Iconic vintage red trams moving through a lively city street, istiklal avenue.
Compared to many countries, Turkey has a fairly user-friendly urban transportation system, with most tickets costing less than $1. This guide provides detailed information about public transportation in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir*, including how to obtain transportation cards, ticket prices, and useful tips. If you’re visiting other cities, urban transportation will generally be easier to navigate and/or similar in setup to these major cities.
*Please note this guide covers only urban transportation; intercity transportation will be detailed in an upcoming guide.
About Transportation Cards
Nearly all* public transportation services require transportation cards, which are typically contactless and offer discounted fares compared to debit/credit card payments. Cards can be reloaded at kiosks (found at metro, ferry, tram, and bus stations). Each major city has its own card:
- Istanbul: Istanbulkart
- Ankara: AnkaraKart/Başkent Kart (pronounced ‘BASH-kent’)
- Izmir: Izmirim Kart
Debit or credit cards are also accepted on most* public transportation, but at slightly higher prices. If you’ve ever traveled internationally and used cards instead of cash, you’ve likely learned that international cards can be finicky- so we always like to recommend people to make the simple purchase of a transportation card.
*Dolmuş (shared minibuses) only accept cash.
Istanbul (Istanbulkart)
In Istanbul, there are three different types of cards that you can buy and use as a tourist:
- Istanbulkart – most widely used card, by both locals and tourists
- Fee: ₺130 (plus desired credit)
- Available at:
- Electronic kiosks (called ‘biletmatik’, found in and near public transportation stations)
- Some grocery stores, newspaper stands, etc. displaying the Istanbulkart logo
- İstanbulkart application centers
- Discounts on connecting trips
- Also accepted at some markets, restaurants, restrooms, cinemas, museums, and gas stations as a method of payment, similar to a gift card or debit card
- Note: The Istanbulkart mobile app requires a Turkish ID, but you don’t need the app to purchase or use the card.
- Limited Pass Tickets – for a fixed number of trips Birgeç (1), İKİgeç (2), ÜÇgeç (3), ONgeç (10)
- Fee: Around ₺40-₺300, depending on which ticket you buy
- Available at: Electronic kiosks (called ‘biletmatik’, found in and near public transportation stations)
- Istanbul City Card – unlimited travel options for 1, 3, 5, 7, or 15 days
- Fee: ₺550-₺4000, depending on how many days you’d like to purchase
- Available at: Istanbul City Card electronic kiosks, found in and near some public transportation stations along major tourist routes
- Includes selected museums and the Bosphorus Tour.
- Each person needs their own card – sharing won’t work.
- Not the most helpful website in the world, but just in case: Website link
Ankara (Başkent Kart)
In Ankara, there are two different types of cards that you can buy and use as a tourist:
- Full AnkaraKart – (sometimes called Başkent Kart) most widely used card, by both locals and tourists
- Fee: ₺40 (plus desired credit)
- Available at:
- SmartBanko/MiniBanko electronic kiosks (found near major transit stations)
- Some grocery stores, newspaper stands, etc. displaying the AnkaraKart logo
- Discounts on connecting trips
- Single-Use AnkaraKart (Kullan-At) – This disposable card is for one-time use only and can be used within 70 minutes. You must keep your disposable single-use AnkaraKart with you during your entire journey.
- Fee: ₺31
- Available at:
- SmartBanko or MiniBanko devices (kiosk devices at the major transit stations)
- Dealers (look for AnkaraKart logo)
Please check out this link for locations to purchase and reload your card.
Izmir (Izmirim Kart)
In Izmir, there are two types of cards you can buy and use without a Turkish ID:
- Izmirim Kart – the most popular card, widely used by locals and tourists
- Fee: ₺115 (plus desired credit)
- Available at:
- Electronic kiosks (called ‘yükleme noktası’, generally near or inside the airport, train stations, ferry terminals, and bus stations)
- Some shops displaying the İzmirim Kart logo
- Discounts on connecting trips
- Bilet35 (Ticket35) – a disposable card valid for 2, 3, 5, or 10 rides (good for 35 days from first use)
- Fee: Starts at ₺80 and goes up to ₺115, ₺180, and ₺310 for 2, 3, 5, and 10 rides
- Available at:
- Electronic kiosks (yükleme noktası) — note: only the 3-ride card is sold here
- Some shops displaying the İzmirim Kart logo
Check this link for updated prices and locations to purchase or reload your card.
Types of Public Transportation, By City
Note: Please be aware that not only are the ticket prices in the sections below for local transportation cards (when you use your debit/credit card to pay for transportation, the prices will increase), but these prices reflect the current prices as of March 2025.
