Istanbul is the largest city and most popular in Turkey, which in recent years has become a tourist destination for many foreigners.

Due to the popularity of this city, In this article we intend to provide a complete guide about Istanbul transportation system.

So if you are planning a visit to Istanbul, join us on this not so bumpy road trip.

Introduction to Istanbul transportation system

The city of Istanbul has a unique geographical location, where the Bosphorus strait divides the city into two parts, one European and the other Asian, connected by 3 huge hanging bridges.

This special natural and geographical location has led to the formation of a diverse sea and land transportation system in this city, that allowed people to travel between different districts of Istanbul.

Today it is possible to navigate Istanbul by ferry and boat between the famous city piers, as well as old tram lines, newly built metro lines, and public bus lines.

When choosing a vehicle for transportation in Istanbul, you should pay attention to certain things. Such as traffic hours, costs, the amount of luggage you have, the number of people, and the destination you want to travel to.

If you plan to use public transportation in Istanbul, it is recommended that you use the Istanbul card.

We explained in detail how to buy an Istanbul card and the benefits of using it in previous articles.

Istanbul Metro Line

The Istanbul Metro system operates under the auspices of the city council and its oldest line is the M1, which was opened in 1989.

The Istanbul Metro system currently has 7 lines M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7.

The metro system in this big city is always in the process of development and M9, M10 lines will be built in the near future.

Istanbul Metro is open from 6 am to 12 midnight and trains arrive at the stations every 6 to 10 minutes.

Busy lines, such as the M2 line, take off every 3 minutes during peak hours.

Istanbul Metro lines routes

Line M1:

departs from Yenikapi in the city center to Atatürk Airport/Kirazili, the metro operates from 6:00 am to 12:00 am.

Line M2:

Departs from YeniKapi and arrives at Hacıosman.

People who want to go to Taksim Square and Şişli district can use this metro line. The metro operates from 6:15 am to 12 am.

Line M3:

It starts from Kirazli / Basaksehir all the way to the Kent / Olympia metro.

It can be said that Kirazli is one of the most important stations within Istanbul.

This Metro line operates from 6 am to 12 am.

Line M4:

It starts from Kadikoy and reaches Tavşantepe.

This line operates in the Asian part of Istanbul and starts from the Asian shore of the Bosphorus.

The metro line operates from 6 am to 12 am.

Line M5:

It goes from Uskudar to, and operates from 6 am to 12 am.

The journey from Uskudar to Şekmeköy takes about 17 minutes.

Line M6:

This metro line starts from Levent district / Bogazici University and reaches Hisarosto.

It is a small line and takes only 7 minutes, it also operates from 6 am to 12 am.

Line M7:

It starts from Mecidiyeköy and reaches Mahmutbey, it runs from 6 am to 12 am.

Its journey takes 32 minutes.

Line M9:

This line starts from Atakoy and reaches the Olympiat. This metro line operates from 6 am to 12 am, and the journey takes about 10 minutes.

Istanbul Metro map

In all metro stations in different parts of Istanbul, you will find metro line maps available for passengers. The map below shows the route of different subway lines in different colours.

Metrobus Istanbul

The Metrobus is a fast and non-traffic public transport service in Istanbul.

Anyone using the Istanbul Card can easily use the Metrobus line.

It is distinguished by having a single line in the middle of the E5 highway, as it does not fall within the severe traffic in the city.

The Metrobus line extends over a distance of 52 km with a total of 44 stations.

From Beylikdüzü in the west of the European part of Istanbul to Söğütlüçeşme in the Asian part of the city.

Buses carrying passengers on this route have a high passenger capacity and are equipped with summer cooling and winter heating.

The Metrobus also enjoys greater safety and comfort than other public transport vehicles and its design makes it accessible to all groups of residents, including the disabled and the elderly.

