Transportation

As it would be expected of a tourist Mecca and a metropolis of more than 14 million inhabitants, the public transportation in Istanbul is very well-organized and transportation routes quite easy to understand and simple to use. On average, more than 11.5 million people each day uses some of the public transport means in Istanbul, and there sure is a lot to choose from; city’s Public Transportation system is a mixture of a greatest variety of diverse means of transport, such as trams, buses, trains, ferries, metro, funiculars, cable cars etc.

Although the best way to explore a new city is to go by foot, for some destinations it is more convenient to catch a ride than take a walk. There are a few reasons why it is usually better to use public transportation instead of taxis and such, and the most important one is that it will probably save you money and time. Probably, but not certainly, because you do have to be careful when choosing whether taking some mean of public transportation or getting a taxi, or simply taking a stroll to your destination. Regarding time issue, it is certainly better to use public transportation, but only if you’re travelling by metro, trams or funiculars; if you choose to take a bus for instance, you’ll get stuck in the traffic the same way as you’d get stuck and waiting with a taxi.

Means of transportation

Trams

Public transportation in Istanbul goes all the way back to 19^th century, when four lines of horse-driven trams were introduced in 1871, on the European side of the city. Over the following years the tramway developed rapidly, and new lines were added. The system was electrified in 1914, and some decade and a half later trams were introduced on the Asian side of Istanbul as well. The tram system operated until the ‘60s, and was again opened in the ‘90s. First it was just a heritage tram on the European side, but then new trams were introduced, and nowadays Istanbul has heritage tram system on both the Anatolian and European side, whereas the western part of the city also has a modern tram system.

One of the most interesting lines for tourists coming to Istanbul, among all the other public transportation lines, is a tramway line – the T1 Kabataş – Bağcılar. It provides connection between all the major tourist sites in the historic center of Istanbul (such as the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Süleymaniye Mosque etc.), while going through the following stations: Kabataş – Fındıklı – Tophane – Karaköy – Eminönü – Sirkeci – Gülhane – Sultanahmet – Çemberlitaş – Beyazıt – Laleli – Aksaray – Yusufpaşa – Haseki – Fındıkzade – Çapa-Şehremini – Pazartekke – Topkapı – Cevizlibağ-A.Ö.Y – Merkez Efendi – Akşemsettin – Mithatpaşa – Zeytinburnu – Mehmet Akif – Merter Tekstil Sitesi – Güngören – Akıncılar – Soğanlı – Yavuz Selim – Güneştepe – Bağcılar. The line operates from six in the morning till midnight, and there is a train arriving every couple of minutes during rush hour.

Funiculars

The same year the first tram in Istanbul was introduced began the construction of a short funicular, planned to connect Pera (nowadays Beyoğlu) and Galata. Named the Tünel, it began operating in 1874 and it has continuously been transporting passengers till this day, which makes it world’s second oldest subway (the first one being the London Underground). One ride along its 573 meters lasts approximately 1.5 minutes, with the first train of the day leaving at seven in the morning and the last one at nine in the evening.

Apart from this one, Istanbul has another funicular line which started operating in 2006 – the F1 Taksim – Kabataş Funicular. Connecting Kabataş (from where it is quite easy to get to some of the major attractions) with Taksim, its 600 meters long and one ride lasts for about a minute. The first train leaves at 6:15 in the morning and the last one at midnight.

Metro

Metro was for the first time introduced in Istanbul in 2000, with an 8.5 km long line with six stations. In the last few years several new lines were opened, and nowadays the metro system of the city counts on almost 250 trains transporting more than half a million of people each day. If the reason you’re taking metro is to get to some of Istanbul’s attractions, you should probably pay attention on the M2 Yenikapı- Hacıosman line. It passes through some major shopping neighborhoods where you’ll be able to find good stores and shopping malls, as well as areas with nice cafes and restaurants. The line is active every day starting from 6:15 in the morning with the trains leaving every four minutes during rush hours; the last train leaves at midnight. The line passes through following stations: Yenikapı – Vezneciler – Haliç – Şişhane – Taksim – Osmanbey – Şişli/Mecidiyeköy – Gayrettepe – Levent – 4.Levent – Sanayi – İTÜ Ayazağa – Atatürk Oto Sanayi – Darüşşafaka – Hacıosman Seyrantepe.

Ferryboats

This transportation option, apart from being very convenient and practical, is also a tourist attraction for itself. While going from the European to the Asian half of the city you will get the chance to enjoy the most extraordinary views of both sides of Istanbul. The ones widely popular are leaving from Eminönü and Karaköy to Kadıköy and the ride lasts for 15 to 20 minutes. Besides being the most popular mean of transport from west to the east and vice versa, ferryboats are also Istanbul’s oldest means of transport, for the first one started carrying passengers in 1837.

IstanbulKart

This convenient way of paying for the public transportation in Istanbul was introduced in 2009; it is a contactless card the size of a credit card which allows you to travel around Istanbul using only one payment method for whichever type of public transit you choose. The greatest convenience is the amount of money you’ll save regarding travelling across the city, because with the regular ticket one ride costs 4 TL, while with the IstanbulKart you’ll have to spend only 2.15 TL per ride.

The card is valid for transit with the following transportation means and companies:

• İETT (Bus, Double Decker Express, Nostalgic Tram, Metrobus and Tunnel);
• Privately Owned Public Transit Buses – POPTB (Bus and Town Bus);
• İstanbul Ulaşım (Metro, Tram, Funicular and Teleferic);
• İDO (İDO – İST, İDO – ADA1 and İDO – ADA2);
• Şehir Hatları (ŞH – İST and ŞH – ADA);
• TurYol;
• Dentur and
• TCDD.

You can buy the IstanbulKart at major transit sites and numerous kiosks; you’ll recognize a vending spot by searching for writing IstanbulKart on the object, or Dolum Noktası (which means Refill Point). The card will cost you 10 TL, out of which 6 liras are for the card and 4 liras are your first credit on it. You can use the same card for up to five passengers, and once you buy it, it’s valid for up to two years. Loading the card is as easy as buying it – all you have to do is go to some of the loading points (like for searching vending points, look for Dolum Noktası written), and put as much money as you need on the card.