Transportation Ways in Istanbul City

Istanbul is one of the most important cities in the world as well as Turkey. The city is an active commercial and tourist center. This is due to the government's interest in this sector and its intention to expand transportation lines for each district in Istanbul. The government recently launched the Her yerde Metro, Her yere Metro campaign;

Transportation in Istanbul is also characterized by its efficiency and low prices compared to much of the world. Istanbul Metro has been rated as the best metro on the European continent recently, where trains are characterized by regularity, discipline and cleanliness. We separate the public transport lines in Istanbul as follows:

1- Metrobüs system:

It is one of the services provided by the municipality of Istanbul, and is the most common means of transportation in the city. The metrobus is comprehensive in many areas, from the European section of the city in Buyukcekmece to the beginnings of Istanbul Asian part at Sutlucesme Station. The municipality has a large fleet of 535 metrobus buses and plans to raise this number with the ever-increasing number of visitors and residents of the area.

What distinguishes Metrobus in general from the rest of the transportation is that it is in a bar or a lane dedicated to the streets of Istanbul, which means to reduce traffic congestion significantly, and not to face any congestion when going to your destination in the city. Although there is no list showing the time when the next bus will come, it is not delayed and the buses continue to come without stopping.

- Metrobus lines
34 Avcılar- Zincilikuyu: the most commonly used line. It connects Avcılar with the famous Istanbul University campus to Zincirlikoyu.

34A Line: It is from the Gevizlibag station to Sutlucesme post station.

34C Line : connects Beylikdüzü and Gevizlibag.

34Z Line : from Zincirlikoyu to Sutlucesme.

34BZ Line : From Beylikdüzü to Zincirlikoyu .

34AS Line : From Avcilar to Sutlucesme.

34G Line : It is the most comprehensive. From the first station (Beylikdüzü) to the last station (Sutlucesme)

2- Metro system:

M1 -A + B
It is one of the oldest and most active metro lines in Istanbul. It has two branches; the main line departs to Ataturk International Airport from Yenikapi, and for another branch line to Yenikapi or the airport from Kirazli / Bagcilar.The second branch of the line is being connected to the Halkli area and yenidogan University.

M2
One of the most important lines between Yenikapi in the center of Istanbul and Hacı Osman area. It also connects the most vital areas of Istanbul such as Levent, Taksim, Sisli, Istanbul Technical University and Golden Horn (Gulf) region.

M3
It connects Basaksehir to Kirazli / Bagcilar, which means that residents of this area, which is relatively far from the center of Istanbul, will be connected to the M1 metro line, ie the most important areas of Istanbul. Extension of the line is currently underway to the districts up to the Kayasehir Center.

M4
A line connecting Tavsantepe and Kadikoy. It is one of the best lines because it connects the two ends of the vast Asian Istanbul; it connects the extreme Istanbul in Tavsantepe, Martal and Pendik to Kadikoy on the banks of the Bosphorus. Work is underway to expand the line to areas near Aydıntepe, Icmeler and Sabiha Gokcen Airport.

M5
The line between cekmekoy and Sultanbeyli. It also connects Uskudar and Altunizade, which connects to the metrobus line, which greatly facilitates transportation for arrivals from within Europe. It was also arriving in Yamanevler, which was recently expanded and reopened, reaching Nacib Fadil, cekmekoy and Altinsahir, passing through some areas of Atasehir.

M6
It is the line between Levent and Bogazici University, one of the most prestigious universities in Turkey.

3- Tramway system:

It is a modern electric train system, which connects the most important historical and tourist areas such as Sultanahmet, Beyazit, Gulhane and Eminonu, so it is of great importance.

T1
This line is the first and most important. Bagcılar connects with Kabatas, amongst the most important areas of Istanbul. With this line you can reach Sultanahmet and Aya sophia, for example, to the University of Istanbul on the campus of Beyazit main campus, Otogar or bus station that takes them to cities outside Istanbul. Aksaray, Topkapi, Zeytinburnu, Kabatas, Mimar Sinan University and Karakoy will also arrive.

T2
It is a historic train that has been operating since 1871 to the moment. This train is characterized by being the first in Turkey and was connecting the most important areas in the Ottoman Empire and was planning to extend and expand. The line was closed for maintenance at the beginning of 2017 for six months but is still operating today.

T3
A line connecting one of the most prestigious areas of Istanbul, in Asia; Kadıköy and Moda.

T4
A line connecting Topkapi and the Alsalam Mosque in the Sultan Gazi area in the north away from the center of Istanbul. Topkapi and Yenimahalle also connects the locality, Kabatas, Sigmacalar and Edirnekapi and offers great ease of transportation to the residents of the area.

4- Enjoy the cable car experience in Istanbul:
You may not believe it at first glance, but there really is a Teleferic in Istanbul, and this service is offered by the Istanbul municipality itself!

There are three lines of transmission by cable cars as follows:

F1: To move between Taksim and Kabatas

F2: connects Karakoy and Beyoglu

F3: connects Sirantepe and the famous Istanbul Valley Mall

5- Marmaray Metro System:
It is one of the most important transport projects undertaken by the Turkish government. The project was a dream as long as the late Ottoman sultans wanted to achieve it, but it did not come to light until after 2000! All attempts before were mere schemes without real action or serious funding and attention from previous governments.

