Istanbul Travel Guide
For many, the thought of public transport in Istanbul is a daunting way to get around the city. However, being familiar with your options and how to pay means discovering smooth operating transport systems that millions of people use daily.
With Istanbul being the crossroads between Europe and Asia and a significant business sector, millions of people come in and out daily, creating mass traffic. Some residents live on the Asian side and work on the European side, creating hoards of people trying to cross the Bosphorus twice daily.
Additionally, most tourist attractions are in the historical area of European Sultanahmet, attracting visitors across Istanbul’s bridges daily. Indeed, the Istanbul council invests heavily in public transportation to get people to and from their chosen destinations as quickly as possible. The good news is that there are many public transport options.
About Using Public Transport in Istanbul
Need to know - Istanbul Public Transportation Card
Like any other major metropolis, Istanbul has an electronic ticket card for most modes of transportation. The Istanbul Kart allows seamless travel across all modes of transport: bus, metro, train, light rail, ferries, trams, and funicular. The discount card is pre-paid and easily rechargeable from yellow or blue machines, and routes can be planned using Google Maps.
The electronic card is sold at major transit stops such as Sultanahmet, Eminönü and, of course, the airport. Passengers can reload the card for more credits with designated machines at transit stations. Another alternative is the Istanbul Welcome Card, which includes transport fees, audio guides, and entrance to a few attractions. These rechargeable cards have various prices and options.
1: Metro Lines for Speedy Travel
By far, the most popular method of getting around is the Metro. Most metro lines run from 06.00 am to midnight, and the accessibility platforms are generally accessed from the street level since most are underground. The system consists of eleven lines: the European lines designated M1A, M1B, M2, M3, M6, M7, M9 and M11, while lines M4, M5 and M8 are on the Asian side. Every station entrance has a post with the metro "M" logo and the station name underneath it, except for the M11 line, which has the "U" logo next to its entrances.
2: The Metro M11 Route from Istanbul Airport
The first section opened in March 2024, and when fully complete, this route will be the longest in the Istanbul metro system. Several stations will connect to Istanbul's new airport. Officially called the Gayeties—İstanbul Havalimanı–Halkalı Metro Hattı, stations will also connect with IETT bus terminals to continue your journey.
The seven stations are Halkalı, Halkalı Stadı, Olimpiyat, Kayaşehir and Fenertepe in the west and Gayrettepe and Kâğıthane in the east, covering 37 kilometres. The districts they cover are Şişli, Kağıthane, Eyüpsultan, Arnavutköy, Başakşehir and Küçükçekmece. If you don’t want private transfers from the airport, this is an excellent option.
3: Istanbul Tram Lines
The Tramways have operated in this bustling city since 1913, and there are currently four routes; T1, T2, T3 and T4. The most common used is the T1 – Kabataş-Bağcılar Tramway Line running for 12 miles, and connecting with the M7 metro line. This is also the one that tourists should use if they want to visit the Sultanahmet district with the historical landmarks like the Blue Mosque, Topkapi palace and Hagia Sophia. Alongside the travel card for Istanbul, you can also use your contactless card.
4: The F2 – Karaköy-Tünel Funicular
The beautiful city sports two funicular trains. The Tünel is the oldest underground railway and metro line in continental Europe and second in the world after the London Underground. Operated by IETT, running from 7 a.m. to 10:45 p.m., and connecting Karakoy and Beyoglu, the 573-foot line was opened in 1875.
Although it doesn't see as many passengers as it used to, for those who need to get up and down the steep Yüksek Kaldırım Avenue, the line is a great help. The trip takes just 2 minutes, and each car carries 170 passengers at 14 m/p/h. A second, more modern funicular line opened in 2006, connecting the Sea bus port and the tram stop of Kabataş with the metro station at Taksim Square.
5: Nostalgic Tram Lines
Istanbul is home to a fantastic tram system. Horse trams were initially used in 1872, until electric trams in 1912. They were the main means of urban public transport until 1966. A heritage tram operated in 1990, but a modern system replaced it in 1992. Almost everyone sees the iconic red tram ride rambling up and down Istiklal Avenue.
