How do I move around in Istanbul? What are the most popular transportation lines in Istanbul? Is there an application or a bus program in Istanbul? How much are transportation prices in Istanbul? These questions are one of the most common questions that Arab travelers have in Istanbul. It is natural for the traveler to search for the most comfortable means of transportation in a large city with large areas and sprawling parties. Therefore, we put in your hands this article, which is a comprehensive guide to all ways and means of transportation in Istanbul and contains adequate information. It suffices and enriches any researcher in this aspect. Please continue reading this guide with us.

How do I move around in Istanbul?

There are several ways to move around in Istanbul, which are as follows:

  • Metrobus line

  • Subway lines

  • Tramway lines

  • Vapur. water ferries

  • Regular buses "minibus"

  • Transportation buses between neighborhoods "Al-Dulmush"

  • Taxi cars

  • Navigating with your own car

First: Metrobus line in Istanbul - Metrobus

A fast transport line, considered the longest and fastest transportation lines in Istanbul, and its buses are double-length and wide, and the Metrobus line is independent as it is not affected by traffic congestion, and it has two lines to go and return, and each Metrobus station is provided with a machine for filling the Istanbul transportation card, and we will talk about it in a later paragraph of this article. The first Metrobus station is located on the Asian side of Istanbul, which is "SÖĞÜTLÜÇEŞME" station, and its last station is in BEYLİKDÜZÜ SONDURAK, which is near the exhibition city in Istanbul "TÜYAP". Note: There is no bus in the Metrobus that takes you from Beylikdüzü directly to SÖĞÜTLÜÇEŞME except by one bus and the number of trips is very few (30 trips on working days, 10 trips on Saturday, 11 trips on Sunday), so you need to change the bus at a station in In the middle, we will mention the buses operating on the Metrobus line and their starting and ending stations:

 

  • 34G: Connects between Beylikdüzü Sondurak and Söğütlüçeşme

  • 34C: Connects between Cevizlibağ and Beylikdüzü Sondurak

  • 34BZ: Connects between Zincirlikuyu and Beylikdüzü Sondurak

  • 34 : Connects between Zincirlikuyu and Avcılar

  • 34AS:Connects between Avcılar and Söğütlüçeşme

  • 34A: Connects between Cevizlibağ and Söğütlüçeşme

  • 34U: Connects between Zincirlikuyu and Uzunçayır

  • 34Z: Connects between Zincirlikuyu and Söğütlüçeşme

The total number of Metrobus trips per day is more than 4,000 trips during regular working days, and more than 2,600 trips on Saturdays, and on Sundays, more than 1,700 trips. The following is a list of the stations through which the Metrobus line passes in Istanbul:

 

Beylikdüzü Sondurak

Hadımköy

Cumhuriyet Mah

Beylikdüzü Belediyesi

Beylikdüzü                                 

Güzelyurt

Haramidere

Haramidere Sanayi

Saadetdere

Mustafa Kemal Paşa                      

Cihangir university                       

Avcılar Merkez

Şükrübey

İBB Sosyal Tesisleri

Küçükçekmece

Cennet Mah

Florya

Beşyol

Sefaköy

Yenibosna

Şirinevler

Bahçelievler

İncirli

Zeytinburnu

Merter

Cevizlibağ

Topkapı

Bayrampaşa  Maltepe

Edirnekapı

Ayvansaray

Halıcıoğlu

Okmeydanı

Darülaceze

Okmeydanı Hospital

Çağlayan

Mecidiyeköy

Zincirlikuyu

15 Temmuz Şehitler köp

Burhaniye

Altunizade

Acıbadem

Uzunçayır

Fikirtepe

Söğütlüçeşme

It is also mentioned that your arrival at any Metrobus station clearly means that you can move anywhere in Istanbul to the intersection of many Metrobus stations with metro and tram stations and important transportation centers and contracts in Istanbul, and in case you are lost, you can ask anyone to guide you on the means of transportation It is appropriate to take you to the nearest Metrobus station, and from here you can return to the areas you know or can be safe until the arrival of your companion since all Metrobus stations are known and easily accessible.

Second: Tramway lines in Istanbul - Tramway

A train to move in Istanbul, which has its own transport line in the streets of Istanbul, differs from the Metrobus in that it can sometimes stop at some traffic lights because there are tramway intersections with streets designated for traffic and ordinary pedestrians, but in general, the movement in the tramway remains faster than buses normal. Tramway has 4 lines, and it is generally intended to facilitate access to the tourist areas in Istanbul, especially the markets that attract tourists, and these lines are:

T1: It connects Bağcılar and Kbataş, which is the longest tramway line with 31 stations.

