How to Get an Istanbulkart and Is It Worth It? (Real Traveler Tips)

Figuring out how to get around Istanbul could be a nightmare or at the opposite – a very smooth experience. Understanding the city’s public transportation system is key to making the most of your visit. And honestly – once you get it, it’s a breeze.

The Istanbulkart will definitely help you explore the city in the most convenient and cost-effective way. In this guide, I’ll share my personal experiences, tips, and insights on getting and using the Istanbulkart, helping you travel like a local.​

What it is and Why to Get it

The Istanbulkart that as you can guess means “Istanbul card” is a little plastic lifesaver. It’s the rechargeable contactless card that gets you into pretty much every form of public transport in Istanbul – buses, metros, ferries, trams, and even funiculars. 

Why Use an Istanbulkart instead of Your Bank Card?

Can you just tap your debit or credit card? Yes.

Should you? Not really, unless you’re only hopping on once or twice. 

You can think at the beginning just tapping your credit or debit card and going would be the best and easiest way to use the public transport in Istanbul. But just to let you know, you’ll be charged more than double the regular ride price, plus still not at every tram station or bus stop you can access the vehicle via credit card.

So, if you’re even thinking about using public transport more than once, this card will save you money, time, and tiny embarrassing moments at turnstiles.

Here’s why isn’t it better to use a bank card instead of Istanbulkart:

• No transfer discounts – a big deal if you’re switching lines or modes.
  
• Higher fares – card payments can cost 50-75 TRY vs. 27 TRY with the Istanbulkart.
  
• Foreign transaction fees – depends on your bank, but they can sneak up on you.
  
• Inconsistent reader availability – not all stops accept foreign cards reliably.
  

In short: the Istanbulkart is cheaper, smoother, and made for how locals travel.

Is Istanbulkart Worth it?

It really depends on how many days and how often you need a ride with the public transport.

So, here’s the honest truth:

• 1 to 2-day stay
  If you’re only here for a day or two and you barely use public transport in Istanbul, maybe you can skip it and travel by just tapping your bank card. But you need to be okay with the fact that with your bank card you’ll probably pay more than double the regular fare.

• 3-day stay or more
  If you’re staying 3 days or longer or plan to use public transportation more than twice per day, then 100% yes, get the Istanbul card. It pays for itself very quickly, especially if you take multiple types of public transport (like tram to ferry or metro to bus) because you get discounts on these transfers.
  
  There is even a bonus: you can share one Istanbulkart between multiple people. Just tap once per person. So great also for couples or families.

Where to Get an Istanbulkart?

So here’s what I wish someone had told me:

The Istanbulkart is super easy to get, but the machines can be a little confusing if you’re tired, sweaty, and hangry – which I was.

Look for the yellow and blue ticket machines (called Biletmatik) at metro stations, ferry docks, and bus hubs. These bad boys are everywhere, including the airport. Pro tip: the yellow ones take cash, and the blue ones usually accept credit cards.

• At Istanbul Airport (IST):
  If you’re arriving at Istanbul Airport, the easiest way to get an Istanbulkart is from the yellow/blue vending machines on the -2 level of the arrivals floor. 
  
  Additionally,  you can get an Istanbulkart also at shuttle service counters near the exits. Some currency exchange offices and kiosks within the airport are also authorised and sell Istanbul cards at standard prices.

• At Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW):
  At Sabiha Gökçen Airport, the Istanbulkart can be purchased from the yellow/blue vending machines situated near the public transport area, close to bus stops and metro station exits. Just outside the arrivals terminal, near the exit gates, convenience stores and kiosks also offer the card. If you miss these two options, you can get an Istanbulkart also from the Istanbul Electric Tram and Tunnel (IETT) booth located at the nearby public transport station.

• Buying the Istanbulkart in the City:
  
  – From the Yellow Vending Machines

Missed getting your card at the airport? No problem – you can grab an Istanbulkart from the yellow machines at most metro stations, major bus stops, ferry terminals, and tram stations (I got mine at one of the Marmaray stations after a small meltdown trying to figure out the machine, not gonna lie).

Pro tip: tap the English language option on the machine – it makes a huge difference.

Beware of scams: Just be careful of people offering “help” around these machines – they’re often trying to overcharge tourists or ask for tips. Politely decline and follow the on-screen steps yourself.

– From Kiosks & Convenience Stores:
Some kiosks and convenience stores also sell them, but the machines are usually the fastest and safest way to get them. So I wouldn’t recommend getting the Istanbulkart from any other place than the machines unless it looks really trustworthy.

– Supermarkets & Chain Stores: Larger supermarkets in Istanbul such as Migros, Carrefour, and Şok also sell Istanbulkart. 

Tips:

• Use cash to avoid potential issues with card acceptance.​
  
• The machine does not provide change, any excess amount is added to your card balance.​
  
• Avoid assistance from random people near the machines to prevent scams.
  

