Istanbul Metro & Tram Map – Free PDF (2026 Update)

As someone who was born and raised in Istanbul and has been guiding visitors through this city for over 20 years, I’ve witnessed firsthand how Istanbul’s public transportation system — often visualized through the Istanbul Metro Map — has grown into one of the most extensive and efficient networks in Europe. At the same time, this rapid expansion has also made the system feel overwhelming and complex, especially for first-time visitors.

At the top of this page, you’ll find a comprehensive public transportation map that shows all major systems together. At first glance, this map can look a bit chaotic — dozens of lines, colors, and transfer points spread across a vast city. That’s exactly why this guide is structured to break the system down into clear, manageable parts. As you scroll down, I introduce Istanbul’s main transportation pillars one by one: metro, tram, Marmaray, Metrobus, and ferries, explaining how each fits into a visitor’s journey.

This article focuses primarily on the areas and routes that travelers actually need. Metro lines serving the outer edges of the city are covered more briefly (with the exception of airport connections), while central districts, historic areas, and tourist-friendly routes receive more detailed attention. The goal is not to overwhelm you with every possible line, but to help you move around Istanbul efficiently and confidently.

To use all of these transportation systems, there is one essential tool: Istanbulkart. This single card works across metro lines, trams, ferries, Metrobus, and buses, and it is the key to navigating the city like a local. I’ve explained everything you need to know about buying, topping up, and using Istanbulkart in a separate, detailed guide, which you’ll find linked here.

Public Transportation in Istanbul (2026 Overview)

Istanbul’s public transportation system is built around several interconnected networks that operate together as a single, city-wide system. Metro lines, trams, Marmaray trains, Metrobus routes, and city ferries are all designed to complement one another rather than function independently.

The overview map above brings all of these systems together in one place. At first glance, it may look dense — Istanbul is a large city with multiple transport layers — but this map is best used as a big-picture reference. It helps you understand how the city is structured and how different transport modes connect across both the European and Asian sides.

In the sections below, the network is broken down into clear, individual components. Each transport system is explained separately, with dedicated, high-resolution PDF maps, so you can focus only on the lines that are relevant to your trip.

1. Istanbul Metro Map 2026

You can view and download the Istanbul Metro Map in PDF format free of charge using the dark blue button below.
The map is officially prepared by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and is suitable for both online viewing and printing.

This high-resolution Istanbul metro map focuses on the main metro lines that are most useful for visitors traveling around the city. Below, you will find a short overview of the metro lines that tourists use most frequently in Istanbul.

Among these, M2, M4, and M11 are the most popular lines, as they provide direct access to key areas such as the historic city center, Taksim, and Istanbul Airport.

M2 Yenikapı – Hacıosman Metro Line

The M2 Yenikapı – Hacıosman Metro Line is the most frequently used metro line in Istanbul. Starting from Yenikapı (Historical Peninsula of Istanbul), one of the city’s main transportation hubs, it provides direct access to major business and lifestyle areas such as Taksim, Levent, and Maslak.

The M2 line is also the most popular metro line among both local residents and foreign visitors, as some of Istanbul’s best-known shopping malls—such as Cevahir, Kanyon, and İstinyePark—are located along this route.

In addition, through its Yenikapı and Vezneciler stations, the M2 line serves the extensive hotel districts of Aksaray, Laleli, and Beyazıt, which are especially popular with families due to their larger hotels and central location. From these areas, the line continues north and provides a direct connection to Gayrettepe, the main transfer point for the Istanbul Airport metro line (M11).

M4 Kadıköy – Sabiha Gökçen Airport Line

The M4 metro line runs on the Asian side of Istanbul, starting from Kadıköy and extending all the way to Sabiha Gökçen Airport. It is the most practical rail connection for travelers heading to or from the airport on the Asian side.

Visitors coming from the European side can reach the M4 line via Marmaray. If you are staying around Beyazıt or Laleli, you can board Marmaray from Yenikapı Station. Those staying in Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, or Eminönü can use Sirkeci Station instead. In both cases, Marmaray crosses to the Asian side and stops at Ayrılık Çeşmesi Station, where a direct and easy transfer to the M4 metro is available.

