{"id":126,"date":"2025-07-01T16:54:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T07:54:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/?p=126"},"modified":"2025-07-01T17:01:18","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T08:01:18","slug":"guide-buying-using-istanbulkart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/guide-buying-using-istanbulkart\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to Buying and Using the Istanbulkart"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the Istanbulkart?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Istanbulkart<\/strong> is a very useful transportation card for visitors in Istanbul. You can use it on most public transport: buses, metro, trams, ferries, Metrobus, and cable cars. (It cannot be used on dolmu\u015f shared taxis or minibuses.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To help you move around easily, this guide explains the card types, how to buy them, and how to use them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>As of June 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/iett.istanbul\/icerik\/IETT-Toplu-Ulasim-ucret-Tarifesi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here is the fare table for city buses, Metrobus, and metro.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Types of Istanbulkart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For travelers, there are two main types:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Limited Use Cards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/istanbul-card-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2802\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Description<\/strong>: Like a multi-use ticket. You can buy 1-use, 2-use, 3-use, up to 10-use cards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Where to use<\/strong>: Buses, metro, tram, Metrobus (uses 2 credits), cable car, funicular.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Price examples<\/strong>:<br>1-use: 40 TL \/ 2-use: 70 TL \/ 3-use: 110 TL \/ 5-use: 160 TL \/ 10-use: 305 TL<br><em>Note: Machines add about 3.5% service fee.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pros<\/strong>: Easy to buy and ready to use on most transport.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cons<\/strong>: Some machines only sell 10-use cards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Note<\/strong>: Valid for 60 days after purchase.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Rechargeable Card (Anonymous Istanbulkart)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/istanbul-card-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2804\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Description<\/strong>: Red card. You pay 165 TL upfront for the card itself.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Where to use<\/strong>: All city transport (bus, metro, tram, Metrobus, cable car, funicular, Marmaray), city toilets, and some ferries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Example fares<\/strong>:<br>Bus\/metro ride: 27 TL (Metrobus: 40.08 TL \/ Marmaray: 59.76 TL), toilets: 5 TL.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pros<\/strong>: Easy to recharge. You can share one card among several people.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cons<\/strong>: If you use it only a few times, it may cost more than the limited-use option.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"swell-block-balloon\"><div class=\"c-balloon -bln-left\" data-col=\"blue\"><div class=\"c-balloon__icon -circle\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Kedi01-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"c-balloon__iconImg\" width=\"80px\" height=\"80px\"><span class=\"c-balloon__iconName\">Hocam<\/span><\/div><div class=\"c-balloon__body -speaking -border-on\"><div class=\"c-balloon__text\">\n<p>If you have a residence permit (with a foreigner ID number), you can link your card to your personal information. This gives you transfer discounts and partial refunds on Metrobus and Marmaray rides (depending on distance).<br><strong>How to link your card<\/strong>:<br>Visit <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/kisisellestirme.istanbulkart.istanbul\/\">this page<\/a> and enter your foreigner ID number, name, surname, date of birth, email, Istanbulkart number, and phone number.<br>You can also use the Istanbulkart mobile app, which is very convenient.<\/p>\n<span class=\"c-balloon__shapes\"><span class=\"c-balloon__before\"><\/span><span class=\"c-balloon__after\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Buy an Istanbulkart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/istanbul-airport-metro-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2737\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Machines at the airport metro station<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/istanbul-airport-metro-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2738\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Some machines have only English.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/istanbul-card-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2808\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Multiple language options available<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to buy a Limited Use Card<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Where to buy<\/strong>: Ticket machines near stations or bus stops. Some kiosks or shops also sell them (but kiosks often run out).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>How to buy<\/strong>:\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list is-style-num_circle\">\n<li>Choose the number of rides on the machine. (Most machines only offer 10-use cards.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pay with a credit card.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/istanbul-card-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2807\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Multiple language options available<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/istanbul-card-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2805\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This machine sells only 3-use cards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/istanbul-card-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2806\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Card purchase by credit card only<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to buy a Rechargeable Card<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Where to buy<\/strong>: Ticket machines in stations, some kiosks or shops.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>How to buy<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-num_circle\">\n<li>Select \u201cIstanbulkart\u201d on the machine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pay 165 TL for the card plus your initial top-up amount.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which type is best?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Short stay (1\u20132 days)<\/strong>: Limited use card is enough.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Longer stay (3+ days)<\/strong>: Rechargeable card is more cost-effective.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Want to use your phone?<\/strong>: Mobile Istanbulkart is great.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"swell-block-balloon\"><div class=\"c-balloon -bln-right\" data-col=\"green\"><div class=\"c-balloon__icon -circle\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Kedi02-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"c-balloon__iconImg\" width=\"80px\" height=\"80px\"><span class=\"c-balloon__iconName\">Loccy<\/span><\/div><div class=\"c-balloon__body -speaking -border-on\"><div class=\"c-balloon__text\">\n<p><span class=\"swl-marker mark_orange\">If unsure, get a <strong>rechargeable Istanbulkart<\/strong>!<\/span><br>You can also use it for public toilets, \u015eehir Hatlar\u0131 ferries, and Marmaray trains (which connect the European and Asian sides).<\/p>\n<span class=\"c-balloon__shapes\"><span class=\"c-balloon__before\"><\/span><span class=\"c-balloon__after\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Istanbulkart is a very helpful tool for visitors. It makes getting around easy and saves time and money. Choose the type that matches your stay and travel style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For detailed fares and more info, please check <a href=\"https:\/\/iett.istanbul\/icerik\/IETT-Toplu-Ulasim-ucret-Tarifesi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the official website.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Istanbulkart is a must-have transport card for visitors. This simple guide explains the two card types, where to buy them, how to use them, and tips to make your travel in Istanbul easy and smooth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":129,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"swell_btn_cv_data":"","footnotes":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-126","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-istanbul"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=126"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":131,"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126\/revisions\/131"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/129"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=126"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=126"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torukotsu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=126"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}