What Kind of Istanbulkart to buy?

There are several types of Istanbulkart, but as a tourist, the one you need is the Red Anonymous Istanbulkart. This is the only card sold without requiring residency or special status, so it’s perfect for you as a short-term visitor.

There’s also a tourist pass version (the Istanbul City Card), but honestly, it’s usually more expensive and less flexible. I skipped it after comparing prices. The regular Istanbulkart worked great for my entire stay, and I never once wished I had the fancy tourist version.

Other Card Types (Not for Tourists)

The other three types of Istanbulkart are not available to tourists:

• Student Card (İndirimli): the green one, only for students at Turkish universities
• Monthly Card (Mavi Kart/Abonnement): the blue one, only for Turkish citizens
• Free Pass (Ücretsiz): only for Turkish citizens over 65 years old

How Much to Recharge It (And What Does 1 Journey Cost?)

Machines accept cash (Turkish Lira), and many now take credit/debit cards. But bring cash just in case – not all foreign cards work.

Cost:

• 130 TRY for the card (no balance included)

The card itself costs 130 TRY, and it comes without credit. So be sure to load some money onto it right away.

• Load it right there with an extra money to start:

Start with at least 300–400 TRY if you’re staying a few days. I used around 600 TRY for a 6-day trip and I was taking ferries, trams, and buses all over.

Heads up: The machines don’t give change. Any extra cash goes onto the card. Not a bug — it’s a feature.

Fares:

• Standard fare with Istanbulkart: around 27 TRY per ride (The regular prices of a ride with the Marmaray and ferries are slightly higher than the ones with trams and buses)
  
• With contactless bank card: can be around 50 TRY (depending on the bank and processing fees)
  
• Transfers (within 2 hours): cheaper with Istanbulkart

Important: If you pay with cash at a machine, you don’t get change – extra money goes onto your card as credit. The machines also accept cards now, but not all of them. Always good to have some Turkish Lira on you just in case.

How many Istanbulkarts do you need? (If traveling with friends / family)

Here is one of the best parts of Istanbulkart: it can be shared between up to 5 people.

My partner and I used one card the whole trip. You just tap once per person. Just know that only the first tap gets the transfer discount. Also, if it doesn’t let you tap twice in a row, wait a sec or let someone else go first.

Which Transportation Types is the Istanbulkart Valid for?

Here’s where you can use it:

• Metro lines (M1 through M11)
  
• Trams (T1 to Sultanahmet is the tourist favorite)
  
• Ferries (from Eminönü at the European side to Kadıköy at the Asian side and back)
  
• Buses (IETT and public minibuses)
  
• Funiculars (like the F1 from Kabataş to Taksim)
  
• Marmaray (the underwater train between Europe and Asia)
  
• Bonus one: You can even use it for some public toilets and vending machines.
  And apparently some taxis are starting to accept it too, though I never tried that myself.

How to Reload Your Istanbulkart?

Once you get the card, reloading is very easy:

• Go to any Biletmatik.
  
• Tap your card on the reader.
  
• Insert cash or card, select amount, and confirm.
  

Tips you need to have in mind when using the Istanbulkart and reloading it:

• Biletmatik machines don’t always show your updated balance right away.
  You better check your balance frequently, especially on the screen after you tap in.
  
• Sound signal for not having enough credit
  I had to learn the hard way after tapping and hearing that dreaded beep – not enough credit. So yeah, check your balance often, especially when going on longer trips around Istanbul.

• Machine glitches
  Sometimes machine bugs happen and it can take your cash and not update the card. That happened once, but there was a Belbim kiosk nearby (they run the card system) and they helped sort it out. I had to mime a lot, but we got there.
  
• Keep a little cash just in case the machine doesn’t take cards that day.

• Reminder: watch out for scams

Don’t buy from scalpers or random dudes near the machines. They’ll upcharge like crazy or give you a dead card.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Just to remind you some of the most helpful things to have in mind when purchasing and using an Istanbulkart:

• Don’t buy from scalpers – only use official machines or kiosks.
  
• Check your card balance often – saves headaches.
  
• Carry some cash – especially for ferry terminals and older stations.
  
• Save your card – you can reuse it on your next trip (no end date!), or give it to someone heading to Istanbul.
  

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My Final Verdict: Is the Istanbulkart Worth It?

Yes, absolutely!

Even if you’re only in Istanbul for a weekend, the Istanbulkart pays for itself fast. It’s not just about saving a few lira — it’s about moving through the city with ease. No lines, no awkward explanations, no foreign card errors. Just tap and go.

I didn’t expect a little plastic red card to be one of my favorite travel tools in Istanbul, but here we are. If Istanbul’s on your bucket list, do yourself a favor: grab the card, load it up, and go explore. The city will open itself up to you – one tram, ferry, and funicular ride at a time. Enjoy Istanbul!