In many cities, answering the question "How much does public transport cost?" is simple — it often involves a single flat fare. However, Istanbul is a vast metropolis with a wide range of public transport options, where fares can either be fixed or vary depending on the number of stops. Additionally, due to ongoing inflation, ticket prices are regularly adjusted. Let’s break it down. We'll start by looking at the costs for the most common modes of transport in Istanbul — the metro, buses, and trams. Then we'll cover the fares for ferries and Marmaray trains. Finally, I'll explain how to find the most up-to-date fare information.
Contents of the article:
- How Much Does Public Transport in Istanbul Cost in 2025?
- What Does the Cost of Travel in Istanbul Depend On?
- Fares for Children on Istanbul Public Transport
- How Much Do Istanbul Public Transport Tickets Cost?
- What Tourists Should Know in 2025
- 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
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How Much Does Public Transport in Istanbul Cost in 2025?
As you may have heard, prices in Turkey — including public transport fares — have been rising rapidly. While many factors contribute to this, one word stands out: inflation. This economic reality is the main driver behind the frequent and significant fare increases across Istanbul’s public transport system.
How much — and how quickly — are fares rising? Let’s compare:
- September 2019: A tram or bus ride with an Istanbulkart cost 2 Turkish lira (approx. $0.33), with an exchange rate of 1 USD = 6 TRY.
- October 2025: The same ride now costs 35 Turkish lira (approx. $0.78), with an exchange rate of 1 USD = 42 TRY.
Due to ongoing inflation, public transport fares in Istanbul typically increase two to three times a year. So when you arrive, the actual prices may already be higher than those listed here. Keep this in mind while planning your trip.
Tip: To stay up to date, use the links in this article to check the current fares before traveling.
While exploring Istanbul, consider joining engaging English-language tours to discover the city's rich culture and hidden gems.
What Does the Cost of Travel in Istanbul Depend On?
The cost of public transport in Istanbul primarily depends on the type of transport you're using:
Fixed Fare Transport - charge a flat fare, regardless of how far you travel:
- Trams
- Funiculars
- Cable cars
- Regular buses
- Regular metro lines
- Some ferries
Distance-Based Fare Transport - the fare depends on the number of stops or distance traveled:
- Metrobus
- Marmaray trains
- Istanbul Airport metro line
- Most ferry routes
Tip: To simplify your trip, consider purchasing an Istanbul Transport Card with unlimited rides for 1, 3, 5, 7, or 15 days. It can be a convenient option, especially for tourists.
Fare Payment Methods
Your fare can also vary based on your payment method. The main options are:
- Istanbulkart – A rechargeable smart card offering the lowest fares.
- Single/Multi-Use Tickets – Valid for 1, 3, 5, or 10 rides; more expensive per ride than the Istanbulkart.
- Contactless Payment (e.g., Mastercard) – Accepted at gates, but charged at the maximum fare per ride.
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 late 2025, the ticket prices for public transport in Istanbul are as follows:
- 1 ride: 50 Turkish lira
- 3 rides: 145 Turkish lira
- 5 rides: 205 Turkish lira
- 10 rides: 400 Turkish lira
Additional Information:
- You can check the latest ticket prices on the official transport website: https://iett.istanbul/icerik/IETT-Toplu-Ulasim-ucret-Tarifesi
- Tickets can be used on all types of public transport in Istanbul, except for private ferry lines.
- Not all types of tickets are available at vending machines — typically, you’ll find 3, 5, or 10-ride tickets.
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 Know in 2025
- Transfers are not free: A separate payment is required for each transfer — for example, from a tram to the metro, or even between metro lines.
- No transfer discounts for tourists: Tourists using the Istanbulkart do not receive transfer discounts.
- Maximum fare for non-residents: Non-Turkish residents are charged the maximum fare, regardless of the number of stops traveled.
Many older articles claim that public transport in Istanbul is much cheaper with an Istanbulkart.
While this was true in the past, it now only applies to personalized Istanbulkarts issued to Turkish residents.
Recently, tourists have seen a significant reduction in the savings they can get from using the Istanbulkart.
Fare Information for Metro, Trams, and Buses in Istanbul
The fare is fixed (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 street and the historical tram in the Kadıköy area
- Regular buses (not Metrobus)
- Minibuses (dolmushes)
- Funiculars and cable cars
- Regular metro lines (excluding Marmaray and Istanbul Airport Metro Line)
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: 35 TL
- Single tickets: 40 to 50 TL, depending on the number of rides purchased
Ferry Fares in Istanbul
The cost of travel by ferry in Istanbul ranges from 38 to 89 TL, depending on the route.
- Tourists using an Istanbulkart pay the full fare listed in the first column of the official fare table.
- Ferries can also be paid for with single-ride tickets:
- 1 ticket for short routes
- 2 tickets for the Karaköy–Bostancı route
- 4 tickets for routes to the Princes' Islands
- Mastercard payment is available at some ferry terminals, but not all.
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 , accompanied by an English audio guide to better appreciate the landmarks visible from the ferry.
Fares for Ferries to the Princes' Islands
- Payment Method: Istanbulcart or 4 single tickets.
- 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 27 to 59.79 TL.
- Single Tickets: Three tickets can be used to pay for one Marmaray train ride.
- Special Marmaray Ticket: Costs 88 TL.
Note: The maximum fare (59.76 liras) is charged for non-personalized Istanbulkart cards, regardless of the distance of the trip. This means that tourists using Istanbulkart will pay 59.76 TL for each Marmaray train journey.
You can check the fares on the official website https://www.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr/ (website available only in Turkish).
For detailed information on the cost of the metro ride from Istanbul Airport, see the article How to Get from Istanbul Airport to the City and a Hotel.
Metrobus Fares
Tourists rarely use Metrobuses, as their routes are mostly located far from popular tourist areas. However, for your reference:
- Fare: Depending on the number of stops, it ranges from 20 to 44.27 TL when paid with an Istanbulkart.
Additional Tip: Wondering how to get from the airport to your hotel? Booking a transfer is the fastest and most comfortable option. Read more in this article.
