Istanbulkart: Getting Around Bakirkoy on a Budget

Istanbulkart is the shared travel card used on Marmaray, the metro, Metrobus, trams, ferries and city buses in Istanbul. If you are staying in Bakırköy (Bakirkoy) and want to see the city, it is a budget-friendly way to get around: save taxis for heavy luggage and late nights and use public transport instead. From our apartments it is 8 minutes on foot to Marmaray Bakırköy station and 18 minutes to the Metrobus and M1A metro stops in İncirli.

Below we explain how to get a card, which line to take from Bakırköy and how to keep day-to-day travel affordable. Fares are updated from time to time, so check official sources for current fares.

Getting a card and topping it up

Pick up an Istanbulkart at the card sales and top-up points in major stations, then add credit at the top-up machines. Check official sources for current sales points, the card fee and the boarding fare. Once you have the card, simply touch it on the turnstile or the reader on the bus.

Which line to take from Bakırköy

Marmaray is the suburban line running between Halkalı and Gebze, linking the European and Asian sides through a tunnel under the Bosphorus. At Yenikapı you can transfer to the M1 metro and to the M2 metro towards Taksim, Şişli and Levent; at Ayrılık Çeşmesi you can change to the M4 metro.

Popular routes

• Historic peninsula: about 20 minutes to Sirkeci on Marmaray; from there walk or take the T1 tram to Sultanahmet. Around 35–45 minutes in total.
• Taksim: Marmaray to Yenikapı, then change to the M2 metro. Around 40–50 minutes.
• Kadıköy: Marmaray to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, then the M4 or a transfer. Around 40 minutes.
• Istanbul main bus terminal (Esenler Otogar): about 15 minutes from İncirli to Otogar on the M1A. Details in our guide to the bus terminal.
• Bakırköy seafront: no card needed; about 14 minutes on foot from the apartment.

Ways to keep card costs down

1. Walk short distances. Bakırköy Freedom Square (Özgürlük Meydanı) is 6 minutes away and Capacity shopping mall is 9 minutes away; do your daily shopping on foot and prepare meals in the apartment kitchen.
2. If you are travelling together, let each person have their own card; transfers and separate return trips are simpler.
3. Check your balance in the evening so you are not stuck in a top-up queue during the morning rush.
4. Transfer rules and fares are updated from time to time; check official sources for the latest information.
5. Save taxis for heavy luggage or very late nights. Istanbul taxis run on the meter.
6. Keep your plans flexible in the morning and evening rush hours, when lines can be busy.

A sample day on one card

1. In the morning, walk to Marmaray Bakırköy station (about 8 minutes).
2. Take Marmaray to Sirkeci (about 20 minutes) and explore around Eminönü.
3. Continue to Sultanahmet on the T1 tram or on foot.
4. In the afternoon, take Marmaray from Sirkeci under the Bosphorus to Üsküdar.
5. In the evening, return to Bakırköy on Marmaray and walk from the station to the apartment.

You can do the whole route on one card. Before setting off, check the current timetable for departure times and transfer information.

Metrobus or Marmaray: which goes where?

The Metrobus runs along the D-100 (E-5) between Beylikdüzü and Söğütlüçeşme; its Bakırköy stop is İncirli, and it crosses to the Asian side over the 15 July Martyrs Bridge. It is handy for neighbourhoods along the D-100. For Yenikapı, Sirkeci, Üsküdar or Ayrılık Çeşmesi, take Marmaray: it runs under the Bosphorus and takes you there directly.

A note on ferries

The Bakırköy İDO ferry pier is about 14 minutes on foot from our apartments. From there, sea buses and fast ferries run towards Yalova and Bursa. Check İDO's current sources for tickets and timetables; for city ferries, check the current timetable as well.

Let's plan your route together

Tell us the address you are heading to and we will explain briefly on WhatsApp which line from Bakırköy makes the most sense. You can find our location and walking times on the location page; for more budget tips, see our budget accommodation guide. For apartments and current rates, message us on WhatsApp: 0532 655 43 32.

Common questions