Public Transport in Istanbul: Apps, Tickets & Tips 2026

Istanbul is served by two large international airports on opposite sides of the city. Check your ticket carefully — confusing IST and SAW can cost you hours.

🛫 İstanbul Airport (IST) — European side

The main international hub, located about 40 km northwest of the city centre. Opened in 2019, it is one of the world's largest airports. The Metro M11 is the best option for most travellers.

🛫 Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) — Asian side

A major budget and domestic hub on the Asian side, about 50 km from the European city centre. Allow considerably more time for transfers to the European side.

How to pay & key fare rules

• Top up before leaving your hotel — reload your İstanbulkart at any PTT office, metro kiosk, or via the İstanbulkart app. Running out at the turnstile is easily avoided
• Ferries are underrated — crossing the Bosphorus by ferry is scenic, fast, and far cheaper than a taxi. The Eminönü–Kadıköy ferry is one of the best value trips in the city
• Google Maps works well — routing in Istanbul is accurate. Use Istanbul Seyahat for live departure boards
• Transfer discount is automatic — a reduced fare is charged on your 2nd–5th ride within 2 hours when using your İstanbulkart

Age Limits & Prices

Tips for Families

• Children under 6 travel free on all İETT buses, metro, and tram — no card required
• On İETT buses, one İstanbulkart can be used for multiple passengers — tap once per person (max 5 per card)
• Strollers are allowed on metro trains; use lifts at stations on newer lines
• Student discounts for ages 6–12 require a local child İstanbulkart — ask at a larger metro station when you arrive

🧮 Cost Estimate for a 3-day Family Trip

• Adults (2×): 2 × İstanbulkart (₺165 each, card fee) + credit
• Typical daily transport spending per adult: ₺100–200
• Children under 6: FREE on all public transport
• Note: prices change frequently — verify before travel

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5 stars)

Istanbul's public transport accessibility is improving but remains challenging for wheelchair users and travellers with mobility difficulties. Newer metro lines are step-free, but the historic tram, ferries, many bus stops, and the cobblestone streets of the old city present significant barriers.

Metro: Good on Newer Lines

• Lifts: Present at all stations on newer lines (M2, M4, M7, M9, M11)
• Older lines (M1A/M1B): Limited lift provision — check each station before travel
• Tactile guidance paths: Present on metro platforms
• Priority seats: Clearly marked in all metro carriages
• Wheelchair spaces: Available in all newer metro trains

Buses: Mixed

• Low-floor buses: Approximately 60% of the İETT fleet is low-floor accessible
• Bus stops: Many lack kerb-cut access, especially in older and hilly districts
• Metrobus (BRT): Stations have lifts, but platforms are very crowded at peak times

T1 Tram: Low-Floor, Accessible Vehicles

• The T1 operates 92 fully low-floor trams (Bombardier Flexity Swift + Alstom Citadis X04) — level boarding at all stops
• Topkapı station has a lift; other stops have ramps from street level
• Caveat: the cobblestone streets surrounding many Sultanahmet stops are uneven — getting to and from the stop at street level can still be difficult for wheelchair users

Ferries: Limited Accessibility

• Major piers (Eminönü, Kadıköy, Beşiktaş) have limited ramp access — gangways can be steep depending on water level
• Boarding a wheelchair can be difficult — inform staff before boarding for assistance
• The Princes' Islands ferries are particularly challenging due to vessel design

🛠️ Assistance

• Metro station staff: Available at staffed stations; request assistance in advance where possible
• Guide dogs: Permitted on all public transport
• Disabled İstanbulkart: Available to Turkish residents with disability documentation — free or heavily discounted travel

Best Accessible Tourist Routes

Visual Impairment

• Tactile guidance: Guiding strips run from station entrances to platforms on all Metro Istanbul lines; tactile warning strips at platform edges alert passengers to the rail. Newer stations (M2, M5) have consistent coverage; older lines (M1A/M1B) are less uniform.
• Audio announcements: Metro trains announce line, direction and next stop; 1,075+ smart bus stops (akıllı durak) broadcast arriving bus information and carry Braille stop-name panels. Lift buttons in metro stations have Braille labelling and audio floor announcements.
• Free travel card: Visually impaired passengers are entitled to a free Istanbulkart valid on all rail lines; station staff are trained to track disabled passengers proactively from entry to exit.

When does the metro stop?

Most metro lines run until approximately midnight–01:00. The Marmaray rail line closes around 00:30. Always check the Istanbul Seyahat app for the exact last service on your specific line and direction.

Night Buses (Gece Hatları)

Istanbul runs a network of night buses from approximately midnight until 06:00, covering major districts on both sides of the Bosphorus. Routes are prefixed with G (gece = night). Pay with İstanbulkart.

Key night transport options:

Ferries (Şehir Hatları & IDO)

Istanbul's ferry network is one of the city's best-kept transport secrets. Ferries cross the Bosphorus and Golden Horn regularly, and serve the Princes' Islands (Adalar).

• Eminönü ↔ Kadıköy: Approx. ₺42–45, 20–25 min crossing — a quintessential Istanbul experience, especially at sunset
• Eminönü ↔ Üsküdar: Approx. ₺42–45, 15 min
• Kabataş → Princes' Islands (Büyükada): Approx. ₺90–110, 90 min
• Pay with İstanbulkart at turnstiles at all major piers
• Runs approximately 07:00–23:30; no overnight ferry service

Taxis

Yellow metered taxis are plentiful across Istanbul, but tourists should take precautions to avoid overcharging.

• Flag fall: Approx. ₺80, then approx. ₺25–30 per km (prices increase with inflation)
• Always confirm meter is running — say "taksimetre" before moving
• Never agree to a flat rate, especially at Sultanahmet, airports, and tourist areas
• Avoid taxis queuing outside tourist attractions — they routinely overcharge

🚗 Ride-hailing

• BiTaksi: Turkey's leading taxi-booking app — shows upfront price and driver details. The safest option for tourists; widely used and reliable
• Uber: Operates in Istanbul via licensed yellow taxis (not private cars) due to Turkish regulations
• InDrive: Available in Istanbul; price negotiation model

Bikes (İSBAKE)

Istanbul has a limited public bike-sharing scheme in select districts. Cycling is not recommended in the historic peninsula or Beyoğlu due to steep hills, cobblestones, and heavy traffic.

• İSBAKE stations: Available in Kadıköy, Beşiktaş, Sarıyer, and some waterfront areas
• Registration requires a Turkish phone number — not straightforward for short-term tourists
• Best suited to flat areas like the Asian-side waterfront in Kadıköy

🚐 Dolmuş (Shared Minibus)

The dolmuş is a fixed-route shared minibus that runs throughout Istanbul — a uniquely Turkish experience.

• Cash only — tell the driver your destination when boarding
• Useful for routes not covered by metro or tram, particularly on the Asian side
• Fares typically ₺30–50 per journey depending on route length

Turkey has solid 4G/5G coverage throughout Istanbul. WiFi is widely available in cafes, hotels, and shopping malls. An eSIM is strongly recommended — purchasing a local Turkish SIM at the airport now requires biometric registration (passport scan + fingerprint), which can involve long queues and paperwork.

Istanbul's historic districts are not suitcase-friendly. Cobblestones, narrow alleys, and steep hills in Sultanahmet, the Grand Bazaar area, and Beyoğlu make wheeled luggage painful to manoeuvre. Store your bags before exploring.