Istanbul Card: Step-by-step Guide, price 2024
Istanbulkart (Istanbul Card) is city transport pass card and also a card which you can use to pay for many needs. For example, you can use Istanbulkart to pay in product shops an supermarkets, museum shops and some cafes, public WC’s.
Istanbulcard is Istanbul Transportation Card.
It’s absolutely worth to get an Istanbulkart while you travel in Istanbul: it will save your time, money and will make your movements around the city more comfortable. Also, it’s very easy to purchase and reload Istanbulkart, so you don’t have to waste much time for this.
So let’s find out — where to buy Istanbulkart and how to use it, what advantages it has and what are the public transport fares with Istanbulkart payment.
Istanbul City Card: the card made fore tourists
Istanbul City Card for tourists
Here is a new card which was made especially for tourists. It’s new card that don’t need any registration and has different terms of use and limits.
There are city cards for 1-3-5-7-15 days.
During this time, the card provides unlimited access to public transport — metro, trams, metrobuses and ferries.
According to the official information, you can buy a card through the same ticket counter where the usual Istanbul Card is sold (these are places of public transport stops, piers etc.).
It also provides an opportunity to visit several museums and join a Bosphorus Tour. Among the museums that are accessible: the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan sarnıcı), Theodosius Cistern (Şerefiye sarnıcı), Miniatürk museum, Panorama 1453 museum.
- Unlimited travel for 1 day — 461 TL
- Unlimited travel for 1 day, Museums and Bosphorus Tour — 2441 TL
- Unlimited travel for 3 days — 829 TL
- Unlimited travel for 3 days, Museums and Bosphorus Tour— 2809 TL
- Unlimited travel for 5 days — 1603 TL
- Unlimited travel for 5 days, Museums and Bosphorus Tour — 3583 TL
- Unlimited travel for 7 days — 2030 TL
- Unlimited travel for 7 days, Museums and Bosphorus Tour — 4017 TL
- Unlimited travel for 15 days — 3007 TL
- Unlimited travel for 15 days, Museums and Bosphorus Tour — 4987 TL
- Museums and Bosphorus Tour — 2210 TL
What is the Istanbul Card?
İstanbulkart
If you want to speed across Istanbul using the city’s excellent public transport, then you will want to consider buying an Istanbulkart. The Istanbulkart is the most efficient way to move around the great city. It is also the cheapest way to use public transport in Istanbul.
The card is known as a budget-friendly, time-saving piece of plastic to carry in your pocket. Istanbulkart is a contactless card that allows you to swipe in and out of all public transportation methods. Whether you want to travel by bus or metro, the Istanbulkart makes it possible.
The great thing about the Istanbulkart is that it allows you to use the city’s entire public transport system. All you need is one transport card to access the various forms of Istanbul’s public transportation, making it easy to get from one destination to the next.
Where to buy an Istanbulkart?
You can buy Istanbulkart in yellow vending machine — biletmatik
The Istanbul Card can be found at a number of places around the city of Istanbul. In fact, there are more than 2,000 places in which you can purchase the contactless card.
Istanbulkart is available to purchase from blue and yellow vending machines located inside tram, ferry, metro, funicular, and metrobus stations. You can also find Istanbulkart at kiosks situated near many of the public bus stops around Istanbul.
Travelers will also find the handy cards at vending machines located inside Istanbul Airport. The machines selling Istanbulkart are situated on the –2 floor, which is known as the public transportation arrival floor.
An Istanbulkart costs 130 TRY. Keep in mind this price may change. The card comes with no credit on it, so you will need to load it.
Travelers to Istanbul should purchase the Anonymous Istanbulkart. There are a variety of Istanbulkarts available to purchase, but only the Anonymous Istabulkart is for tourists. There are four Istanbulkart cards in total. One card is for students at local universities, another is for locals over 65-years old, and the fourth is for Turkish residents.
The price of one ride on Istanbul public transportation is 15 liras. After buying your Istanbulkart, you will need to load it with funds. This is simple and can be done using the same vending machine (Biletmatik) you purchased it from.
Is Istanbulkart available for mobile?
The great thing about the Istanbulkart is that you can use the official app rather than the old-fashioned physical card. The app makes the Istanbulkart even easier to use. You don’t have to load your card with cash money. Instead, you can simply load it with your credit card. The app makes it possible to travel more efficiently around Istanbul on all forms of public transport.
Unfortunately, it may be simpler to use the old-fashioned card version to travel around Istanbul. Why? The reviews on the Apple App Store and Google Play for the Istanbulkart app are not positive. The functionality of the app doesn’t seem to work well for some of the travelers who used it. Despite others not liking the app, you may find it to work perfectly for your trip.
How to load an Istanbulkart
You need to remember that the Istanbulkart does not come preloaded with credit. The 130 TRY to buy the card simply gives you the physical card and the ability to use it. Once you purchase the card from the vending machine, you will need to load it with cash money.
