The public transport system of Istanbul can be confusing for first-time visitors, especially when multiple forms of transport (metros, buses, ferries) don’t accept cash. Without the right card, you may find yourself stranded or overpaying. The Istanbulkart simplifies travel, providing access to the entire city’s transport network with just one card. This guide will show you where to buy, top-up, and use your Istanbulkart, ensuring a smooth and cost-effective way to explore Istanbul.
Quick Insights
- Istanbulkart is essential for navigating Istanbul’s public transport system, providing access to metros, trams, buses, ferries, and more with one prepaid card.
- Istanbul City Card is another alternative that offers unlimited travel options for 1-15 days, including access to museums and Bosphorus tours, making it ideal for tourists.
- You can buy or top up both cards at vending machines and designated sales points throughout the city.
- The Istanbulkart mobile app allows for balance checking, top-ups, and digital QR payments, offering added convenience.
- Both cards simplify transportation and save money with discounted fares and transfer rates across all public transport modes.
What is Istanbulkart?
The Istanbulkart is a contactless transportation card used across all public transport options in Istanbul. It is owned and served by the Municipality of Istanbul.
It is a prepaid card that simplifies travel by allowing you to tap your way through turnstiles or bus scanners without the need for paper tickets. Whether you’re traveling on metros, trams, metrobus, buses, ferries, or Marmaray, Istanbulkart is your all-in-one solution.
Benefits of Istanbulkart:
- Multi-Use: Works across all major public transport forms, including buses, trams, ferries, metro, and Marmaray.
- Cost-Effective: Offers discounted fares compared to single tickets, with further discounts on transfers within 2 hours.
- Convenience: No need to buy individual tickets for every journey—just tap and go.
- Tourist-Friendly: Ideal for tourists, allowing seamless travel between the city’s European and Asian sides.
With Istanbul’s extensive public transportation system, having an Istanbulkart makes it easy and efficient to explore the city. Whether you’re commuting or sightseeing, this card is a must-have for both locals and tourists.
If you want to start exploring as soon as you arrive in Istanbul don’t let your luggage hold you back. Check out the Bounce luggage storage network, they have convenient storage facilities near all the major attractions in Istanbul.
Where Can You Buy an Istanbulkart?
Purchasing an Istanbulkart is straightforward and can be done at various locations across the city. Here’s where you can buy your card:
Available Purchase Locations:
- Metro, Tram, and Ferry Stations: Most stations have vending machines where you can purchase an Istanbulkart.
- Airport Kiosks: Both Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) have kiosks that sell Istanbulkarts.
- Convenience Stores: Look for shops displaying the “Akbil Dolum Noktası” sign. These shops offer Istanbulkart purchases and top-up services.
How Much Does Istanbulkart Cost?
The Istanbulkart itself costs around 130 TL. This amount only covers the card itself, so you’ll need to top it up with additional credit for travel.
Please visit and cross check “Fees and Limits” page to get information about fares.
How to Top-Up: Load Credit
- Use vending machines available at metro, tram, and bus stations to load credit onto your card.
- These machines accept Turkish Lira in various denominations, including 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 TL.
- Alternatively, Akbil Dolum Noktası shops around the city can top up your card for you.
Istanbulkart does not come with credits. You need to load credits (which is cash) to the card to use it. And it is very easy. You just need to place the card into the vending machine, wait for the machine scan your card and than deposit cash to load credits to the card.
You can also load credits from the website from https://www.istanbulkart.istanbul/
Make sure you calculate your approximate use of card during your Istanbul stay and load that amount of cash (no coins) to the card.
You can only put 5-10-20-50-100 TRY banknotes to the yellow machines, and 5-10-20-50-100-200 TRY banknotes to the blue machines.
It may seem complicated so it is better you should put credit as low as what you need for public transport trips in the city. If you think you will make at least about 20 rides, than you should load 540 TRY to the card.
How to Use Istanbulkart
Using the Istanbulkart is as simple as tapping it at designated card readers when entering or exiting public transport. Here’s how you can make the most of it across different transport modes.
