Transportation in Istanbul: how to move to Istanbul?

Are you going to explore the huge Turkish city? To accompany you on your trip, we summarize here the best ways to get around in Istanbul.

Located between Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a must-see city to visit once in its life. Indeed, its historical heritage of absolute wealth makes this city the cultural capital of the country.

Also, it is an extremely cosmopolitan city! The thousand and one quarters that make up the city each have their own heritage and identity.

Thus, with its impressive density, the question of transport is automatically raised during a city visit. In this guide, we take stock of the best possibilities to move to Istanbul!

The essential: the transit transport Istanbulkart

To move to Istanbul smoothly, we recommend you take a look at Istanbulkart. If you only stay for a short stay, then opt specifically for the Anonim Kart.

The latter is issued in the vending machines of the transport stations or in certain tourist establishments and other shops of the city.

How does it work?

To buy your Istanbulkart, you have to put money on it, from 6 TL . Then you can use your card for all the city's transport like metro, tram, bus, funicular and ferry.

Good to know: paying with an Istanbulkart, the amount of the trip is slightly lower than the original price.

The fastest: tram and metro

Metro

Getting around by metro in Istanbul avoids traffic jams and makes it possible to arrive from one point A to one point B without a log. Inaugurated in 1989, then developed over the years to reach 133 km of network length, it became the preferred means of transport of the Stambouliotes.

The Istanbul metro now has seven lines covering most areas of the city. For example, from the famous Taksim Square, you can reach the tourist area of Eminönü in just a few stations.

A summary of the lines:

• M1 (red, oldest): Yenikapı ↔ Ataturk Airport / Kirazlı ;
• M2 (green, most popular): Yenikapı ↔ Hacıosman;
• M3 (blue, crosses the west): Kirazlı ↔ Metrokent–Olimpiyat;
• M4 (dark pink, crosses east): Kadıköy ↔ Tavşantepe ;
• M5 (violet, crosses the east): Üsküdar ↔ Çekmeköy;
• M6 (beige-grise, connects the European part to the Asian part): Levent ↔ Boğaziçi Üniversitesi/Hisarüstü;
• M7 (light pink, crosses the west): Mecidiyeköy ↔ Mahmutbey.

The tram

Being underground isn’t your thing? Getting around in Istanbul will be possible thanks to the tram. If the network is underdeveloped in the Asian part, it is a privileged means of transport in the European bank.

Also, it is quite recent and has been modernized over the last few years. For example, you can take the tram in the famous Istiklal avenue!

There are four tram lines:

• Kabataş T1 in Bağcılarwhich serves the main tourist places;
• The T2 of Tünel in place Taksim, which partially uses the network of line 1;
• The T3 in Kadıköy, which covers only 2 kilometers on the Asian shore;
• Topkapı T4 in Mescid-i Selamrecent, linking the northern quarters of the city centre to the European city.

The most comfortable: taxi or VTC

Opt for the taxi or VTC option if you prefer immediate transport and just for you. You will find it in every corner of the street to move to Istanbul.

At the back of a car (usually ancient), you will cross the different parts of the city by observing, from your window, the urban landscapes that defy. With the bonus must on a taxi or VTC trip to Istanbul: the traditional Turkish music that escapes from the radio.

In addition, for taxis specifically, require the meter activation, in order to avoid disconnections.

The most available: bus

Did you know that the city has more than 500 bus lines? With that, no doubt: moving to Istanbul will be simple, even in the most remote places. By bus, for example, you can even get to the Black Sea coast!

If you are looking for a specific stop, do not hesitate to ask around you, or to use an app that lists the stops. Because there are more than 8,000 in all of Istanbul.

There are also tourist buses, which stop near the most important monuments of the city. This is a convenient way of transport to optimize your time on site.

Move between the two shores: the ferry

To spend time on the reverse bank, you can choose a ferry ride, particularly convenient and economical. The two main ports for ferry departures are Kabataş on the European side, and Kadıköy or Üsküdar on the Asian shore.

Moreover, this crossing of the Bosphorus is particularly beautiful since it allows for a more comprehensive overview of Istanbul. The ferry can also take you to the surrounding islands like the Princes Islands.

You understood it, the ferry allows to travel to Istanbul, while enjoying the dreamy setting offered by the Bosphorus.

Getting around from the two main airports

Istanbul has two main airports, located on the European bank and on the Asian shore. Thus, depending on your accommodation, you can choose one or the other. Both airports are in any case very well served by the bus.

Havalimanı Airport

This airport is almost new, and that's it! Located northeast of the city, Havalimani has been in fact since 2018. If you arrive or leave from this airport, then opt for the bus . They are very common and drop you in strategic locations such as Taksim Square.

You can also choose one taxi ride that will cost you about 150 TL (15 €) depending on the journey.

Sabiha Gökçen Airport

This international airport has existed since 2001. He is in the Asian part of Istanbul. So, as for the Havalimanı, the bus is the simplest and cheapest option . It allows you to reach Istanbul’s neuralgic centre in about 1h30.

You can also choose one taxi ride that will cost you about 150 TL (15 €) , or a little less if you stay in the Asian part.

Map of transport plans in Istanbul

Bus, ferry, subway... You want an inch on the spot? So don’t hesitate to download the essential apps to get around in Istanbul. We recommend Citymapper or local Trafi and Metro Istanbul applications.

GV also offers its article dedicated to the theme , to find on computer, tablet and smartphone. These supports also offer you the possibility to download the page and consult the article offline.

You now know how to move to Istanbul safely!