Points connected to Marmaray
The first stop in Marmaray is Kazlıçeşme station which is located in Zeytinburnu. Maramray Metro passes from Yenikapı Station, which connects you to almost all the means of transport in Istanbul. It connects to the metro line M1, M2 lines and ferry service. Which connect Istanbul to other cities such as Bursa and others by sea. There are also many bus stops and stops connecting to most areas of Istanbul. There is also a 10-minute walk to the station with a tram line to Eminonu, Sultanahmet, Karakoy and more.

The next stop is Sirkeci; a historic area near the coast of Eminonu which also connects you to the tramway line of Sirkeci Station. Next is Uskudar Station, the first station in the Asian section of Marmaray. There are many distinctive landmarks in Uskudar such as the girl's tower and the architectural masterpiece Sinan Shamsi Pasa Mosque, also has a beautiful special atmosphere is close to the coast and the municipality of Uskudar always intends to make the city the most beautiful cities of Istanbul and Europe.

The last stop is Ayrılık çeşmesi, located in Kadıköy, the last stop in Marmaray.

The future of Marmaray Istanbul
Is that enough to Istanbul? No. The municipality of Istanbul is planning a huge project to extend the Marmaray lines in order to reach much wider areas, including within the European continent to the extent of passing through the famous Aquarium, Florya and Kucukcekmece, to the area of Gebze in the Asian part, passing Osman Gazi, Pendik and Kartal! This is the largest project for the transportation network in Istanbul at the present time and investments started from a period in this place and real estate prices started to rise in these areas because of the importance of the transportation line and the ease it will provide for all the population of Istanbul by connecting most regions of Asia to most areas of European Istanbul.

5- Ferries Lines:

This service is provided by the government represented by Şehiriçi Lines or intercity lines and the private sector, which has left it to benefit and invest in this area. Shipping It is known as the least expensive transportation. You will have the most enjoyable experience in Istanbul when you take a trip to the Bosphorus, for example Boğaz Turu or even when you travel naturally between Istanbul-Yalova, Istanbul-Bursa and more.

Many consider it a tourist trip other than just a means of transport. There are often musical and entertainment bands in the same ferry, and on certain occasions municipalities organize special trips aboard their ships such as those on the mother's Valide. Ferries are not only an external means of transport, and there are lines of transport between the Asian and European side such as Kabatas line, Eminonu and Besiktas.

6- Buses:
It is a traditional transportation system. These buses connect you with most if not all areas of Istanbul. This service is comprehensive and the bus can be stopped at any of the designated stations and is widely located on most streets. One of the disadvantages of this mode of transportation is that traffic congestion can be a problem for some, especially during peak time.

7- Minibüs:
Or minibuses. They are mostly yellow. Used to move between neighborhoods and within the city. Fast and efficient. Minibuses or minibuses differ from the other modes of transport in Istanbul where payment or fare is in cash; not by card. No form of cards is accepted in the Minibus. However, there are discounts for students, school students and others that are written in the same bus with the fare to go everywhere.

8- Dolmuş:
This is a traditional means of transport. The meaning of Dolmus in Turkish is full, or full, and his name reflects the nature; where does not "Dolmus" only when filled with passengers. In some of Arab countries, the service is similar to the Servise that the vehicle is slightly larger, air-conditioned, organized and sometimes even monitored by cameras.

9- Taxi in Istanbul:
Anyone who wants to rent their own car to travel in the cities in general. Taxis in Istanbul are not cheap, compared to other countries and other transportation also of course. To give approximate prices only to be easy to measure them, taking into account that the prices may vary, taxi fare in Istanbul for a distance of 10-40 TL depending on the distance, for long distances from 200-500 TL, with the need to be careful and make sure that the car meter Taksi meter is used so that there are no scams.

Transportation card - İstanbul Kart

It is the card you use to take advantage of most of Istanbul's transportation. Available in several types and forms depending on the user's qualities; student, retired or teacher, tourist, non-student resident and others. In general there is a normal card without any reduction and its color is almost red orange. The reduced or İndirimli which is mostly blue. Locals call it Akbil, the acronym Akıllı Bilet, which means a ticket / smart card.

Transportation prices in Istanbul are generally low, whether your card is discounted or not reduced. The cost of using the mentioned transportation in Istanbul costs TRY 2.60 per student, 1.25 for students. The discount for non-students costs TRY 1.85 per trip. There are also different card subscriptions that enable you to benefit from the most trips at the lowest possible cost, such as the monthly subscription for the reduced blue card holders, cost 85 TL and give you 200 passes per month, on each entry to the station deducted one or two depending on the distance or number of stations . The monthly subscription for non-discounted card holders is 205 TL.

There are machines at the entrances to the metrobus stations called İade Makinesi, which you can use for many things, including a refund of the amount of the fare in the case of a short trip so as not to pay the fare of the full ticket.

Things to know in Istanbul:
In order not to waste your way in the big city, many local and international companies have developed applications on smartphones to be your guide to reach your destination as quickly and in the best way. The most famous of these applications is Trafi; the application is almost universal, it is used in other cities such as London, Jakarta and Istanbul. You can often take advantage of the Google Maps application to see the route and how to get to it, and you can also use the official application of the metro developed by the Greater Istanbul Municipality.

In the end, we hope to have included all the details of transportation in Istanbul. In fact, no matter how separate we are and try to include all the details in this article, but it may not be enough, Istanbul is constantly growing.