Public transportation in Istanbul has improved for the better over the past few years. A lot of people still take taxis to commute between the various points of interest, but it’s often not the best choice. In this article I’ll point out the benefits of using public transportation, when (not) to use it, and how to pay for it. You will be amazed.
Public Transportation as the Smart Alternative
It’s an understatement to say that Istanbul traffic is a problem. Roads are always heavily used, and gridlocks are common from 07:00 till 10:30 in the morning, and again starting 16:00 until late in the evening. This makes public transportation a nice alternative.
When to Use Public Transportation or Take a Taxi?
- physical condition — By default, using public transportation requires you to walk a bit more. Some run underground, so be prepared to take stairs although most such stops have moving staircases. Decide according to your physical condition.
- fares — The fare to take public transportation is about 15 TL per person per ride with an Istanbul Kart. So, let’s take the following example. The cab fare to get from Sultanahmet to Taksim is 84 TL, regardless of the amount of people in the cab and without getting stuck in traffic. From Sultanahmet to Taksim by public transportation requires you to first take the tramway, followed by a funicular. The trip for one person costs about 30 TL thanks to the transfer discount. So, the latter is a great idea when traveling alone, as a couple or even as a party of three. Yes, even four people during rush hour because you’ll win time and money since the taxi meter also adds small amounts when standing still in traffic.
- time of the day — Most lines operate between 06:00 and 24:00 (see details below), so outside of these hours you must rely on a taxi which is safer at that time of day anyway.
Is Public Transportation in Istanbul Safe?
Yes. Metro, tram, and funicular lines in the city center are well maintained and constantly supervised by security personnel. The only thing you should watch out for is pickpockets.
Is It Comfortable?
Yes, except buses. Metro, tram, funicular and train vehicles are relatively new and air conditioned. Turks tend to leave their seat for pregnant women and senior citizens. There are also designated areas for prams and people using a wheelchair. Istanbul is making efforts to improve accessibility to platforms and vehicles for handicapped people. Major stops are equipped with elevators, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. Avoid rush hour to skip very crowded vehicles.
How to Pay for Public Transportation?
There are basically two ways to pay for the fare: either you get a token (jeton) from the sales booth or vending machines (jetonmatik), or you use the Istanbul Card (Istanbul Kart) — an electronic boarding pass. If you use a token you’ll pay 20 TL per ride, with an Istanbul Card you only pay 15 TL per ride, and get discounts for every transfer you make. So I strongly suggest you to get an Istanbul Kart. Children until the age of six travel free of charge.
Details About Common Public Transportation Lines for Tourists
I have two more articles to help you out using public transportation in Istanbul. The first one lists all essential Istanbul metro, tram and funicular lines for tourists, together with the most important stops and operating hours. The second article is basically a printable Istanbul tourist transportation map.
Sandy says
Hi and thanks so much for all this useful information. We are a group of 9 and will be visiting Istanbul for 3 days at the end of Sept and keen to buy the Istanbulkart. Does the card cover any ferry trips, if so which ones? We are keen to travel by ferry to the Golden Horn park area to see the old city wall. We would also like to travel by ferry to the port near the Dolmabahce Palace, and of course, do a short bosphorus cruise. I would appreciate your advice. Is it perhaps better to travel by bus or tram when possible?
Erlend says
Hi, you can use the Istanbul card to pay for ferries and other public transportation. But for the Bosphorus cruise you need to buy a separate ticket. Of course, you must top up your card regularly, and every card has a 500 TL monthly limit.
Sandy says
Thank you
Reaniel says
Hi again!
We just have 2 more questions with regards to transportation in Istanbul:
1. When researching routes using Moovit, I noticed that there are many instances where “MINIBUS” is listed as one of the means of transportation to use. Are these public or private transportation? If it’s public, do they take Istanbul Kart for their fare?
2. We’re planning on traveling to Thessaloniki after our stay in Istanbul, and we’re thinking about taking a night bus for that trip. I’ve did a bit of search on the web, and I was directed to take a look at Obilet or old/established companies like Kamil Koc.
However, it appears that the pandemic has led to many bus companies stop offering bus routes to Greece, and I was able to find only 4 companies on Obilet (Lilian Express, Arda Tur, Ozikizler Turizm, and Alpar Turizm).
Do you have any suggestion/recommendation as to which company is safe/reliable?
Thanks for all of your help so far!
Erlend says
Hi,
1. They are private, and they only take cash.
2. I’m afraid I can’t help you out with this, I never travel by bus for long distances.
Best of luck.
Reaniel says
Thanks!
What’s the average fare for various routes? I gather they won’t provide change for larger bills, so we want to make sure that we bring enough smaller bills for the fare.
Erlend says
The public transportation system doesn’t use cash anymore, but instead uses the Istanbul Kart.