Istanbul
Istanbul is a big city that includes diverse public transportation systems, each operating on different schedules:
- Tram: A modern and convenient rail system can travel through historic areas. Istanbul has five tram lines (T1, T3, T4, T5, and a nostalgic tramvay).
- Operation times: 06:00 – 00:00
- Ticket price: ₺27
- Please check out this link for the timetables.
- Bus and metrobüs: Istanbul’s extensive network covers the city, with frequent routes and night services. There are 11.795 bus stops.
- Operation times: 06:00 – 00:00 (may vary for different lines, and some lines are working 24/7)
- Ticket price: ₺27 for city busses, ₺54 for airport busses, and ₺40.08 (at some points, especially around the metrobus, you can scan your Istanbulkart after your trip – and possibly get some change back onto your card if the trip was short)
- Please check out this link to search the routes, stations, and timetables and create your journey.
- Metro: Metro is a fast and efficient underground system. Istanbul has ten metro lines (M1A, M1B, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, and M9).
- Operation times: 06:00 – 00:00 (only M8 is working between 06:00 – 23:00)
- Ticket price: ₺27
- Please check out this link for the timetables.
- Funicular: A funicular is a short but steep railway that connects higher and lower parts of the city and can help avoid hilly climbs. Istanbul has two funicular lines (F1 and F4).
- Operation times: 06:15 – 00:00
- Ticket price: ₺27
- Please check out this link for the timetables.
- Cable car: A cable car is an aerial system for scenic rides and elevated areas. Istanbul has two cable car lines (TF1 and TF2).
- Operation times: 08:00 – 19:00 for TF1 and 08:00 – 23:00 for TF2
- Ticket price: ₺27
- Please check out this link for the timetables.
- Marmaray (Suburban train): Marmaray is a rail connection system connecting Istanbul’s European and Asian sides via an underwater tunnel. Unfortunately there’s nothing scenic about this, but at least you can say you’ve crossed continents underwater.
- Operation times: 06:00 – 00:00 (on weekdays), 06:00 – 1:30 AM (on Fridays and weekends)
- Ticket price: ₺59.67 (like metrobuses, you can scan your Istanbulkart after your trip – and possibly get some change back onto your card if the trip was short)
- Please check out this link for the timetable.
- Ferry and IDO: A boat or ship that connects continents, islands, and other areas along the Bosphorus. A must-do according to us here at Fish in Water, especially up or down the Bosphorus. There are tours, but a lot of them are overpriced and inauthentic; take the ferry like a local instead.
- Operation times: mostly 06:15 – 23:00 (they vary from line to line; please check out the line).
- Ticket price: ₺31.75 for IDO, and city lines starting from ₺29.31 (can vary based on the line)
- Please check out this link for city lines (PDF version) and this link for IDO for the timetables.
- Dolmuş: Dolmuş is a shared minibus service with flexible stops (you can get off anywhere in their path). Dolmuş means “filled” in Turkish. Dolmuş usually have space for about 8 people, and, as the name suggests, they start their journey after all passengers get on board from the starting point.
- Operation times: 06:10 – 22:06 (may vary from line to line)
- Ticket price: The ticket price of the Dolmuş is calculated per kilometre travelled.
- 0-4 km: ₺25
- 4-7 km: ₺26
- 7-11 km: ₺27
- 11-15 km: ₺28
- 15-20 km: ₺30
- Dolmuş are accepting cash instead of credit cards or local transportation cards.
Ankara
Ankara is Turkey’s capital, and it has a well-organized public transportation system that includes the metro, Ankaray (light rail system), buses, dolmuş, and Başkentray (suburban tray).
- Metro: Metro is a fast and efficient underground system. Ankara has four metro lines (M1, M2, M3, and M4).
- Operation times: 06:00 – 01:00
- Ticket price: ₺26
- Please check out this link for the timetable.
- Ankaray: Ankaray is a light rail system covering central Ankara, with a single line (A1) between AŞTİ and Dikimevi.
- Operation times: 06:00 – 00:00
- Ticket price: ₺26
- Please check out these links (Aşti → Dikimevi and Dikimevi → Aşti) for the timetables.
- Bus: The bus is the primary public transportation system in Ankara.
- Operation times: 06:00 – 00:00 (may vary for different lines, and some lines are working 24/7)
- Ticket price: ₺26
- Please check out this link for the timetable.
- Başkentray: Başkentray is a suburban tray system that connects Sincan, central Ankara, and Kayaş.
