Here you can find useful information about Istanbulkart, Istanbul’s Public Transportation Card for full access to Istanbul’s Underground, Bus Network, Ferries and Trams, including where to obtain, how to use, and advice.
Notice: As of 02.03.2022, the HES code requirement was lifted in closed areas with adequate ventilation and in public transportation. And so all trips are now available without the HES code matching of Istanbulkart and digital cards in public transportation.
Insider Advice: Kickstart your Istanbul adventure with the Istanbul E-Pass or Istanbul Tourist Pass. These passes provide free access to around 70+ top attractions, tours and essential local services in the city with around 70% savings.
What is IstanbulKart?
Istanbulkart is the public transportation card of Istanbul, the cheapest and the most efficient way to get around Istanbul. You can access the whole public transportation system of Istanbul via this single transportation card. It is owned and served by the Municipality of Istanbul.
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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 Istanbulkart 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.
IstanbulKart Mobile
There is also a mobile app for the Istanbulkart, where you can use and load credits online. It is a new app of the Municipality. 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)
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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 Istanbulkart 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.
What is the card price?
Istanbulkart’s price is 50 TRY (No credits). This is the Anonymous Istanbulkart, recommended to travelers. There are also variety of Istanbulkart versions, designed for locals, and you don’t need them.
How much does it cost per ride?
The cost of 1-ride public transportation is 15 TRY.
* Please cross check the pricing from iett.istanbul
How to load credit to the card?
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 yellow/blue vending machines, wait for the machine scan your card and than deposit cash to load credits to the card.
You can also load credits from the Istanbulkart’s website from https://www.istanbulkart.istanbul/
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Make sure you calculate your approximate use of card during your Istanbul stay and load that amount of cash (no coins) to the card. Because the yellow machines (most common) won’t give you any change in return. Only blue machines give you change in return and it is only 20 TRY banknotes, and up 3x 20 TRY cash back.
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 300 TRY to the card.
How to use the card?
After you load your card, you can use it within all public transports of Istanbul such as metro, subway, trams, funiculars, ferries, public buses with discounts. You will see card readers on the stations or inside the buses and you just need to put your card closer to the reader to use the card.
As the card is not a personal one, if you are a group, you can purchase only one card and can use the same card for each passenger. And also you don’t need a card for children that are under the age of 6.
Istanbul City Card (Alternative)
Istanbul City Card is an alternative public transport card of IstanbulKart. It can be used for 1-3-5-7-15 day unlimited travel in the city. You can access all public transportation lines and types of vehicles in the city. It’s also valid for selected museums.
You can get the cardBy visiting Istanbul City Card sales points which located as easily accessible around the city or ticket vending machines bearing Istanbul City Card design.
Pricing
- 1 Day Unlimited Pass – ₺295
- 3 Day Unlimited Pass – ₺555
- 5 Day Unlimited Pass – ₺1200
- 7 Day Unlimited Pass – ₺1500
- 15 Day Unlimited Pass – ₺2275
Please visit and cross check “Fees and Limits” page to get information about fares.
