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Getting around Istanbul
Traffic in Istanbul is chaotic at first glance, but it actually works quite well.
The system is not as perfectly interconnected as in the cities of Western Europe. Fares are actually quite expensive, but with several cable car, metro and tram lines, you can get around Istanbul quite efficiently without using taxis.
Before you tackle the individual lines, I recommend you read up on the Where to stay in Istanbul section - it's the location of your hotel that will make the biggest difference between taking the twice-daily ferry overlooking the Bosphorus or wasting your time on buses.
Book a hotel in central Istanbul
What's the best way to get around Istanbul?
I think this is the most practical summary:
- Sultanahmet historical centre - on foot + T1 tram
- Taksim / Galata / Karaköy - metro + cable cars + on foot
- crossings between Europe and Asia - ferries or Marmaray underground train
- airports - metro or official airport buses
- late evening / with luggage - taxi or BiTaksi or Uber app
Fares
There are 3 different ways to pay your fare in Istanbul:
- IstanbulKart - a transport card for 165 try, which is valid for everything
- Your own contactless card - easy to use but higher fares
- Istanbul City Card - all-day and multi-day fares (very expensive, only worth it for 14+ rides per day)
Prices are as follows.
| Istanbulkart | Your own contactless card | |
|---|---|---|
| Metro Istanbul IETT buses Trams Cable Cars Historic Trams |
42 try | 60 try |
| Ferries | approx. 53 try - 60 try | 110 try |
| Marmara train | approx. 35 try - 75 try | not applicable |
| Metro to the airport IST | 39 try | cannot be used |
For ferries, fares are calculated differently for each line. However, I most often paid around 56 try when using the IstanbulKart (frequent lines between Europe and Asia).
Transfer fares
For a long time in Istanbul, the rule was that you always paid less for the next ride when you transferred.
Nowadays this is no longer the case and you always pay the above amounts for each individual ride.
This also applies when transferring between metro or tram lines - you simply pay 42 lira for each boarding (or 60 lira if you pay with your own contactless card) or even more on the ferries.
Is it worth buying an IstanbulKart?
The Istanbulkart is a rechargeable card that you load with any credit and then pay by beeping at the turnstile for all transport.
👉 In a nutshell:
- 1 day in Istanbul = I wouldn't bother with the IstanbulKart at all and pay everything with my own contactless card
- 2 or more days in Istanbul = IstanbulKart is probably worth it, especially if you also travel by ferry
❗Important - you can't use your own contactless card on these means of transport:
- Marmaray underground train
- Metro to IST Airport (this metro line is operated by a different carrier than the other routes)
Here you have to buy an IstanbulKart anyway.
How much does an Istanbulkart cost?
The price of the card is currently 165 try.
In addition, there is always a fee for topping up with your own card (some machines do not allow cash top-ups), which depends on how much you top up on the Istanbulkart.
The usual fee is between 15 try and 30 try.
How to buy an IstanbulKart?
You can buy this card in blue machines (some have a yellow frame, others are pure blue):
- all metro stations
- all tram stops
- all cable car stations
- all Marmara train stations
- most marinas
There is also an Istanbulkart mobile app, but it is only available for Turkish phone numbers.
How to recharge Istanbulkart?
Recharging the card is done from a different type of machine (some newer machines can already dispense and recharge at the same time), but they are always together.
If you pay for the top-up with your own card, the above-mentioned fee is added.
Conversely, if you pay for the top-up in cash, the machine does not refund change. The difference in price will be deposited in the IstanbulKart credit.
During one calendar month, the anonymous card can be recharged up to a maximum of 2 750 try. If you exceed this amount, you must buy a new card.
How to use the IstanbulKart?
Istanbulkart behaves just like your bank contactless card.
Simply use it when you board your transport. It is no longer used on exit (except on Marmara trains).
- turnstile before entering the platform (metro, trains, modern trams, cable cars, ferries)
- validator inside the bus
- validator inside historic trams
Can one Istanbulkart be used by more than one person?
Yes, the anonymous Istanbulkart can in practice be used for more than one person by repeatedly attaching the card to the reader.
This is very convenient for couples or families. Metro Istanbul also states that children under 6 travel for free.
Paying with your own contactless card
Simply: payment works exactly the same as with the IstanbulKart.
You attach it to the turnstile or reader and off you go.
So far, card payment cannot be used on routes operated by the Turkish State Railways TCDD, i.e. the following routes:
- Metro to IST Airport
- Marmaray trains
- T6 tram line
Is a physical card required?
Be sure to have it ready.
I've usually paid with my mobile phone (NFC technology) with no problem, but 2 times it just didn't work and I had to find a physical card in my wallet.
Then it was easy to pay.
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How to search for transport connections?
The official websites of each metro, tram or bus operator do not have search engines.
I made do with Google Maps throughout my stay in Istanbul, which works quite reliably here.
