The city of Istanbul is on the list of the most important transport hubs in Europe, given its exceptional geographical location. It is worth noting that the city occupies an incredibly huge area. It is not surprising that tourists who first visited Istanbul, consider its transport system rather confusing and incomprehensible. However, this is not quite true. In fact, in the city communications are established at a high level, and there are so many different means of transportation that any metropolis can envy.
Types of transport
Public transport in Istanbul is so diverse and multifaceted that getting from one part of the city to another is not difficult for the local population. But guests have to comprehend the wisdom of local rules on the go. Tourists just need to understand what the Istanbul Card is, how to use it and what kind of transport it is suitable for.
It is worth noting that the transport network of the city is dolmushi (analogues of our fixed-route taxis), buses, several types of trams, metrobuses, ferries through the Bosphorus, suburban trains. It is difficult for an unenlightened tourist to immediately understand the methodology of transport in a large city in Turkey, so it will not hurt to get acquainted with the transport card of Istanbul and choose the most convenient way to pay for your fare.
It all depends on what you are going to do in the city. If you plan to actively visit the sights and move around the city, then you should choose an economical payment option, otherwise a trip to Istanbul will cost you a tidy sum. For this reason, many experienced tourists recommend taking full advantage of the Istanbul Card. How to use it, we will describe later in our article.
How to pay for transportation?
Istanbul transport is quite modern and developed, so paying in cash in it, as we are used to, is not possible. There are several calculation options: tokens, Istanbul Card and travel tickets. Each of the methods has its pros and cons. However, the most economical and profitable is such a calculation option as the Istanbul Card. Using such a card is simple and convenient.
Tokens
Currently, tokens are still as relevant as before. It is worth noting that they are very popular among tourists. This is due to the fact that they can be purchased at any major station in Istanbul. In addition, not all visitors to the metropolis know that you can buy a ticket here.
Tokens are sold in vending machines, which are available at all Istanbul metro stations, metro buses, trams and ferries. They can pay for travel on any type of transport, they do not accept them only in dolmushi and buses. The cost of one such token is four liras. When using it, no discounts apply. Tokens are purchased in machines that accept cash only. Which bills accept such terminals is indicated on their surface.
Travel tickets
To pay for travel, in addition to the usual one-time tokens, there are travel tickets that are purchased for a certain number of movements. The highest denomination is ten trips. In addition, there is a so-called blue card that can be used 180 times.
What is Istanbul Card?
The most convenient way to pay is currently the Istanbul Card. Travel electronic card (Istanbulkart) is nothing more than a universal ticket, which makes it possible to use all types of municipal transport.
Where do they sell Istanbul Card?
Istanbul Maps can be purchased at special points of sale. Its cost is six lire. Money can be returned to you upon delivery of the card in the event that you leave the country. However, such an operation can only be carried out at certain points, which are not easy to find, according to tourists.
In addition, the card is sold at the airport (at the main entrance), in Istanbul Card machines. An electronic transport card came into the everyday life of local residents relatively recently, in 2011. During this short time, it has gained incredible popularity, since its use makes it possible to use significant discounts, which significantly saves financial costs.
How and where is the Istanbul Card replenished?
Istanbul Card is a universal fare payment system that allows you to move freely around a huge city. You can replenish the card in special machines, which are quite a lot at all stations and stops. They accept bills of five and ten lire. But the system does not miss twenty lire.
In addition, the Istanbul Card can be replenished at tobacco and newsagents, shops, etc. In any place where you see the inscription Istanbul Card or “Akbil”, you can safely deposit cash into your account.
Recharge machines work quite simply and quickly. We enter the card in a special window and immediately see the current balance. Next, select the menu in English and insert bills into the opening. Then select the menu item "replenish". After a few seconds, the machine displays your funds on the card. The whole process takes no more than a minute.
How to use Istanbul Card?
The card is very easy to use. Suppose you need a tram to get to the stop, you need to attach the Istanbul Card to the turnstile window. The fare is automatically paid, on the display you will immediately see the cost of the service and a new cash balance. Funiculars and the metro operate on exactly the same system. But at the entrance to the bus, the card is applied to the device, which charges.
Experienced travelers recommend replenishing the Istanbul Card in advance, because at rush hours queues gather near the terminals.
Discount system
The main advantage of the card is that it allows passengers to significantly save money. As we already mentioned, the cost of a one-time token is four lira. And the Istanbul Card gives you the opportunity to change trains for free for two hours after the first trip. So, for example, driving a tram for two hours you can use the subway or other vehicles.
In addition, a card can pay for a group of people. This service works as follows. The owner of the Istanbul Card applies it to the sensor and lets friends pass by, and he passes by himself last. In this case, 2.15 lira is charged for each person (discount does not apply). So that every passenger can take advantage of discounts, it is necessary for everyone to purchase such cards.