Once on the M4 line, you can travel not only to Sabiha Gökçen Airport, but also to several of the Asian side’s major shopping centers, including Akasya, Optimum, Palladium, Piazza, and Neomarin. This makes the M4 line useful not just for airport transfers, but also for shopping and everyday travel on the Asian side of the city.

M11 Gayrettepe – Istanbul Airport Line

M11 Gayrettepe – Istanbul Airport metro line was completed in 2024. It is now possible to come from Istanbul’s new airport to the city center by metro. You can see that the M11, marked in purple on the above metro map of Istanbul, extends towards the north of the city.

2. Istanbul Tram Map 2026

You can view and download the Istanbul Tram Map (2026) in PDF format free of charge using the dark blue button below.
The tram map shown above is officially prepared by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and highlights the tram and funicular lines that are most useful for visitors.

Below, you will find brief and practical descriptions of the main lines displayed on this tram map, with a focus on routes commonly used by tourists.

T1 Kabataş – Bağcılar Tram Line

The T1 Kabataş – Bağcılar Tram Line runs from Bağcılar, one of Istanbul’s busiest residential areas, to Kabataş on the Bosphorus waterfront.
While the eastern part of the line mainly serves local commuters, the most important stops for visitors appear as the tram approaches Kabataş, passing through key historic areas such as Sultanahmet, Eminönü, and the Grand Bazaar area.

T5 Eminönü – Alibeyköy Tram Line

The T5 Eminönü – Alibeyköy Tram Line is a convenient option for travelers heading from the Old City toward districts like Fener and Balat, Ayvansaray, and Eyüp.
The line starts from a tram stop located very close to the Spice Bazaar, making it easy to combine sightseeing with local transport.

Using this line, you can explore Fener and Balat’s colorful streets, visit Ayvansaray to see the Byzantine city walls, Chora Church, and Tekfur Palace, and continue to Eyüp to reach Pierre Loti Hill.

F1 Taksim – Kabataş Funicular Line

The F1 Taksim – Kabataş Funicular Line is not technically a tram line, but it is shown on the tram map for a practical reason.
The T1 Tram Line, which runs from Sultanahmet to Kabataş, connects directly to Taksim Square via the F1 funicular.

Since Sultanahmet and Taksim Square are the two most important areas for visitors, the easiest way to travel between them is to take the T1 tram to Kabataş and then transfer to the F1 funicular up to Taksim.

3. Istanbul Marmaray Line 2026

On the Istanbul Marmaray Map, the Marmaray route is shown as a yellow line.
You can view and download this map free of charge in PDF format using the dark blue button below. The map above clearly shows how Marmaray runs along the Marmara coast, connecting the Asian and European sides of Istanbul.

The Marmaray line starts from Gebze, on the eastern edge of the metropolitan area, and continues westward along the coast before ending at Halkalı. It is a modern rail system built on the city’s historic railway corridor, which is why Marmaray has a relatively large number of stations.

Since this article focuses on routes most useful for visitors, we will mainly refer to the Marmaray stations located between Ayrılık Çeşmesi (Kadıköy) and Yenikapı, where the line connects with Istanbul’s central transport network.

In the past, ferries were the most reliable way to travel between the Asian and European sides of the city, as crossing the Bosphorus by bus could take an unpredictable amount of time. With the introduction of Metrobus and Marmaray, cross-continental travel in Istanbul has become much faster and more efficient.

Today, Marmaray allows you to travel from Sirkeci (Old City) to Üsküdar in just 4 minutes, or to Kadıköy in about 8 minutes, making it one of the fastest transport options in the city.

Most visitors stay around Sultanahmet or Taksim.
For travelers based in Sultanahmet, the closest Marmaray station is Sirkeci. Those staying in Taksim can take the M2 Metro to Yenikapı, transfer to Marmaray, and continue easily to the Asian Side of Istanbul.

