Getting around Istanbul

Updated October 2026Sources

BiTaksiBest app

How to get around Istanbul

Metro, tram, ferries and Marmaray cover most of the city. The Istanbulkart works everywhere. Ferries across the Bosphorus are a cheap, scenic way to travel.

Ways to get around Istanbul

Walkable center

Option	Fare	Good to know
Metro, tram and Marmaray	About 40–60 TRY per ride	Istanbulkart discount on transfers; contactless cards not accepted on all lines
Bosphorus ferries	About 40–80 TRY	Between Eminonu, Kadikoy, Besiktas and Uskudar
Dolmus minibuses	About 30–80 TRY	Pay the driver; routes by destination board
Havaist airport bus	About 200–400 TRY	Goes from IST to Taksim, Sultanahmet and Kadikoy

Ride-hailing apps in Istanbul

A 5 km ride costs about ₺250–500 ($5.1–10.2).

App	Notes
BiTaksi	Local taxi app; calls licensed yellow taxis, pay meter
Uber	Books yellow taxis in big cities, fixed price shown

Use the meter and insist on it; refuse flat fares. Tourist-area taxis often inflate; apps or hotel-booked transfers avoid arguments.

Arriving in Istanbul

Istanbul Airport (IST)

M11 metro to Gayrettepe about 60–100 TRY, 35 min; Havaist bus 200–400 TRY, 60–90 min; taxi 1200–2200 TRY, 45–75 min.

Sabiha Gokcen (SAW)

Havabus to Taksim or M4 metro from Kaynarca about 100–250 TRY; taxi 800–1500 TRY, 45–90 min.

Driving and onward travel

Scooters: Rentable but chaotic; hills and traffic make cars and scooters risky. Public transport is better.
Driving: on the right. Foreign licences are valid for six months from entry; carry an IDP if yours isn't in Latin script.
Onward travel in Turkey: Comfortable long-distance buses reach every town; fast trains link Istanbul, Ankara, Konya and Eskişehir; cheap domestic flights save days on long hops east.

Quick answers

Is there Uber in Istanbul?

Yes. Apps that work here: BiTaksi, Uber.

What's the best way to get around Istanbul?

Metro, tram, ferries and Marmaray cover most of the city. The Istanbulkart works everywhere. Ferries across the Bosphorus are a cheap, scenic way to travel.

How do I get from the airport to Istanbul?

M11 metro to Gayrettepe about 60–100 TRY, 35 min; Havaist bus 200–400 TRY, 60–90 min; taxi 1200–2200 TRY, 45–75 min.

Is Istanbul walkable?

Walkable center.

More about Istanbul

Going to Istanbul solo?

SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Istanbul meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.

See plans in Istanbul

Sources

Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.