Metrobüs runs in its own lane across the city. Regular IETT buses are slower but ubiquitous.
Related: Istanbul guide
Istanbul's bus network is two systems pretending to be one. The Metrobüs is a proper BRT — 52 km of dedicated lanes from Avcılar on the European side to Söğütlüçeşme on the Asian side, crossing the Bosphorus via the July 15th Martyrs Bridge. It's fast, frequent, and brutally crowded. Regular IETT buses fill the gaps: they go everywhere the Metrobüs doesn't, but they sit in the same traffic as everyone else. For a traveler, the Metrobüs is your best bet for crossing continents without a ferry; IETT buses are for reaching neighborhoods the metro doesn't serve. Havaist and Havabus handle airport transfers, while dolmuş minibuses offer shared rides on fixed routes — faster than buses, but you pay cash and yell your stop.
All buses except dolmuş use the Istanbulkart, a contactless smart card that costs 130 TL (refundable) and works across metro, tram, ferries, and buses. Single rides on IETT buses and Metrobüs cost 17.70 TL with the card; cash is not accepted on board. You can buy and top up cards at yellow kiosks at major stops, metro stations, and some corner shops. Metrobüs runs 24/7 with reduced frequency after midnight (every 15-20 minutes instead of every 2-5 minutes during peak). IETT buses generally stop around midnight, though some night buses (prefixed with 'N' or 'H') run from Taksim to peripheral districts. Dolmuş minibuses accept cash only — fare is typically 20-30 TL for a short hop, paid as you get off. Transfers between Metrobüs and IETT buses within 2 hours cost a reduced second ride (about 11 TL), but the Istanbulkart handles this automatically.
The Metrobüs is the only public transport that crosses the Bosphorus without a ferry. From Avcılar to Söğütlüçeşme takes about 90 minutes in theory, but peak-hour congestion at bottlenecks like Zincirlikuyu can add 20 minutes. Stations are every 500-800 metres; the most useful for tourists are Zincirlikuyu (for Levent and Beşiktaş), Mecidiyeköy (for Şişli), and Söğütlüçeşme (for Kadıköy). Don't ride it between 8:00-9:30 AM or 5:30-7:30 PM unless you enjoy being pressed against strangers. The dedicated lane works, but at the bridge approach it merges with general traffic and slows down.
Havaist runs comfortable coaches from Istanbul Airport (IST) to several city hubs. The Sultanahmet line (IST-1) costs 136 TL one-way and takes 60-90 minutes depending on traffic. The Taksim line (IST-2) is 136 TL, about 50 minutes. Kadıköy (IST-7) is 136 TL, 90 minutes. Buses depart every 30 minutes from the airport's arrivals level. They're reliable but not immune to Istanbul traffic — if you're in a rush, take the metro to Gayrettepe and then a taxi. The coaches have luggage compartments and USB chargers, which is more than you can say for the Metrobüs.
Havabus serves Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) with two main lines: Taksim (50 TL, 60-90 minutes) and Kadıköy (50 TL, 50-70 minutes). Buses run every 30 minutes from 04:00 to 01:00. The Kadıköy route is faster because it uses the E-5 highway and avoids the Bosphorus crossing. At Taksim, the stop is on Taksim Square near the AKM building. Don't confuse Havabus with the municipal bus (IETT line SG-1) that also goes to Kadıköy — the IETT bus is cheaper (17.70 TL) but slower and less comfortable. Havabus accepts Istanbulkart and credit cards.
IETT runs over 800 bus lines covering every corner of Istanbul. The buses are red or blue, and you board from the front door, tapping your Istanbulkart. Key lines for tourists: 28T (Beşiktaş to Topkapı via Taksim), 70KE (Kadıköy to Eminönü via the bridge), and 500T (Taksim to Kadıköy via the bridge — scenic but slow). Buses are frequent but unpredictable in traffic. The IETT app or Google Maps shows real-time arrivals, but trust the countdown timer more than the schedule. Avoid buses during peak hours unless you enjoy standing for 40 minutes.
Dolmuş are shared minibuses that run fixed routes but stop anywhere you ask. They're faster than IETT buses because drivers skip stops if nobody wants to get on/off. Key routes: Kadıköy–Taksim (via the bridge, 25 TL, 30 minutes), Beşiktaş–Taksim (15 TL, 15 minutes), and Kadıköy–Bostancı (20 TL, 25 minutes). You pay cash when you get off — tell the driver 'inecek var' (someone getting off) to stop. Dolmuş don't have fixed timetables; they leave when full. They're great for short hops but not for long trips. Don't try to use an Istanbulkart; cash only.