4. Istanbul Metrobus Map 2026

On the Istanbul Metrobus Map, the Metrobus route is highlighted with a light brown line.
You can view and download this map free of charge in PDF format using the dark blue button below. The map above clearly shows how Metrobus connects the Asian and European sides of Istanbul via its dedicated bus corridor.

The Metrobus line starts from Söğütlüçeşme on the Asian Side, crosses the Bosphorus bridge, and continues westward to Beylikdüzü, one of the outermost districts on the European Side.

While Beylikdüzü itself is not a touristic area, it is home to some of Istanbul’s largest exhibition and fair centers. For this reason, Metrobus can be useful for visitors attending international tourism, food, or book fairs held in this district.

One of the most important advantages of Metrobus is that it provides fast and direct access to the Asian Side from central areas such as Mecidiyeköy and Zincirlikuyu, without the need to pass through Beşiktaş or Taksim.

Many visitors stay in districts like Mecidiyeköy, Şişli, Levent, or Maslak, where there is a wide range of hotels. From these areas, Metrobus offers a much quicker alternative for reaching Kadıköy compared to traditional routes.

The main drawback of Metrobus is crowding during rush hours. It can be very difficult to use between 08:00–10:00 in the morning and 18:00–20:00 in the evening. Outside of these peak hours, however, Metrobus can be a highly efficient and time-saving option for crossing between the two sides of the city.

5. Istanbul Ferry Lines 2026

The Istanbul Ferry Map highlights many of the city’s most historic and touristic waterfront areas.
You can view and download this map free of charge in PDF format using the dark blue button below. The map above shows ferry routes connecting key districts along the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus, and both sides of Istanbul.

Since it can be difficult to identify ferry piers only by neighborhood names, the map uses numbered markers. Below is a clear explanation of each numbered ferry route, showing where each ferry departs from and where it goes.

Numbered Ferry Routes on the Map

1) Turyol Bosphorus Cruise
Bosphorus sightseeing cruises operated by Turyol, departing mainly from Eminönü and Karaköy.

2) Şehir Hatları Bosphorus Cruise
Official Bosphorus cruise routes operated by Şehir Hatları, with departures from Eminönü and nearby piers.

3) Eminönü → Kadıköy / Üsküdar
Regular ferry services from Eminönü to the Asian Side, stopping at Kadıköy and Üsküdar.

4) Karaköy → Kadıköy
Direct ferry connection between Karaköy (European Side) and Kadıköy (Asian Side).

5) Dentur Bosphorus Cruise
Bosphorus sightseeing cruises operated by Dentur, departing from central waterfront piers.

6) Beşiktaş → Kadıköy / Üsküdar
Regular ferry services from Beşiktaş to both Kadıköy and Üsküdar on the Asian Side.

7) Üsküdar → Eminönü
Return ferry route from Üsküdar to Eminönü, commonly used by commuters and visitors.

8) Kadıköy → Eminönü
Direct ferry connection from Kadıköy back to Eminönü on the European Side.

It is important to note that ferries departing from Eminönü and Beşiktaş usually serve both Kadıköy and Üsküdar. Since these two districts are located very close to each other, they are grouped together on the map rather than being numbered separately.

Conclusion

I hope this guide to Istanbul’s metro, tram, Marmaray, Metrobus, and ferry maps has given you the clarity you need to move around the city with confidence. Each of these systems plays a distinct role in Istanbul’s daily life, and understanding how they fit together is one of the most practical skills a visitor can gain.

That said, transportation maps are designed to show routes, not relevance. On most public transport maps, every neighborhood appears the same — reduced to small dots and line intersections — whether it holds world-famous landmarks or places of little interest to visitors. Knowing where a line goes is useful; knowing where it’s worth getting off is what truly shapes a good trip.

If you’d like to see Istanbul through a more visitor-focused lens, I recommend taking a look at my Istanbul Tourist Attraction Maps guide. That article highlights historic districts, major landmarks, and sightseeing zones, helping you connect transportation routes with the places that actually define the city. Used together, these guides allow you to plan your days not just efficiently, but meaningfully — turning movement across Istanbul into a well-paced and rewarding journey.

Istanbul Metro Map (2026) by Serhat Engul