The Istanbulkart is a contactless, rechargeable travel card accepted on almost all of Istanbul's metro, tram, Marmaray, bus, ferry and funicular lines. You can buy and top it up at machines in stations and ferry piers or at authorised kiosks. Even for a stay of a few days, it is simpler, and usually cheaper, than buying single tickets.
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How the Istanbulkart works
The Istanbulkart is a prepaid card: you load credit onto it, and each time you tap it on a turnstile or an on-board reader, the fare is deducted and the remaining balance is shown on the display. On most lines you only tap in. On some distance-based lines such as the Marmaray, you may also need to tap out at the exit, so watch the signs in the station.
Visitors use the standard, non-personalised card. Student and other discounted cards are personalised and require registration. You pay a small fee for the card itself that is generally not refundable, so hang on to it for your next trip to Istanbul.
Where to buy it and how to top up
- Look for the Istanbulkart ticket machines in metro, tram and Marmaray stations and at ferry piers; they offer several languages, including English.
- Choose the option to buy a new card. Machines generally take cash, and many also accept bank cards.
- To add credit, place the card on the machine's reader, choose an amount and pay.
- You can also buy and top up the card at kiosks and small shops displaying the Istanbulkart logo.
- The official Istanbulkart app offers online top-ups too; depending on the app's instructions, you may need to hold the card to your phone or tap it on a reader before the credit shows up on the card.
Transfer discounts and sharing a card
When you change to another vehicle within a set time after your first ride, the connecting journeys are usually charged at a reduced fare. Hop off the metro and onto the tram, for example, and the second ride costs less. The discount level, time window and number of eligible transfers are revised from time to time, so check the current rules on official sources.
One Istanbulkart can be used for several people by tapping once per person. However, the transfer discount usually applies only to the first rider. If your family will be changing lines often, separate cards can work out better value. Our budget travel guide has more money-saving ideas.
What goes where: a quick overview
- Tram: The key line for visitors is the T1 Kabataş–Bağcılar, linking Karaköy, Eminönü, Sultanahmet and the Grand Bazaar. See our T1 tram guide for stops and sights. Heritage trams also run along İstiklal Avenue and between Kadıköy and Moda.
- Metro: The M1 serves the main bus terminal and western districts, the M2 runs north via Taksim and Şişhane (for Galata), the M4 reaches Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the Asian side, and the M11 serves Istanbul Airport.
- Marmaray: A commuter rail line that runs beneath the Bosphorus. For the old city, the handiest stations are Sirkeci and Yenikapı, and Üsküdar is just minutes away.
- Ferries: From Eminönü, Karaköy and Kabataş to Üsküdar, Kadıköy, the Princes' Islands and up the Bosphorus; see our ferry guide.
- Funiculars: The short funicular from Kabataş up to Taksim and the 19th-century historic Tünel from Karaköy up to Beyoğlu save you some steep climbs.
- Cable car: The gondola up to Pierre Loti Hill in Eyüp also takes the Istanbulkart.
- Buses and metrobus: They cover every corner of the city, but traffic makes rail and ferries more predictable for visitors.
Apps for planning your route
Mainstream map apps show public transport options and connections quite accurately in Istanbul. The city's official apps, such as the Istanbulkart app and the Metro Istanbul app, are useful for checking your balance, line status and maintenance notices. Lines occasionally close for engineering work or run a different weekend pattern, so check announcements before an airport run in particular.
Without mobile data, station maps and signs are clear: each line has its own colour, and directions are signed by the name of the final stop.
Rush hours and practical tips
- On weekday mornings and evenings (roughly 7–9:30 am and 5–8 pm), the metro, Marmaray and metrobus get extremely crowded; avoid travelling with luggage at these times.
- In peak tourist season the T1 is busy between Eminönü and Sultanahmet in the middle of the day too; letting a packed tram go and waiting for the next is often more comfortable.
- Keep bags and wallets in front of you in crowded carriages; our safe travel tips have more advice.
- Offering your seat to older people, pregnant women and parents with small children is expected; on escalators, stand on the right.
- Travelling with a wheelchair or pushchair? Our accessible travel guide covers lifts and ramps.
From our hotel to the network
The nearest stops to our hotel in Küçük Ayasofya are Sultanahmet and Çemberlitaş on the T1, each about an 8–10 minute walk, uphill on the way there. For the Marmaray, use Sirkeci station; for ferries, Eminönü pier is the most convenient. The lanes are narrow and cobbled, so when you arrive or leave with luggage, a short taxi between the stop and the hotel makes life easier. Our reception team is always happy to suggest the best current route.
Frequently asked questions
Can tourists buy an Istanbulkart?
Yes. Anyone can buy a standard Istanbulkart from a ticket machine or kiosk without showing ID.
Can our family share one Istanbulkart?
Yes, just tap once per person. The transfer discount usually applies only to the first rider, though, so separate cards may be better value if you change lines often.
Can I get a refund on leftover credit?
Refund options are limited and can change. It is easiest to top up in small amounts to match your stay and keep the card for your next visit.
Does the Istanbulkart work on ferries?
Yes, on the city ferries and many private sea routes. Simply tap your card at the turnstile at the pier entrance.
