Istanbulkart, Marmaray & Bosphorus Ferries Guide (Plus Izmirim Kart & AntalyaKart)

Last reviewed: October 25, 2026 · Prices in Turkish Lira (₺ TRY) and Euros (€ EUR) are approximate and for orientation only.

Key Takeaways

• One anonymous physical Istanbulkart (₺130 card purchase fee) can be shared by up to 5 travelers—just tap once per person at the turnstile.
• Standard Metro/Tram/Funicular base fare is ~₺27 (€0.73) with Istanbulkart, compared to ₺40–₺50 for single-use paper QR tickets.
• Take public Şehir Hatları ferries from Eminönü or Karaköy to Kadıköy (~₺38, 20 min) for unbeatable Bosphorus skyline views at commuter prices.
• In İzmir (Izmirim Kart) and Antalya (AntalyaKart), you can also tap contactless foreign Visa/Mastercard cards directly at turnstiles.

How to Buy & Share an Anonymous Istanbulkart

Look for the yellow and blue Biletmatik vending machines at Istanbul Airport (M11 station), Sabiha Gökçen (M4 station), Sultanahmet T1 tram stops, and Eminönü ferry piers. Switch the screen language to English, select Buy Istanbulkart (₺130), and load ₺300–₺500 in cash or by contactless card. Because tourists do not have a Turkish ID number (TC Kimlik) to personalize the card, you won't receive local transfer discounts, which means up to 5 people can share a single Istanbulkart by tapping it consecutively and passing it back!

Top Tourist Lines in Istanbul

• T1 Kabataş–Bağcılar Tram: Connects Karaköy, Eminönü (Spice Bazaar/Ferries), Sirkeci, Gülhane, Sultanahmet (Hagia Sophia/Blue Mosque), and Beyazıt (Grand Bazaar).
• Marmaray Commuter Rail: Dives 60 meters beneath the Bosphorus Strait, connecting Sirkeci (European Side) to Üsküdar (4 min) and Söğütlüçeşme/Kadıköy (14 min).
• F1 & F2 Funiculars: Climb steeply from Kabataş to Taksim Square (F1) and from Karaköy to Istiklal Avenue (F2 Tarihi Tünel, the world's second-oldest subway built in 1875).