Metrobus lines in Istanbul

• BZ34: It is the longest line that connects Beylikdüzü and Zencirlikoy stations in Besiktas.
  It consists of 37 stations, at a distance of 40 km, and takes about an hour.
• C34: Cevizlibağ station. It is one of the main stations in the city, where you need to change buses.
  It is also one of the stops that intersect with the tram line.
• AS34: it is the station that connects Avcılar and Söğütlüçeşme, and extends for 32 km.
• BC34: The station that connects Beylikdüzü and Cevizlibağ.

Buses in Istanbul

The bus is one of the most common means of public transportation in Istanbul.

Bus lines in Istanbul extend in different neighborhoods of the city, passing through a number of stations.

The important thing about using the bus is that it is not suitable if you are in a hurry to reach your destination, as it usually gets stuck in traffic jams in Istanbul.

The positive point of this Istanbul bus system is that it passes through different and important routes that cannot be reached by Tram or Metro.

Istanbul buses are divided into two types: private buses and city buses.

Private buses are green and blue and their destination is marked with yellow and non-digital signs.

While public buses look different and in different colours, for example the old buses are red and the newer buses are green.

Istanbul Tram

Another popular means of public transportation in Istanbul is the tram.

Trams run through the old city streets, giving you the opportunity to explore the real Istanbul.

In terms of speed, the tram is not very fast.

In fact, the tram stops near most of Istanbul’s tourist attractions, which is a good way to visit these famous attractions.

Istanbul Tram Lines

Tram line T1:

Kabataş-Bağcılar

Tram line T3:

Kadıköy-Moda

Tram line T4:

Topkapi – Selim I Mosque (Topkapı – Mescid-i Selam)

Tram line T5:

Cibali-Alibeyköy

 Istanbul Tram map

Taxis in Istanbul

Taxis in Istanbul are more expensive than other public transportation, but can be affordable if more than two people share the cost.

You will have no problem finding a taxi in the streets of Istanbul or the airport as there are more than just enough taxis.

To use the taxi, be sure to pay attention to the distance and traffic so that you do not spend a long time reaching your destination.

Another very important point when using a taxi in Istanbul is to review the cost before boarding and agree on the fare with the driver so that you are not charged extra.

Taxi prices vary day and night, and you have to pay for the taxi fare in Turkish lira, so if you don’t have a lira be sure to exchange the currency before taking a taxi.

Expenses related to tolls on the bridge or highways when transporting by taxis are paid by the passenger.

If the driver pays the toll, it will be added to the fare later, so be sure to pay attention to the cost of the transit fee.

Online taxi

Perhaps you are familiar with the online taxi system.

In Turkey, you can use the online taxi services by installing its app to your smartphone.

The price of these taxis is not much cheaper than regular taxis, but it is convenient to get a taxi quickly.

Uber and iTaxi are good options for using online taxis in Istanbul.

Boats and ferries in Istanbul

As mentioned, Istanbul is located on both sides of the Bosphorus, so many piers were built in different parts of the city.

In addition to recreational cruises, boats are also used for daily transportation.

You can use boats and ferries to transport between different parts of Istanbul, but they may cost more, and boats take a relatively longer time.

Istanbul piers

• Eminonu Pier
• Kabataş Pier
• Yenikapi Pier
• Beşiktaş Pier
• Ortakoy Pier
• Kadikoy Pier

Each of these piers has specific boat routes and times.

These piers are commonly used for trips to the Princes Islands and Bosphorus tours.

To be honest, tourists rarely use these routes as a means of transportation in Istanbul.

Some dock ships are privately owned and sell traditional tickets, while others are run by the public sector where you can use the Istanbul Card.

Minibuses (Dolmuş) in Istanbul

Dolmuş are 10 seater yellow vans that route on certain lines and routes and are priced by the state.

Dolmuş is more expensive than a bus, but less than a taxi.

Note that these buses do not have specific stops, and they stop at the request of the passenger.

They are more common in the Asian part of Istanbul, and you must have cash to pay for them, as they do not support Istanbul Card.