Metro, Tram, and Marmaray:
- Simply tap your Istanbulkart at the turnstile, and the fare will be deducted from your card balance.
- Transfers between metros, trams, and Marmaray are free or discounted when done within a two-hour window.
Buses:
- Tap your card at the entrance when boarding the bus. The fare will be automatically deducted.
- For Metrobus, fares are distance-based, with the cost calculated based on the number of stops traveled.
Ferries:
- Tap your card at the ferry terminal gates. Ferries offer a scenic way to travel between the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, particularly across the Bosphorus.
The beauty of the Istanbulkart is its versatility, allowing easy transfers between different forms of transportation without the need for separate tickets.
Istanbulkart Mobile App
To make the most of your card, you can download the Istanbulkart mobile app. This app allows you to manage your card digitally, track your balance, top up your card, and see your travel history—all from your phone.
If you are interested with mobile app, than you can find and read it by searching “istanbulkart” on AppStore or Google Play. You can find more information on bireysel.istanbulkart.istanbul (English version available)
Features of the App:
- Balance Check: View your remaining balance without visiting a vending machine.
- Top-Up: Load credit onto your card directly from your bank account.
- QR Code Payments: Some buses and services allow you to use QR code from the app as an alternative to the physical card.
The mobile app makes it even easier to manage your Istanbulkart while on the go, eliminating the need for cash or physical top-ups.
Pricing and Fares with Istanbulkart
One of the main benefits of using an Istanbulkart is the discounted fares across all forms of public transport. Compared to buying individual tickets, the Istanbulkart offers significant savings, especially for longer stays or multiple journeys.
Public Transport Fares:
- Metro/Tram: Full fare starts at 27 TL, with discounts for transfers.
- Marmaray: Fares are distance-based, with a full trip costing up to 46 TL.
- Metrobus: Fares vary from 27 TL to 40 TL, depending on the number of stops.
- Ferry: Fares range between 27 TL and 80 TL, depending on the route (e.g., to the Princes’ Islands).
Transfers within 2 hours are discounted, with significant reductions on your second trip.
Please cross check the Istanbul public transport system tariffs from iett.istanbul
Tourist Pass Options with Istanbulkart
In addition to the standard Istanbulkart, tourists can benefit from combined travel and attraction passes. These passes offer free or discounted entry to major attractions and can be bundled with unlimited public transport.
Popular Tourist Passes:
- Istanbul MegaPass: Offers various packages that combine public transport with entry to all major attractions, including a Bosphorus Cruise and skip-the-line access to landmarks.
- Istanbul Tourist Pass: Includes unlimited public transport rides and access to key sites like Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia.
- Istanbul E-pass: Covers a wide range of attractions and includes unlimited rides on the city’s public transport system.
These passes are ideal for tourists who plan on exploring multiple attractions and using public transport frequently during their stay.
Refunds and Expiry: Managing Your Istanbulkart
If you have leftover balance on your Istanbulkart after your trip, you may be eligible for a refund. Registered cards allow users to recover unused balance via vending machines. Cards are generally valid for an extended period, so you can reuse the card on future trips.
How to Check Your Balance:
- Place your card on a Biletmatik machine to view your balance.
- Alternatively, use the Istanbulkart app to check your balance on the go.
Why Istanbulkart is a Must-Have for Tourists
It is an essential tool for anyone visiting or living in Istanbul. Its ease of use, cost savings, and wide applicability across multiple forms of transport make it the perfect choice for navigating the city. With the ability to combine travel with attraction passes, it simplifies both your transport and sightseeing experiences.
Istanbul City Card: Alternative to Istanbulkart
The Istanbul City Card is another convenient transportation card offered by the Istanbul Municipality. This card is ideal for tourists, providing flexible options for unlimited travel for 1, 3, 5, 7, or 15 days.
The Istanbul City Card offers unlimited access to all public transportation lines in Istanbul, including metros, trams, buses, ferries, and Marmaray.
