To use public transportation in Istanbul, you need an Istanbul Transportation Card. This card is necessary to access all public transportation lines and types of vehicles, including metro, trams, buses, metrobuses, and ferries. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality manages all public transportation in the city, and the Istanbul Transportation Card is the key to using it. If you are a tourist, you can get the Unlimited Istanbul Public Transportation Card, which is a specially designed card that provides unlimited access to public transportation lines and vehicles. It is valid in every public transportation vehicle, except minibuses, and comes with different options for 1, 3, 5, 7, or 15 days. You can buy the card from yellow vending machines located near public stops or from authorized exchanges at reasonable prices. Alternatively, you can purchase it on the Istanbul Tourist Pass website and have it delivered to your hotel before you check in.
Unlimited Istanbul Transportation Card for Tourists
Unlimited Istanbul Public Transportation Card is a specially designed public transportation card for the needs of tourists. It is valid in every public transportation vehicle including metro, trams, buses, metrobuses and ferries. There is only one exception, minibuses in Istanbul are still using cash, but don’t worry there is no place you can get by minibus instead of a bus!
If you are in Istanbul as a tourist, then this card is perfect for you! Since public transportation is the cheapest and most of the time the fasted way to transport, you can use this card to get wherever you want to visit in Istanbul. It is a beautifully designed physical card delivered at your hotel by Istanbul Tourist Pass and after using it, you can keep it as a souvenir.
The new Istanbul Public Transportation Card has 6 different designs each of them having a symbol of Istanbul. One symbolizes the famous cats of Istanbul, others have drawings of the Maiden Tower, the Galata Tower, a cup of Turkish tea, a ferry and the famous red tram of Istiklal Street on them. Cards are delivered randomly so you may have only one of them for your visit; so another reason to come again to collect them all.
You will have a physical card and you don’t need to return it, you can keep it to remember the amazing days you were in Istanbul.
Where to Buy an Istanbulkart in Istanbul Airport?
For tourists reaching Istanbul through IST or locals residing near the Istanbul Airport, the yellow/blue machines located on the -2nd arrival floors and the airport’s shuttle counters are the best options. You can find these counters near the exits. Various authorized exchanges also provide these transport cards at reasonable prices.
Where to Buy an Istanbulkart at Sabiha Gokcen International Airport?
Across the road from the exit of the arrival terminal of Sabiha Gokcen International Airport are various kiosks that sell Istanbul transport cards. But if you don’t find any kiosk (that is unlikely), you can also get it from the Istanbul electric tramway and tunnel establishments booth located at the public station once you get out of the terminal.
You can also buy the card from inside the city
Do not worry if you could not buy the card at the airport because there are many places in the central city where you can get it. Almost every station of the subway, trams, Metrobus, and funiculars has these yellow vending machines where you can purchase the card. Most kiosks located near public stops also provide these cards.
What are the Advantages of the Unlimited Istanbul Transportation Card?
1- Istanbul Transportation Card gives you UNLIMITED access to all public transportation lines and vehicles.
2- You don’t need to give any information like your name and passport number to get it, it is totally anonymous.
3- It comes with 1-3- 5-7-15 day options for you to choose from, so you can decide according to your stay.
4- Istanbul City Card is a physical card with a special design on it. There are 6 different designs with Istanbul’s symbols on them, and they are delivered randomly.
5- If you purchase your card on the Istanbul Tourist Pass website, the card will be delivered to your hotel in an envelope on your check-in time.
6- After the period of your choice, the Istanbul Transportation Card becomes blocked and can’t be used again so it is only for your use, you don’t need to return it. You can keep it as a souvenir.
7- The card is activated on the first day you use and you can use it unlimitedly for the time you choose.
8- It is Pre-Paid so after you purchase you don’t need to put money into it.
How to Get an UNLIMITED Istanbul Transport Card?
Istanbul Tourist Pass is one of the small number of official service providers of the Istanbul City Card. You can buy this card on our website. You can add this card to your Istanbul Tourist Pass at the checkout or you can buy it separately. We recommend you buy it with the Istanbul Tourist Pass, so you don’t need to worry about extra fees and long lines of tickets while you are enjoying the city.
When you purchased your Istanbul UNLIMITED Transportation Card, our couriers deliver your card in a beautifully designed envelope to your hotel just before you check in. So you don’t need to think about where to get there, you will take your Istanbul Transportation Card right away when you get to your hotel, and you can start using it immediately.
How Much is an Unlimited Istanbul Transportation Card?
Istanbul City Card is a prepaid public transportation card that gives you unlimited access to public transportation for the number of days you choose. It is valid in every public transportation vehicle including metro, trams, buses, metrobuses and ferries. It is a beautifully designed physical card delivered at your hotel by Istanbul Tourist Pass and after using it, you can keep it as a souvenir. Up to 40% advantage in buying with Istanbul Tourist Pass®
| CARD TYPE | ISTANBUL TOURIST PASS CUSTOMER PRICE | REGULAR CUSTOMER PRICE |
| 1 DAY UNLIMITED | € 21 | € 35 |
| 3 DAYS UNLIMITED | € 32 | € 45 |
| 5 DAYS UNLIMITED | € 55 | € 70 |
| 7 DAYS UNLIMITED | € 65 | € 80 |
| 15 DAYS UNLIMITED | € 90 | € 110 |
Budget-Friendly Travel in Istanbul
Istanbul UNLIMITED Transportation Card provides budget-friendly travel in Istanbul. Istanbul Transportation Card for locals takes more than 7 Turkish Liras for the first use each time you take public transport of any kind and discounted transfer fees apply from the second use onwards. However, keep in mind that the time between the first use of public transportation and the transfer should not exceed two hours. Up to five transfers are discounted after using your card. However, the price does not change in the fourth and fifth transfers and remains the same as the 1.38 TL fee in the third transfer. But the UNLIMITED Public Transportation Card is an all-you-can-use card with one payment In other words, with Istanbul UNLIMITED Transportation Card, in a very big city like Istanbul, the price difference provided is too important to ignore. A few bucks here and there can make or break your budget.
Easy to Use
Using the Istanbul Transportation Card is extremely simple. You do not have to touch or contact the card reader, either. When using the card, holding it to the card reader from a distance of 5-10 centimeters is enough for the machine to detect it. Since it is unlimited, you don’t need to think about the balance of your card! Just enjoy riding around all the public transportation vehicles.
In conclusion, if you’re planning a trip to Istanbul, getting an Istanbul Transportation Card is a must. It’s the most budget-friendly way to travel around the city, and with the Unlimited Istanbul Transportation Card, you’ll have unlimited access to all public transportation lines and vehicles. Plus, with the card’s special designs and the fact that you get to keep it as a souvenir, it’s a great way to remember your time in Istanbul. So, whether you’re a tourist or a local, be sure to get your Istanbul Transportation Card and start exploring everything the city has to offer!