We went to Turkey last week and were lucky enough to make it in during the final weeks of the off-season, which meant fewer tourists and more Spring warmth. Our full 10-day Budget Itinerary for Istanbul and Cappadocia covers almost all parts of our trip. Here we wanted to talk about one of the least spoken topics, Transportation in Istanbul.
You can read about our descriptive comparison of the European Side Vs. Asian Side of Istanbul and Must-Try Foods and Overrated Foods in Turkey on our blog.
To our surprise, prices of pretty much everything skyrocketed this January from about 120%, Including food, attraction entrance fees, accommodation and transport. Turkey today is quite expensive and we believe it's due to their economy picking up following last year's earthquake tragedy. Nevertheless, we decided to stick to Istanbul public transport to get around Istanbul and it saved us a heap!
Here's what you need to know about Istanbul Transportation in 2024!
How do I get around Istanbul?
Istanbul is huge with over 20 million people living in the city. You have many choices from Metro, Minibus, Trams to Ferry that take you from any major site to more residential parts of the city.
Apart from the public transport options, you can also take Taxis to more inaccessible places, or if your legs aren't in favour of walking. (trust us, Istanbul has MANY hills and walking can put a good strain on your legs)
Can I pay by card for the Bus in Istanbul?
While some buses are equipped with regular card machines accepting debit/credit cards, the majority do not. However, all buses are equipped with Istanbul Card payment machines located at the entrance next to the driver. Our recommendation is to opt for an Istanbul Card instead of using your regular card.
Does Istanbul have good Public Transportation?
Yes. Istanbul has a good Public Transportation system. We were in Istanbul for 7 days, and we used taxis on just 2 occasions only. We went everywhere through Metro and Tram. Be prepared for a fair amount of walking as certain trams only reach the city centre, and it would take about a 15-minute walk from there to your destination. Wear comfortable shoes and you won't feel tired at all!
Is the Istanbul Welcome Card or Istanbul Pass worth it?
Honest opinion, set aside all the adverts and affiliations you see on the Internet, these passes sure do cover the major tourist attractions but they ultimately cost the same amount you'd pay upfront. While it may save you time, it will surely not save you money. If you're travelling during high season, we recommend considering one of these, so you can skip long queues and complete your schedule on time.
Should I take the Metro or Tram?
It depends on where you're at and where you want to go. You can travel between long distances through the underground metro, and shorter neighbourhoods through the tram. You can follow the Tramway sign on the roads to find the nearest tram station to you.
If you're looking for a metro, keep an eye on the blue and red M sign, that's where the metro is. You can go underground here and find your station. Keep in mind that the tunnel directions can be confusing so always ask the card controller before you punch your Istanbul card in. Most of the locals are helpful too, but we came across a metro scammer couple as well so be cautious.
Should I get a City Card or an Istanbul Card (Istanbulkart)?
Getting an Istanbul Card was one of the best decisions we made as soon as we arrived in Istanbul. You find blue and yellow card machines near every metro, bus station, or tram station. You should choose the Yellow Machine which generates the Red Card (this is what the locals use, and is more practical than getting the tourist card). Be it the European Side or the Asian Side, you'll find it super useful.
How to easily get my Istanbul Card?
You can follow the steps below.
Step 1 - Select the language you prefer (We chose English)
Step 2 - Click '3 Pass Ticket' which is 70TL (about $2)
Step 3 - Put in your cash note from the opening on the top right upon the command
Step 4 - The card will fall into the compartment on the bottom
Step 5 - Once you pick up the card, reset the menu
Step 6 - Select language once again
Step 7 - Click 'Istanbulkart Top Up'
Step 8 - Place your Card on the card reader and check your balance. Let's say you entered 100TL to purchase the Istanbul Card. 30TL that's remaining would automatically go as a top-up.
Step 9 - Put in the desired cash note (Do not move the card from the card reader otherwise the menu will reset again)
Step 10 - As soon as you see the green tick on the screen, you're good to remove the card and use it.
Here's a video demo on how to top up your Istanbulkart.
Can I pay for Taxis with an Istanbul Card?
No. Istanbul Card works on Public Transport such as Metros, Trams, Buses, Mini Buses and Ferries. While Taxis prefer cash, some Taxi drivers on BiTaksi also have card machines that accept Debit/Credit cards. While it may be more convenient, we recommend sticking to cash as we heard some serious card scams recently.
Can I pay cash for Public Transport in Istanbul?
You can pay cash for Havabus or certain long-distance buses, we used Havabus from Kadikoy on the Asian Side to go to Sabiha Gokcen Airport and it only cost 91TL per person. Regular buses, metros and trams only operate on Istanbulkart. Certain ferries do accept cash but commonly use Istanbulkart.