- Operation times: 06:00 – 23:00
- Ticket price: ₺26
- Please check out this link for the timetable.
- Dolmuş: Dolmuş is a shared minibus service with flexible stops (you can get off anywhere in their path). Dolmuş means “filled” in Turkish. Dolmuş usually have space for about 8 people, and, as the name suggests, they start their journey after all passengers get on board from the starting point.
- Operation times: 06:10 – 22:06 (may vary from line to line)
- Ticket price: ₺30
- Cash only.
Izmir
Izmir is the third-largest city in Turkey, and its effective public transportation system includes the metro, IZBAN, tram, ferries, buses, and dolmuş.
- Metro: Metro is a fast underground rail system, and Izmir has a single metro line (M1).
- Operation times: 06:00 – 00:20
- Ticket price: ₺20
- Please check out this link for the timetable.
- IZBAN (Suburban train): IZBAN is a high-capacity rail system that connects Izmir’s farthest places via the centre.
- Operation times: 05:20 – 00:00
- Ticket price: ₺91.92 (this is the max amount) (if you are using Izmirim Kart instead of a credit card, the fee will be calculated based on the number of stations that you ride, and you can get the rest of the money back at your card)
- Please check out this link for the timetable.
- Tram: The tram is a scenic and comfortable system with two lines (Konak and Karşıyaka) that connect key districts.
- Operation times: 06:00 – 00:20
- Ticket price: ₺20
- Please check out this link for the timetable.
- Ferry: Ferry is a convenient and scenic way to travel across Konak, Karşıyaka, Alsancak, and Bostanlı. In summer terms, there are some ferries to summery places such as Urla or Foça.
- Operation times: 06:00 – 00:00
- Ticket price: ₺20
- Please check out this link for the timetable.
- Bus: The bus is a primary transportation source covering most of Izmir.
- Operation times: 06:00 – 00:00 (may vary for different lines)
- Ticket price: ₺20 (some buses may have different ticket prices based on their lines)
- Please check out this link for the timetable.
- Dolmuş: Dolmuş is a shared minibus service with flexible stops (you can get off anywhere in their path). Dolmuş means “filled” in Turkish. Dolmuş usually have space for about 8 people, and, as the name suggests, they start their journey after all passengers get on board from the starting point.
- Operation times: 06:10 – 22:06 (may vary from line to line)
- Ticket price: ₺10 – ₺16 (please check out this document for exact prices)
- Cash only.
Tips
- Be kind: give up your seat for the elderly, or if someone might look ill, pregnant, etc. It shouldn’t have to be said, but it’s your friendly reminder.
- Please be aware that the ticket prices can change. Dolmuş price information here is based on the latest fee announcements as of 07.11.2024. We haven’t heard stories about dolmuş trying to rip tourists off – they’re usually too crowded to get away with that sort of thing. It’ll be cheap, don’t worry about the change. Just enjoy the experience – it’s an interesting one.
- Most stations have English signs and announcements, but using mobile apps to track your road will make your trip easier. Here are some of the best apps:
- Moovit: Moovit is an urban mobility app that covers all local mobility options, including buses, rail, tube, bikes, and more. This app also gives you real-time updates, like showing the stop you need to get off the bus.
- Google Maps: If you’re not used to public transport, you might be surprised to learn Google Maps provides real-time public transportation information, such as navigation, estimated travel times, and alternative transport options.
- Citymapper: Citymapper is a real-time transportation application. Although it is a global application, please know that it only includes Istanbul (not Ankara or Izmir).
- Rush hour can get pretty wild in major cities in Turkey. Good luck finding a seat during these weekday hours:
- Morning ‘rush hour’: 7:00 – 9:00 AM
- Evening ‘rush hour’: 5:00 – 8:00 PM
- And on that note, don’t take pushing personally. Personal space might be something you’re used to back home. Don’t join in on the chaos, but don’t pitch a fit if people are gently pushing. If you’re not okay with some physical contact with strangers, you might want to avoid public transportation at rush hour, when we’re usually packed like sardines. (With the exception of ferries – ferries can definitely get crowded, but you can usually find a place to stand or sit where you’re not shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers)
- Most public transportation reduces the number of cycles after midnight or stops all routes completely:
Transportation Resources
- Istanbul
- Istanbul public transportation
- Istanbul metro network maps (including metro, tram, funicular, cable car, and metrobüs)
- Travel rules for metro
- Journey planner
- Ferry line map
- Ankara
- Ankara public transportation
- Ankara rail and cable transportation system map (including metro and Başkentray)
- Izmir
Emergency number: 112