Rates Istanbul Card
Istanbul Card is currently the most modern and convenient form of payment for using public transport. Having bought one card, you can pay with it in Istanbul metro, on the cable car, funicular, tram, double-decker express train, metro bus and even on a ferry. The first trip on the Istanbul Card is 2.15 lira. If within two hours you make one transplant, then it will cost you 1.95 lira, the second - 1.25 lira, the third - in one lira, and all subsequent ones - 0.75 lira.
Transit Card
In Istanbul, there is another type of card called "Transit Card", which makes it possible to pay in any city transport. The fundamental difference between such a card is that it is disposable, it cannot be replenished. You get a Transit Card for a certain number of trips (no more than five). A card costs 15 lira, which means that each landing on transport will cost you 3 lira. It has an electronic chip that works when the turnstile passes.
Metrobus
Metrobus is a new type of transport in Istanbul, which appeared in 2007. Its transport system includes seven routes that run modern buses belonging to the municipal company. The metrobus has its own payment system. At the entrance to your card, 3.75 lira is withdrawn - this is the maximum cost of the trip (forty stops).
If you pass fewer stops, then attaching a card at the exit to the electronic counter, you will get change back. So, for example, for the trip of three stops you need to pay 2.40 lira.
Dolmushi
They can rightly be called analogues of our minibuses. They are minibuses for up to eight people. This type of transport is much more comfortable than the usual city buses. However, no payment systems apply to dolmushi. Buses depart along the route as they fill up. As a rule, they overcome insignificant distances. The fare in them may vary, so the price must be checked with the drivers.
Metro
Istanbul metro can be conditionally divided into two parts - it is a light metro and a simple one. Of course, both lines may seem very small compared to Moscow, but it is worth noting that this type of transport appeared in the city only twenty years ago. By and large, the transport network of Istanbul is so well developed that there is no need for the expansion of metro lines.
The lungeo metro appeared in 1989. Most of it is located on the surface of the earth, and only the first two stops are hidden underground. Over the years, the lines have expanded, and now their length is almost twenty kilometers. The cost of the metro is 1.95 lira when using an electronic card.
The usual metro in Istanbul began to be built in 1992. It first started working in 2000. Now the length of this metro line is 8.4 kilometers (a total of 6 stops).
Minibuses
Minibuses are a more spacious option than dolmushi. The bus accommodates 14-15 passengers. Minibuses travel on different routes, which are indicated on the signs on the windshield. In each district of Istanbul there is a central station, from which there is transport in different directions. If you doubt the correctness of the selected bus, it is better to check its route with the driver. Paying for travel in minibuses is necessary only in cash, travel cards and cards do not work in them. Buses run through the city from 6.00 to 23.00.
Tram
Istanbul tram lines are an unconnected network. Four lines are located in the European part of the metropolis, and two in the Asian part. It is worth noting that in the city you can see two types of trams: new modern cars and vintage retro trains (nostalgia trams).
The first tram appeared in the city in 1871, a little later, in 1913-1914, there was an electrification of lines. The retrovariant was opened in 1990. Its lines were laid in the center of the European region along Istiklal Boulevard. The pedestrian promenade is a place for walks of many tourists. You can see the boulevard by taking a ride on a retro tram. The cost of one trip is 1.95 lira. The length of the line is 1.6 kilometers.
In the Asian part of Istanbul, there is another retro tram line. It was opened in 2003 and has a large length (2.6 kilometers).
As for the modern tram, its lines are annually extended, and the number of stops increases. This type of transport is very popular in Istanbul, 155 thousand passengers use it daily. Tokens for travel can be purchased at any stop, they provide a one-time travel opportunity.
Funiculars
Not every city in the world has such a variety of transport as in Istanbul. Among other things, in the metropolis there are two branches of the city funicular. Both of them are located in the European part, but are very different, since one of them appeared at the end of the nineteenth century, and the second at the beginning of the twenty-first century.
It is worth noting that the funicular "Tunel" is the oldest in Europe. It was opened in 1875. The funicular line is quite short and is only 573 meters. Two cars lifts people to a height of 60 meters. Every day, 15 thousand passengers use the services of the “Tünel” funicular. Wagons run at intervals of 4 minutes. The fare is 4 lira.
The modern funicular line was opened in 2006. Thanks to it, passengers have the opportunity to climb or go down 75 meters.
Ferries
Speaking of Istanbul transport, it is impossible not to remember the ferries. Sea transport is the most popular and convenient form of transportation. By boats, sea buses and ferries you can get to any part of the city and even to remote regions and islands. Even a short trip for an ordinary tourist is a source of vivid emotions and impressions. A must for any traveler should be a boat trip along the Bosphorus.