Tourists are increasingly factoring local transport costs into their travel decisions, and this one city is making it easy for foreigners to get around with low-cost fares and a reliable mobile app
Navigating transport in a foreign city can be confusing and intimidating, as well as costly even for those who know what they’re doing. While foreign—and local—transport costs are on the rise, one city’s low-cost and simple transport system is enabling travellers to explore farther and more freely.
Istanbul is crisscrossed by a system of buses, trams, ferries, tubes and seabuses, enabling natives and visitors to get around with ease. The city’s transport system is also relatively modern, boasting reliable electronic ticketing, a mobile app and hassle-free refund machines.
Metrobus fares are dependent on the number of stops travelled. Here is a full breakdown of fare prices:
|
Number of stops traveled |
Full-fare (in US dollars) |
|
1 |
$0.37 |
|
2 |
$0.45 |
|
3 |
$0.52 |
|
4-9 |
$0.60 |
|
10-15 |
$0.65 |
|
16-21 |
$0.69 |
|
22-27 |
$0.71 |
|
28-33 |
$0.72 |
|
34-43 |
$0.77 |
You can get a refund on the price of your metrobus fare using one of the many refund machines throughout the city. You have 2 hours from the time of your journey to request a refund according to the number of stops you travelled.
There is no discount for transfers from other public transport vehicles to metrobuses, but there is a discount for transfers from metrobuses to other public transport vehicles.
To make the best use of the city’s transport system, travellers should get a plastic Istanbulkart (fare care) or download the mobile transport app upon arrival. You can top-up your card at fare machines located at all major bus stops, tube stations, tram stations and ferry docks.
Instructions for the fare machines are available in Turkish, English, and German in case you get stuck. And if you see a sign reading Arızalıdır or Hizmet dışı, that means the machine is out of order.
You can also use a credit card on some buses. But keep in mind that some transport links may require you to pay in cash so keep some Turkish lira on hand.
You can also purchase disposable fare cards from the Biletmatik machines.
Finally, travellers can download the city’s mobile transport app upon arrival. The app will provide you with a QR code you can use for every mode of transport in Istanbul, including buses, ferries and tubes. You can upload money online from your credit card but you will need an internet connection to use the application.
Spanning two continents and two seas, Istanbul sits at the intersection of cosmopolitan life and commerce. Trading hands between various empires over the ages, the city is a rich amalgamation of diverse cultures, religions and histories. With so much to explore, understanding and utilising the city’s reliable and affordable transport options is a non-negotiable.
