Istanbul's network is run mainly by the municipality (Metro Istanbul, IETT buses, Şehir Hatları ferries) plus TCDD's Marmaray rail tunnel under the Bosphorus. For visitors the key lines are the T1 tram along the historic peninsula (Kabataş-Karaköy-Eminönü-Sultanahmet-Aksaray), the M2 metro up the European side (Yenikapı-Şişhane-Taksim-Şişli-Levent), Marmaray linking the two continents, the F1 Kabataş-Taksim and Tünel funiculars, and the ferries between Eminönü/Karaköy/Beşiktaş and Kadıköy/Üsküdar. Road traffic is heavy at rush hour (07:30-10:00, 17:00-20:00), so rail and ferry usually beat taxis.
Paying: Istanbulkart
How to buy
Buy an Istanbulkart from the yellow/blue Biletmatik machines at metro, tram, Marmaray and ferry stations or from kiosks; top it up with cash at the same machines (newer machines take bank cards). One card can be tapped for several people on the same journey. Contactless bank cards are accepted directly at many metro and Marmaray gates, but the Istanbulkart rate and transfer discounts only apply to the Istanbulkart.
Fares
From 20 July 2026 (10% rise approved by the IMM council on 17 July): 46.20 TRY full single ride on Istanbulkart (metro, tram, bus, funicular); student 22.55 TRY; Mavi Kart monthly pass 3,628 TRY. Marmaray is distance-based (37.40-82.17 TRY), Metrobüs 33.08-68.59 TRY. Ferries: Eminönü-Üsküdar 58.52 TRY, Eminönü/Beşiktaş-Kadıköy 65.21 TRY, Bostancı-Princes' Islands 171.89 TRY. Taxi: 71.94 TRY start plus 47.92 TRY per km. Transfer discounts within 90 minutes still apply; the July transfer and M11 airport metro amounts were not published in the sources checked (about 10% above the February figures of 31.27/24.02/15.62 TRY and up to 66.54 TRY).
Lines and services
- TramT1 Kabataş-Bağcılar
The tourist workhorse: stops at Kabataş, Tophane (Istanbul Modern), Karaköy, Eminönü, Sirkeci, Gülhane, Sultanahmet, Çemberlitaş, Beyazıt-Kapalıçarşı and Aksaray. Crowded at midday; hold bags in front.
- MetroM2 Yenikapı-Hacıosman
Crosses the Golden Horn on the Haliç metro bridge; Vezneciler (for Süleymaniye/Grand Bazaar), Haliç, Şişhane (Galata/İstiklal south end), Taksim, Osmanbey, Şişli, Gayrettepe (M11 airport interchange), Levent.
- MetroM11 Gayrettepe-Istanbul Airport
Direct rail to IST airport from Gayrettepe (M2) and Kağıthane; zone-based fare.
- MetroM4 Kadıköy-Sabiha Gökçen Airport
Runs along the Asian side from Kadıköy to SAW airport; useful for Kadıköy stays and SAW transfers.
- TrainMarmaray
Suburban rail in a tunnel under the Bosphorus: Halkalı-Yenikapı-Sirkeci-Üsküdar-Ayrılık Çeşmesi (M4 transfer)-Gebze. Sirkeci to Üsküdar takes about 4 minutes. Distance-based fare; tap in and out.
- FunicularF1 Kabataş-Taksim
Underground funicular, about 3 minutes, connecting the T1 tram and ferries at Kabataş with Taksim Square.
- FunicularTünel (F2 Karaköy-Beyoğlu)
1875 underground funicular, one of the world's oldest, from Karaköy up to the south end of İstiklal Caddesi; saves the steep climb past Galata.
- TramT2 Taksim-Tünel nostalgic tram
Red heritage tram along İstiklal Caddesi; slow but useful for the 1.6 km avenue.
- FerryŞehir Hatları and private ferries (Turyol, Dentur)
Eminönü, Karaköy, Beşiktaş and Kabataş to Kadıköy and Üsküdar every 10-20 minutes; Istanbulkart accepted. Şehir Hatları also runs the long Bosphorus Tour from Eminönü to Anadolu Kavağı and the Princes' Islands ferries from Kabataş/Eminönü and Bostancı.
- BusIETT buses and Metrobüs
Buses cover the Bosphorus shore roads (e.g. Beşiktaş-Ortaköy-Bebek-Sarıyer, Üsküdar-Beylerbeyi-Çengelköy). Metrobüs runs on a dedicated lane on the ring road incl. the 15 July Martyrs Bridge; fast but very crowded at rush hour. Buses do not take cash.
- TaxiYellow, turquoise and black taxis
Metered; yellow is standard, turquoise mid-tier, black premium. Ask for the meter (taksimetre) to be on, and pay tolls on bridge crossings. BiTaksi app books licensed taxis.
- Ride-hailingUber and BiTaksi
Uber in Istanbul dispatches licensed taxis (UberTaxi) and some premium cars; BiTaksi is the local taxi-hailing app. Prices are close to the meter.