How much does public transport cost in Istanbul?
The tram rate in 2024 is 15 TL ($0.50) per person and you can go anywhere within the tram's journey destinations for the same amount. You only need to punch in your Istanbulkart at the entrance of the station.
Metros and buses operate on a similar payment system, but fares vary. Bus fares typically range from 12TL to 27TL (less than $1), with the standard fare being 17TL. Interestingly, when we travelled from Kabatas station to Taksim in Beyoglu, the cost was the same on the metro.
Should I get a Metro Istanbul Card?
The Istanbul Card, also known as Istanbulkart, is a versatile transport card accepted across all public transport modes, including metro, buses, and ferries. It's a must-have for anyone travelling to Istanbul.
Airport Transport: What you need to know
Where to find transport from Istanbul Airport?
One Answer - Havaist Bus. Our whole experience was just so smooth. You can find a Havaist Kiosk in the airport where you can buy your Havaist ticket for the destination you're heading to. Or you can physically purchase the ticket at the basement bus station ticket counter. The names of the stops can overwhelm you. In our case, we contacted our hotel's host through Booking.com who advised us which stop to get off on.
Taxi price from Istanbul Airport to Fatih (Sultanahmet)
In Turkish airports and certain transport companies like Helios, the most commonly accepted currency is the Euro. It's not uncommon to see Euros being used in Turkey. However, taxi fares from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Sultanahmet can be quite high, costing around 40 Euros ($41). That's why it's best to opt for the Havaist Bus, which offers more affordable options and connects various parts of the city, including Fatih, Beyuglu, and even the Asian side.
Havaist Bus Station to Reach Fatih
To reach Fatih from Istanbul Airport via Havaist, your stop should be Aksaray Metro. Situated in the Fatih district, Aksaray Metro is conveniently located near both the M2 metro and T1 trams. These trams provide direct access to various iconic destinations, including Sultanahmet Square, the Grand Bazaar, Eminonu Spice Bazaar, Balat, and Kabatas in the Beyuglu district.
Where to find transport from Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)?
Sabiha Gokcen Airport, situated on the Asian side of Istanbul, is a smaller-scale airport where domestic flights, including those by Pegasus Airlines, operate. The most convenient way to reach the heart of Istanbul from here is via the Metro, which is directly connected to the airport. If you're arriving here for the first time, be sure to obtain your Istanbul Card before boarding the metro for seamless travel within the city.
Another option is the Havabus shuttle, located at the car park level. When departing from Turkey via Sabiha Gokcen Airport, we were staying in Kadikoy on the Asian side. The Havabus departs from Rihtim station near the dock, with departures scheduled every hour to Sabiha Gokcen. Our experience on the Havabus was smooth with a journey time of just 40 minutes to reach the airport.
Can I use Uber in Istanbul?
Yes, you can easily hail an Uber in Istanbul. We used an Uber to travel from Taksim to Kadikoy on the Asian Side, and it cost us 400TL ($13). You can commonly find Uber, and most Uber drivers also drive for BiTaksi and other ride apps.
Which is better Uber or BiTaksi?
We took rides on both Uber and BiTaksi. Let us tell you, there was no difference. It's the same riders that use both applications, and the charges are almost the same. What's even more interesting is that the driver types the final rate on his mobile at the end of the ride. This happens on both Uber and BiTaksi.
On BiTaksi however, there's an option to pre-tip the driver. This is a method to secure you a ride during rush hours.
How to not get Scammed by Taxis in Istanbul?
Always hail a taxi through Uber, BiTaksi or other hailing apps. Modern scams in Istanbul are sketchy. If you have no way of doing so, make sure you both agree on a rate before you get in. As mentioned in our previous articles, this is the rule of thumb. Taxi rates within Istanbul city centre range between 100TL and 400TL on Uber and BiTaksi. Leave a +10%. Any rate higher than this would be a scam, so be ready to reject or bargain your way.
If paying cash, always remember to count your banknotes out loud before you hand them over to the driver so that he won't be able to accuse you of giving less.
Which Taxi is Cheap in Istanbul?
The yellow taxi is the cheapest in Istanbul. There's a blue and black taxi. Black is the most expensive. You can find the categorisation on the BiTaksi app. Depending on your choice of taxi, your rate will change.
In Conclusion;
Transport in Istanbul has very much changed in 2024, transportation has gotten more advanced and convenient. We loved moving around Istanbul. Especially the tram. We absolutely loved cruising in the tram on the European Side, soaking in the sights of Fatih's charming streets lined with historic mosques, bazaars, Turkish delight stores and modern boutiques.
Travelling to Istanbul this summer? Drop in your doubts and questions in the comments below, and we'll be glad to help you out!