TRANSPORTATION IN ISTANBUL
With sea, air and road options, transportation in Istanbul is really simple, comfortable, and safe. You may obtain and use a non-personalized, Anonymous Istanbulkart, just like everyone else. Using the Istanbulkart is as easy to use as placing it on the card readers found on the turnstiles or validator devices found on the public transportation vehicles (bus, subway, tram, cable car, marmaray, metrobus, ferry, etc.).
Urban Transportation
The metrobus, subway, marmaray, tram, marine vessels, and the funicular are also some of the frequently used urban transportation vehicles besides minibuses and buses. Don’t forget to take a ride in the Tunnel connecting the two important centers of Istanbul, Karakoy and Beyoglu, which, after being put into service in 1875, has become the second oldest subway after the London subway.
Metrobus
The metrobus is an environmentally aware and cost efficient transit system that reduces traffic congestion and enables its passengers to travel quickly and comfortably without getting stuck in the traffic.
Stations: http://metrobus.iett.istanbul/tr/metrobus/istasyonlar
Historical and touristic places located over the route: http://metrobus.iett.istanbul/tr/metrobus
Subway
Serving more than 2 million passengers across Istanbul every day, the Istanbul Subway is one of the brands that are cited as an example throughout the world with its quality of service. The T1 Kabatas-Bagcilar Tram Line has been chosen as the best implementation of the world by The International Association of Public Transport with regard to meeting the high passenger demand.
Subway Routes: https://www.metro.istanbul/Hatlarimiz?hatturu=metro
Time Tables: https://www.metro.istanbul/SeferDurumlari/SeferDetaylari
Marmaray
Being one of the most important projects of the world, the Marmaray Project allows passage by connecting the railway lines on the both sides of the Bosporus with a tunnel constructed beneath the strait.
Station information and daily train schedules: http://marmaray.gov.tr/sefer-bilgileri/gunluk-tren-saatleri/
Ferry
The passengers are able to travel via the ferries of Sehir Hatlari A.S. over the Bosporus, Halic and Adalar lines, while enjoying the magnificent view of the cultural architecture along the lines. Conducting an average of 600 services daily, Sehir Hatlari A.S. transports approximately 40 million passengers each year.
The specially designed double sided boarding ramps, marked smooth surface features and wide corridors on the sea buses enable the passengers with disabilities to travel with safety.
Time Tables: https://www.sehirhatlari.istanbul/tr/seferler/ic-hatlar
Tram
T1 Kabatas-Bagcilar Tram Line
The entirety of stations along the line are suitable for the operation of low floored tramcars, and built using ramps that meet the technical specifications for people with special needs. Only the access to Topkapi station was ensured with an elevator for the reason that the station was built in the Topkapi underpass.
Line information: https://www.metro.istanbul/Hatlarimiz/HatDetay?hat=T1
T3 Kadikoy-Moda Tram Line
It is also known as the “Nostalgic Tram Line” because the line still utilizes nostalgic tramcars and operates on the route of the old tram line numbered 20.
Line information: https://www.metro.istanbul/Hatlarimiz/HatDetay?hat=T3
T4 Topkapi – Mescid-i Selam Tram Line
The total length of the line operating between Mescid-i Selam and Topkapi has reached 15.3 kilometers.
Line information: https://www.metro.istanbul/Hatlarimiz/HatDetay?hat=T4
Funicular
The Taksim – Kabatas Funicular Project, put into service in 2006, was carried out to integrate sea, land and rail transportation together.
Line information: https://www.metro.istanbul/Hatlarimiz/HatDetay?hat=F1
Cable Car
TF1 Macka-Taskisla Cable Car Line
While saving time and providing a pleasant view of Istanbul with the unique landscape of the route, the line gets removes the difficulty in travelling between Demokrasi Parki and Beyoglu Marriage Office.
Line information: https://www.metro.istanbul/Hatlarimiz/HatDetay?hat=TF1
TF2 Eyup-Piyer Loti Tram Line
The station facilitates the access to the Piyer Loti (Pierre Loti) Hill, which is one of the best-known touristic places on earth.
Line information: https://www.metro.istanbul/Hatlarimiz/HatDetay?hat=TF2
Tunnel
On 18 January 1875, a day after its opening ceremony, the Tunnel was put into operation and brought into public service. Connecting the two important centers of Istanbul, Karakoy and Beyoglu, the Tunnel has become the second oldest subway after the London subway after being put into service. It is possible to travel using the Tunnel by Istanbulkart. There are also automatic card recharging machines available in the Tunnel.
Time Tables: https://tunel.iett.istanbul/tr/tunel/pages/sefer-saatleri/544
Intercity Transportation
Istanbul is connected to every city of the country by roads. The points of departure for domestic transportation are Harem bus terminal in the Anatolian side, and the international bus terminal at Esenler in the European side.
International Transport
Transportation via Land Route
Trips are made from Istanbul to Greece, Macedonia, Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Russia (Moscow), Romania, Bulgaria and Jordan (Amman) via land routes.
Bus Terminal Phone: +90 212 658 05 05 – 658 10 10 – 658 00 36 (Line 9) – 333 37 63 – 310 63 63
Taxis in Istanbul
More than 17,000 taxis provide a quick and comfortable way of travelling in Istanbul. You can travel safely, quickly and with comfort to wherever you like, whenever you like.
If the top light of a taxi is lit, the taxi is ready to pick up a passenger. Moreover, there are taxi stands at every point of the city and in all stations and airports. There are taxis ready for your use, and there are taxi hailing areas to request for a taxi. You may select any waiting taxi cab of your choice.
Air Transportation
There are two airports in Istanbul, with one being İstanbul Airport at the European side, and Sabiha Gokcen Airport at the Asian side. In addition, there is the opportunity of plane and helicopter rental.
You may access the city center from Istanbul Airport via Metro, IETT (buses) and HAVAIST shuttles.
