İstanbul transportation guide: Everything you ever wanted to know about the İstanbulkart
A popular destination for local and international tourists, İstanbul dazzles visitors from the first glimpse of the city’s famous silhouettes.
Some visitors might also find themselves a little dizzy from trying to figure out how to get around this sprawling city. But it isn’t really difficult at all – thanks to the İstanbulkart! The system, created by the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality, is designed so that locals and visitors alike can use public transportation – and other services – easily and seamlessly.
Let’s get started!
About the İstanbulkart and the various types of İstanbulkart
The İstanbulkart is, essentially, a multifaceted digitalized card that is used for payment on urban transportation systems, as well as in marketplaces, parking lots and social facilities. Keep reading to find out which type of İstanbulkart is best for you. Note: you may not be eligible for certain types of İstanbulkarts.
1. BASIC İstanbulkart
The basic İstanbulkart can be purchased and used by anyone but are not compatible with an annual subscription scheme. You can buy the basic İstanbulkart from vending machines or kiosks at the metro and tram stations.
2. DISCOUNTED İstanbulkart
Teachers and students, and individuals over 60 years of age are eligible to use the Discounted İstanbulkart. To obtain a student card, you must visit an İstanbulkart application point with a photograph taken within the last six months and your ID card.
Teachers must provide a signed and sealed upper institution letter written within the last month, a headshot photo and their ID card for a teacher’s card. For individuals 60 years of age an older, an ID card and a headshot photo taken in the past six months are sufficient to obtain a discount card.
3. BLUE Card (monthly pass)
For individuals who don’t qualify for a DISCOUNTED or FREE card, a BLUE card is available. The BLUE card can be purchased for a set monthly fee. If you use up your subscription, you can add Turkish lira to the card. To obtain a BLUE card, simply bring your ID card and a headshot photo taken within the last six months to the application point.
4. LIMITED USE Cards
LIMITED USE cards, typically used by those who are visiting rather than living in İstanbul, are available in single-pass, two-pass, three-pass, five-pass and ten-pass variants. You can purchase these cards at ticket machines placed around the city.
5. FREE İstanbulkart
FREE İstanbulkarts are available for individuals 65 years of age and older, or individuals who are disabled. As well, FREE İstanbulkarts are available for PTT (Post Office) and TUIK (Turkish Statistical Institute) employees, families of martyrs, companions, and members of the press, as well as EHS (Emergency Health Service) employees, municipal police, national athletes, veterans and their families, those disabled on active duty and their families, and mothers with children under four years old. To obtain a FREE İstanbulkart, you must visit an İstanbulkart application point and submit a headshot photo taken within the past six months and an ID card.
What is the cost of an İstanbulkart?
The fee for the İstanbulkart will vary depending on the type of card and the mode of transportation. You can check this table to determine the current cost of getting the cards.
Where can the İstanbulkart be used?
The İstanbulkart can be used to pay the fees for the restrooms run by the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality, as well as on any of the city’s public transportation systems, including buses, metrobuses, trams, and ferries. The İstanbulkart can also be used as a payment method at some markets, at the Isparks water vending machines, and other places.
How do I add funds to my İstanbulkart?
You can add funds to your İstanbulkart at İstanbulkart ticket machines throughout the city. These are usually located in metro stations or at tram stops. These machines take cash. But you can also top up your İstanbulkart balance via the İstanbul mobile app, your bank’s mobile app, if the bank has an agreement with İstanbulkart; or via NFC-enabled smartphones.
Can I get a refund on my İstanbulkart?
Distance-based pricing is applied on the Metrobus and Marmaray lines; you can get a refund by scanning your İstanbulkart at the return machine. Please note that the Metrobus’s gradual fare tariff (distance-based pricing) is not valid between 00.00-06.00.
On the Marmaray line, there is no refund for exits from the same station.
How do I renew my İstanbulkart?
The İstanbulkart renewal process can be performed at İstanbulkart application points between 08.30 to 17.30. There are more than thirty of these locations across the city.