How do you get around a city like Istanbul that spans two continents, is loaded with amazing and historic attractions, and is home to nearly 16 million people? It’s easier than you think! Istanbul’s public transportation system is phenomenal, making it super easy to get around the city.
Visitor’s Guide to Istanbul’s Public Transportation.
Istanbulkart
The Istanbulkart will help you seamlessly navigate Istanbul’s transportation system. It works on buses, the metro, trams, funiculars, and ferries.
The Istanbulkart is contactless. When you tap the card at the turnstile, there’s an audible chime. The screen turns green and advises how many liras remain on the card.”Kalan” in Turkish means “remaining.”
If you don’t have enough money on the card, the screen will flash red and say “Yetersiz Bakiye.”
How to Buy an Istanbulkart
Buying and reloading the Istanbulkart is simple. But I’ve noticed (and helped) many struggling tourists. Follow these steps:
- FIND the yellow Biletmatik machine at all tram stops, metro stations and ferry piers.
- BUY or RELOAD your Istanbulkart.
- TOGGLE the buttons to pick your language.
- SELECT “Istanbulkart”. The cost of the card itself will be shown in Turkish liras.
- PAY FOR & RETRIEVE your new Istanbulkart from the slot below.
- PLACE the Istanbulkart on the illuminated rectangle below where you pay.
- PAY with liras to add funds to your card. It’s possible to pay with credit cards. However, this option never works for me. It may be an issue with foreign credit cards.
- TOP-UP by following the previous two steps.
Multiple people can share an Istanbulkart, so if you travel as a couple or family, just buy one. If you plan to return to Istanbul, keep the Istanbulkart for your next trip.
This page contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you purchase through my links (at no extra cost to you). I ONLY recommend companies and products that I have personally used, love, and trust.
Istanbul Transportation: Important Tram Stops
The T1 tram line is popular with tourists. It runs on the European side of Istanbul, stopping close to most major tourist attractions.
Must-See Sights on T1 Tram Line
- Topkapı: Wall of Constantinople
- Laleli-İstanbul Üniversitesi: Süleymaniye Mosque
- Beyazıt: Grand Bazaar
- Sultanahmet: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace
- Gülhane: Gülhane Park, Istanbul Archeology Museum, Topkapi Palace
- Sırkecı: Access to the Marmaray, the rail line that runs under the Bosphorus to the Asian side of Istanbul
- Eminönü: New Mosque, Spice Bazaar, Galata Bridge
- Karaköy: Karaköy Pier, Galata Tower, Tünel
- Tophane: Galataport
- Kabataş: Dolmabahçe Palace
This page contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you purchase through my links (at no extra cost to you). I ONLY recommend companies and products that I have personally used, love, and trust.
Plan Ahead
The T1 tram can get really crowded. When you think more people can’t get on, they do! Before you arrive at your stop, start moving towards the door. Repeatly say, ” Pardon,” which is understood as “Excuse Me” in Turkish.
A few of Istanbul’s major attractions require pre-planning. I highly recommend booking a skip-the-line ticket for both Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern. Topkapı Palace is the spot in Istanbul that merits a guided tour—this one is my favourite.
Also, check out the Call to Prayer Times in Istanbul to plan your visit to mosques.
Avoid Confusion
Many tourists get confused by the Topkapı tram stop. It is NOT close to Topkapı Palace, but near the Walls of Constantinople and the Panorama 1453 History Museum. To visit Topkapı Palace, get off at either Sultanahmet or Gülhane.
To visit one of the most colourful neighbourhoods in Istanbul, Balat/Fener, use the T5 tram. Get on the T5 tram at Eminönü and get off at the Fener or Balat stop. Don’t be confused; there are two Eminönü stops (and they are close to each other)—one for the T1 line and one for T5.
Istanbul Transportation: Important Metro Stops
The M2 metro is the most popular line for tourists in Istanbul’s transportation network. As in other big cities, metro stations in Istanbul have multiple entry and exit points. Signs indicate what is nearby to help you ensure that you exit as close as possible to where you are headed.
Must-See Sights on M2 METRO
- Vezneciler: Süleymaniye Mosque, Grand Bazaar
- Haliç: The most beautiful metro stop with great views over the Golden Horn
- Şişhane: İstiklal Avenue, Taksim Square, Galata Tower
Istanbul’s public transportation spans two continents. The Marmaray rail line runs under the Bosphorus, connecting Europe to Asia. Take it from the Sırkecı station to Üsküdar, which will bring you to the waterfront with great views across the Bosporus.
Check out this link if you are looking for Istanbul’s public transportation map.
Istanbul Transportation: Ferries
Ferries are an important means of travel for Istanbulites. Approximately 300,000 people use Istanbul ferries as their transportation every day.
From the Eminönü pier, you can catch the ferry to Modo on the Asian side. This is a more local area with restaurants, cafes and waterfront views.
From the Karaköy pier, you can catch a ferry to Üsküdar or go down the Golden Horn to Balat and Fener. The views from the ferry over to Üsküdar are incredible. You’ll get glimpses of the Topkapi Palace, Galata Tower and the Dolmabahçe Palace.
Historic Trams
There are two historic trams in Istanbul. The Taksim-Tünel runs up and down İstiklal Avenue on the European side. And the Kadıköy-Moda tram on the Asian side. These are tourist trams, take a short ride through a historic area and get a great photo!
Other means of Transportation in Istabnul
Istanbul’s transportation system includes two funiculars. Both are on the European side.
The Tünel is the world’s second-oldest railway. It’s a short ride but a leg-saver. Within minutes, it brings you from down near the Galata Bridge up to the start of İstiklal Avenue. Otherwise, the walk uphill can be pretty steep.
The Kabataş-Taksim funicular connects the end of the T1 tram at Kabataş to Taksim Square.
You can also take taxis, although I would NOT recommend them, given the crazy traffic in Istanbul. Public transit is usually faster.
Minibuses are also available, but they are not included in the Istanbulkart. They are found outside of touristy areas. While inexpensive, you need to know exactly where you are going and pay in cash.
If you’re planning a trip to Istanbul, check out these posts: Booked My Ticket to Istanbul…Now What? And my Ultimate Guide for Visiting the Hagia Sophia.
