Istanbul Public Transport
Metro, tram, ferry, funicular and Marmaray, explained so you can plan routes with confidence.
7 min readUpdated August 2026
Istanbul's public transport is extensive, cheap and mostly easy to read once you know which mode does what. Traffic above ground can be brutal, so the rule of thumb is simple: go underground or go by water.
The main modes
The tram line T1 is the tourist workhorse, running from Kabataş through Karaköy and Eminönü into Sultanahmet and out to the city walls. The M2 metro runs north from the Golden Horn through Şişhane and Taksim.
Marmaray is the rail tunnel under the Bosphorus and the fastest way between the two sides. Funiculars handle the steepest hills, and ferries link the shores at a pace that makes the crossing enjoyable.
- T1 tram: old city sights and the Golden Horn.
- M2 metro: Taksim, Şişhane and the north.
- Marmaray: continent to continent in minutes.
- Ferries: Eminönü, Karaköy, Beşiktaş, Kadıköy, Üsküdar.
Planning routes
Map apps handle Istanbul well and include ferries in their suggestions. Where the app offers a bus and a metro of similar length, take the metro — bus times are optimistic during rush hour.
Rush hours run roughly 07:30–10:00 and 16:30–20:00. Trams and metros get very full but keep moving.
Ferries deserve their own plan
The Eminönü–Kadıköy and Karaköy–Kadıköy crossings cost the same as a metro ride and give you the entire skyline from the water. Sit outside at the back, buy a tea from the on-board counter, and treat it as sightseeing.
Experiences that fit this guide
Bosphorus Boat Tour
A relaxed daytime cruise past palaces, fortresses and waterfront mansions.
from €25
Book Now
