovar tea and simit. Coming out of the station, turn west (left) for budget pansiyons along Yalı Sokak.
Buses and Dolmuş Minibuses
Public transit within the city is limited and consists primarily of municipal city buses and dolmuş minibuses running on fixed routes. These serve the city and its suburbs and are useful for destinations beyond walking distance, including the bus station and the airport, as well as for connections to nearby cities. Dolmuş minibuses also run regularly from the otogar to nearby towns such as Merzifon, Suluova and Gümüşhacıköy. Carry cash in small Turkish lira for dolmuş rides and short taxi trips — not all drivers accept cards.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Metered yellow taxis wait at ranks by the train station, the otogar and the main squares, and can be flagged down or phoned. Fares are modest by European standards. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber are not widely active in Amasya, so plan on taxis or dolmuş instead. A taxi is a sensible choice for the climb up to the castle or for harder-to-reach areas.
Arriving by Air
The nearest airport is Amasya Merzifon Airport (MZH), which has daily flights from Istanbul. Note that it is not in the city itself but roughly 40–47 km northwest, near Merzifon. Allow about 45–60 minutes to reach the city by Havaş shuttle, taxi or private transfer. Samsun-Çarşamba Airport (SZF) is also sometimes used as an alternative.
Arriving by Bus or Train
Most travellers arrive and depart by intercity coach. Amasya Otogar is the new bus station, located northwest of town at the junction with the bypass. It is modern but poor on facilities — for example, there is no ATM, yet you need cash for ticket kiosks and taxis. Your inter-city bus ticket may include a downtown transfer, so enquire when booking; on arrival you have to cross the main building to reach the departure point for the transfer minibuses into the city centre. The former bus station in the Kirazlıdere district is still marked on some maps but is now a demolition site. Amasya Tur is the main bus line, and there is a swarm of dolmuşes. Intercity coaches are usually cheaper and more flexible than the train; for popular Ankara and Istanbul departures, buy tickets in advance through obilet.com or company apps such as Metro Turizm and Mis Amasya.
Car Rental
Renting a car is the most flexible way to reach provincial sights such as the thermal springs, Borabay Lake and the Hittite sites around Çorum. Roads are good and fuel is cheap, but parking is tight in the narrow riverside old town. Note that the geothermal spas in Amasya Province tend to be hard to reach by public transport, so they are best visited on a road trip with your own wheels.