Istanbul Railways

In addition to being a means of transportation in Istanbul, it is also known as a tourist attraction.

The train is divided into two lines:

• The T or Karaköy-Tünel line that goes down Istiklal Street.
• The F1 or Taksim-Kabataş line that runs between Taksim Square and Kabataş.
  If you want to go to Sultanahmet, or reach ships sailing to the Princes’ Islands, you should use this line.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hours are the low traffic jams in Istanbul?

The peak hours of traffic jams in Istanbul are between 7 to 10 in the morning & 4 to 6 in the evening.

So if you want to go out during these hours, it is recommended that you use the Metro.

Is public transportation in Istanbul safe?

Yes, Transportation in Istanbul is subject to security and safety controls, however you must be careful of your valuables when using public transportation.

The post Istanbul transportation system complete guide – All you need to know appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

Transportation will be free for students, parents, and teachers who will take the Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS) which will be held in Ankara on June 26-27.

According to the statement issued by Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, EGO buses, metro and Ankara will run at 06.00-22.00 on exam dates.

Students, parents, and teachers who will take the exam will be able to benefit from the free public transportation service by showing their exam documents.

The post Transportation is free for students who will take the exam in Ankara appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

High-speed trains, regional trains, Marmaray and Başkentray services will be in service from May 17th according to the departure times before complete closure.

TCDD General Directorate Tasimacilik AS has made arrangements for YHT, Marmaray, Baskentray and regional passenger train services with effect from May 17th.

50 percent capacity in YHTs

Accordingly, YHTs will operate in Ankara-Eskisehir-Istanbul and Ankara-Konya-Istanbul lines with a capacity of 50 percent within the social distance base and will make 22 flights per day.

The presentation of the HES code will also be mandatory while providing train tickets, and YHTs will make trips according to their tariffs prior to submitting a full closure request.

The joint transfer will be conducted with the YHT link between Konya and Karaman.

Marmara and Bashkentray

Regional trains will also operate according to a pre-lockdown schedule.

Marmaray will serve at intervals of 30 minutes on ban days, 8 minutes between Zeytinburnu-Maltepe and 15 minutes between Halkalı-Gebze on other days.

On the other hand, Başkentray will run at 15-minute intervals between Sincan and Kayaş on days when there is no curfew.

And 30-minute time periods on days when there are restrictions, and due to the complete lockdown between April 29 and May 17.

While the YHT, Marmaray and Başkentray train schedules and times have changed, regional train services have been suspended.

The post How will the trains operate after a complete shutdown? appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

Within the scope of the new type of Coronavirus (COVID-19) measures, and in view of the “complete lockdown” that will start tomorrow.

Istanbul metro, tram and cable car services have been arranged, as it is in the statement made by Istanbul Metro.

It was recalled that the curfew will be applied from 19:00 on Thursday, April 29th, until 05:00 on Monday, May 17th, with the circular of the Ministry of Interior.

The statement stated that the trips were arranged from April 29, 2021, in order to prevent health care workers and citizens from working due to their mandatory duties during the restriction period.

Available stations during restriction:

• M1A Yenikapı-Ataköy / Şirinevler
• M1B Yenikapı – Kirazlı
• M2 Yenikapı – Hacıosman
• M3 Kirazlı-Olimpiyat – Başakşehir
• M4 Kadıköy – Tavşantepe
• Miye-Kirazlı.

Mescid-i Selam and T5 Cibali-Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı lines will also be in operation at intervals.

Its duration is 15 minutes between 06.00 – 21.00, and the flights will end at 21.00.

The companies will also follow the arrangements made on a daily and hourly basis, and if necessary, the frequency of flights will be adjusted.

The service will not be available on some lines

During restriction, the following line service will not start:

• M6 University Metro Levent-Hisarüstü / Boğaziçi
• F1 Taksim – Kabataş funicular
• T3 Kadıköy – Moda
• TF1 Maçka – Taşkışla
• TF2 Eyüp – Piyer Loti fonts.

