Getting Around
Public transport, taxi ranks and how to reach the Historic Peninsula from the airports.
Istanbulkart
- Istanbulkart works on all trams, metros, Marmaray, buses and ferries.
- Buy and top it up at the yellow machines in stations or at kiosks.
- Several people can travel on one card — a fare is deducted for each tap.
- Transfers within a short time are discounted.
T1 Tram (Kabataş–Bağcılar)
The Old City's main line — most major sights are within one stop.
- Eminönü Galata Bridge & EminönüNew Mosque (Yeni Cami)Rüstem Pasha MosqueSpice Bazaar
- Sirkeci Sirkeci Station
- Gülhane Topkapı PalaceGülhane ParkIstanbul Archaeology Museums
- Sultanahmet Hagia SophiaBlue MosqueBasilica CisternHippodrome (Sultanahmet Square)Museum of Turkish and Islamic ArtsGreat Palace Mosaic MuseumLittle Hagia Sophia
- Çemberlitaş Column of ConstantineCistern of Philoxenos (Binbirdirek)Grand Bazaar
- Beyazıt-Kapalıçarşı Grand BazaarBeyazıt SquareSüleymaniye Mosque
- Laleli-Üniversite
- Aksaray
M2 Metro (Yenikapı–Hacıosman)
Crosses the Golden Horn to Taksim and Gayrettepe, where it connects to the Istanbul Airport line.
- Yenikapı
- Vezneciler-İstanbul Ü. Süleymaniye MosqueValens AqueductBeyazıt Square
- Haliç
Marmaray
Commuter rail under the Bosphorus to the Asian side; change at Ayrılık Çeşmesi for Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
- Sirkeci Sirkeci StationGülhane Park
- Yenikapı
T4 Tram (Topkapı–Mescid-i Selam)
For the city walls and Chora; transfer from T1 at Topkapı.
- Edirnekapı Chora (Kariye Mosque)Theodosian Walls
City ferries (Şehir Hatları)
From Eminönü to Kadıköy, Üsküdar and Bosphorus cruises; the Golden Horn line calls at Fener and Balat.
- Eminönü Galata Bridge & EminönüSpice Bazaar
- Fener Fener & Balat
- Balat Fener & Balat