In many cities, answering "How much does public transport cost?" is simple, often involving a single fare. However, Istanbul is a vast metropolis with various public transport options, where costs can be fixed or depend on the number of stops. Additionally, ticket prices are constantly rising due to inflation. Let's break it down. We'll start by looking at the costs for common modes of Istanbul transport - metro, bus, tram. Next, we'll explore the fares for ferries and the Marmaray trains. I'll provide information on how to find the actual fare prices.
Contents of the article:
- How Much Does Public Transport in Istanbul Cost in 2024?
- What Determines the Fare on Istanbul Transport?
- Fares for Children on Istanbul Public Transport
- How Much Do Istanbul Public Transport Tickets Cost?
- What Tourists Should Remember in 2024
- Fare Information for Metro, Trams, and Buses in Istanbul
- Ferry Fares in Istanbul
- Fares for Ferries to the Princes' Islands
- Marmaray Metro/Train Fares
- Metrobus Fares
Transfer (taxi) from the airport Interesting excursions and tours in Istanbul
How Much Does Public Transport in Istanbul Cost in 2024?
As you may have heard, prices in Turkey, including public transport fares, are rising at a rapid pace. While there are many factors contributing to this, one word stands out - inflation. This economic reality is a key driver behind the frequent and significant increases in public transport fares in Istanbul.
How much and how quickly are public transport fares in Istanbul increasing? Let's compare:
- September 2019: A tram or bus ride with an Istanbulkart cost 2 Turkish lira (approximately $0.33), with an exchange rate of 1 USD = 6 lira.
- October 2024: The same ride now costs 20 Turkish lira (approximately $0.57), with an exchange rate of 1 USD = 35 lira.
Due to significant inflation, the cost of public transport in Istanbul increases 2-3 times a year. When you arrive in Istanbul, prices may be higher than those mentioned here. Please keep this in mind.
Advise: To ensure you have the most up-to-date information, use the links provided in this article to check for any changes in Istanbul's transport fares. Explore Istanbul's sights and culture with engaging English tours to gain better insight into the city.
What Determines the Fare on Istanbul Transport?
The cost of travel in Istanbul depends primarily on the type of transport you use:
- Fixed Fare Transport - for these modes of transport, the fare is the same regardless of the distance travelled:
- Trams
- Funiculars
- Cable cars
- Regular buses
- Regular metro lines
- Some ferries
- Distance-Based Fare Transport - for these modes, the fare depends on the route and the number of stations you pass:
- Metrobus
- Marmaray trains
- Istanbul Airport metro line
- Most ferry routes
Make your trip to Istanbul easier by purchasing:
- Istanbul Transport Card with unlimited rides on public transport for 1, 3, 5, 7, or 15 days
- Ticket for 10 rides on public transport
Fare Payment Methods
The fare you pay also depends on your preferred payment method. Options include:
- A pre-paid and easily rechargeable Istanbulkart card
- Tickets (available for 1, 3, 5, or 10 trips)
- Payment by a Mastercard bank card at the maximum rate
For more information on payment methods and ticket buying, read the article How to pay for public transport in Istanbul.
Fares for Children on Istanbul Public Transport
| Children under 6 years old | Travel free on Istanbul public transport. |
| Children over 6 years old | Pay the same fare as adults. |
| Discounted Istanbulkart for children | Available only for Turkish residents. |
How Much Do Istanbul Public Transport Tickets Cost?
As of the end of 2024, the ticket prices for Istanbul public transport are:
- 1 ride: 30 Turkish lira
- 3 rides: 80 Turkish lira
- 5 rides: 120 Turkish lira
- 10 rides: 225 Turkish lira
Additional Information
- You can check the latest ticket prices on the transport company's website - https://iett.istanbul/icerik/IETT-Toplu-Ulasim-ucret-Tarifesi
- Tickets can be used on all types of Istanbul transport, except for ferries to the Princes' Islands.
- Not all types of tickets are available at vending machines; typically, you can find tickets for 3, 5, or 10 rides.
Read the article How to pay for public transport in Istanbul for more details on how to buy a ticket or an Istanbulkart.
What Tourists Should Remember in 2024
- Transfers are paid: A separate payment is required for any transfer, for example, from a tram to a metro or between metro lines.
- No transfer discounts for tourists: Starting in 2024, tourists using the Istanbulkart do not receive discounts for transfers.
- Maximum fare for non-residents: Non-Turkish residents pay the maximum fare, regardless of the number of stops travelled.
Many older articles mention that Istanbul's transport is much cheaper with an Istanbulkart. As of 2024, this is only true for personalized Istanbulkarts issued to Turkish residents.
Recently, tourists have seen a significant reduction in their ability to save money with the Istanbulkart.
Fare Information for Metro, Trams, and Buses in Istanbul
The fare is fixed and does not depend on the number of stops for the following types of transport:
- All types of trams, including the famous red tram on İstiklal Avenue and the historical tram in the Kadıköy area
- Regular buses (not Metrobus) and minibuses (dolmushes)
- Funiculars and cable cars
- Regular metro lines (not Marmaray or the metro line to/from Istanbul Airport)
For more details on the metro ride from Istanbul Airport, refer to the article How to Get from Istanbul Airport to the City and a Hotel.
Cost of Travel
- With Istanbulkart: 20 TL
- Single tickets: 22.5 to 30 TL, depending on the number of rides purchased
Ferry Fares in Istanbul
The cost of travel by ferry in Istanbul ranges from 23 to 68 TL, depending on the route.
- Tourists pay the full fare listed in the first column of the fare table.
Visit the official website for the most up-to-date ferry fares - https://sehirhatlari.istanbul/en. However, please note that the site is often down.
Recommended Activity: Take a ferry tour on the Bosphorus or the Golden Horn with an English audio guide to better understand the Istanbul landmarks visible from the ferry.
Fares for Ferries to the Princes' Islands
- Payment Method: Fares to the Princes' Islands can only be paid with an Istanbulkart.
- Tourist Fare: Tourists pay the maximum fare listed in the table.
Marmaray Metro/Train Fares
The cost of a ride on the Marmaray metro depends on the number of stops, ranging from 20 to 80 TL.
- Istanbulkart: Fares range from 20 to 44.27 TL.
- Single Tickets: Three tickets can be used to pay for one Marmaray train ride.
- Special Marmaray Ticket: Costs 80 TL.
Please note that the maximum fare (44.27 TL) is charged for a non-personalized Istanbulkart, regardless of the trip's distance.
You can check the fares on the official website https://www.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr/ (the website is only in Turkish language).
The article How to Get from Istanbul Airport to the City and a Hotel provides detailed information on the cost of a metro ride from Istanbul Airport.
Metrobus Fares
Tourists rarely use Metrobus buses as their routes are far from tourist areas. However, for reference:
- Fare: Depending on the number of stops, it ranges from 20 to 44.27 TL when paid with an Istanbulkart.
Additional Tip: Do you know how to get from the airport to your hotel? Booking a transfer is the fastest and most comfortable option. Read more in this article.
