How to Get Around Istanbul: İstanbul Kart, Trams, and Ferries
A practical guide to Istanbul’s public transportation: how to buy and top up an İstanbul Kart, which tram and ferry routes connect the main attractions, and why using cash is a bad idea.
İstanbul Kart: how to buy and use it
The first thing you should do upon arrival in Istanbul is to buy İstanbul KartIt is a unified transport card that works across all public transportation in the city: metro, trams, buses, funiculars, and ferries. It is sold at yellow ticket machines in metro stations, near tram stops, and at both Istanbul airports. The card itself costs a small fixed amount, after which you simply top up the balance.
You can top up the card with cash or a bank card directly at the machine — the process takes less than a minute and is intuitive even without knowing Turkish, as the interface can be switched to English. It is recommended to load enough balance for several days in advance: constantly having to return to the machine between trips is inconvenient, especially during the high tourist season when queues often form at the machines.
Одной картой могут пользоваться несколько человек по очереди — прикладывать её к турникету можно за каждого пассажира отдельно, что удобно для семьи или небольшой группы, если нет возможности купить карту каждому.
Tram: the main line for tourists
Tram line T1 It is the most useful type of transport for visitors to the city, as it passes through virtually all the key points of the historic center: from Kabataş through Karaköy, Eminönü, Sultanahmet (with stops right next to Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque), and further to the Grand Bazaar and the Topkapı area.
Tram intervals are short — around 5–7 minutes on average during the daytime, so there is no need to check the schedule in advance: simply arrive at the stop. The carriages are modern and air-conditioned, with multiple doors for entry and exit, which makes boarding faster even with large crowds of tourists.
It is also worth mentioning the historic tram on Istiklal Street in the Taksim district — a short nostalgic line that is more of an attraction than a practical means of transport, but it is definitely worth riding at least once.
Ferries: Routes Across the Bosphorus
A ferry is not just a way to get from one part of the city to another, but also one of the most atmospheric ways to experience Istanbul. From the water, you can enjoy views of palaces, mosques, and both bridges over the Bosphorus that cannot be seen from land.
Regular city ferries (not tourist cruises, but regular public transport) connect the European and Asian sides of Istanbul through several routes. Payment is made with the same İstanbul Kart used for trams and the metro.
| Route: | Travel time: | What is near the pier? |
|---|---|---|
| Eminönü — Üsküdar | ~15 minutes | Historic Center / Üsküdar Waterfront |
| Karaköy — Kadıköy | ~20 minutes | Galata Tower / Kadıköy Market |
| Beşiktaş — Üsküdar | ~15 minutes | Dolmabahçe Palace / Mihrimah Mosque |
| Kabataş – Princes’ Islands | ~1–1.5 hours | Kabataş Waterfront / Büyükada Island |
← Проведите пальцем по таблице, чтобы посмотреть все столбцы
Ferries run frequently — on average every 15–20 minutes on the main routes during the daytime, so there is usually no need to plan your day around the schedule. The exception is the route to the Princes’ Islands, where departures are less frequent, so it is worth checking the timetable in advance using the Şehir Hatları app.
Metro, buses, and taxis
The metro is useful for longer journeys — for example, from Taksim to the airport or to business districts located far from the historic center. The lines are modern and air-conditioned, but stations in tourist areas are not as densely located as tram stops, so for getting around Sultanahmet and nearby districts, the tram is usually more convenient.
Buses cover routes that are not served by trams or the metro, but understanding the network can be more challenging for tourists unfamiliar with the city. Payment is also made with İstanbul Kart.
Taxis in Istanbul are inexpensive by European standards, but misunderstandings about fares most often occur with taxi drivers. Ask the driver to turn on the meter (taksimetre) or use apps with a fixed trip price. For groups or during late hours, a private transfer is often a calmer and more predictable option in terms of cost than trying to hail a taxi on the street.
Practical tips
Download the app Moovit or İBB CepTrafik They show routes with transfers between trams, metro, and ferries, as well as real-time arrival information, which is especially useful during peak hours (8:00–10:00 and 17:30–19:30), when trams and ferries are usually more crowded than usual.
If you plan to visit both the historic part of the city and the Asian side in one day, allow extra time for ferries during peak hours — evening departures towards Kadıköy and Üsküdar are the busiest, as they are heavily used by locals returning home from work.
Why it is worth planning your route through an agency
If the trip is for a group — a business delegation, wedding party, or sports team — navigating public transport independently becomes much more complicated: you need to coordinate the group, consider ferry schedules, and avoid peak hours. HBS TOURTourism destination HBS GROUPSince 2000, it has been organizing transfers and sightseeing programs in Istanbul with careful consideration of logistics and public transport schedules, including routes to the Asian side of the city.
Learn more about how ready-made sightseeing routes for groups are organized — in the article. “Sightseeing Tours in Istanbul for Corporate Groups”.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to buy İstanbul Kart?
Can you pay directly with a bank card on public transport?
How much does a tram or ferry ride cost?
What should you do if your card runs out of balance on Sunday evening and the machine is not working?
Need a well-planned itinerary for Istanbul?
HBS GROUP will plan your travel logistics — from airport transfers to city routes — with experience since 2000 and more than 1,200 completed projects across Turkey.