The daily transportation is fun for tourists, and some locals use it as well, but walking the street is much more fun. It carries 6,000 passengers a day. Another nostalgic tram operates on the Asian Kadikoy to Moda stops. These routes are the T2 and T3, and they operate from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., with departure times every 40 minutes.
6: Ferry Docks - Preferred Mode Across the Bosphorus
The Bosphorus Ferry services, founded in 1837, are a comfortable ride from one continent to another. Initially, the steam ferries were privately run. Since 2006, the municipality has operated traditional commuter ferries. Scenic boat rides go back and forth between both continents, but commuters also use them during peak times. The main European piers are Eminonu, Besiktas and Karakoy. Then on the Asian side, Üsküdar, Bostanci and Kadikoy. Ferries also depart from Eminönü and Kadikoy to the four Princes Islands.
Before boarding the ferry, don't forget to get your Istanbul Kart from vending machines. The two major companies are Şehir Hatları and Turyol private company. Beautiful ferry rides are also a tourist attraction since most Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & show tickets are expensive. The Dentur company operates a 2-hour hop-on-hop-off Bosphorus cruise at affordable prices. Look for their main office in Uskudar, Dentur Avrasya Group, or book tickets online.
7: Dolmuş Bus Lines
The subway closes just like any other city; the Metro lines operate between 06:00 and 24:00, so outside of this time of day, there are minibuses or Dolmuş. The buses shuttle from one specific area to another on a local, predetermined route, and passengers can get off along the road or at designated bus stops.
There are many routes—Taksim Meydanı to Beşiktaş, Taksim Meydanı to Kadıköy, and on and on. Dolmuş are easy to spot and situated in different city hubs. These shared taxis operate 24/7 and are crowded even on regular trips. This alternative local bus system has 4012 vehicles, including 2157 privately owned buses, and transports over 4 million people daily. You can use just cash on them.
8: Driving and Car Parking Around the City
Istanbul has notorious traffic jams and heavy traffic. Expect chaotic traffic, considerable travel time, and constant traffic jams. All vehicles drive on the right, and cars are left-hand drive. But you need experience, caution, and good sense. You need super driving skills to cope with the chaos and predict insane driving behaviours, along with amazing telepathic skills and insurance.
Whenever you reach an intersection, check and double-check what is happening. Ignore honking horns behind you and remain resolved to drive as safely and with as much awareness as possible. Observe the speed limits even if nobody does, and watch for reckless overtaking and competitive and selfish driving styles from others.
Pedestrians are a hazard in this vast city, too. Wherever you drive in Turkey, people decide walking out in front of traffic is ok. Driving styles and pedestrian hazards aside, parking is complicated. Even if you successfully navigate motorway traffic jams across busy bridges and through narrow one-way streets, you probably won’t find a parking space. Additionally, tourists spend most of their time in pedestrianised Sultanahmet.
The maximum speed limit on highways is 90km/h; on interstate highways, it is 120km/h, and in the city, it is only 50km/h. Be aware of drivers passing on the right and cutting in from the right, which only some indicate and that cars, trucks and buses will stop anywhere whenever they feel like it.
People pass on blind corners, drivers tailgate, animals, and pedestrians wherever, and not all intersections are marked. The primary road has the right of way but proceed with caution. If you are in an aggressive altercation with another driver, remain in your car with the doors locked and call the police. In case of accidents, do not move your vehicle and wait until the police arrive. In case you didn’t guess, we don’t recommend driving around Istanbul city.
9: Crossing the Bosphorus from Europe to Asia
Under the Bosphorus: Aside from ferries, to travel from Europe to Asia, car drivers can also use the Eurasia Tunnel, which runs under the Bosphorus for 5 kilometres between Kumkapı and Koşuyolu. Otherwise, for public rail transport, you can use the 13-kilometer Marmary tunnel that links Zeytinburnu in Europe with Ayrılıkçeşmesi in Asia. The tunnel has three stations in Yenikapı, Sirkeci and Üsküdar.