The statement stated that the operation will start on all lines as of 05:00 on Monday, May 17th.

Citizens will also be able to use IETT vehicles that operate on the same roads as closed lines.

The post Measures of “complete closure” of metro services in Istanbul appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

The Istanbul Card is a card that reduces transportation costs by 20%!

You may wonder how can we see a reduction in the cost of the trip to Istanbul by buying a card that we have to pay a fee for?

Millions of people travel to Istanbul every year, and have difficulty estimating costs related to transportation, tourism and online shopping, to meet this challenge.

The Turkish government has introduced smart tourism cards so that travelers can buy them so that they have a clear and detailed plan for their travel expenses, so we assure you that after reading this article, you will keep your card even after your return from Istanbul.

What is the Istanbul Tourist Card or Istanbul Card ?

The truth is that by buying and shipping a tourist card in Istanbul, you can see a decrease in transportation costs, attractions, online services around the clock, and Internet use in this Turkish city. Given the importance of the Istanbul Card for travelers, we have decided to answer all questions related to buying an Istanbul Card.

The Istanbul Tourist Card is a smart card used to pay public transport fees, this card was introduced in March 2009 and eventually replaced the Akbil electronic ticket, the size of this card resembles a credit card, so it can be easily placed in the wallet, and the recharge amount is paid in advance and can be recharged easily.

Benefits and applications that benefit you with the Istanbul Tourist Card :

Among the facilities provided by the Istanbul Card for travelers:

• Free internet citywide
• Online guide 24 hours a day
• Free service from airport to accommodation
• Free entertainment experience specified for the card
• Free shipping or with special citywide discounts
• Free visit to the attractions and museums specified for the card

How to buy the Istanbul Card ?

There are many ways to obtain this card, you can buy this card in kiosks inside metro stations, buses, airports, newspaper kiosks in the city, and also online from sites selling Istanbul cards, and we will talk about the conditions in each of the mentioned centers, so there is no need to worry.

What is the price of the Istanbul Card ?

As you can see by purchasing this card, you can achieve a significant reduction in costs, and the cost that you have to pay to buy a tourist card in Istanbul is equal to 6 liras, and it should be noted that there is no fee in this card, of course, this means that you can charge the card is as much as you need after purchase.

Ways to charge Istanbul card :

Charging Istanbul Card through ATMs :

One of the ways to charge the tourist card is to use ATMs, you can easily charge your tourist card in Istanbul inside metro stations through these devices, but how?

First, you have to place your Istanbul card in the glass place of the device, which also contains the image of the card. To recharge, you can enter the largest number of banknotes you want and watch the balance of the card and recharge, which is done automatically after placing the banknotes, and the point that you should pay attention about the banknotes that are in a good situation and without any folds and are necessarily in the Turkish lira currency.

Charging the Istanbul Tourist Card in metro kiosks and newspaper shops :

Another way to buy this tourist card is to go to newsstands or the metro and buses and buy a tourist card in Istanbul, you won’t have any difficult process of buying or shipping, you can easily do your business by paying the Turkish lira.

Is it possible to charge the Istanbul Card online ?

Yes, if you want to buy this card online, you can go to the following website http://istanbultouristpass.com.

The way to get the card is that after the purchase process on the site, an email is sent to the buyer containing a link and code to activate the card.

What vehicles can be used with the Istanbul Card ?

For the convenience of the passengers, all public transportation in Istanbul are eligible to use the Istanbul Card, and these means include Metro trains, trams, metrobus, buses, boats, TCS, airports (or Havabas, which is the airport bus), and cruise ships including sightseeing tours and denture.

What is the effect of using the Istanbul Card on transportation in Turkey ?

Through this article, we insisted on helping you reduce the average cost of your trip, especially transportation with the tourist card, now we want to prove that.

In general, the cost of each metro line for the passenger is 2.6 Turkish liras, and with this tourist card this cost decreases by up to 50% on the same day.

