Getting Around Istanbul: Trams, Ferries, Metro and the Istanbulkart
A simple guide to public transport for first-time visitors
In short: buy an Istanbulkart, the city’s rechargeable travel card, and use it on trams, the metro, ferries, buses and funiculars. The T1 tram links most of the sights in the Old City; ferries cross between Europe and Asia and are a highlight in themselves. Cash is not accepted on board.
Last checked: 10 November 2026. We don’t list fares because they change often.
The Istanbulkart
- Where to buy: from ticket machines at metro, tram and ferry stations and at the airports. Newer machines usually accept bank cards; some older ones take cash only.
- How to use it: touch the card on the reader at the turnstile or on the bus. Top it up at the same machines.
- Sharing: one card can be used for several people travelling together; just touch it once for each person.
- Bank cards: you can also tap a contactless bank card at many readers, but each ride usually costs more than with an Istanbulkart.
Which transport for what
- T1 tram: the visitor’s best friend. It runs through Sultanahmet (Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque), past the Grand Bazaar area, down to Eminönü, across the Galata Bridge to Karaköy and on to Kabataş.
- Funicular F1: a short underground ride from Kabataş up the hill to Taksim Square.
- Metro: the M2 links Taksim with Şişhane (for Galata) and the business districts; the M11 runs to Istanbul Airport and the M4 to Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
- Ferries: cross the Bosphorus between Eminönü, Karaköy, Beşiktaş, Kadıköy and Üsküdar. Cheap, frequent and beautiful. See ferry to the Asian side.
- Marmaray: a train that runs in a tunnel under the Bosphorus, linking the European and Asian sides.
- Taxis: make sure the meter is running; taxi apps are also widely used and show the route in advance.
Many visitors say the ferry is the best way to see Istanbul: take a regular commuter ferry from Eminönü or Karaköy to Kadıköy or Üsküdar for the same views as a cruise, then come back at sunset.
Getting from the airports
See Istanbul Airport to the city centre and Sabiha Gökçen Airport to the city.
Good to know
- Rush hour: trams and the metro are very crowded on weekday mornings and evenings; plan sightseeing around them.
- Walking: many sights are close together, but Istanbul is hilly; comfortable shoes help a lot.
- Traffic: roads are often congested, so rail and ferries are usually faster than taxis.
What real travellers say
- “Get an Istanbulkart on day one.” It makes every journey easier.
- “The tram does almost everything.” Most first-time visitors use the T1 for the main sights.
- “Take the ferry, even without a reason.” A favourite memory for many visitors.
Summarised in our own words from transport guides and holidaymaker reviews, researched in November 2026. Official sources: Metro Istanbul · Şehir Hatları ferries · Istanbulkart
Getting around Istanbul: questions
Do I need an Istanbulkart?
It is the easiest way to pay for trams, metro, ferries and buses, and one card can be shared by a small group. A contactless bank card also works at many readers but usually costs more per ride.
Can I pay cash on the tram or bus?
No. You need an Istanbulkart or a contactless bank card.
What is the best way to cross to the Asian side?
The ferry from Eminönü, Karaköy or Beşiktaş to Kadıköy or Üsküdar, or the Marmaray train under the Bosphorus.
Header photo: the Bosphorus. Photo: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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