Over the Bosphorus: Istanbul is known for iconic bridges that link the East with the West and are used by thousands of people every day. The 15 July Martyrs Bridge (formerly Bosphorus Bridge) connects the European Ortaköy area to the Beylerbeyi district. Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, which is slightly north of the first bridge, connects the Sariyer and Kovacic districts and is particularly useful for those travelling from the northern suburbs. Otherwise, Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, situated further north, stretches across the Black Sea and offers an alternative route.
10: Using Taxis to Get Around
Yellow standard taxis are the cheapest. Turquoise taxis cost more, while Black taxis are the priciest option but have more room than normal taxis. The taxi meter rate stays the same at night. However, they will round up to set taxi fares if you have gone a minimum distance. Those fees are added to your meter total if the routes include a toll bridge or highway.
Many tour operators run shared and private transfers for alternatives from Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport. Also, use BiTaksi, Turkey’s most popular ride-hailing app. Another option is iTaksi. It’s like BiTaksi and is run by Istanbul municipality, ensuring passenger safety. They even have a sea taxi option connecting routes along the Bosphorus! Pay with cash, credit card, or Istanbul kart, and there’s a fare calculator available. There’s Uber, but these are just everyday yellow taxi drivers.
Where is the Major Bus Terminal in Istanbul?
Büyük Istanbul Otogarı, the central bus station, hosts services to and from significant stops throughout Turkey. It sits in the Bayrampaşa area, 6 miles from the main tourist centre of Sultanahmet. The metro runs between them. However, for the Taksim area in Beyoglu, get the IETT city bus 83-O instead. When you arrive at the station, ticket booths of significant bus companies like Pamukkale and their scheduled bus routes are all in the arrival halls. Purchase tickets from them or online beforehand.
Galataport Cruise Ship Terminal
The new cruise ship port is impressive, manned by security personnel. Sitting near the famous Galata Tower, passengers coming off cruise ships can use the T1 Kabataş-Bağcılar Tram to visit the Sultanahmet district, which is home to famous landmarks like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. The trams stop in Tophane, Karakoy, and Kabatas. From Kabtas, there is also the funicular railway to Taksim Square.
Is Istanbul a Bike-Friendly City?
Not really. We wouldn’t attempt to cycle to get from A to B. Some planned routes are set up for leisure cycling. The ride from Karakoy to Sariyer on the European Bosphorus coast is delightful. There is the Kadikoy to Bostanci Asian route. Some people take their bikes to the Princes Islands. Belgrad Forest or Camlica. If you enjoy cycling, many tour shops run bike tours with a guide, so you are safe. Additionally, check out the Isbike, an app service from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
Aerial Line and Cable Cars
Last, in our comprehensive guide of transportation services, this aerial lift is commonly used by tourists exploring the Eyup district or those who want to go up the hill to Pierre Loti Hill for fantastic views over the Golden Horn. They don't accept cash payments. You need the Istanbul card or buy a Jeton from the vending machines. There is also the TF1 Macka-Taskisla Aerial Cable Cars, which carries about 1000 passengers a day.
More About Istanbul
Introduction Guide: Aside from public transport in Istanbul and knowing how to get around, there is much more to know about the city. Istanbul is Turkey's largest city, and its atmosphere is on par with other global metropolises like Rome and London. Among other unique attributes, the genuinely kind people, culinary arts, and dynamic atmospheres make for an extraordinary quality of life.
New International Airport: Istanbul New International Airport's slogan is the "future of travelling," giving air passengers a good idea of how high they set the bar for air travel comfort. Officially opening on the 95th anniversary of the Turkish Republic, the airport operates domestic flights and excels in international flights all over the globe. As one of the world’s busiest airports, this aviation hub is a remarkable achievement for Istanbul and Turkey.
Istanbul