Reaniel says
Sorry, I meant fare for the MINIBUS. I know you mentioned in your previous replies to me that it’s best to get at least 1 Istanbul Kart (and it’s not hard for 2 people to share) for the public transportations. I just want to know how much smaller bills we need to keep in case we need to take the MINIBUS in certain situations.
Erlend says
Yes, small notes of 5, 10, 20 is feasible, since they don’t charge much. Also, be prepared to hand it to other people who will pass it on to the driver, and will give you the change the driver gives them. You may have to do the same for others, too. Also, they charge until the place you’re getting off, so be prepared to know where you want to get off before getting on the bus.
Reaniel says
Is there some kind of ringer to indicate you’re getting off in the upcoming stop (like the old style buses), or do you need to just tell driver?
Erlend says
On the minibuses you have let the driver know you want to get off verbally.
Reaniel says
Hi there,
We’re visiting Istanbul in the winter (Nov), and I just have a few questions about the public transportation.
1. Starting from IST Airport, I kept seeing conflicting info on whether the Havaist shuttles take Istanbul Kart or not. the IST website says yes, while the Havaist website isn’t saying anything about it. Travel sites are divided between yes and no. Can you clarify on this for me?
2. I’m just curious, but does it cost anything to transfer from one Metro lane to another? I mean in most European countries I’ve visited, as well as the US cities, you usually won’t need to pay another fare as long as you don’t leave the subway station, so transfers don’t really cost extra. I’m just wondering if that’s the case with Istanbul Metro or not.
3. Is the Metro luggage-friendly? And the IETT buses? We’re not bringing a whole lot of stuff with us, but probably 1 carry-on and 1 checked luggage, and I’d like to know if it’s against manners to be going through the public transportations carrying these. I mean I know that many bus riders in the US (Atlanta here) HATES people with a bunch of luggage taking the buses, and I’d like to know if this is the case as well in Istanbul.
Thanks!
Erlend says
Hi,
1. You cannot pay for the Havaist shuttle with Istanbul Kart.
2. Every time you switch a metro line, you need to buy a new ticket. However, on long lines such as Marmaray and Metrobus, you can get a partial refund if you only traveled for a few stops.
3. The metro is luggage friendly (easy to get in I mean), but buses are not. The problem is more often than not how crowded the vehicle is. Can you still fit in with your luggage, and even worse, how do you get out is you find yourself in the middle of the vehicle during rush hour. I would stay clear of public transportation for the hotel-airport transit and use the Havaist shuttle or a private shuttle. For all other transportation needs during your stay, use the metro/tram system because it works really well.
Reaniel says
Thanks for the swift reply!
The hotel we’ve booked is all the way in Bakırkoy district (in Florya, right next to the old Ataturk Airport), and the HVIST doesn’t go all the way to where it is. According to Google, I’ll need to take a bus for 3 stops, and there’s no way to walk there (unless I want to loop around the airport for 1hr+ lol).
Do you think we can make it there on the bus (it should be around 12 Noon by the time we get off the HVIST)? Or maybe just get a taxi from the HVIST stop to the hotel? (It’s supposedly only a 15 min drive).
Erlend says
Hi,
Around that time you should be ok, certainly for only three stops. Just stay close to the door. Have nice stay.
Reaniel says
Excellent!
One more thing: I’m planning on buying the Istanbul E-Pass that was mentioned in one of your reviews, and one of the perks it offers is the “unlimited” Istanbul Kart that’s valid for a certain number of days, with unlimited credit on it. Is it worth getting that instead of a anonymous card (and charge it ourselves)? What’s your take on that?
Erlend says
Hi,
Let’s do the math together. The transportation card offered by E-pass costs 17 Euro for one day, which is about 340 TL. For that amount one person can make unlimited use of public transportation. If you buy your own Istanbul Kart, you must pay a one time fee of 50 TL for the card, and then top it up. So, if you subtract 50 from 340, that leaves 290 TL. Most public transportation lines charge about 10 TL per ride. So, if you plan to make 29 rides or more, the offer is ok. If you plan to make less, you’re better of buying your own. Also, don’t forget the card will be waiting in your hotel for you, so you won’t have it for your bus ride to your hotel.
Inna says
We are coming to Istambul by cruise ship May7 at 12p and will leave on May 8 at 5p.
Is it practical for us to buy transportation card or just pay for each ride?
We also would like to take boat dinner and show on Sunday evening.
How later it will finished and how safe we can return to our ship?
Thank you
Erlend says
Hi,
If you’re only there for 29 hours, I wouldn’t bother. Keep in mind that beside a single use ticket you can also buy 3 (üç), 5 (beş), and 10 (on) ride tickets. So, use them multiple times until you have reached the limit.
Most of these Bosphorus night cruises with dinner and show are back in Kabataş just after midnight. This will be just too late for the tram, but if you’re in good physical condition you can walk back home. Given the time of they, I suggest not to walk alone though. You won’t find a cab for such a small distance.
