Public Transport in Istanbul: Metro, Tram, Ferry, Prices & Tips for Tourists

Operating Hours: Daily from 06:00 to 00:00

Main Metro Lines Useful for Tourists:

• M1A: Yenikapı – Atatürk Airport (connects with tram at Aksaray)
• M1B: Yenikapı – Kirazlı
• M2: Yenikapı – Hacıosman (stops at Taksim, Şişhane, Levent)
• M3: Bakırköy – Kayaşehir
• M4: Kadıköy – Sabiha Gokcen Airport (Asian side, great for Kadıköy food tours)
• M5: Üsküdar – Samandıra (fully automated, driverless line)
• M6: Levent – Boğaziçi University (short line to university area)
• M7: Mecidiyeköy – Mahmutbey (connects European districts)
• M8: Bostancı – Parseller (Asian side)
• M9: Ataköy – Olimpiyat
• M11: Gayrettepe – Istanbul Airport (IST) – Arnavutköy
  

💡 Travel Tip: For Sultanahmet, the T1 Tram Line is much more convenient than the metro — but if you’re staying in Taksim or Şişli, the M2 Metro is your quickest option.

Operating Hours: 06:00–00:00

Key Tram Lines for Tourists:

• T1: Bağcılar – Kabataş

  • Passes Sultanahmet, Eminönü, Topkapı Palace, Grand Bazaar

  • Connects to ferries at Eminönü and Kabataş

• T2: Taksim – Tünel (nostalgic tram on Istiklal Street)

• T3: Kadıköy – Moda (scenic loop in Asian side’s hipster district)

• T4: Topkapı – Mescid-i Selam

• T5: Eminönü – Alibeyköy (follows the Golden Horn)

• T6: Sirkeci – Kazlıçeşme (coastal route along the old city walls)

💡 Travel Tip: The T1 tram is often crowded — try traveling early morning or after 20:00 for a more comfortable ride.

The Marmaray Line runs under the Bosphorus, connecting the European and Asian sides in just 4 minutes.

Operating Hours: 06:00–00:00
Route: Gebze (Asian side) – Halkalı (European side)
Frequency: Every 5–10 minutes

Perfect for:

• Quickly reaching Kadıköy or Üsküdar from the European side

• Visiting neighborhoods beyond the tourist center

• Avoiding ferry queues in bad weather

💡 Did You Know? The Marmaray tunnel goes 60 meters below sea level, making it the deepest immersed tube tunnel in the world.

Tünel (F2) — Europe’s second-oldest subway (1875), just 573 meters long. Runs between Karaköy and Beyoğlu.
Funicular Lines:

• F1: Taksim – Kabataş (connects tram/ferry with Taksim Square)

• F3: Seyrantepe – Vadistanbul

• F4: Boğaziçi University – Aşiyan (scenic seaside station)

💡 Insider Tip: If you’re taking a Bosphorus Cruise from Kabataş and staying near Taksim, the F1 Funicular is the fastest way down to the pier.

Operating Hours: 07:00 – 23:00
Frequency: Every 15–20 minutes on main routes
Fares: 50.15 TL - 76.90 TL (Istanbulkart accepted)

Main Ferry Terminals for Tourists:

• European Side: Eminönü, Kabataş, Karaköy, Beşiktaş
• Asian Side: Kadıköy, Üsküdar

Popular Routes:

• Eminönü ↔ Kadıköy
• Eminönü ↔ Üsküdar
• Beşiktaş ↔ Kadıköy
• Kabataş ↔ Üsküdar

💡 Travel Tip: Sit on the right side when going from Europe to Asia for the best skyline views — and on the left side when coming back.

Sea buses operated by IDO (Istanbul Deniz Otobüsleri) are high-speed catamaran ferries designed for longer journeys beyond the central Bosphorus crossings. They’re modern, comfortable, and ideal if you plan to travel outside central Istanbul.

Best for:

• Princes’ Islands trips

• Fast connections to Yalova

• Travel toward Bursa via ferry + bus combinations

Fleet: Around 28 modern vessels operating on multiple regional routes

Tickets: Available at ferry terminals or online in advance

💡Travel Tip: For short city crossings, regular public ferries are usually cheaper and more frequent. Choose IDO sea buses when you want a faster ride to islands or nearby cities.

The Princes’ Islands are one of the most popular day trips from Istanbul, known for their peaceful atmosphere, historic wooden houses, and car-free streets. Ferries run regularly from several points across the city, making the islands easy to reach by public transport.

Departure Points: Eminönü, Kabataş, Kadıköy, Bostancı

Journey Time: Approx. C0–100 minutes, depending on the island and departure location

Main Islands to Visit

Büyükada — the largest and most visited island, ideal for cycling, seaside cafés, and historic mansions

Heybeliada — quieter and greener, popular for beaches and relaxed walks

Burgazada — small and peaceful with a local neighborhood feel

Kınalıada — closest island to the city, good for short visits and swimming spots

Public vs Private Ferries

• Public ferries: cheaper, slower, and included in the Istanbulkart network

• Private boats: faster and more comfortable, but typically more expensive

💡 Travel Tip: Take an early morning ferry to avoid crowds and enjoy breakfast or tea on deck while heading toward the islands.