T2: Connects Taksim and Şişhane . division

T3: Connects between kadıköy and Moda

T4: Connects Habibler with Topkapı

As we mentioned above, the tramway is important in being a means of transportation between the most famous and most important tourist areas in Istanbul, so we note that many tourists rely on it for their reconnaissance and recreational travels in Istanbul. The T1 line passes through the most vibrant areas of Istanbul from Bağcılar to Kaptaş, as it passes through Zeytinburnu Aksaray, Eminino, Sultanahmet, and Beyazit, all of which are centers of attraction for dozens of tourists daily in Istanbul. Also, the T2 line, with its short distance, passes through Taksim, the city center and the first tourist attraction in Istanbul.

Third: The metro in Istanbul - Metro

Underground train through special tunnels, and there are 6 subway lines in Istanbul and link many of the main neighborhood centers in Istanbul to each other, characterized by its independent railways, which pass most of its movements from underground. We separate the six Istanbul metro lines as follows:

1. M1: 

It is called Aksaray Metro, and it is the longest subway line in Istanbul. It has 18 stations on the mainline and also has a branch line with five stations. It connects between Ataturk International Airport and Yenikapi Station. Among the most important stations that the M1 metro passes through:

  • Fatih Security department: This station obligates many foreigners in Turkey for their need to obtain residence permits from the Fatih Security Department in Istanbul

  • Otogar İstanbul: It is the station at which travelers disembark by land to Istanbul, as well as those who want to leave by land to other states.

  • Zeytinburnu: It is an important transportation node in Istanbul, and there are many Turkish clothing markets, so it is considered a shopping station for many foreigners in Turkey.

  • Atatürk International Airport: It is an important terminal for travelers through the airport, although the new Istanbul Airport will reduce the burden of dependence on Ataturk Airport, the region will remain vital and important.

2.M2: 

It is the old Taksim line, and it has 16 stations, from Haci Osman station to Yenikapı, and it connects very high-end areas and is considered one of the shopping areas for wealthy tourists, where the metro passes through several stations, the most important of which are:

  • Taksim: the center of Istanbul, and it has the finest vital and tourist facilities such as hotels, restaurants, and tourist apartments, and it has Istiklal Street, the most famous street in Istanbul.

  • Şişli: It has Cevahir Mall directly next to the metro station and is considered the first shopping destination for Arabs in Istanbul.

3. M3:

It is called the “Olympic Line”, and it passes through 11 stations, from Kirazlı to Başakşehir and its most important stations:

The Olympics: Branches from ikitelli Sanayi metro line to the Olympics "International Ataturk Stadium"

This line is important in reaching the Mall of Istanbul, which is very popular, as the nearest metro station to the mall is İstoç, and perhaps the future projects that will be completed in these areas will increase the importance of M3.

4. M4: 

A metro line in the Asian side of Istanbul, linking Kadıköy and Tavşantepe, and includes 19 stations. This line is a good service for moving within vital neighborhoods and lanes in Asian Istanbul. It is planned to connect Tavşantepe station with a metro line is currently under construction to Sabiha Asian Airport, which will increase the importance of this airport later.

5. M5:

It is also called the Marmaray line and is characterized by its passage from under the Bosphorus, to be the first metro in Istanbul to pass under the water and the second subway in Istanbul Asia, and it represents an important addition to transportation in Istanbul, because it connects its Asian and European parts. It represents an important connection line for the two largest popular areas in the Asian section of Istanbul, "Umraniye and Üsküdar", as it connects them to the European section, and many residents use it to move daily between the two sides of Istanbul. The line is also planned to be extended to Sultanbeyli and Kurtköy.

6. M6: 

It is the shortest metro line in Istanbul, and it includes only 4 stations. This line gains its importance from reaching the Levent station, which is one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in Istanbul and includes many Arab consulates, including The Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. The line also reaches the Bosphorus University Boğaziçi Üniversitesi as well, and from Levent station, you can move to the M2 metro. In addition to these lines that are currently operating, Istanbul is waiting in 2019 five new metro lines that will make transportation in Istanbul much easier and easier and will increase the areas connected by metro lines Quick, save a lot of effort and time spent on the go, and these projects are:

  • Başakşehir - Kayaşehir

  • Kirazlı - Halkalı

  • Kaynarca -Pendik

  • Çekmeköy - Sultanbeyli

  • Ümraniye - Göztepe

Fourth: Water ferries in Istanbul Vapur

Istanbul's ships are among the most popular means of transportation between the Asian and European sections, and the ship's journey is part of the recreational and tourist trips, as the ship can accommodate about 700 to 2100 people, depending on the size and type of the ship, and the marine transport stations and ports are witnessing a great turnout around the clock. The Vapur ferry passes through 4 stations in the European section: Eminönü, Karaköy, Beşiktaş, Kabataş, and Yenikapı. The ferry also passes four stations in the Asian section: kadıköy, üsküdar, Haydarpaşa, and Postanci. There are also plans to establish a sea transport port from Beylikdüzü as well, which will represent a new and qualitative leap in sea transportation in Istanbul.

