The public transport industry in the city is very well developed. In addition to the usual minibuses, in Istanbul you can ride the funicular and cable car.
Peculiarities of urban transport in Istanbul
Istanbul transport is very modern and comfortable. Some of them even offer free Wi-Fi services.
If you are going to travel a lot around the city, it is recommended to purchase a special electronic Istanbul Card. They can pay for travel in public transport. The fare is 6 TRY. Before leaving, you will need to return it and the amount spent will be returned.
Fare
You can also pay with token, which costs 4 TRY per trip.
Compared to a card, the average fare is 2.4 TRY. It remains only not to forget to replenish it in time.
Public transport in Istanbul
Buses
The most important transport links are concentrated in the capital, which are engaged in transportation not only within the country, but also abroad. Here are two bus stations:
Esenler, located in the European part.
Harem, located in the Asian part.
Municipal buses
The bus fleet of Istanbul has 5,400 vehicles, which carry a lot of passengers per day. Above the windshield of the car, the route number and the final stopping point are indicated. But the main stopping points are located on the side of the bus.
Metrobuses
In Istanbul, a line of high-speed buses was opened relatively recently, in 2007. Their goal is uninterrupted and fast movement between the Asian and European parts of the capital. Metrobuses are more used by the local population, who are in a hurry to work. The route line passes through the sights.
Dolmushi buses
They are a kind of alternative to buses in terms of speed and comfort. The fare is slightly higher. It is important that you cannot pay with Istanbulkart here, only with cash to the person sitting near the driver.
Transportation is yellow, and it is designed for 8-15 people. You can see the route sheet by looking at the right side of the windshield. Dolmushi can make stops everywhere at the request of the passenger.
Tourist bus
Also, especially for vacationers, the authorities launched a double-decker bus to places of interest, so that it would be more convenient to see all the highlights of the capital. Inside the salon you will find an audio guide in several languages, a WI-FI card. You can buy a ticket on the Internet or at the driver's seat.
Rail transport in Istanbul
Metro
The Istanbul Metro is popular with tourists and locals alike. It has 6 branches, of which two serve the Asian part of the capital. On the way, transport makes 89 stops, but every year their number increases. Every day the subway transports more than 600 million people.
City tram
It is interesting that the first trams in Istanbul stopped running in the 60s of the twentieth century. However, the sharp increase in the number of road transport has led to traffic jams. Therefore, the authorities decided to launch a new tram line in the European part of the capital.
Today, locals call the tram a light metro that carries passengers along two routes:
Kabataş - Bağcılar. Its length is about 18.5 km and 31 stops are made along the way. The interval of the tram even during rush hour is about 2 minutes. The transport schedule is from 6:00 to 00:00.
Topkapı - Mescid-i Selam. Its length is about 18.5 km and 22 stops are made along the way. The interval of the tram even at rush hour is about 5 minutes. The transport schedule is from 6:00 to 00:00.
Historical tram
A retro tram, the symbol of Istanbul - the "Nostalgic Tram" with unique old cars, was also opened especially for vacationers in the city. It runs on two-ring routes.
In the Asian part of the city, the line "bus station Kadıköy-Moda District" was opened in 1990. Its length is about 2.6 km and 10 stops are made along the way. Tram runs every 10 minutes. The transport schedule is from 6:55 to 21:20.
In the European half of the capital, the line was opened on November 1, 2003, which runs through Istiklal Boulevard, Taksim Square and the Tunel funicular station. Its length is about 1.64 km and 5 stops are made along the way. Tram runs every 20 minutes. The transport schedule is from 7:00 to 20:00.
Water transport
Since the capital is surrounded by water, water transport will come in handy. It runs along the Bosphorus Strait and the Golden Horn Bay, thus connecting marinas, districts and suburbs.
Today, the following types of water transport run in Istanbul:
sea bus Sea Buses;
traditional Vapur ferry;
private boat.
He is good because there are no traffic jams here, and he can get to his destination faster than cars. Istanbulkart or a one-time ticket is suitable for payment.
Other means of transport in Istanbul
Funicular
The capital boasts three funicular branches.
F1 or "Kabataş - Taksim"
Its length is 600 m. The route was opened in the summer of 2006, it connects the Taksim metro stop and the Kabatash tram station. The interval of the funicular is about 5 minutes. You will spend about 2.5 minutes on the road. Working hours from 6:00 to 00:00.
F2 or "Karaköy - Beyoğlu"
This is the oldest underground line in the world (after the London branch), which opened in January 1875. The length is 573 m and connects two large blocks. Two carriages can carry about 170 passengers. The funicular moves at a frequency of about 7 minutes. and the travel time will take 1.5 minutes. Working hours from 7:00 to 22:45.
F3 or "Vadistanbul - Seyrantepe"
The length of the route is 750 m and, unlike the previous two underground lines, this one moves above the ground. Trailers come every 10 minutes, you will spend 3 minutes on the road. Working hours from 8:30 to 23:00.
Marmaray Train
This is a convenient way to travel between the Asian and European halves of the capital. It became fully operational in March 2019. It follows the direction from the European part - Halkali station to the Asian side - Gebze station through the Bosphorus Strait.
Ropeway
"Air" transport also has several lines:
The first line of them runs over Democracy Park and connects the two hotels. Open from 8:00 to 19:00 and can carry 12 people in two gondolas.
Second line has been in operation since 2005 and passes through the historical area of Eyup and Pierre Loti Hill. Open from 8:00 to 22:00.
Taxi
Perhaps, a taxi is the most comfortable way to travel, although traffic jams can still be avoided. Taking a taxi on weekdays is not cost-effective, as you can get there during rush hour. Since 2019, transport has been metered.
Payment is done as follows:
Landing will cost 5 TRY.
Each kilometer will cost 3.5 TRY.
You have to pay 18 TRY for an hour of waiting.
The capital city of Turkey is simply impressive with its modern transportation and extensive network that continues to develop. Therefore, getting from one part of the city to another is not a problem, except for occasional traffic congestion. But this is just a small obstacle on the way to exploring this beautiful city.
