Practical Istanbul - what’s good to know before you go
- Martin
- Mar 19
- 4 min read
The first time you look at a map of Istanbul, it can feel a bit overwhelming.
A city of more than 16 million people, spread across two continents, with a transport system of metros, trams, buses and ferries crossing in every direction.
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But quite quickly, you realise something:
It actually works surprisingly well.
Once you understand a few key things - the transport card, the airports, payments and your mobile connection - the city starts to make sense.
Here, I’ve gathered the most important practical details to help you get around Istanbul with ease.
Practical Istanbul - in short
If you want to get around without hassle, these are the key things to know:
• Istanbulkart is used on metros, trams, buses and ferries
• There is metro access from both Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen
• Public transport is often faster than taxis due to heavy traffic
• BiTaksi or Uber are the easiest ways to order a taxi
• Card payments work in most places, but carry some cash for small purchases
• Check your roaming plan - Turkey is not part of the EU roaming zone
Istanbulkart and public transport
The easiest way to get around Istanbul is by public transport.
Metro lines, trams, buses, the Marmaray train under the Bosphorus and the city’s ferries are all part of the same system. With an Istanbulkart, you can use all of them.
You can buy the card from machines at metro stations, ferry terminals and major transport hubs. Once you have it, you simply top it up and scan it at the entrance.
If you are travelling together, the same card can be used multiple times in a row.
At many stations and ferries, you can also pay with contactless Visa or Mastercard. This can be convenient for short stays, but there is usually a small extra fee, and it does not work everywhere. For example, Marmaray still requires an Istanbulkart.
One small detail many people discover later: the card can also be used at many public toilets around the city.
On water, on rails and underground
Once you have an Istanbulkart, the city suddenly becomes much easier to navigate.
Find out more about Istanbulkart here: Istanbulkart: Istanbul’s Public Transport Card Explained
In practice, Istanbul moves in three ways - on water, on rails and underground.
The metro is the fastest way to cover longer distances, and the network is expanding rapidly.
The T1 tram connects many of the historic areas and runs between places like Kabataş, Karaköy, Eminönü and Sultanahmet. If you visit the historic peninsula, you will almost certainly use it.
And then there are the ferries.
They connect Europe and Asia - for example between Eminönü, Beşiktaş, Kadıköy and Üsküdar. For locals, they are part of everyday life. For visitors, they quickly become one of the best ways to experience the city.
After a couple of days, you will probably notice the same thing as everyone else: you rarely rely on just one type of transport. Instead, you combine metro, tram and ferries depending on where you are going.
Google Maps generally works well in Istanbul and shows routes across metro, trams and ferries.
From the airport to the city
Istanbul has two international airports.
Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) on the Asian side.
From both airports, there is now a metro connection into the city. It is often the most reliable option, as you avoid traffic.
There are also airport buses - Havaist from IST and Havabus from SAW. They connect to major transport hubs, but like taxis, they depend on traffic.
Taking a taxi is simple, but travel time can vary a lot.
Another option is a private transfer, where you are met in the arrivals hall and driven directly to your hotel. This can be especially convenient after a long flight or a late arrival.
Taxi, Uber and BiTaksi
Taxis are easy to find in Istanbul.
You will see them everywhere - at hotels, stations and busy squares. Many drivers also cruise slowly through the streets and give a short honk to signal they are available.
That said, I strongly recommend using apps like BiTaksi or Uber.
This way, your trip and driver are registered in the system, and you have access to support through the app if needed.
Traffic is the main variable. During rush hours, even short trips can take much longer than expected. On many routes, metro or ferries are simply more predictable.
Money and payments
The currency is Turkish lira (TL).
Card payments are widely accepted, and most places take Visa and Mastercard. Mobile payments are also common.
Still, it is a good idea to carry some cash.
Small cafés, kiosks and local places often prefer it.
Many visitors withdraw lira from ATMs or use services like Revolut, which often offer a good exchange rate.
Mobile phones and data in Turkey
Turkey is not part of the EU roaming zone.
Some European providers include Turkey in their own roaming packages, so it may work without issues - but it depends on your plan.
If roaming is not an option, you can buy a local SIM card from providers like Turkcell, Vodafone or Türk Telekom.
It is registered with your passport and gives you a Turkish phone number, meaning you temporarily lose access to your original number.
There is also an important detail many people are not aware of:
When you insert a Turkish SIM card, your phone’s IMEI number is automatically registered.
120 days later (a little over 4 months), the phone is blocked from Turkish mobile networks.
Not temporarily.
But permanently.
Official registration is possible, but in 2026 it costs 54,258 TL, which makes it unrealistic for most travellers.
That is why many people choose roaming or an eSIM solution instead.
Read more about mobile-data: Mobile Phones in Turkey: eSIM, Roaming and Tourist SIM Cards
Once the practicalities are in place
Once you have figured out transport, airports, payments and mobile data, the city quickly becomes much easier.
That is when you can focus on what Istanbul is really about - the neighbourhoods, the history, the food and the small places you discover along the way.