Fifth: Buses in Istanbul

Buses in Istanbul connect its lanes, neighborhoods, and regions in a solid and interconnected manner, and they are of two types:

  • Otobüs:

Istanbul has a large number of internal transport buses and buses, which connect many areas to each other, but the disadvantage of these transportations is that they are good for transportation within short distances. As for long distances, especially at peak times, congestion in Istanbul greatly affects the movement of buses.

  • Mini otobüs: 

are smaller than regular buses, and do not use the Istanbul Card for transportation, but the passenger must pay the fare in cash, which ranges from two to three liras, depending on the distance of the area. 

Sixth: Taxi and private cars in Istanbul - Taksi

Many Istanbul residents, visitors, and tourists rely on taxis for transportation, especially for those who carry things with them, as well as for families, because traveling by taxi saves the effort and time spent to reach some places, and is also considered faster, but it is expensive compared to other transportation. Taxis are widely spread in the streets of Istanbul, and you can find many of them congregate in front of large shopping centers, modern transport stations, the Autogar “Istanbul Garage” and in front of hospitals. The taxi in Istanbul has electronic meters that are used to find out the fare or the cost of the trip. The meter usually starts from 4 liras and charges approximately 2 liras for each kilometer. There are applications for ordering taxis, including iTaksi, BiTaksi, and Uber. These applications help you order a car and find out the fare needed for your trip.

Istanbul transportation card - transportation prices in Istanbul

What is the Istanbul transportation card? 

Istanbul Kart or Akbil is the name of the transportation card in Istanbul.

 It is used for all means of transportation, except for otobüs, "Dulmush", and some types of taxis can be paid for by Al-Aqbil.

 

How is the Istanbul card extracted and filled? 

The normal Istanbul card can be extracted and filled from many shops and shops, or from the card filling machine located in the main stations of the metro, Metrobus and tramway, and these machines are located in front of the stations and you can ask anyone how to use them if you can not do it yourself, although it is easy, you put the card in a place designated for it in the machine and then you enter the amount you want to fill the card with, and then after the screen shows the value of the amount that has become in the card, you can take it out, and you can also get an invoice for the amount you paid If you need to.

As for the student, the incapacitated, or the “discounted” blue card, it is extracted from special centers for this purpose, including the ones located at the Beylikdüzü Son Durak, Avcilar, Yeni Bosna, or others. These centers are widely distributed in Istanbul, where you can search for the center closest to your address by clicking here. These cards are personal cards, as it is illegal for them to be used only by the person who extracted them from the centers designated for that.

In the event of its loss, you can extract a lost replacement, and the previous card will automatically be destroyed and become useless.

Transportation prices vary according to:

  • Type of bus or mode of transportation

  • The distance you will travel

  • The number of times you used your transportation card in two hours "reduced fare"

  • There are special discounts for students and the discounted blue card campaign.

  • The cards for retirees and the elderly are special, which entitle them to board transportation without charge.

Transportation fees in Istanbul

  • Regular fare: "in the metro, tramway and government buses": 2.60 TL

  • Student fee: 1.25 TL

  • The reduced fare: 1.85 Turkish lira, if you use two or more means of transportation within less than two hours, the first time will be deducted from the card 2.60 Turkish lira, the second time 1.85 Turkish lira and the third time 1.40 Turkish lira within two hours.

  • The monthly blue card: costs only 215 Turkish liras, and it is recharged monthly. It is filled with 180 points. Only one point is deducted each time you use transportation.

  • Metrobus fee: 3.85 for the normal card, 1.25 for the student, 2 points for the blue card

If the distance you travel in the Metrobus is less than 20 stations, you can retrieve part of the value deducted from the card, through an electronic machine located exclusively on the way out of the Metrobus station. This is in order not to deduct the full 3.85 TL for short distances.

Transportation applications in Istanbul

During your travels in Istanbul, you can rely on several electronic applications that can be downloaded to your mobile device, and they are many and we will talk about the most important of them, namely:

BiTaski application

It is a very useful application for ordering taxis in Istanbul, where you send your location, and the taxi driver comes to your location, and after your ride is finished, the application gives you the option to "assess the driver" Payment methods: cash or credit cards. There is another app that is global and available in Istanbul called Uber

Trafi application:

This application helps determine the appropriate means of public transportation to take you from your location to the place you want to reach. It also allows you to learn about bus routes in Istanbul, view road maps, and identify the nearest public transportation stops to your location.

This application is the most widely used application to identify transportation lines in Istanbul for its comprehensiveness and simplicity, and there are other applications, and from the “know directions” option in google maps, you can identify the appropriate means of transportation for transportation. Other applications include Metro İstanbul, Moovit. 


 

This guide prepared for you by Fanar Realty represents the most comprehensive guide that contains all the information of interest to Arab and foreign travelers to Istanbul regarding transportation in Istanbul, its types in detail and transportation prices in Istanbul, in addition to transportation applications in Istanbul that help travelers, new arrivals and even residents. It is dispensed with by the presence of this wide area and the dense and diverse transportation network.