Istanbul Card
The Istanbul Card is a convenient reusable magnetic card which has the added advantage of providing discounted fares on both public and private city buses, the metro, and public boats so you don’t have to search for a ticket or token seller. You can reload your Istanbul Card at the places which sell it (usually kiosks near bus stops); there are also automatic Istanbul Card reloading machines in all metro and ferry stations, as well as some tramway platforms.
Most forms of public transport are migrating towards using Istanbul Card only, so it is advisable to purchase one if you use public transport regularly.
SUI Students will receive Student Discounted Transportation Cards after their arrival which provides up an to 50 percent discount for each use.
Transfers: when you transfer from one public transport to another within two hours of using your Istanbul Card, subsequent fares are discounted. You may make up to five transfers in two hours at the discounted transfer rate (note that this discounted transfer fare does not apply to the Tünel funicular, the IDO sea ferries, or double-decker buses).
Some modes of transport offer an alternative to the Istanbul Card in the form of jetons (tokens) or tickets available at the point of embarking, like the tramway, “tünel”, the ferries, etc. Typically, the ticket and jeton price is higher than the Istanbul Card price. These alternatives may be more convenient for short term visitors.
Current schedules and routes for all modes of public transportation are listed here and adapted to Google Map.
For your convenience: ‘nereden’ means ‘from where’ and ‘nereye’ means ‘to where’.
Up-to-date information on the latest fares
Buses
There is an extensive network of inexpensive and reliable public and private bus (otobüs) services throughout Istanbul. Regular buses charge a standard fixed rate, while express buses to longer destinations may cost double. The Istanbul Card works on all public and private buses, and short-term passes can be purchased in most transportation hubs (metro and ferry stations) and at many kiosks around the city.
Ferries (Vapur)
Ferries are one of the most convenient and enjoyable modes of transportation in Istanbul. The city offers municipal and private boats to ferry you to various points on either side of the Bosphorus and also to the Princes’ Islands. On municipal boats, you may use your Istanbul Card or tokens are available inside the stations. Private boats run more frequently and the more popular locations now accept Istanbul Cards. If they are not equipped for Istanbul Card, then you can easily pay the fare at the kiosk before boarding.
Tram
The metro is connected to Istanbul’s light rail system via the tunnel funicular trains at Taksim and Tünel located at either end of Istiklal Boulevard. The tram and light rail systems cover a significant part of Istanbul, both the European and Asian sides. Routes and timetables can be found on the Istanbul Ulaşım website .
Metro (Subway)
There is a modest but continually expanding subway system servicing many parts of the city. Tokens are available inside the stations or you may use your Istanbul Card. Routes and timetables can be found on the Istanbul Ulaşım website .
MetroBus
Metrobüs is the name of Istanbul’s rapid transit bus (BRT) system implemented and operated in Istanbul, Turkey. The name Metrobüs was coined by the transit agency to suggest that this system is a hybrid between a metro train and a bus. The system operates through its own fully separated right-of-way lane between Avcılar and Zincirlikuyu, the western end of the Bosphorus Bridge, and also between Söğütlüçeşme and the eastern end of the Bosphorus Bridge. The buses travel on the Bridge in mixed traffic.
Dolmuş and Mini-buses
Some main routes are also served by private mini-buses (‘dolmuş’), which are a cross between a bus and taxi. They follow specific, fixed routes, but passengers can get off anywhere along the route. Destinations are listed on a placard on the outside of the dolmuş. The cost is determined by distance travelled: when getting on, tell the driver your destination and he will tell you how much it will cost. Often he will make change while he is driving, so hold on! To indicate you want to disembark, you will say, “inecek var” (IN-eh-JEK var). These minibuses do NOT accept Istanbul Card.
Another type of private mini-bus is used for longer express trips (for example, between Kadiköy and Taksim square). These mini-buses have a fixed price listed when you get in, and generally only stop at a couple of drop-off points close to the final destination. These mini-buses depart once they are full.
Taxi
Except during rush-hour and heavy rain, private, metered taxis are easy to find, and their fares are less than in most European and American cities. Know, too, that traffic in Istanbul can be very heavy, and that it can take a long time to travel even a short distance. Very few taxi drivers speak English or other foreign languages. They all have meters and receipts can be given if asked (a receipt is called fiş, pronounced “fish”). Very few if any taxis have credit card machines, so always make sure you are carrying enough cash. If you travel via the TEM highway (toll road) or across the Bosphorus bridges (in either direction), the toll fees are extra and you will be expected to pay this. Tipping is not necessary; it is sufficient to round up your fare to the nearest Lira (e.g., 7.68 TL = 7 TL). Fares start with a fixed base rate and then increase with a rate per kilometer. Until you have your choice Turkish phrases memorized, it’s a good idea to write down where you’re going to (or have someone else do it) and show the name/address to the driver to avoid any potential confusion. Make sure the taxi driver you take knows the location of your desired destination before you get in. Occasionally drivers will try to scam customers by going a long way. Knowing the taxi number, and having the driver know that you know it is a good deterrent to taxi fraud. The taxi number is located on the side/roof/license plate of all taxis (e.g., 34 TEB 29).
Intercity Buses
The intercity bus service is cheap, comfortable, and extremely efficient. The onboard service is similar to that of airplanes in that stewards frequently offer drinks and snacks. The more reliable companies are Varan, Pamukkale, Nilüfer, Metro and Ulusoy. Most of these intercity buses have prohibited smoking on the buses. The buses stop at their own company-owned restaurants and pit-stops which are generally clean and comfortable.
Their branches are mostly located on the Barbaros Street in Beşiktaş (across the main street) as well as other center (Taksim etc.).