Metro Istanbul
If you want to use public transportation to get around Istanbul, the local metro is definitely a good option.
Although the metro is not the ideal means of transport between the most important tourist sites, as it has very few stops in the historic centre, it is well suited for transport between the centre and the more distant areas of Istanbul.
As this mode of transport is the most popular, I describe my personal experience in a separate chapter on the Istanbul Metro.
Ferries Istanbul
Ferries are not just transport. They are part of the experience. And that's exactly why I consider them to be one of the best things to do in Istanbul, even on an ordinary day.
Şehir Hatları's official website lists timetables, line maps and price lists for the city's ferries and, separately, for sightseeing cruises on the Bosphorus.
Which ferry routes are most practical for visitors
I find the following ferry crossings in particular to be the most useful:
- Eminönü - Kadıköy
- Karaköy - Kadıköy
- Üsküdar - Eminönü
- Beşiktaş - Kadıköy
These lines usually run with a frequency of 20 to 30 minutes.
Find a hotel with a view of the Bosphorus
How much does the ferry cost?
This is exactly the kind of area where the internet is rapidly becoming obsolete.
Prices change very frequently, so we'd be grateful if you could share your current experiences in the comments below this article. Thanks!
The official Şehir Hatları tariff today shows that the regular city ferries have different prices depending on the line and the amounts are significantly higher than in older articles - for example Üsküdar - Eminönü 53,20 try and Karaköy - Kadıköy 59,28 try.
This applies when paying with IstanbulKart.
If you pay for ferries with your own contactless card, the price is always the same and is 110 try.
At each pier you will find machines for purchasing and recharging Istanbulkart.
When do I prefer the ferry to the metro or Marmaray?
Actually, almost always:
- when you want a normal crossing between Europe and Asia and at the same time views
- when going to Kadıköy or Üsküdar
- when you don't want to be trapped underground
- when the weather is nice and you're not in a hurry
Timetables
Most ferries run from about 6:00-21:30 at intervals of 15-20 minutes, but it depends on the particular line.
Timetables vary depending on whether it is summer or winter, for more information on timetables visit this page - sehirhatlari.istanbul.
What does it look like on the ferry?
Boats are usually spacious and always have an internal covered and heated deck, often with power sockets or USB ports.
There is also usually a bistro and free toilets.
Most boats also have an outdoor deck, which is a great attraction when the weather is nice.
Trams
If there's one line that most tourists will use most often, it's the T1.
Tram T1 - the most important line for sightseeing
The T1 connects key locations in the historic centre and I personally used it several times during my stay.
The T1 tram takes you to the following places:
- Kadiköy district and Galataport
- Galata Bridge
- Eminönü
- Topkapi Palace
- Cisterna Basilica
- Hagia Sophia
- Blue Mosque
- Grand Bazaar
The T1 is the type of line where you quickly learn that Istanbul can be crowded. If you can, avoid the biggest rush hours and don't plan on comfortably carrying a large suitcase on the tram.
Other trams that may make sense:
- The T5 along the Golden Horn is interesting if you're heading to Eyüp or other places off the main tourist circuit
How do you pay for the tram?
You always go through the turnstiles on the platform and attach your Istanbulkart or your own contactless card.
When you leave the platform, you no longer "swipe" your card.
Historic trams
More of an attraction than a useful means of transport are the two historic tram lines, which are not connected to the rest of the tram network in any way.
- T2 Taksim - Tünel runs along the famous pedestrian and shopping street Istiklal in the heart of Istanbul
- T3 Moda is a lesser known circular line in the Asian part of Kadiköy
Both routes are very short and the ride only takes around 10 minutes.
Regular fares apply on both historic lines.
Marmaray train under Bosphorus
The Marmaray is primarily a suburban train connecting the outskirts of Istanbul with the centre.
For tourists, its central section, which runs in a deep tunnel under the Bosphorus Strait, is especially meaningful.
It's great if you're heading from the historic Sultanahmet district ( Sirkeci station) to Üsküdar, where the best views of the Maiden Tower are.
How does the fare work?
On the Marmaray, you can only pay via IstanbulKart. Payment by your own contactless payment is not available.
The way it works is that when you enter the platform, you are charged the maximum amount possible (around 70 try).
When you exit the station, find the small silver (sometimes red) "Refund machine" validators, to which you reattach the IstanbulKart and the actual price is calculated (usually around 35 try for the short Sirkeci - Üsküdar crossing.
Timetables
Marmara trains run similarly to the metro - the interval is about 4-8 minutes and runs from about 6:00 to 23:30.
Funiculars and cable cars
This is one of the things that visitors often underestimate and then pedal up steep hills unnecessarily.
Istanbul's cable cars are not a historical attraction, but a modern means of transport that makes it easier to get around the very hilly European part of Istanbul.
Count on the fact that almost all cable cars run the entire route through a tunnel, so you won't see anything from them.