For example, when riding the subway, 2.6 liras is deducted from your card at the first gate, but with the difference that for the second time only 1.8 lira is reduced, and if it was in the same day and in a period of time less than two hours from each gate that you pass by using the same card, only 1.4 Turkish liras will be deducted from your card.

In this way, for your fourth and fifth trip on the same day, the cost will be less than one lira.

With all these descriptions, isn’t this an economic solution to get an Istanbul card from for your trip?

Is it possible to use the Istanbul Card as a group ?

Yes, you do not need to buy several cards, because with one card, five people can travel.

After the first passenger pays his fare with this card, he must wait a few seconds and then the next person uses this card again, of course we advise not to use more than three  Persons for this card.

Does the Istanbul Card expire ?

Yes, this card is valid for two years from the time it was obtained.

What do you do with your card after the flight ?  Bring it back or keep it ?

Now the question is what to do with the Istanbul card after returning from the trip? You could sell your card at the end of the trip, but why would you do that?

If you are one of the people interested in Istanbul, you can keep your card to use on your next trip.

Note that this card is valid for two years, if you do not want to go to this city anymore, you can give it to your friends and acquaintances.

In addition to the Istanbul card, to reduce the cost of your trip to Istanbul, you can also use the Istanbul Museum card and buy it to pay less for tourism and visit the museums of this city.

The post What is the Istanbul Card? How do we save on our costs? appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

Most of the tourists who come to Istanbul, always use the Istanbul Metro Line to move in between the city. as the Metro is the best public transportation method in terms of the effectiveness of transportation and costs in Turkey, and tourists can use it quite easily.

Here you can find all the details related to Istanbul Metro Line:

First of all you need to buy the Istanbul Card.

To start, you must purchase Istanbul metro tickets (one-time use), or an Istanbul card (rechargable) that can be used as much as you want in order to use the Istanbul metro.

You can buy Istanbul metro tickets, from ticket offices inside metro stations. ticket stations at airports and embassies, some real estate consulting offices, and some major stores in the city.

You can also find different types of Istanbul cards on their website.

The price of Istanbul Card according to the latest update for 2019 was as follows:

Metro Card Price (Single Use):
5 Turkish lira

Istanbul Card price:
5, 10 and 20 liras are the usual rates for charging Istanbul metro cards but they can also collect up to 50 liras.

Recharge the Istanbul Card:

You can charge your card at any time by visiting the yellow devices located in Istanbul metro stations, or inside the shopping centers in Istanbul.

It is worth noting that if you buy the Istanbul card. you can also use all other public transportation in the city and pay with the Istanbul card.

Istanbul Metro card advantages:

We suggest that you get Istanbul card at the beginning of your trip to Istanbul, because this type of card has many benefits as follows:

• You can use the metro, trams, buses, ferries ……
• It is possible to charge the card and save money.
• Very easy to use.
• One card can pay up to 5 passengers.

Istanbul Metro stations:

The Istanbul metro was first opened in 1989. and new stations and metro lines are still being added all around the city, so make sure that you can reach all parts of Istanbul using the Metro.

If you look at the map below. you will find that the yellow line is the best choice for tourists as it takes you from Ataturk Airport to the main major stations in Istanbul.

But if your plane lands at the new Istanbul airport. unfortunately, you cannot use the Istanbul metro to reach your destination because the metro station near this airport is not yet available.

Istanbul Metro stations guide:

During your trips between different areas of Istanbul. you may need to use all means of transportation in the city such as trams, taxis and metrobus….. In addition to the metro, Perhaps the most important stations that you will pass through are:

Ataturk Airport metro station: There you can find a taxi and metro.

Zeytinburnu Metro Station: At this metro station. you will have access to the E-5 highway (connecting the European and Asian sides) as well as the tram line.

Yenikapi Metro Station: You will arrive at Marmaray sea port.

