Getting around Istanbul
Metro, tram, bus and dolmuş lines, fares, the travel card and practical tips.
Lines
İstanbulkart
- Where to buy
- The airports, kiosks and the machines in stations.
- Top up
- The same machines and kiosks.
Much cheaper than a card-less ticket, and gives the graduated transfer discount within 90 minutes.
Getting around
Fares
Full fare (İstanbulkart)₺42
Single ride (without the card)no transfer right · source: İBB council decision, in effect 16.02.2026₺60
Student (İstanbulkart)source: İBB council decision, in effect 16.02.2026₺20.50
Children under 6 — freesource: İBB council decision, in effect 16.02.2026₺0
1st transfer (90 min, İstanbulkart)source: İBB council decision, in effect 16.02.2026₺31.27
2nd transfersource: İBB council decision, in effect 16.02.2026₺24.02
3rd transfer onwardstickets bought without the card carry no transfer right · source: İBB council decision, in effect 16.02.2026₺15.62
Marmaray (TCDD, separate tariff)graduated 34–74.70 ₺ (1–7 stations 34 ₺) · İstanbulkart is accepted but it is outside the İBB transfer chain · source: the 16.02.2026 tariffs — the tariff is TCDD’s ownvaries
Metrobüsgraduated 30.07–62.35 ₺, by number of stops · source: İBB council decision, in effect 16.02.2026varies
Ferry (Şehir Hatları)varies
Minibusgraduated, from 39 ₺ for the shortest hop · source: İBB council decision, in effect 16.02.2026varies
Practical
Good to know
Where to get an İstanbulkart
Available at the airports, at kiosks and from the machines in stations. Contactless bank cards also work at the turnstiles — but the transfer discount applies only with an İstanbulkart.
The ferry is the most scenic way across
The ferries between Kadıköy, Üsküdar, Eminönü and Karaköy are ordinary public transport — and the best view of the city you will get. No separate cruise ticket needed.
Marmaray: two continents, four minutes
Marmaray crosses between the two continents through the tunnel under the Bosphorus in about four minutes. It runs on its own tariff: İstanbulkart is accepted, but it sits outside the İBB transfer chain.