How to use public transport in Istanbul: ferries, metro, and Istanbul Kart?

In late August 2026 travelers who took a morning ferry to the Princes' Islands described boarding as quite an adventure: once the gates opened, the crowd ran onto the ferry. On morning sailings to the islands, be ready for a rush when boarding starts.

For a simple ride on the water, participants suggest a city ferry instead of a sightseeing cruise. In June 2026 one wrote that you can buy a ferry ticket yourself and sail at any time of day — it is inexpensive. In late September 2026 another added that from a city ferry you see the same views as from a cruise boat, but for less money.

For the ferry to Mudanya (towards Bursa), a traveler in June 2026 shared several tips: tickets for this ferry are sold only with a passport, seats are assigned, and in high season it is better to buy return tickets straight away so you are not left without a way back. They also advised getting off the ferry among the first to have time to buy a travel card — only the Bursakart works in Bursa — because the bus does not always wait for everyone.

In June 2026 travelers recommended taking a 3- or 5-hour city tour on the first day (they booked theirs via Sputnik8): see the main sights with a guide, note where to return for a closer look and what to skip, and ask the guide and others in the group for their tips.

According to the same June 2026 advice, you can board regular ferries with the Istanbulkart from any pier. All ferry routes are marked as dotted lines right in Google Maps, which makes planning easy.

You can buy the card at any metro or ferry station: in June 2026 travelers advised looking for a blue-and-yellow ticket machine labeled biletmatik at the bottom. There is a language switch in the bottom-right corner of the screen — the travelers used it to pick Russian — and buying is very easy.

According to June 2026 advice, funicular tickets are sold at the funicular station itself: walk in from the street rather than buying at the window facing the road. There is a sign inside.

At the ferry pier, the key thing is to watch the departure board: in early June 2026 travelers warned that otherwise you can accidentally board a ferry to Eminönü or Bostancı instead of the direction you need.