Here’s a list of essential Istanbul metro, tram and funicular lines. For every line I highlight important places of interest it passes and the respective stop you have to get off to reach those. You’ll also find the operating times and frequency. This is also by no means an overview of every public transportation line Istanbul has to offer, but merely the most interesting ones for tourists (see map).
M1a – Atatürk Airport – Yenikapı Metro Line
This metro leaves the airport, passes the Zeytinburnu interchange station and the grand bus station of Istanbul, and has Yenikapı, a connection hub closer to the city center, as its final destination. Of the 18 stops, these are the important ones to keep in mind:
- Atatürk Havalimanı — Atatürk Airport
- Zeytinburnu — connection with the T1 tram line. Use this interchange station if Fatih, Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Eminönü, Karaköy or Tophane is your destination.
- Otogar — the grand Istanbul bus station, from here busses leave for many destinations inside and outside Turkey
- Kocatepe — Forum Istanbul Shopping center
- Aksaray — interchange station to the T1 tram line. Important: this requires you to walk a bit and take a road underpass consisting of steep stairs only. I do not recommend this interchange station.
- Yenikapı — connection to the M2 metro line. Use this interchange station if your destination is Taksim, Galata, Cihangir, Nişantaşı, Şişli or Mecediyeköy.
First train: 06:00
Last train: 00:00
Frequency: every three minutes during rush hour
Duration: 35 min. from the airport to Yenikapı
Private Airport Shuttles to/from City Hotels
M2 – Yenikapı -Hacıosman Metro Line
This line, the first real metro Istanbul had, consists of 16 stops over a 24 kilometer stretch. The metro, daily taken by about 320.000 people, is very safe and clean. The most important stops for tourists are:
- Yenikapı — connection with the M1a metro line. Use this interchange station to reach the Atatürk International Airport.
- Vezneciler — interchange station to the T1 tram line.
- Şişhane — Istiklal Caddesi (end), Galata (Tower), interchange station to Tünel (T2)
- Taksim — Taksim, Istiklal Caddesi (start), Cihangir, Galata, connection to Kabataş via funicular (F1) and Eminönü/Sultanahmet via tramway (T1)
- Osmanbey — a small walk to Nişantaşı, a fashionable shopping area with lots of nice cafés and restaurants, City’s shopping center
- Gayrettepe — Zorlu Shopping Mall
- Levent — shopping centers such as Metrocity, Kanyon, and interchange station to M6 metro line.
- İTÜ Ayazağa — İstinye Park shopping center (additional walk or short taxi ride required)
First train: 06:15
Last train: 00:00
Frequency: every four minutes during rush hour
Guided Cultural and Istanbul Highlights Tours
M6 – Levent -Boğaziçi Üniversitesi
This is a very short metro line, mainly used by university students but also useful to reach the Akmerkez shopping center.
- Levent — interchange station to M2
- Etiler — Akmerkez shopping center
- Boğaziçi Üniversitesi – Boğaziçi University
First train: 06:00
Last train: 00:00
Frequency: every five minutes during rush hour
T1 – Kabataş-Bağcılar Tramway Line
This is probably the most important line. This air-conditioned tramway basically connects Zeytinburnu with Sultanahmet, Beyoğlu and Taksim (by funicular). This line has many stops, but these are the ones of interest to tourist:
- Zeytinburnu — connection with the M1a metro line. Use this interchange station to reach the Atatürk International Airport.
- Beyazit — Grand Bazaar, Süleymaniye Mosque
- Sultanahmet — Topkapi Palace, Haghia Sofia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, etc.
- Sirkeci — train station
- Eminönü — Spice Bazaar, ferry docks
- Karakoy — connection to Tünel (T2), which brings you to the end of Istiklal Caddesi and Galata.
- Tophane — Istanbul Modern, water pipe (nargile) establishments, cruise ship docks
- Kabataş — connection to Taksim via funicular (F1), connection to fast ferry or sea bus docks to the Princes’ Islands and Kadıköy, 5 min. walk to Dolmabahçe Palace (Attention! Kabataş ferry dock closed, use Eminönü or Beşiktaş instead)
First train: 06:00
Last train: 00:00
Frequency: every three minutes during rush hour
Easy cancellation with a FULL REFUND up to 24 hours in advance
F1 – Karaköy-Tünel Funicular
This is actually the third oldest passenger underground railway system in the world. The look of the trains still reflects this. This funicular takes you in 90 seconds 573 meters uphill to Tünel, at the end of Istiklal Caddesi. From there you can easily reach Galata by walking downhill or have a stroll on Istiklal Caddesi. Alternatively, you could take the nostalgic tramway (NT) until Taksim Square.
First train: 07:00
Last train: 21:45
Frequency: every two minutes
F2 – Taksim-Kabataş Funicular
Connection between the Kabataş tram line station and Taksim (metro station). This modern air conditioned funicular ride takes only 2,5 minutes. From Kabataş you can walk to Dolmahbaçe Palace, take the fast ferry boats to Kadıköy or the Princes’ Islands, and connect to the T1 tramway line to Eminönü, Sultanahmet, Grand Bazaar, etc. (Attention! Kabataş ferry dock closed, use Eminönü or Beşiktaş instead)
First train: 06:15
Last train: 00:00
Frequency: every three minutes during rush hour
Guided Tours of Istanbuls Asian Side
Istanbul Transportation Map for Tourists
I created an Istanbul transit map focusing on tourists’ needs. There are two downloadable and printable version available, one in JPG and one in PDF format.
