Are you planning to explore the immense Turkish city? To help you on your way, here’s a summary of the best ways to get around Istanbul.
Located between Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a must-visit city. Its rich historical heritage makes it the cultural capital of the country.
It’s also an extremely cosmopolitan city! The thousand and one neighborhoods that make up the city each have their own heritage and identity.
So, with its impressive density, the question of transport automatically arises when visiting the city. In this guide, we take a look at the best ways to get around Istanbul!
A must: the Istanbulkart transport pass
Photo credit: Facebook – Istanbulkart
- 📍 Where can I buy an Istanbulkart pass? At metro stations or major bus or streetcar stations, some hotels and commercial kiosks.
- 💰 How much does it cost? You enter the amount you wish, starting at 6 TL (0.50 €)
To get around Istanbul smoothly, we recommend you take a look at the Istanbulkart. If you’re only staying for a short time, then opt specifically for the Anonim Kart.
The latter is available from vending machines at transport stations or in certain tourist establishments and other shops in the city.
How does it work?
To buy your Istanbulkart, you need to put money on it, starting at 6 TL. Then you can use your card for all city transport, including the metro, streetcar, bus, funicular and ferry.
Good to know: when paying with an Istanbulkart, the cost of the trip is slightly lower than the initial price.
The fastest: tramway and metro
Photo credit: Shutterstock – AlexAnton
The metro
- 📍 Where to buy tickets? In the ticket machines at each station
- 💰 How much does it cost? 3.50 TL (€0.34)
Travelling by metro in Istanbul avoids traffic jams and allows you to get from point A to point B without a hitch. Inaugurated in 1989 and expanded over the years to 133 km in length, the metro has become Istanbul’s preferred means of transport.
Istanbul’s metro now has seven lines covering most of the city. From the famous Taksim Square, for example, you can reach the tourist district of Eminönü in just a few stations.
A summary of the lines:
- M1 (red, oldest): Yenikapı ↔ Ataturk Airport / Kirazlı ;
- M2 (green, most popular): Yenikapı ↔ Hacıosman;
- M3 (blue, crosses west): Kirazlı ↔ Metrokent-Olimpiyat ;
- M4 (dark pink, crosses east): Kadıköy ↔ Tavşantepe ;
- M5 (purple, crosses east): Üsküdar ↔ Çekmeköy ;
- M6 (beige-gray, connects the European and Asian parts): Levent ↔ Boğaziçi Üniversitesi/Hisarüstü;
- M7 (pale pink, crosses west): Mecidiyeköy ↔ Mahmutbey.
The tramway
- 📍 Where can I buy tickets? From ticket machines at major stations
- 💰 How much does it cost? 3.50 TL (€0.34)
Underground not your thing? Getting around Istanbul will remain possible, thanks to the tramway. While the network is underdeveloped in the Asian part of the city, it is the preferred means of transport on the European side.
It’s also fairly recent and has been modernized in recent years. For example, you can take the streetcar along the famous Istiklal Avenue!
There are four tramway lines:
- The T1 from Kabataş to Bağcılar, which serves the main tourist spots;
- T2 from Tünel to Taksim Square, which uses part of the Line 1 network;
- T3 in Kadıköy, which covers just 2 kilometers of the Asian shore;
- The recent T4 from Topkapı to Mescid-i Selam, linking the northern districts of the city center with the European city.
The most comfortable: cab or VTC
Photo credit: Shutterstock – ThomasDeco
- 💰 How much does it cost? 2.10 TL per kilometer. The starting price is about 8.50 TL (0.34 €)
Opt for the cab or VTC option if you prefer immediate transport, just for you. You’ll find them on every corner to get you around Istanbul.
In the back of a (usually vintage) car, you’ll drive through different parts of the city, watching the cityscape go by from your window. With the added bonus of traditional Turkish music blasting from the car radio, you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds on a cab or VTC trip in Istanbul.
Also, for cabs specifically, make it compulsory to activate the meter, to avoid disappointment.
Most available: bus
Photo credit: Shutterstock – emasali stock
- 📍 Where to buy tickets? From the driver or from ticket machines at major stations
- 💰 How much does it cost? 3.50 TL (€0.34)
Did you know that the city has over 500 bus routes? There’s no doubt about it: getting around Istanbul is easy, even in the most remote places. By bus, for example, you can even reach the Black Sea coastline!
If you’re looking for a specific stop, don’t hesitate to ask around, or use an app that lists stops. After all, there are over 8,000 of them all over Istanbul.
There are also sightseeing buses, which stop near the city’s most important monuments. It’s a convenient way to make the most of your time on site.
Getting between the two shores: the ferry
Photo credit: Shutterstock – nataschen
- 📍 Where can I buy tickets? From the ticket machine or directly at the box office
- 💰 How much does it cost? 7 TL (€0.68)
To spend time on the opposite shore, you can opt for a particularly convenient and economical ferry ride. The two main ports for ferry departures are Kabataş on the European side, and Kadıköy or Üsküdar on the Asian shore.
This crossing of the Bosphorus is particularly beautiful, as it gives you a more global view of Istanbul. The ferry can also take you to nearby islands such as the Princes Islands.
As you can see, the ferry is the perfect way to get around Istanbul, while enjoying the dreamy setting of the Bosphorus.
Getting around from the two main airports
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Markus Mainka
Istanbul has two main airports, on the European and Asian sides. So, depending on your accommodation, you can choose one or the other. In any case, both airports are well served by bus.
Havalimanı Airport
- 📍 Where to buy tickets? On site or online
- 💰 How much does it cost? Between 16 and 25 TL (€1.50 – €2.50), depending on the company.
- ⏱️ Frequency: every 15 to 20 minutes, from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. (approx.)
This airport is almost new, and it shows! Located to the northeast of the city, Havalimani has been in existence since 2018. If you’re arriving or departing from this airport, then opt for the bus. They are very frequent and drop you off in strategic places like Taksim Square.
You can also opt for a cab ride, which will cost you around 150 TL (€15 ) depending on the route.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport
- 📍 Where to buy tickets? On site or online
- 💰 How much does it cost? Between 16 and 25 TL (€1.50 – €2.50), depending on the company.
- ⏱️ Frequency: every 20 to 30 minutes, from 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. (approx.)
This international airport has been in existence since 2001. It is located in the Asian part of Istanbul. So, as with Havalimanı, the bus is the easiest and most economical option. You can reach Istanbul’s nerve center in around 1h30.
You can also opt for a cab ride, which will cost you around 150 TL (€15), or even a little less if you’re staying in the Asian part of town.
Istanbul transport maps
Bus, ferry, metro… Need a helping hand on the spot? Then don’t hesitate to download the essential apps for getting around Istanbul. Among them, we recommend Citymapper or the local apps Trafi and Metro Istanbul.
GV also offers a dedicated article on the theme, available on computer, tablet and smartphone. These devices also allow you to download the page and consult the article offline.
Now you know how to get around Istanbul with complete peace of mind!