Public transport is often the quickest and most enjoyable way to get around Istanbul. At rush hour, trams, the metro and ferries are much faster than a taxi.
İstanbulkart
A rechargeable card that works on all public transport. You can buy it from the Biletmatik machines at stations and from kiosks. Several people can share one card; you just tap it again at the turnstile for each person. Discounts apply to transfers made within a short time.
The most useful lines for visitors
- T1 tram: connects Kabataş, Karaköy, Eminönü, Sultanahmet, Beyazıt and the Grand Bazaar.
- F1 funicular: runs from Kabataş up to Taksim in two minutes.
- Tünel: runs from Karaköy up to the start of İstiklal Caddesi; one of the oldest metros in the world.
- M2 metro: from Taksim to Şişhane, the Golden Horn and Yenikapı.
- Marmaray: links the European and Asian sides under the Bosphorus; Sirkeci and Üsküdar stations are close to the main sights.
Ferry
Ferries run frequently between Eminönü, Karaköy, Beşiktaş, Kabataş, Üsküdar and Kadıköy. A crossing takes about 15–20 minutes and offers the best views of the Bosphorus. Ferries running Bosphorus tours leave from Eminönü.
Tips
- The busiest times are 08:00–09:30 in the morning and 17:30–19:30 in the evening.
- On the tram, stay near the door; the Sultanahmet and Eminönü stops get very crowded.
- Late at night, some lines run less frequently.
