Metro · Tram · Bus · Ferry

Getting Around Istanbul

The lines visitors actually use, how they connect, and when a ferry or funicular beats the metro.

Jump to: Metro · Tram · Bus · Ferry · Marmaray · Funicular · Taxi

Metro

Istanbul’s metro is fast, air-conditioned and avoids the traffic. Lines are numbered M1, M2 and so on.

  • M2: Yenikapı – Taksim – Şişli – Hacıosman (old city to Taksim and the business district)
  • M11: Istanbul Airport – Gayrettepe
  • M4: Kadıköy – Sabiha Gökçen Airport (Asian side)
  • M1: Yenikapı – Otogar bus terminal

Tram

The T1 is the tram most visitors use. It runs through the old city, past Sultanahmet, Eminönü and Karaköy, to Kabataş.

  • T1: Kabataş – Bağcılar, via Sultanahmet and Eminönü
  • T2: the red nostalgic tram along İstiklal Avenue (Taksim – Tünel)
  • T3: the heritage tram loop in Kadıköy and Moda

Tip: The T1 gets very crowded in summer. Keep bags in front of you and wallets in a front pocket.

Bus & Metrobüs

City buses reach the places rail doesn’t. You can’t pay cash on board, so you’ll need an Istanbulkart.

The Metrobüs is a bus line with its own lanes that crosses the Bosphorus Bridge. It’s fast, but very crowded at rush hour.

Ferry

Ferries are the most scenic way to travel and often the quickest way between the European and Asian sides. They all accept the Istanbulkart.

  • Eminönü – Kadıköy
  • Karaköy – Kadıköy
  • Beşiktaş – Üsküdar
  • Kabataş – Princes’ Islands

Want a longer trip on the water? See our self-guided Bosphorus day trip →

Marmaray

Marmaray trains run under the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia in a few minutes. Handy stops are Sirkeci, Yenikapı, Üsküdar and Ayrılık Çeşmesi (change for the M4 metro).

Funicular

  • F1: Kabataş – Taksim. Links the T1 tram to Taksim Square in about [X] minutes.
  • Tünel (F2): Karaköy – Beyoğlu. Opened in 1875, it is one of the oldest underground railways in the world.

Taxi

Taxis are metered. Apps like BiTaksi and Uber let you book a licensed taxi and see the route before you set off.

  • Check that the meter is switched on
  • Have small notes ready
  • Bridge and motorway tolls are added to the fare

Useful apps

  • Google Maps or Moovit for routes and live times
  • The Istanbulkart app for your balance and top-ups
  • BiTaksi or Uber for taxis
  • A travel eSIM, so you have data as soon as you land

Where are you staying?

See how to reach the city’s most visited neighbourhoods.

Explore neighbourhoods