Stephen Crumley says
Price update:
Tram 9.9TL per person per ride. Metro 19.9TL. Best we could tell there were no transfer discounts. Still quite inexpensive but hopefully it will help you put enough money on your card. Card is 50 TL one time fee. Recharge by holding card on reader and insert bills. Leave card on the reader until you see the amount added. Most kiosks do not have an English option but are fairly intuitive. When we were there it was busy and the Tram did some unexpected reverses. With hindsight we realized we needed to get off at the first opportunity and switch sides without leaving the terminal to avoid another fare.
Erlend says
Thanks for sharing, I updated the fares.
Bianca says
As I read you did not update yet the fact that there or no more transfer discounts.
Erlend says
There still are, but only on buses.
Ahmad says
Hello,
We are currently in Taksim near, about two minutes walking distance to the Square. We want to go to Yenibosna Merkez, Güneşli Yolu Cd. and we have luggage.
Would you advise us to use the metro or it is better we take Uber/taxi? If metro is good, is there provision for where to keep our boxes in the metro?
Kindly suggest the means of transfer that you considered better for us.
Erlend says
Hi,
With public transportation, you’ll need to make at least three transfers and use (a combination of metro and ) busses, and take more than an hour. I would go by taxi.
Haruethai says
Hi
My wife had a back surgery lately. She wouldn’t be able to walk much, would like to know if taxis and ubers are easily available. We will staying in Eminonu area. How much will it cost to Sultanhamet area or Taksim.
Thanks
Erlend says
Ubers and taxis are basically the same, but I would stay clear of them as much as possible and use the tramway or metro instead.
Bojan says
Hello,
I am coming in Istanbul 31. December 2021…
Where can I buy tickets for public transportation and what kind?
Erlend says
Hi,
Have you read this post on Istanbul Card?
Dunja Sarajlic says
Dear all,
We are traveling to Istanbul next week and stay in Holiday Inn Istanbul City, Topkapi, Turgut Ozal Millet Cd. 189. During our stay in Istanbul we will have an appoitment with friends near Bayramoglu Doner, Ruzgarlibahce, Cumhuriyet Cd. 2, 34805 Beykoz.
Would you be so kind to direct me how to reach our friend directly (direct line without changing buses or trams) from our hotel via public transport?
I found some possible route via Google maps and you can find it attached, so I would love if you can check it out and tell me if that is correct?
Thank you in advance
Erlend says
Hi Dunja,
I’m afraid there is no direct line. You can’t attach things here, but Google maps is usually pretty accurate for directions. If you want, double check with the hotel staff, but no matter what transportation combination you choose, expect at least a 90 minute commute.
Good luck.
Hind says
Hi
Your site is very interesting and informing.
How can I go from Avcilar to Taksim? Are there public transportation?
Thank you.
Erlend says
Hi Hind,
You could take the metrobus (the one that drives in the middle of the highway) to Mecediyeköy, and there take the metro to Taksim.
Hope this helps.
P. Daly says
Bonjour. J’ai beaucoup apprécié vos conseils et suggestions. Nous arriverons à new airport le 22 septembre vers 17 h. Est il possible de prendre un taxi pour aller à Habibler pour prendre le tram ce qui éviterait le fort trafic. D’avance merci pour votre réponse
Erlend says
Hi,
You could do that, of course. But unless your hotel is really close to the tram line stops, I wouldn’t do that. Also, don’t forget the tram can get very crowded between 17:00 and 19:00, especially unpleasant if you are carrying (a lot of) luggage.
Have a nice trip.
mongy says
I enjoyed every bit of your site and information are so helpful and helped me a lot to make the proper reservations.
can’t wait to visit Istanbul next week.
you’re so great and I am so grateful to find your site.
thank you so much,
Mongy
Erlend says
Hi Mongy,
Thanks a lot for your kind words, and it was my pleasure. Experiences like your make running and constantly updating the website worthwhile.
Have a nice holiday!
nagaraj says
very useful tips for those travelling to Turkey. I have taken a local istanbul tour of 50 Euros for Haji Sophia, Blue mosque etc. Is this better or should we go on our own. Please suggest.
Erlend says
Hi,
This is a very difficult question. Some people like lots of information (even not found in books) and go for a guide, some want just what they can read up about, and others just want to see the monuments and absorb the atmosphere. And even those who prefer a guide … guides can change and can have good and bad days, too. I’m afraid it’s a personal thing 🙂
Have a nice time.
Milad says
Thank for your self-contained and in-detail information, It would be really helpful
Lerato Majara says
I really liked what i read as i intend to visit Turkey in May. It really helped a lot
Erlend says
Hi Lerato,
Thanks a lot for the nice compliment 🙂
Have a nice stay.