Additional Benefits:
- Museum Access: The card is also valid for selected museums across the city, making it a great option for culture lovers.
- Bosphorus Tour: The card includes access to a Bosphorus Cruise, offering a scenic experience of Istanbul’s iconic waterway.
How to Get the Istanbul City Card:
- Sales Points: The card is available at designated Istanbul City Card sales points located throughout the city.
- Vending Machines: You can also purchase the card from ticket vending machines that feature the Istanbul City Card design. These machines are placed conveniently at major public transport stations and tourist areas.
The Istanbul City Card is an excellent option for travelers who want the flexibility of unlimited travel while also enjoying cultural experiences across the city.
Please visit and cross check “Fees and Limits” page to get information about fares.
FAQs
Is Istanbulkart worth it?
Yes! It is definitely worth it and it also depends on the number of times you will use the public transport in Istanbul, as well as if you use the Airport metro.
Where can I obtain Istanbulkart?
These are the cards that you can purchase and use, providing a limited number of passes in public transportation. You can purchase the card from over 2,000 points such as subway, tram, ferry, metrobus and funicular stations via the yellow/blue vending machines or ticket-matics, and via kiosks located by the majority of the public buses’ stops.
How to obtain Istanbulkart from the New Istanbul Airport?
You can purchase the Istanbulkart upon your arrival to the New Istanbul Airport (IST), from the 24 yellow/blue machines located at the -2 arrivals floor, or from the Havaist (airport shuttle) counters located along the exits, or the authorized exchange offices.
We recommend to obtain your card upon your arrival to the airport, because you’ll need to use it on the airport shuttles and public buses for getting to the city center. You can not pay cash to the shuttles or public buses.
I Don’t Have an Istanbulkart. How Can I Travel?
The easiest way to travel is by downloading Istanbulkart Mobile and using QR codes for entry. You can also purchase limited-use tickets for 1, 3, 5, or 10 rides from Biletmatik machines. You can use SMS QR for entry by sending a text message. You can make contactless payments for your trips using your bank or credit card with BİRgeç limited-use tickets.
Can I Make Payments with My Bank or Credit Card?
You can make transportation payments with your contactless bank and credit cards for the price of a BİRgeç limited-use ticket.
What Should I Do If I Lose My Istanbulkart?
If your card, which is registered in your name (personalized, discounted, free, blue, personalized), is lost or stolen, you can secure the balance on your Istanbulkart by blocking it through Istanbulkart Mobil or by calling ALO 153 as soon as possible.
Failure to block lost discounted/free cards may result in unauthorized use and payment of unauthorized usage fees.
If the lost card is not personalized, meaning it is an anonymous card with no registered user, it cannot be blocked, and the remaining balance cannot be transferred.
To protect the balance on your card against the possibility of loss or theft, you can personalize it through Istanbulkart Mobil, www.bireysel.istanbulkart.istanbul, or www.kisisellestirme.istanbulkart.istanbul.
Can I Get a Refund for My Istanbulkart?
Istanbulkart is a non-refundable card and does not have a deposit.
Where Can I Load My Istanbulkart?
You can load your your with TL (Turkish Lira) and subscriptions through Istanbulkart Mobil, https://www.bireysel.istanbulkart.istanbul, Biletmatik machines, several dealers, and corporate representatives, as well as through affiliated financial and banking applications.
Where Can I Use My Istanbulkart?
You can use your Istanbulkart at Halk groceries, affiliated supermarket chains, cafes, restaurants, museums, vending machines, gas stations, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality museums, and for online shopping.
What Is Istanbulkart Mobile?
Istanbulkart Mobile is our mobile application that brings the features of the physical card to the digital realm, allowing you to have your card with you at all times.
Can Non-Turkish Citizens with a Foreign ID Number Use Istanbulkart Mobile?
Non-Turkish citizens with a Foreign ID Number (Yabancı Kimlik Numarası or YKN) can register for Istanbulkart Mobile using their YKN information, even if they are not Turkish Republic citizens.