How to Get Around Istanbul Using Public Transport

Understanding how transport works in Istanbul is essential when planning your trip so you can build a realistic itinerary.

Istanbul is a very large city with several public transport options available, but getting from one place to another can take quite some time.

As we’ve been to Istanbul more than three times, I put together this guide on how public transport works in Istanbul to help you figure out the best way to get around Turkey’s biggest city.

Buying public transport tickets in Istanbul

There are two ways to pay for public transport in Istanbul: with single-ride tickets or with the Istanbulkart transport card.

Single tickets can be bought from the machines at metro and tram stations. You can buy one, two, five, or even ten rides.

The Istanbulkart works like a reloadable travel card. You add balance to the card and use it to pay for any public transport in Istanbul – it’s super practical.

On top of that, fares with the Istanbulkart are cheaper than buying single tickets.

Istanbulkart transport card

You can buy the Istanbulkart from the yellow machines located at the main metro and tram stations – we bought ours at the Tophane tram stop. The card is also sold at some newsstands, markets, and convenience stores.

The machine is very straightforward, has an English menu, and you can pay by card.

Each card can be used by up to 5 people, so if you’re traveling as a couple or family, you can get just one card for up to five riders. We traveled as three and used a single card.

At the turnstile, just tap the same card multiple times. No fuss.

Istanbulkart quick facts

• The card you’ll buy is an anonymous card (used by visitors). Residents can get a personal card with additional benefits.
• Card price: 130 lira, approximately 2.7€ (confirm the price when you travel, as it may change)
• Top-ups: You’ll need to add balance to the card before using public transport.
• Each ride costs 27 lira with an Istanbulkart, approximately 0.50€ at the time of writing this post.

Tip: Before buying the card, estimate how many times per day you’ll use public transport in Istanbul. That way, you’ll know roughly how much balance to load when you buy it. For example, if your hotel is far from the center, you already know you’ll use at least a round-trip (2 rides) per day, per person. Also, if you plan to visit the Asian Side of Istanbul, count 2 more rides per person for the ferry. And so on.

How much is a public transport ride in Istanbul?

If you pay with the Istanbulkart, each ride costs 27 lira (approximately 0.50€).

This is the standard fare. There are discounted prices for students and other social fares.

If you buy single tickets, the price goes up – a single ride costs 40 lira (about 0.80€).

In other words, the Istanbulkart is really worth it because it’s both more convenient and cheaper.

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Public transport options in Istanbul

Istanbul is huge and very well connected, with several transport modes available.

Each option has its own advantage. I recommend using Google Maps to see what’s best for where you want to go.

Below, I’ll explain a bit about each public transport option in Istanbul.

Trams in Istanbul

Trams are basically electric streetcars or above-ground metro lines. Tram routes connect some very handy stretches for visiting attractions, so this mode is heavily used by travelers.

The T1 line is one of the most useful, linking Bağcılar to Kabataş via the Galata Bridge. It drops you very close to the main mosques and Topkapı Palace.

Other interesting routes are the T2 and T3 lines (the latter is on the Asian side). These two lines are more like a ride than everyday transport because they use a vintage tram, giving them a nostalgic vibe.

We took the T3 line on the Asian side to enjoy the neighborhood, and it was great. Just a heads-up that this route is popular, so the tram gets very full.

Metro in Istanbul

Another very useful option for visitors is the metro. It connects not only the center and outlying neighborhoods but also the Istanbul International Airport.

As a tourist, the downside is that you lose the views since it runs underground.

Depending on your route, though, the metro is often the fastest option.

The metro runs from 6 am to midnight (with a few exceptions when it operates until 1 am).

Funiculars in Istanbul

Before talking about funiculars, it’s important to understand that Istanbul is not a flat city. Some neighborhoods sit atop hills, so expect plenty of ups and downs depending on where you’re headed.

The funicular is a special public transport that connects some of the lower parts along the Bosphorus with higher ground.

Istanbul has two funicular lines. In my opinion, it’s not a must-do in itself, but it’s worth it if you want to avoid the hill and you’re traveling that exact route.

Ferries in Istanbul

The ferry is one of the most useful public transport modes in Istanbul because it links the European and Asian sides across the Bosphorus.

There are several ferry routes. As always, I recommend using Google Maps to check the best option based on where you are.

Ferries are large – usually two decks – and comfortable. When we rode, there were even vendors selling tea, drinks, and snacks.

Pro tip: It’s often windy while crossing the Bosphorus, so it can feel chilly on the ferry.

Even better: Plan to take a ferry at sunset for a panoramic view at a bargain price.

Buses in Istanbul

In addition to all these modes, Istanbul also has an extensive bus network that covers the whole city.

To be honest, buses end up being used more by locals than visitors, but it’s still worth mentioning here.

Depending on where you’re staying, the bus can be a good option for getting around Istanbul.

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Taxis in Istanbul

If you prefer, you can also get around Istanbul by taxi. The city has plenty of standard yellow cabs – just like in Rio.

Uber also operates in Istanbul. I personally recommend using Uber to avoid taxi scams. A common scam is the driver refusing to turn on the meter and quoting a made-up fare.

On our last visit, we used Uber a few times because our hotel was at the top of a hill and we were traveling with my mother-in-law, and it worked very well. In some places, it took a while to find a car, but patience did the trick.

In several cases, the Uber car was the same yellow street taxi – but at least with Uber you know the price up front.

Important tip: Traffic in Istanbul is intense, so I don’t recommend taxis at rush hour – it will cost more and take much longer than public transport like the metro or tram.

Can you reach the airport by public transport?

Yes, Istanbul International Airport (IST) is connected to the city by metro, which is super useful.

To make it easier, I prepared a complete guide to the transport options from the airport to central Istanbul.

Renting a car in Istanbul – is it worth it?

The only transport option I haven’t mentioned yet is a rental car. The reason is simple – it’s generally not worth it.

Even if car rental isn’t expensive, traffic can be chaotic. On top of that, parking can be a huge headache – especially near tourist zones.

In the end, renting a car in Istanbul isn’t worth it because you’ll likely be more stressed than comfortable.

If you don’t want to rely on public transport, I recommend using Uber or hiring a private transfer for more comfort.

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What to keep in mind when using public transport in Istanbul

• Always keep an eye on your belongings (bag, backpack, etc.). Public transport in Istanbul is quite safe, but petty theft can happen anywhere.
• Pay close attention to the location of your accommodation. I suggest staying near a metro or tram stop so you can get around easily. For more tips, read our Where to Stay in Istanbul guide.
• Before your trip, estimate how many rides per day you’ll need. Then you can do the math on what’s the best value – the Istanbulkart or single tickets.
• Remember, the Istanbulkart can be used by up to 5 people, which is great for families or groups.
• Google Maps works very well for route planning and finding the best public transport option. We were in Istanbul this year and used Google Maps every day.
• It’s worth buying an international eSIM so you have data to check Google Maps or request an Uber. We used Airalo and it worked great. Buy yours here.
• Don’t underestimate the traffic. On holidays or special dates, certain streets may be closed, creating even more chaos. We were in Istanbul on May 1 and Taksim was closed to traffic – the only way in and out was on foot.

Keep reading about Istanbul

• 3-Day Istanbul Itinerary
• How Many Days in Istanbul
• Best Time to Visit Istanbul
• Visiting the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul
• Visiting the Asian Side of Istanbul