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Getting around

How to get around in Istanbul

Istanbul runs on one card - the Istanbulkart - which works on the metro, tram, bus, ferry and funicular across both the European and Asian sides. Tap on, tap off, and let the ferries do the heavy lifting across the Bosphorus. Distances feel large, so plan around the water and the traffic, not the map.

CurrencyTRY Emergency112 TimeTRT (UTC+3) LanguageTurkish
  1. Buy a reusable Istanbulkart from a kiosk or the blue machines at any metro or tram station (the card itself is a small one-time fee).
  2. Load credit at the same machine - cash or contactless card both work; start with 200-300 TRY.
  3. Tap the card on the reader at the turnstile or when boarding; on some buses and ferries you tap on entry only.
  4. Install the 'Moovit' or 'Citymapper' app and 'BiTaksi' for cabs; Google Maps transit directions are reliable here.
  5. For sightseeing, lean on the T1 tram (Sultanahmet-Eminönü-Kabataş) and the Bosphorus ferries rather than buses.
Istanbulkart (card)~130 TRY (~$3.30)Single ride~27 TRY (~$0.70)App to installMoovit + BiTaksiTransfer discountCheaper 2nd/3rd tap within ~2 hrs
  • One Istanbulkart can pay for several people - just tap once per person before passing through.
  • Fares and the card fee change often with inflation, so confirm the price at the machine.
  1. Decide your base: Sultanahmet/old city (European historic) or Taksim/Beyoğlu (modern center).
  2. Cheapest: take the M11 metro from IST, then transfer (e.g. to M7/M2) toward Taksim or toward the tram for Sultanahmet.
  3. Easiest with luggage: board the HAVAIST airport bus to Taksim or Sultanahmet from the arrivals level.
  4. Fastest door-to-door: a licensed yellow taxi or a BiTaksi-booked car - expect heavy traffic at peak times.
  5. Confirm the last metro/bus departure if you land late; taxis run 24/7.
M11 metro + transfer~60-90 TRY (~$1.50-2.30)HAVAIST bus to center~150-250 TRY (~$3.80-6.40)Taxi to center~900-1,400 TRY (~$23-36)Time to centerMetro/bus ~70-100 min, taxi ~45-70 min
  • IST (the big new airport) is far out - allow extra time and confirm the last metro departs (~midnight).
  • If you fly into Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) on the Asian side, use the HAVABUS or M4-linked routes instead.
  1. Look for a 'lokanta' or 'esnaf lokantası' with trays of ready food - point at what you want, eat well for little.
  2. Street staples: simit (sesame ring), döner wrap, balık-ekmek (grilled fish sandwich) near the Galata Bridge.
  3. Drink only bottled or filtered water; carry a bottle and refill at your hotel.
  4. For groceries and basics, find a BİM, A101 or Migros - they are everywhere and cheap.
Lokanta plate meal~150-250 TRY (~$3.80-6.40)Simit / street snack~15-30 TRY (~$0.40-0.80)Balık-ekmek sandwich~120-180 TRY (~$3-4.60)Bottled water (market)~10-20 TRY (~$0.30-0.50)
  • Tourist-strip restaurants near major sights cost far more - walk two streets back for local prices.
  • Tap water is treated but most locals and visitors drink bottled.
  1. Keep your phone and wallet secured on the crowded T1 tram, in the Grand Bazaar and around Taksim Square.
  2. Use the meter in taxis or book via BiTaksi/Uber so the fare is set - insist on 'taksimetre'.
  3. Politely decline strangers who invite you to a specific bar or club at night - the inflated-bill scam is the main one to avoid.
  4. Cross roads at marked crossings and watch for fast traffic; drivers can be assertive.
Emergency (all)112Tourist policeAvailable in SultanahmetTaxi ruleMeter on, or book via app
  • The most common issue is overpaying - a metered taxi or a flagged price avoids it.
  • Demonstrations occasionally close central squares; just walk around them.
  1. Withdraw lira from a bank ATM (Garanti, İş Bankası, Yapı Kredi) rather than standalone 'Euronet' machines.
  2. Always choose to be charged in TRY, not your home currency, to dodge bad conversion (DCC).
  3. Use contactless card for restaurants, shops and the Istanbulkart machine; keep small notes for tips and stalls.
  4. Change money at a 'döviz' exchange office in Eminönü/Grand Bazaar for better rates than the airport.
CurrencyTurkish lira (TRY / ₺)Typical ATM fee~0-150 TRY (~$0-3.80)Restaurant tip~5-10% if not includedCabs / small stallsCash preferred
  • Avoid standalone airport/tourist ATMs that charge steep fees and push home-currency conversion.
  • Inflation moves prices quickly - treat any quoted figure as approximate and confirm locally.
HelloMerhaba - mehr-hah-BAHThank youTeşekkürler - teh-shek-kur-LERYes / NoEvet / Hayır - eh-VET / HAH-yuhrWhere is...?...nerede? - NEH-reh-dehHow much?Ne kadar? - neh kah-DARMetro / tramMetro / Tramvay - trahm-VAIStop here, pleaseBurada durun lütfen - boo-rah-DAH doo-ROON LUET-fenHelp!İmdat! - eem-DAHT
  • Turkish is written as it sounds - 'ş' = sh, 'ç' = ch, 'c' = j, and an undotted 'ı' is a soft 'uh'.
  1. For instant data, buy an eSIM (Airalo, Holafly) and activate it on arrival - no shop visit needed.
  2. For a physical SIM, visit an official Turkcell/Vodafone/Türk Telekom store with your passport (registration is required).
  3. Tourist data bundles are sold at the airport, but in-city branded shops are usually cheaper.
  4. Use free wifi at cafés, malls and many hotels; coverage across the metro and ferries is generally good.
Tourist SIM bundle~600-1,200 TRY (~$15-31)eSIM data plan~$10-25 for several GBWhere to buyAirport or branded carrier shopPassport neededYes, for physical SIMs
  • Phones used in Türkiye over ~120 days can be blocked unless registered - fine for a normal visit, but worth knowing.
  • Airport SIM kiosks mark up prices; an eSIM or a city shop usually costs less.
  1. For a medical, police or fire emergency, call 112 - operators can often assist in English.
  2. For a non-urgent illness, go to a private hospital (e.g. Acıbadem, Memorial, American Hospital) for fast English-speaking care.
  3. For minor needs, find an 'Eczane' (pharmacy); a green cross marks it, and a 'Nöbetçi Eczane' is the on-duty after-hours one.
  4. Keep your accommodation address written down to give to responders or a taxi.
  5. For serious situations, let trained professionals handle it - call 112 first, then contact your embassy if needed.
Emergency (all services)112PharmacyEczane (green cross)After-hours pharmacyNöbetçi EczaneBringPassport + hotel address
  • 112 is the single number for ambulance, police and fire - the older separate numbers now route here.
  • Private hospitals expect payment or insurance up front, so carry your insurance details.

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