visit.turkey-vip.com

Ferry

Ferry – since the Bosphorus River divides Istanbul between its European and Asian sides, getting to and from either part via ferry can be a sensible option to getting around the city. Such ferry boats also save a lot of time because the bridges over the Bosphorus are constantly congested . Once on the ferry, you will truly appreciate the vastness of the city. It is also a good way to see the city from the water. The main piers on the European side are Eminonu, Besiktas and Kabatas and on the Asian side Uskudar and Kadikoy . If you want to take a ride on the Bosphorus, passengers should take the boat from Besiktas or Ortakoy, rather than departing from Eminonu, which is always full and less comfortable . See the ferry service’s website for more details (from fares to routes):

http://en.sehirhatlari.istanbul/en

That website also has details on the tourist-friendly “Bosphorus Tours”.

Funicular

Funicular: Here are the following running lines:

Karaköy-Tünel (T) – this line allows you to go quickly down the Istiklal Street and you will avoid climbing the slopes to get in neighborhoods like Galata . Once in Tünel you can use the historical tram (NT) to go to Taksim Square . It runs from 7am to 9pm .

Taksim-Kabataş (F1) – this line allows you to go from Taksim Square to Kabatas . From here you can take the tram (T1) to get to the old town and the boat to the Princes islands in Kadikoy . To go to the old town another option is to take the M2 metro directly to the Golden Horn (Haliç stop) from Taksim.

Trams

Trams: at Istanbul’s European side, there are two lines in service: the T1 line from Kabataş allows easy access to Sultanahmet, and the T4 line that goes northwest of the city . It runs from 6am to 11pm. The tram in Istanbul is very clean and air conditioned.

Of these two, the T1 is the most relevant for tourists, since it takes passengers to the city’s main attractions. Tourists are recommended to use it, since it is really cheap and fast and definitely easiest way to get to the old town. Here are its tourist-relevant stops:

Kabataş — Dolmabahçe Palace , Taksim connection with the funicular (F1 ) to go to the pier to the Princes Islands and Kadikoy .
Tophane — Museum of modern art in Istanbul
Karakoy —Connection Tünel funicular, (T) which will drop you on Istiklal Street .
Eminönü — Spice Market
Sirkeci — Train station and connection to the Marmaray
Sultanahmet — Topkapi Palace , Hagia Sophia , Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern , Archaeology Museum.
Beyazit — Grand bazaar

Bus

Bus — there are 400 bus lines in Istanbul, the majority work daily until midnight. With the exception of Sultanahmet (accessible by tram), buses go all over the city. Destinations and major stops are marked on yellow signs on the sides of buses. Fares are the same as the Metro lines (as well as tram, funicular, and ferry (see above fare chart). The following website gives passengers the option of pulling up route maps:

https://istanbulmap360.com/istanbul-bus-map#.XUNu1HdFyM8

Due to constant traffic problems in Istanbul, foreign visitors are discouraged from using buses (or taxis for that matter) and encouraged to use the Metro or other means of transportation (like the ferry – when needed).

Metro

Metro: Istanbul has a small but well-functioning metro system that started operating in 2000. Here are the functioning Metro lines:

M1 – This line operates between Atatürk International Airport and Aksaray in Fatih, where you can join the tramway at the nearby Yusufpaşa stop to Sultanahmet and Beyoğlu.

M2 – Since February 15 2014, this line uses the new Golden Horn Metro bridge and operates between Yenikapı and Hacıosman, with stops in Haliç, Şişhane (close to Tünel/Galata), Taksim Square, Osmanbey (close to Nişantaşı), Şişi/Mecideyköy, Gayrettep, Levent, 4. Levent, Sanayı, Seyrantepe, İTÜ, Atatürk Oto Sanayı, and Daruşşafaka.

M3 – Since June 2013, this line runs between Kirazli-Bağcilar to Başakşehir-Metrokant or Olimpiyat,

M4 – Since August 2012, this lines runs between Kadiköy and Kartal (this is the only full-scale Metro line that runs on the Asian side).

M5 — The M5 has a total of 16 stations (between Usküdar and Çekmeköy). Together with these 16 stations, eight more are planned within the M5’s eastward extension to Sultanbeyli.

M6 – Since April 19 2015, this is a light-metro line that connects Levent metro station with the Bosphorus district of Etiler and Bosphorus University.

These are the disposable paper electronic fare cards for a pre-determined number of trips:

BIRGeç Fares 1; Price TL5; Cost per ride TL5.00
BIRGeç Fares 2; Price TL8; Cost per ride TL4.00

BIRGeç Fares 3; Price TL11; Cost per ride TL3.67

BIRGeç Fares 5; Price TL17; Cost per ride TL3.40

BIRGeç Fares 10; Price TL32; Cost per ride TL3.20

You can buy disposable fare cards from Biletmatik machines (which issues the above-mentioned paper electronic fare cards.

The following web link show a map of the Istanbul Metro system:

https://www.metro.istanbul/YolcuHizmetleri/AgHaritalari

Marmaray Line — this is not technically a Metro line, but it is an underground rail link between the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. The line goes beneath the Bosphorus, connecting Sirkeci near Sultanahmet to Üsküdar on the Asian side. Some engineers have expressed concerns about earthquake security, but it has improved mobility between the two continents.

Uber

Uber: Uber is now operating in Istanbul. Please review its web page for more info:

https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/istanbul/

TAXI

TAXI –the starting taxi fare in Istanbul is 3.20 TL (increasing by 2 TL per km.). If your taxi is stalled in traffic, the fare goes up by .35 TL per minute.

Here are phone numbers for taxi services in Istanbul:

Ataturk Airport Taxi Coop: +90 850 780 7734
Cihangir Taxi: +90 212 244 4220
City Transfer Istanbul: +90 212 517 0090
Conrad Taxi: +90 212 260 5540
Istanbul Taxi: +90 216 361 1807
Pera Taxi: +90 212 243 8399