Taksim Metro Station: You can reach Istiklal Street and Beyoglu District.

Kabatas Tram Station: You can reach the main touristic places of Istanbul.

Karakoy Istanbul Tram Station: From this station you can reach Karakoy Port.

Eminönü & Sirkeci Tram Station: One of the most important stations in Istanbul.

Sultanahmet Istanbul Tram Station: This station will take you to tourist attractions, such as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and many of the city’s most amazing sights.

Uskudar and Kadikoy Subway Station: This station is located across the Bosphorus Strait in the Asian side of Istanbul.

A detailed explanation of Istanbul Metro Lines:

Istanbul metro lines are marked with the letter M. Each of these lines has a special color drawn on the map.

1 – M1 Metro Line

It is considered the first Istanbul Metro Line in the city and the most important as well. This subway line starts from YeniKapi Station, passing through Otogar Station, where it is divided into two parts. First line of this line continues to Bağcılar Square and the second line reaches Ataturk Airport Station.

The main stations of the M1 metro line

• YeniKapi Station, the main station of Istanbul Metro line that goes all the way to the airport, and it is considered one of the most important stations in Istanbul metro line.
• Aksaray Station, which is located within the famous Aksaray Square. You can also easily reach the T1 tram line for easy access to important sites in the city.
• Topkapi station, and this station intersects with the T4 tram line.
• One of the most important stations is the Zeytinburnu Station, as it has a crossroad with the T1 tram line and the metrobus line.
• Bayrampaşa Station, located next to Axis Shopping Center.
• Kocatepe Station is located next to Forum Istanbul Mall.

2- The M2 metro line

The second most important metro line in Istanbul, and the most popular road for tourists.

This line starts again from YeniKapi Central Station. which is one of the busiest metro stations in Istanbul, heading to Hacıosman Station at the end of the line.

Among tourists, this line is known as the “Taksim metro line”.

The main stations of the M2 Istanbul Metro line

• The first, most popular, and busiest station on this line is Taksim Station.
• The well-known şişli Mecidiyeköy Station, located near Istanbul Cevahir Mall which is the largest shopping center in the city.
• Haliç Station, one of the most beautiful stations on the Golden Horn Bay Bridge. You can also walk from there to Eminonu Quay.
• Osmanbey Station, which will take you to Nişantaşı Street.
• Gayrettepe Station, located in the upscale Besiktas district, it’s also close to the metrobus line and Zorlu Center Shopping Mall.

3- Marmaray metro line

The Marmaray metro line is one of the most important metro lines globally. which is also one of the largest projects in Istanbul.

This line connects the European and Asian sides of the city. passing through the Bosphorus Strait, as it is the only metro line globally that runs between two different continents

The main stations of Marmaray metro line

• This metro line runs from Gebze Station in the Asian section of Istanbul to Halkalı Station in the European section of the city.
• Uskudar station, which is located on the Asian coast of the Bosphorus Strait and is the station near the famous girl tower in the strait, where you can reach the tower in a few minutes.
• YeniKapi Station: As mentioned earlier, this station is one of the busiest and most important metro stations.
• Florya Station: located near Florya Beach, Aqua Florya mall and Istanbul Aquarium.

4- M3 Metro Line

M3 Istanbul Metro line has the potentials to be one of the most important lines in the city. but yet it’s still under construction. and it will connect Kirazlı in the European part, to Metrokent in the north after crossing from five stations, not to forget that this line will reach the new Istanbul airport.

5- M4 Metro Line

The M4 line is located on the Asian side of Istanbul and covers the entire central region. It starts from the Kadıköy Wharf to the southwest of the region and continues. all the way to Tavşantepe in the southern part of the Asian side.

6 – M5 Istanbul Metro line

This line is still under construction.

7 – M6 Istanbul Metro line

The M6 ​​line is a short line north of the European section linking the Levent region to Boğazi University. This line currently contains 3 stations only.

The post Istanbul Metro Line: The complete guide appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.