No visit to Istanbul feels complete without a Bosphorus Cruise. Sailing between Europe and Asia, you’ll see historic palaces, Ottoman waterfront mansions, mosques, bridges, and vibrant neighborhoods from the water — one of the most memorable ways to experience the city.

Types of Bosphorus Cruises

Short Sightseeing Cruises (1.5–2 hours)

Perfect if you want a relaxed panoramic tour of the Bosphorus in a short time. Ideal for first-time visitors or travelers with limited time.

👉 Book Bosphorus Cruise ticket here

Dinner Cruises

Evening cruises featuring dinner, music, and live entertainment while sailing along the illuminated Bosphorus skyline. Great for couples, celebrations, or a memorable night in Istanbul.

👉 Book Bosphorus Dinner Cruise here

Popular Departure Points

• Kabataş
• Eminönü
• Ortaköy

💡 Did You Know? The Bosphorus Strait connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and forms the natural boundary between Europe and Asia — making your cruise literally a journey between continents.

Don’t forget: Use code ITI5 during booking to get 5% discount on selected cruise options.

Some public ferry routes in Istanbul continue operating late at night on weekends, offering a peaceful and scenic way to travel across the Bosphorus after the daytime crowds disappear.

Operating Hours (selected routes): approx. 00:30 – 05:30 on weekends

Night Tariff: Tickets are usually charged at double the daytime fare

Night ferries are especially useful if you are returning late from restaurants, nightlife areas, or evening events — and they can also be one of the most memorable ways to experience Istanbul’s skyline.

Istanbul’s public bus network is massive, with 500+ routes covering almost every district. Operated by IETT, buses are affordable and frequent — and they’re often the only practical option for areas not served by metro or tram.

Key Facts

• Operating Hours: Most buses run 0C:00 – 00:00. Some night buses operate after midnight on selected routes.

• Payment: Istanbulkart only (cash is not accepted on IETT buses).

• Fares: Standard fare with Istanbulkart is approx. 46.2 TL (fares can change).

Popular Bus Routes Useful for Tourists

• Eminönü * Taksim (28, 30, 4C) — A scenic ride across the Golden Horn

• Taksim * Beçiktaç (40T, DT2) — A quick link between major districts

• Kadıköy * Üsküdar (12, 14) — Easy connection on the Asian side

💡Travel Tip: Bus routes can feel confusing for first-time visitors because route maps are not always displayed inside. Use the IETT Route Planner or Google Maps to confirm the correct bus number, stop, and direction before boarding.

The Metrobus is a high-capacity bus system running on a dedicated lane, which means it avoids Istanbul’s heavy traffic. It’s one of the fastest ways to travel long distances on the European side — and it also provides a practical road connection toward the Asian side.

Key Facts

• Operating Hours: 24/7

• Frequency: Every 1–2 minutes during peak hours (less frequent late at night)

• Payment: Istanbulkart accepted

• Fares: Vary depending on the distance traveled

Why it’s useful for visitors

Metrobus is especially helpful if you’re staying far from the historic center (for example, Beylikdüzü or Avcılar) and want a faster commute into central transfer points compared to regular buses.

Key Routes

• 34AS: Avcılar * Söğütlüçeşme

• 34G: Beylikdüzü * Söğütlüçeşme (longest route)

• 34Z: Zincirlikuyu * Söğütlüçeşme (business areas to the Asian side)

A dolmuç is a shared taxi — usually a small yellow minibus or van — that runs on fixed routes, but often without strict stop rules. You can typically hop on or off anywhere along the route when it is safe for the driver to stop. It’s a very local way to get around Istanbul and can be faster than regular buses on short city routes.

How it works

• Tell the driver your destination when you board

• Payment is cash only — pass your fare forward (other passengers often help pass money/coins to the driver)

• Dolmuş usually departs once seats fill up, then continues along its route

• Fares vary by distance, typically approx. 25–C0 TRY (prices may change)

Popular dolmuç routes useful for visitors

• Taksim * Beşiktaş — quick and budget-friendly between two busy districts

• Taksim * Kadıköy — a cross-city ride toward the Asian side (route may vary by traffic conditions)

• Beşiktaş * Ortaköy — great for evening visits to Ortaköy’s waterfront cafés and views

💡Travel Tip: Dolmuş rides feel more “local” than most tourist transport options — great for experiencing daily Istanbul life. However, they’re not ideal if you have large luggage or need step-by-step navigation.

Taxi prices in Istanbul are meter-based and can change with official tariff updates.

As of the February 2026 update, reported tariffs include:

• Meter opening fee: 45.40 TRY
• Per km: 43.56 TRY
• Short-distance minimum fare: 210 TRY

How to Use Taxis (Avoid Common Issues)

• Always check the meter is on before the ride starts.
• Keep small cash for short rides (some drivers may not have change).
• Use official taxi stands at busy areas, or hail a taxi on the street where it’s safe.

In Istanbul, Uber works in partnership with licensed taxis. This means when you request an Uber, a standard yellow or sometimes turquoise taxi typically picks you up — the experience is taxi-based, but managed through the app.

Why travelers use Uber

• Upfront price estimate: You see the fare estimate in the app before confirming.

• Flexible payment: Pay by card or cash (availability may vary by trip type).

• Safety & accountability: Driver details are shown in-app, and you can rate the ride after your trip.