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Istanbul Insider

Main Istanbul Metro, Tram and Funicular Lines for Tourists

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).

Picture of the nostalgic tram in Istanbul, Turkey.
Nostalgic tram in Istanbul. – © Photo by FaceMePLS

M1a – Atatürk Airport – Yenikapı Metro Line

Picture of metro train in Yenikapi station, Istanbul.
Metro in Yenikapı. © Erlend Geerts

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

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M2 – Yenikapı -Hacıosman Metro Line

M2 - Şişhane-Hacıosman Metro Line in Istanbul, Turkey.
Metro train on M2 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

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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

T1 - Kabataş-Bağcılar Tramway Line in Istanbul, Turkey.
T1 Tram. © Alexxx Malev

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

T2 – Karaköy-Tünel Funicular

T2 - Karaköy-Tünel Funicular in Istanbul, Turkey.
T2 Tram. © Florian Lehmuth

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

F1 – Taksim-Kabataş Funicular

F1 - Taksim-Kabataş Funicular in Istanbul, Turkey.
F1 Funicular. © Christopher

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

Half-day €35-45 — Full-day €75+

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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.

Further Recommended Reading

  1. How to Get an Istanbul Kart, and is it Worth It?
  2. Istanbul’s Street Food – What’s Hot And What’s Not!
  3. How to Bargain Like a Pro in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar and Elsewhere

Filed Under: Transport Tips, Transportation, Travel Tips, Trip Planning Tagged With: Funicular, Istanbul, Metro, Subway, Tram


Comments

  1. Alex says

    February 4, 2020 at 12:35 am

    Does the ISTANBULKART work on any means of transportation from SAW airport into Istanbul City?

    • Erlend says

      February 5, 2020 at 11:17 am

      It certainly works on public transportation (metro, bus, tram). It also works on the Havaist shuttle, about the havabus I’m currently not sure.

  2. Ruth says

    October 25, 2019 at 7:20 pm

    Excellent information, thank you.

  3. Fagmedah Gihwala says

    October 9, 2019 at 9:31 pm

    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

      October 10, 2019 at 8:56 am

      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.

  4. Dave Aitken says

    September 14, 2019 at 1:39 pm

    Atatürk is freight only from April 2019

  5. R. VENKATRAM says

    June 21, 2019 at 9:23 am

    Very nice & informative.
    Planning to visit in August 2019.
    Any suggestions for hotels?
    3 or 4 *.

    • Erlend says

      June 23, 2019 at 1:10 pm

      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.

  6. Anuj says

    May 28, 2019 at 11:31 am

    Sir , which is the best place in Istanbul to buy inexpensive souvenirs like keychains , fridge magnets etc for friends back home . Thanks

    • Erlend says

      June 3, 2019 at 7:30 pm

      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.

  7. Abdul rahman says

    April 6, 2019 at 6:14 am

    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

      April 6, 2019 at 10:51 am

      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.

  8. Jayanta Mukherjee says

    March 20, 2019 at 12:43 pm

    Thanks and honoured for all the relevant info.

    • Erlend says

      March 20, 2019 at 9:32 pm

      You’re welcome.

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