F1 Kabataş - Taksim
A very handy connection from the Bosphorus up to Taksim. If you are transferring between the T1 tram and Taksim, it is considerably more convenient than walking up.
F2 Karaköy - Beyoğlu (Tünel)
Historical tunnel and also a very useful link between the coast and the upper part of Beyoğlu (e.g. Galata Tower).
TF2 Eyüp - Pierre Loti
It's not just about the traffic here, it's also about the view. If you are heading to Pierre Loti, the cable car makes more sense than the hike.
The only cable car.
There are other cable cars in Istanbul outside the tourist spots.
On all of them there is a uniform fare as for metro, trams or buses and you can always pay with your own contactless card or Istanbulkart.
IETT buses - do they make sense for tourists?
Istanbul is criss-crossed by a huge number of yellow buses that can take you virtually anywhere.
IETT is the official operator of much of the bus network and has travel information and fares on its website. The network is huge and covers practically the whole city.
In reality, I've used buses less than the metro or trams. The reason is simple - Istanbul has frequent traffic jams and the bus is often great on the map but slower in practice. When I had another reasonable alternative, I usually chose it.
The buses are modern, clean and you'll often find USB chargers inside.
You always have to hit the "stop" button before getting off.
When the bus makes sense
- when going to neighbourhoods without a metro (for example along the Bosphorus)
- when you don't want to deal with transfers between rail services
- when you live off the main tourist routes
When I would rather skip the bus
- when you're going to Istanbul for the first time
- if you're in a hurry
- when you're heading to the most touristy areas where the tram or metro already runs
How do I pay for the bus?
You only ever board through the first door.
There is a validator near the driver, to which you attach an Istanbulkart or your own contactless card.
You do not "swipe" the card when you exit.
Official website: iett.istanbul.
Taxi Istanbul
I have tried taxis in Istanbul many times and for me the simple rule is: yes, but selectively.
When does a taxi make sense?
For shorter overnight journeys, in the rain or with luggage, taxis are fine. But for normal day cross-town crossings I often found them slower than rail transport.
The biggest problem is not so much the prices, but the queues and sometimes the reluctance to turn on the meter.
Are taxis safe in Istanbul?
Yes, but you need to be careful. I would always make sure that the driver has actually turned on the meter and have the navigation on my phone while driving.
This is what worked best for me to prevent unnecessary detours or debates about the price.
Which taxi to take?
You'll see mostly yellow taxis on the streets. Alongside these, there are more expensive options - turquoise and black. For the ordinary tourist, they do not have much reason.
What are the taxi prices?
The prices of official taxis change often and are quite high by the standards of Turkey.
For example, after converting to euros, you will pay about 60 eur for a trip from Taksim to IST airport.
Is it possible to pay in the taxi by card?
Yes, mostly yes, but some taxi drivers only accept cash. The mobile apps BiTaksi or Uber are a sure way to pay by card.
BiTaksi or Uber?
For me, BiTaksi makes more sense than stopping a car on the street. The reason is not just the card payment, but more visibility of the route and less room for unnecessary haggling.
BiTaksi can be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store.
Uber acts more as a middleman and often a regular yellow taxi will arrive anyway.
You must have a mobile connection to use ride-sharing apps.
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Is it possible to walk around Istanbul?
Yes, but not everywhere and not always easily.
I think this is a common misconception. On the map, some of the walks look short, but in reality, you're faced with hills, broken pavements, stairs and some pretty unpleasant terrain.
This is why I wouldn't think of Istanbul as a city that can be walked all the way through.
Where walking makes the most sense
- Sultanahmet and the area around the main sights
- Galata, Karaköy, Istiklal
- the coastline in Kadıköy and Üsküdar
- some parts of Balat and Fener
Where it is better not to rely on your feet alone
- longer journeys between neighbourhoods
- areas with steep hills
- days when you want to see more places in a row
What worked best for me in Istanbul
If I had to sum up my own experience in a few points, my "transport system" would look like this:
- get an Istanbulkart as soon as possible
- deal with the historic centre mainly on foot and on the T1 tram
- Europe - Asia by ferry (it's an experience and a practical means of transport)
- do not take taxis automatically as a faster option
This is exactly the combination that I found most practical and that I think works for most first-time visitors to Istanbul.
Discover also my tips for hotels in Istanbul.
The most common mistakes when getting around Istanbul
1️⃣ Relying only on taxis
It looks convenient on the map, but in real life you can be stuck in a traffic jam for longer than on the metro.
2️⃣ Underestimate hills and distances
It often doesn't look far, but the journey can be much more challenging than you expect.
3️⃣ Not having an Istanbulkart on the first day
Without it, transport is unnecessarily more expensive if you are in Istanbul for at least 2 full days
4️⃣ Don't use the ferries
Ferries are one of the easiest and nicest ways to get around the city.
5️⃣ Taking the bus as your first choice
For many tourist routes there is an easier alternative.
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