Local Transport

Istanbulkart

The Istanbulkart is your most important purchase: A rechargeable chip card valid for all public transport (metro, bus, tram, ferry, Marmaray). Price: about 3€ for the card + credit. Single ride: about 0.50€ (instead of 1€ single ticket). Available at machines in all metro stations and many kiosks. Without Istanbulkart, Istanbul is expensive and cumbersome.

Metro & Tram

Istanbul's metro is rapidly growing — the most important lines for tourists:

• T1 (Tram): Kabataş → Sultanahmet → Eminönü → Aksaray. The tourist line — connects all major attractions.
• M2 (Metro): Taksim → Şişhane (Galata) → Vezneciler (Grand Bazaar). The main north-south connection.
• Marmaray: The underwater connection under the Bosporus — from Europe to Asia in 4 minutes. Stop at Üsküdar (Asian side).
• F1 (Tünel): The oldest subway in continental Europe (1875!) — a funicular from Karaköy to Beyoğlu. 90 seconds, a historical experience.

Ferries (Vapur)

The Bosphorus ferries are Istanbul's most beautiful means of transport: The public Vapur (İDO / Şehir Hatları) connect Europe and Asia for about 0.50€ with Istanbulkart. Main routes:

• Eminönü → Kadıköy: 20 Min. — the most popular tourist route.
• Eminönü → Üsküdar: 15 Min. — even shorter, with a view of the Maiden's Tower.
• Kabataş → Kadıköy: 25 Min. — the most modern route.

Taxi

Istanbul's yellow taxis are cheap but notorious: Base fare 1€, then about 0.50€/km. A ride across the city rarely costs more than 5–10€. However: Some taxi drivers try to scam tourists — detours, manipulated meters, or charging the "night rate" during the day. Use the app BiTaksi (Istanbul's Uber alternative) — fixed route and price, no scams.