Common trips
SultanahmetTaksim30 min
T1 tram to Kabataş, then F1 funicular to Taksim
- T1 to Karaköy, Tünel funicular up, then walk or T2 tram along İstiklal
- Taxi 20-40 min depending on traffic
SultanahmetKadıköy40 min
T1 tram to Eminönü, then ferry to Kadıköy (about 20 min crossing)
- Walk to Sirkeci, Marmaray to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, then M4 one stop to Kadıköy
- Ferry from Karaköy to Kadıköy
SultanahmetGalata Tower25 min
T1 tram to Karaköy, then walk uphill 10 min (or Tünel funicular one stop)
- Walk across the Galata Bridge from Eminönü (about 30 min total)
TaksimKadıköy45 min
F1 funicular to Kabataş, then ferry to Kadıköy
- M2 to Yenikapı, Marmaray to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, M4 to Kadıköy
- Walk down to Karaköy for the Karaköy-Kadıköy ferry
EminönüÜsküdar20 min
Ferry Eminönü-Üsküdar (about 15-20 min)
- Marmaray Sirkeci-Üsküdar (4 min under the Bosphorus)
TaksimOrtaköy30 min
Bus along the shore from Kabataş/Beşiktaş towards Ortaköy-Bebek
- Taxi about 15-25 min
- Ferry to Beşiktaş then walk 25 min along the shore
SultanahmetBalat / Fener35 min
Bus from Eminönü along the Golden Horn shore (e.g. routes towards Eyüp) to Fener or Balat stops
- Taxi 15-25 min
- Golden Horn ferry from Karaköy/Eminönü area to Fener/Balat piers where running
TaksimIstanbul Airport (IST)75 min
Havaist HVL-9 from Taksim (24/7)
- M2 to Gayrettepe then M11 to the airport
- Taxi 45-75 min
KadıköySabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)60 min
M4 metro from Kadıköy to Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı
- Havabüs from Kadıköy
- Taxi 35-60 min
SultanahmetDolmabahçe Palace30 min
T1 tram to Kabataş, then walk 10 min north
- Taxi
BeşiktaşKadıköy25 min
Ferry Beşiktaş-Kadıköy (about 20 min)
- Ferry Beşiktaş-Üsküdar, then bus or Marmaray
EminönüPrinces' Islands (Büyükada)90 min
Ferry from Kabataş or Eminönü (about 90 min) or from Bostancı on the Asian side (about 30-40 min)
- Faster private boats from Kabataş in summer
SultanahmetRumeli Fortress / Bebek60 min
Tram to Kabataş, then bus along the Bosphorus shore road towards Sarıyer
- M2 to Levent then bus down to the shore
- Taxi 30-50 min
To and from the airport
IST
- Metro · 40 minM11 zone fare, about 73 TRY to Gayrettepe (Feb 2026 fare of 66.54 TRY plus the July 2026 10% rise, not confirmed), then a discounted transfer on M2; about 85-90 TRY total to Taksim with Istanbulkart
M11 to Gayrettepe (about 35 min), change to M2 for Taksim (4 stops). For Sultanahmet continue M2 to Vezneciler or change further; around 75-90 min total.
- Bus · 90 minHavaist HVL-9 to Taksim and HVL-1 to Aksaray 470 TRY; HVL-6 to Kadıköy 515 TRY (2026)
Departs from floor -2 of the terminal; 24/7 to Taksim; card payment, no cash. For Sultanahmet take HVL-1 to Aksaray then T1 tram 2-3 stops.
- Taxi · 55 minAbout 2,100 TRY to Taksim, 2,600 TRY to Sultanahmet, 3,000 TRY to Kadıköy (2026, lostin.istanbul); taxi tariff rose about 10% on 20 July 2026, so expect slightly more
Use the official taxi rank; ignore touts inside arrivals. 45-75 min depending on traffic.
SAW
- Metro · 60 minIstanbulkart fare with transfer discounts (46.20 TRY first ride from 20 July 2026, plus discounted transfers)
M4 from Sabiha Gökçen Airport station to Kadıköy (about 55-60 min). For the European side change at Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Marmaray for Sirkeci (Sultanahmet) or Yenikapı.
- Bus · 75 minHavabüs shuttle; check havabus.com for current fare
Havabüs runs from SAW to Kadıköy and to Taksim; Taksim can take 90-120 min at rush hour.
- Taxi · 60 minMetered plus tolls: about 1,750-2,300 TRY to Kadıköy, 2,600-3,400 TRY to Taksim or Sultanahmet (2026, lostin.istanbul); taxi tariff rose about 10% on 20 July 2026, so expect slightly more
Bridge crossing and traffic make the European side slow; allow 60-90 min.
Good to know
- One Istanbulkart can pay for several travellers on the same gate, but each needs a separate tap and the balance is shared.
- Transfer discounts only apply on the same card within 90 minutes, so share cards carefully in groups.
- Ferries are the fastest and cheapest way to cross the Bosphorus at rush hour and double as sightseeing.
- Taxis between continents add bridge tolls; for short trips in the old city walking or the T1 tram is usually faster.
- Metro and Marmaray gates accept contactless bank cards on many lines, but at a higher fare than Istanbulkart.
- Keep small cash for simit and tea, but buses and Havaist do not take cash.
Useful apps
- Istanbulkart (top up, balance)
- Metro Istanbul (lines, service notices)
- Şehir Hatları (ferry timetables and Bosphorus tour)
- Moovit or Google Maps (journey planning incl. ferries)
- BiTaksi (licensed taxis)
- Uber (UberTaxi)
- Havaist (airport bus times)