Ground Transportation in Istanbul
Buses
Buses are operated by IETT, you can find the buses’ timelines and stops on the website and app. Usually, the buses operate according to the timeline but the traffic makes it uncertain for them to arrive at interim stops on time. If there is a cancellation, they are announced on the app as well. Still, there is a slight chance that you might end up waiting but the one you are waiting never arrives. 🙁
You can pay with Istanbulcard or contactless Mastercard on the buses. There is no cash exchange. You should get on from the front door, the payment machine is right next to the driver.On the rush hours, locals sometimes utilize the other doors but send their Istanbulcards to the front rows with the help of other passengers. If I was a tourist, I wouldn’t prefer this one.
Metrobus
One of the most useful and widely used transportations in Istanbul as it is a very long line starting connecting Asian and European sides. The another advantage of metrobus is that it has a seperate road which makes it faster compared to the other transportation means. As it is used widely, it might be crowded but there are frequent trips. Sometimes they even come one after the other, so just be patient.
The pricing is based on the number of stops you go. So when you first pass through the tourniquet, you pay the full price and when you get off, there are return machines after the exit tourniquets. Refunds are only possible with Istanbulcard of course. Metrobuses are also operated by IETT, you can find the buses’ timelines and stops on the website and app.
Minibus
Minibuses are operated by different people. There is a website by Istanbul Municipality on the minibuses but I’ve never used those to be honest as most of the minibuses does not have strict timeline but operate according to their own will. Yet you can at least see what minibuses are there to utilize on your route.
You can get on and off to a minibus from anywhere, there is no stop special for minibuses except the first and last stop; just wave you hand to make them stop and get on. When getting off just tell to the driver. They only accept cash. You can get on even if there is no empty seating.
Dolmus (Yellow Minibus)
They are similar to taxis but you can think of it as the one you share with other people. There is no space to stand, that’s why some people find it more comfortable compared to minibuses. There is no stop special for dolmus as well except the first and last stop; just wave you hand to make them stop and get on. When getting off, just tell to the driver. They only accept cash. You can find the routes on the same site with minibuses but the ones that start with “D” are those ones but nobody uses those numbers if you ask the locals.
Trams
You can find the trams on Metro Istanbul’s website. This is a website operated by Municipality and you rely on the information there. You can use the Istanbulcard or Mastercard on this one as well while passing through the tourniquets.
Kadıköy-Moda tram is more like a nostalgic tram, so it’s smaller and older than the others. But don’t worry as it is a short distance from Kadıköy to Moda. I almost never use the tram as it take 10 minutes on foot as well. There are 3 more and especially on Kabatas-Sultanahmet and Eminonu-Balat routes there is so much traffic, it’s a better option to utilize the trams. I’ve never used the Topkapi one, so I cannot tell anything about it.
Nostalgic Tram in Beyoglu
There is a nostalgic tram in Beyoglu, mostly serving as a tourist attraction. I guess, I never get on to this tram. Thinking again, this might be a good option especially when it is too crowded on Istıklal Caddesi as it gets hard walking through the crowd on the weekends and evenings. Also, you might focus on the beautiful old apartments of Beyoglu better. You can find the information on IETT website and app.
Taxis
Taxis, unfortunately, are not so reliable as you do not choose the taxi but they choose whom to take 🙁 They do not like to go short distances or too long distances especially where they have to drive the other side. They don’t like passengers to get on on the driver change hours. Not all of them but some try to use the longer routes etc. The ones on the Asian side, to my opinion, are better but in the touristic areas it gets worse from what I hear. Also, on the rush hours, you can’t find an empty taxi; sometimes at night as well. You can use Bitaksi or Uber for finding a taxi and not to have any issue with the route but in the rush hours they are not even helpful. Now there are bigger options charging more and the more comfortable blue ones; you might consider those ones if you’d like. Eventually, it all depends the driver’s attitude and good intention. I myself try to come up with a second transportation option if I am going out at night or it is a rush hour just in case I can’t find any.