IETT runs night buses (prefix 'N' or 'H') from Taksim to various districts when the metro and regular buses stop. Key lines: N11 (Taksim to Kadıköy via the bridge), N30 (Taksim to Yenibosna), and N73 (Taksim to Bakırköy). Frequency is every 30-60 minutes between 00:00 and 05:30. Fares are the same as daytime (17.70 TL with Istanbulkart). The buses are less crowded but can feel sketchy late at night — sit near the driver. Metrobüs runs 24/7, so if you're going along its route, use that instead.
In 2026, a single IETT or Metrobüs ride with Istanbulkart is 17.70 TL (~$0.55). A day of 4-5 rides costs about 70 TL ($2.20). The Istanbulkart itself costs 130 TL ($4) but is refundable. Havaist from IST to city center is 136 TL ($4.25) one-way. Havabus from SAW is 50 TL ($1.55). Dolmuş fares range 15-30 TL ($0.50-$1). A weekly transport budget for a traveler using buses and Metrobüs is around 500 TL ($15.50). Taxis cost 20 TL per km plus flagfall — avoid for long distances.
Download the IETT app or use Google Maps for real-time bus arrivals — the digital signs at stops are often broken. For Metrobüs, know your station number (each station has a number, e.g., 1 for Avcılar, 34 for Söğütlüçeşme) to check direction. Avoid using cash on IETT buses — they don't accept it, and you'll hold up the line. If you forget your Istanbulkart, you can buy a single-use QR ticket from the kiosk for 27 TL, but it's not worth it for multiple rides.
The biggest tourist trap: taking a taxi from the airport when Havaist/Havabus is right there. Taxis cost 3-4x more and drivers often take longer routes. Another trap: buying an Istanbul Tourist Pass (like the Museum Pass for transport) — it's overpriced unless you're making 10+ rides a day. Just get a standard Istanbulkart.
For dolmuş, always have small bills. Drivers rarely have change for 100 TL notes. And don't sit in the front seat next to the driver unless you're ready to pay for the whole row — that seat is for the next passenger who gets on. If you're unsure where to get off, ask the driver or a fellow passenger; most locals are helpful.
Peak hours on Metrobüs are genuinely awful. If you must ride then, board at the front of the station — the rear cars fill up first. And never, ever block the doors. Istanbulites have zero patience for dawdlers. Finally, if you're going from the Asian side to the European side, consider the ferry instead of the Metrobüs — it's cheaper, more scenic, and you get a seat.
1. Trying to pay cash on IETT buses — you'll be turned away. Get an Istanbulkart. 2. Buying single-use QR tickets from kiosks for each ride — they cost 27 TL vs 17.70 TL with the card. 3. Boarding the Metrobüs at the wrong side of the station — check the station number and direction. 4. Taking a taxi from the airport when Havaist/Havabus is cheaper and nearly as fast. 5. Not having small bills for dolmuş — drivers can't break 100 TL notes.
Buy the card at yellow kiosks at major bus stops, metro stations, or ferry terminals. Cost is 130 TL (refundable). Top up at the same kiosks or at corner shops displaying a blue 'İstanbulkart' sign. You can also use the İstanbulkart mobile app to top up via NFC on newer Android phones. The card works on all public transport except dolmuş and some private shuttles.
A single ride on IETT or Metrobüs with Istanbulkart is 17.70 TL (~$0.55). Without the card, a single-use QR ticket from the kiosk costs 27 TL ($0.85). Dolmuş fares are cash-only, typically 15-30 TL. Havaist and Havabus are separate: 136 TL and 50 TL respectively.
Not free, but discounted. Within 2 hours of your first tap, the second ride costs about 11 TL instead of 17.70 TL. The discount applies automatically if you use the same Istanbulkart. The system counts transfers between any combination of bus, metro, tram, and ferry (except the Bosphorus ferries, which have a separate fare).
Metrobüs runs 24/7, every 15-20 minutes after midnight. IETT regular buses stop around midnight, but night buses (prefix N or H) run from Taksim to many districts every 30-60 minutes. Check the IETT app for specific lines. Dolmuş generally stop by midnight. Havaist and Havabus have limited night schedules — check their websites.
For most travelers, the ferry is better. It's cheaper (17.70 TL vs Metrobüs same fare), scenic, and you get a seat. Metrobüs is faster only if you're going from one side to the other without stopping — but it's crowded and you see nothing. Use Metrobüs if you're going to a station near the bridge (like Zincirlikuyu or Söğütlüçeşme) and want to avoid transferring.
Dolmuş drivers may skip you if they think you don't know the route or will cause delays. To avoid this, stand at the stop and clearly signal the driver. Know your destination and say it loudly. If the minibus is full, they won't stop. Also, if you're at a popular stop like Kadıköy, competition is high — be assertive. Locals often wave with a flat hand, not a raised palm.
The exact plan we'd give a friend visiting Istanbul. Where to eat, what to skip, how to avoid tourist traps.
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