Doha Case says
Hello ,
First thank you so much for these useful information , I have had visited Istanbul in 2019 and fell in love with it , Came as a solo traveler and now I’m bringing my family with me , I would like to ask you about an application that I have used for public transportation back then but can’t remember its name , do you happen to know such app , btw I have learned Turkish back in 2015 which helped me during my trip and got to know Turkish people even in a lovely way.
Thank you so much for the infos that you provide , your country is beautiful and is worth the visit .
Erlend says
Hi Doha, thanks a lot for the nice words. Could the app you’re talking about be BiTaxi?
Markus Dombrowski says
maybe it was the Havaist App …
best regards Markus
jan morgin says
Your Metro maps are out of date they do not show the new M11 line from the airport, could you update it so that I can figure out how to get from the airport to Sultanahmet using the Metro.
Can I use the Istanbulkart on the new line ?
Thank You
Erlend says
Hi Jan,
You’re right that the M11 line is missing, but it’s not something that I can add immediately. For more details on how to go about, you can have a look at this page about how to get from the airport to the city center. You can use your Istanbul card on that metro line.
Rose O'Hare says
We are staying at the April hotel, Istanbul & need to get from the IST airport to the April hotel & back to the airport 3 days later. What is the best closest metro to take for the April hotel?
Thank you
Erlend says
The closest metro station would be Yenikapi.
Racy says
What does it mean when it says “last train 00:00”?
Erlend says
That the last train leaves at midnight.
Martintheveg, London uk. says
You take the time and trouble to help tourists like myself enjoy this great city, you sir are deserving of the highest thanks possible, may you and yours always enjoy good health.
Erlend says
Hi,
Thanks a lot for your compliments and wishes. I wish the same for you and your loved ones.
Gan says
Hi Erlend,
I’m so glad to come across your website and just wanted to drop a message to thank you for the very informative and detailed transportation guide. It is definitely very useful in helping me plan my trip around Istanbul this coming December.
Erlend says
Hi Gan,
Thanks a lot, glad I could help. Keep in mind I update the site constantly, so make sure to come back in the month before you leave for the latest info.
Julie says
Hi there – Can I use IstanbulKart on Marmaray railway from Sirkeci station?
Erlend says
Hi,
Yes, you can.
Julie says
Hi, great articles and loads of great tips for tourists! I am going to Istanbul tomorrow and have taken a lot of your advice 🙂
I have a question about the tram please, is it easy to buy tickets from machines/station?
Thanks
Julie
Erlend says
Hi Julie,
It’s not difficult, most stations have vending machines. But you’re of course cheaper and quicker off by using the Istanbul Kart.
Alex says
Does the ISTANBULKART work on any means of transportation from SAW airport into Istanbul City?
Erlend says
It certainly works on public transportation (metro, bus, tram). It also works on the Havaist shuttle, about the havabus I’m currently not sure.
Ruth says
Excellent information, thank you.
Fagmedah Gihwala says
Thank you for this valuable information. I “stumbled” upon it accidentally while searching for the name of a tram station.
We just returned from Turkey and l and was not well while in Istanbul. I did not enjoy Istanbul to its fullest. I need to make a return visit in the foreseeable future 😉 . God Willing.
Is the Spice Bazaar near the Sultanahmet Mosque (under construction)?
Thank you
Erlend says
Hi,
The Spice Bazaar is not close to the Sultanahmet Mosque, but at the foot of the hill in Eminönü, next to the New Mosque (Yeni Cami).
Hope this helps.
Dave Aitken says
Atatürk is freight only from April 2019
R. VENKATRAM says
Very nice & informative.
Planning to visit in August 2019.
Any suggestions for hotels?
3 or 4 *.
Erlend says
Hi Venkatram,
There are so many choices and areas too. I’m working on an extensive list for a future post, but that doesn’t help you of course. I have stayed at Witt Istanbul and enjoyed it a lot.
Have a nice stay.
Anuj says
Sir , which is the best place in Istanbul to buy inexpensive souvenirs like keychains , fridge magnets etc for friends back home . Thanks
Erlend says
Hi Anju,
Sorry for my late reply. A good place is the area behind and right of the spice bazaar. The first area is called Mercan and further down it’s referred to as Tahtakale.
Hope this still helps.
Abdul rahman says
Thank you, very detailed write up. Much obliged. Planning to visit again in nov2019 and this time on our own with family of 4. Planning to stay in Sultanahmet area. Any suggestions on accommodation hotel against apartment.
Erlend says
Hi Abdul,
Thanks a lot for the nice compliment. I’m working on hotel recommendations and I will publish some articles about that in the weeks/months to come. So, revisit the website in a few weeks and you should be able to find some tips.
Kind regards.
Anders says
Where do I find the list of hotels?
Erlend says
I don’t have a list of hotels (yet).
Jayanta Mukherjee says
Thanks and honoured for all the relevant info.
Erlend says
You’re welcome.