Valid for multiple users: On regular days, if you are traveling in a group or are on a family tour, you don't have to buy tickets for everyone. A single Istanbul transport card can be used for up to 5 passengers (however, we recommend using 1 for 3).
Multiple Travelers — There is no need to buy multiple cards since one Istanbul Kart can be used for up to 5 passengers. After paying the fare for the first passenger, let him or her hop on or pass through the turnpike, wait a few seconds, and again wave the card in front of the reader.
Standard fare with Istanbulkart is 27 TL per ride. Single paper tickets cost 40 TL. There are also multi-ride tickets and unlimited-day cards for 1, 3, 5, or 7 days. You can buy it here.
The Istanbulkart card can be used on all means of public transport in Istanbul. With this card, you can pay for the buses, metro, trams, boats, and funicular. You can also use it to pay for the journey from the Istanbul Airport to the center and vice versa.
You can obtain your Istanbulkart from the 24 different İstanbulkart machines (BILETMATIK) on the lower 2nd floor at the airport (arrival public transportation floor) following the signs, the HAVAIST offices, and the contracted exchange offices at the airport.
Admission Fee: The first floor is free for Turks; the second floor (the gallery floor) is 25 euros for local and foreign tourists. Explore during the winter months: Plan your visit during the winter months to explore Hagia Sophia in comfort and avoid crowds and large groups of tourists.
Amount in the Turkish Lira You Should Carry for Your Trip
It is not difficult to spend more than TRY 800 per day on a luxury vacation if you choose to opt for private transportation, dinners at five-star restaurants and stay at an opulent property.
What is the difference between Istanbulkart and Istanbul City Card?
Unlike the Istanbulkart, which caters to both locals and long-term visitors, the Istanbul City Card is exclusively designed for tourists, making it the ideal choice for visitors looking to explore Istanbul's iconic attractions.
You can make your Istanbulkart loadings free of charge via CRC, Internet Branch and Mobile Branch channels with ease of payment from your account and credit card, and you can give automatic loading orders.
How to Pay the Fares? You can travel on Metro İstanbul rail transit network using İstanbulkart. This card can be obtained by making a down payment at Biletmatik ticket-vending machines at the stations, where you can also upload credits.
You can make all your public transportation (Bus, Subway, Tram, Cable Car, Marmaray, Metrobus, Ferry, etc.) payments with İstanbulkart. Please note that when you buy an Istanbulkart, you need to top-up TL to your card according to your travel plan.
In 2021, travel blogger Ben Schlappig reported that several local hotels would not allow two men to stay in the same room - a policy that discriminates against gay couples. Travelers worried about a potential issue should call ahead before booking a stay.
Entry to the Blue Mosque is free. You do not have to buy tickets. If you're a non-worshipper, you can use the entrance on the south side of the mosque or the one opposite Hagia Sophia.
We went for the views of the city and it was worth it. We enjoyed the 360 views of the city for the hour, though the Euro 30 PP is quite pricey and the queue is quite long. It took us 20 minutes of queuing to go up the tower.
Consecutive 2 and 3-day Travelcards are available when booking. You will receive a set of 2 or 3 individual London Day Travelcards according to your order.
Admission tickets can be purchased from the ticket booth and online (Skip-the-Line) through official seller DEM MUSEUMS with below link. There are no Museum Passes available for visiting the Hagia Sophia.
Travelling with cash is highly recommended, especially if you plan to visit local markets outside of the main cities. You may need coins and small notes for tipping, public transport tickets, and small purchases as soon as you arrive. It's also sensible to have a credit or debit card as a backup, just in case.