Just like buying the Istanbulkart, loading it is simple. You will need to place your card in the blue and yellow vending machine. The machine will scan the card. Once the scan is finished, deposit your cash into the machine to put credit onto the physical card.
When you need to reload your card, look for shops with the phrase ‘Akbil Dolum Noktası’. These shops offer reloading service. Also, you can use the vending machines at public transportation stations. The machines accept 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 TRY notes. The machines also offer multiple language functions.
Istanbul Card Public Transport Fares
-
- Full-fare — 20 TRY
- Marmaray Full-fare ticket — 39,18 TRY
- Ferry to Princes Islands — 65,47 TRY
- Metrobus — up to 22,25 TRY (depends on amount of stops)
Nowadays only owners of registered Istanbulkards have an opportunity to use refund machines or pay less for transfer instead of full-fare. To register your Istanbulkart use official website — https://bireysel.istanbulkart.istanbul/
What are the advantages to the IstanbulCard?
Istanbulkart
There are several advantages to using the Istanbulkart. These include:
-
-
- Multi-use. The card allows you to pay for a variety of public transport forms.
- Simplicity. Most types of transport around Istanbul do not accept cash payments. Therefore, you will need to use the Instabulkart to access all types of transport.
- Pre-paid. By using a pre-paid card, you can simply go through the turnstiles to get to the metro or jump onto the bus without waiting in queues to by a physical ticket.
- Group travel. One Istanbulkart works for up to five passengers.
-
The Istanbulkart makes traveling around the city of Istanbul simple and efficient. It is a great way to travel and will save you money. You cannot beat its budget-friendly, easy-to-use nature.
How much does Istanbul Card cost?
Istanbulkart costs 130 Turkish Lira
You can load your Istanbulkart up to 2750 TL
Where I can use Istanbulkart?
You can use Istanbulkart in public transport: tram, metro, bus, ferry, metrobus, funicular and etc. Pay in some shops (for ex. Migros), pay in cafes or for public WC.
How do I check my Istanbulkart balance?
You can check the balance of your card in Biletmatik machine — place the card on the plastic inset on the right sight of machine and wait for a while. After a few seconds Biletmatik will show on the screen the balance of your card.
I purchased an Istanbul card in June 2019. I intended to visit again in December 2019.
Because of Covid regulations, I did not visit Turkiye. Now since Covid regulations are no longer in place I will visit in September 2022.
I believe that the card is cancelled if not used for 3 years. Is there a grace period to extend the 3 year non use period because of Covid restrictions.?
Hello,
Actually there is no exact period for Istanbulkart. You can check your card when you get here — just place it in an automat screen, if it works and you can top up your balance it means that it works.
There is no card cancellation (I still use my card which I purchased 5 years ago).
I am teacher in Saraybosna. Can I buy blue Istanbulcar?
Hi
Blue Istanbulkart is just for those teachers who own a citizenship.
do you mean you can use it this year and next year when you revisit Istanbul you can use it again?
Yes, of course. Nothing happens to card because it’s standart plastic card
Hi, what about price of blue instanmbul city card price for one day? In some videos it is 210 lira while on websites it is shown as 21 euros.
Hello.
You can’t buy Blue Istanbulcard if you are not a student or teacher or municipal worker.
As a tourist you can buy just red Istanbulcard.
Today a price for Istanbulcard is 70 Liras.
Can I use a credit/debit card to load the card? Or, it has to be cash? or dollars? Can I use the card to buy coffee, grocery, lunch?
Thanks!
Hello,
Yes there machines where you can use the creditcard to load Istanbulcard.
In some places, as municipality cafes, you can pay for your drinks and food with Istanbulcard.
I bought my card and it always don’t accept money after one month I need to buy another card
May be you have exceeded the limit for Istanbulkart — it’s 500 TL for one month.
We purchased our card 30/11/23 from a kiosk outside the airport. We were charged 800TL. We were told we had x5 journeys each on the card. We feel we have been ripped off
Hello.
I think there was some mistake because the cost of one Istanbulkart is 70 TL. You should go to the Service Point in Kadıköy (Kadıköy Başvuru Merkezi) or in Karaköy, and ask them about this mistake. But you should have your bill or pay slip with you to prove this situation.
Or may be you mistakenly bought not Istanbulkart but Istanbul City Pass which is available for 1-3-5-7-15 days and the prices for this type of cards are higher, because they provide you unlimited access to all kind of transport and some entrances to museums
Hello! I have few questions.
If we use 1 Istanbulkart for 5 people — then is no transfer price (just full fare) for all?
If we go from one metro line to other on same metro station — is this transfer or just one ride?
And how on Metrobus — fix max price 22,25 TRY for all if 1 Istanbulkart use 5 people (not depend on amount of stops)?
Hello
First of all, you can’t use one card for 5 person — it’s impossible. Max for 2-3.
Second — the limit for unpersonal Istanbulkart is 500 TL so it will finish very soon if you will use it for 3 person.
Third — as a tourist (not a citizen) you will pay full price for every transport use (no matter how much stops).
hi would like to ask, do we need to activate istanbulkart (like activation code HES?)? If need, how do we go about it? tq
Hi
There is no activation code needed — you just buy a cart and can use it immediately
Thank you for answer.
And how does 10 Passes Card Electronic Ticket works?
Can one 10 Pass ticket be used on metro, tram, bus, ferry and Marmaray?
And can one 10 Pass ticket be used for more people?
Our stay is for 4 days and we are 5 tourists i read that we can buy one anonymous Istanbulcart, and use it for 4 days each day we have 2 ways go and return for 5 pers how much do i have to pay??
Hi there
I don’t know which transport you will use (the prices are different)
Now is monthly limit 2.750 Turkish lira per card. This limit is reset on first day of month. So you can use one card. We were also five and it was enough. You just put your daily amount travel money on card. It is simply and machines are everywhere.
Hi Dusan,
is the anonymous istanbulkart limit 2750 try/month?
Or the registered?
Thanks
Hello,
It’s a limit for unregistered Istanbulkart
Hello, is there a limit to how much money you can load onto the Istanbulkart? Do you have to scan the card twice when paying for two people? Thank you.
Hi!
Yes, the limit for Istanbulkart is 500 TL. You have scan the card twice if you are paying for two people.
Have a nice day!
Now is monthly limit 2.750 Turkish lira not 500 TL per card. This limit is reset on first day of month.
Hi, Just to be sure, if we are 3 person, we need only 1 istanbulkart, is that right ? And we can travel whit no problems, Just scan 3 times every time we enter a metro line ? Do we get 3 ticket on machine or how does it work ? what would be the benefit if we buy 3 karts.
Hi there!
Sometimes (I dont know the exact reason) but Istanbulkart can be used consistently just for two person. Also, there is a limit for Istanbulkart (most of tourists use card with no binding to telefon number) so max sum which you can load it’s just 500TL. So it means that this sum will end very soon and you will have to buy a new one.
You attach the card to the reader on the turnstile and it will open.
Hi, just arrived and a local man “helped” me purchasing the Istanbulkart at the biletmatik machine at Galataport.
First I paid TL 341,55, think it was for the card.
Then he told me to top it up with 10 trips, and I put the card on and I was charged TL 652,05
Non of the amounts make sense to me as so far we have paid TL 20 per trip (per person). And the balance on the card is as I had reloaded with TL 200 (=10 trips), but how come I paid TL 652,05?
What am I missing?
And how to get help to recover the overpay?
Hello
The price of IstanbulCard today is 130 TL. So it’s impossible to be charged otomatically with these strange numbers like 341,55 TL. You have to go to the Istanbulcard office which located not far from Galata Tower here or near Kadikoy pier.
Did you manage to figure this out? I got the exact same problem with the exact same strange numbers. It was an absolute rip off and none of it makes sense.
We were in Istanbul from 25.2. to 3.3.2024. Now is monthly limit 2.750 Turkish lira per card. This limit is reset on first day of month. So you can use one card. We were five and we use only one card without problems.
Can I use Istanbulkart from Istanbul International Airport to my hotel Hilton Istanbul Maslak using M11 and M2 and on my departure the reverse route from Hilton Istanbul on M2 and M11 to Istanbul International Airport.
What will my cost be for each route ie airport to hotel?
What is the cost of an Istanbulkart — 50 or 70 Turkish Lira?
Hello,
The cost of Istanbulkart is 70TL, full fare price of one public transport use is 17,7 TL.
Say that only registered Istanbulkard owners have the option to use cashback machines or pay less for the transfer instead of the full fare.
but also that it is a card designed for tourists, simpler to use and more efficient.
If it’s a tourist card, why does it have to be registered on that link, because I don’t understand the point?
In other European cities there are special cards for tourists, with an unlimited number of trips and for several areas of those cities, for certain periods of time (Milan, Barcelona, for example).
You buy it by paying the amount for the chosen period, and you don’t have to wait to see what balance you have left, to top it up, etc.
This gives efficiency and convenience!
Is there such a card in Istanbul?
I intend to go to Istanbul and I am trying to plan my trip, and the information found on various pages is inconclusive.
Please answer these questions if you have recent information.
Thank you!
Hi Mary,
I wrote some information about new City Card so I think now it will be easier for tourists to pay for transportation. Check here please
Great job site admin! You have made it look so easy talking about that topic, providing your readers some vital information. I would love to see more helpful articles like this, so please keep posting!
hi, we are about to visit Istanbul for 10 days and would like to have access to the public transportation.
i assume that we will but an istanbulkart, for two persons.
is it possible to get any amount that has not been used transferred back ?
kind regards
Hi
Its impossible to take your money back. But you can spend some of them bying anything at Migros stores (food or chocolate etc).