Tram T1 from Bagcilar to Kabatas
Istanbul Tram T1 Line Map, Timetable, Stations
Istanbul Tram T1 Line is very practical for reaching out to touristic areas. Tram commutes between Bağcılar and Kabataş Stations and it connects too many significant places to each other.
The tram that comes from Bağcılar, reaches to final destination (Kabataş) while passing through the heart of Istanbul Old City. It’s possible to get to Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Spice Bazaar, Galata Tower and Taksim Square with the help of Tram T1.
In this article, i would like to describe you how to use the Tram T1 correctly and efficiently. Therefore you may use the public transportation in Istanbul which is very budget-friendly and efficient. Especially considering the awful traffic of Istanbul.
Istanbul Tram Map T1 Line Stations
Istanbul Old City (Sultanahmet) Tram Stations Map
Istanbul Tram T1 Line Stations List
Bağcılar > Güneştepe > Yavuz Selim > Soğanlı > Akıncılar > Güngören > Merter Tekstil > Mehmet Akif >
Zeytinburnu (Airport M1A Connection) > Mithatpaşa > Akşemsettin > Merkez Efendi > Cevizlibağ > Pazartekke >
Şehremini > Fındıkzade > Haseki (Historia Shopping Mall) > Yusufpaşa > Aksaray > Laleli Üniversite >
Beyazıt (Grand Bazaar) > Çemberlitaş > Sultanahmet (Blue Mosque) > Gülhane (Archaeology Museum) >
Sirkeci (Marmaray Station) > Eminönü (Spice Bazaar) > Karaköy (Galata Tower) >
Tophane (Istanbul Modern Museum) > Fındıklı (Cruise Terminal) > Kabataş (Dolmabahçe Palace, Taksim)
How To Use Istanbul Tram?
When you look at the above list, you may see that some of the stations names are marked. Tram T1 helps you to reach some of the highlights of Istanbul. Let’s look at the details:
Zeytinburnu Tram Station – Istanbul Tram T1 Line > Connection
Zeytinburnu is the connection point between the Tram T1 and Ataturk Airport Metro M1A line. When you want to get to your hotel located in Sultanahmet or Taksim, you need to change from Metro to Tram in Zeytinburnu stop.
2019 Update: Ataturk Airport has moved to Istanbul Airport recently. The new metro line is under construction and will be finished by 2020. More information on Istanbul New Airport blog post.
Haseki Tram Station to Get to Historia Mall
Historia is the most centrally located Shopping Mall in Istanbul Old City. Historia is actually one of the medium size shopping malls of Istanbul. It’s within walking distance to Haseki Tram Station.
There are much bigger and popular ones like İstinye Park, Kanyon, Cevahir, Forum Istanbul, Akasya and Zorlu Center. However Historia is the easiest one to get, for the people who stay in Istanbul Old City Hotels.
Aksaray Tram Station to Yenikapi Marmaray Station
Aksaray is considered as one of the public transportation hubs of Istanbul. Because it connects you with Marmaray and Yenikapı Ferryboat Station. Once you leave the tram at Aksaray, you may walk to Marmaray Station in 5 minutes and get to Istanbul Asian Side.
Marmaray leaves from Aksaray (Yenikapı) Sation > Sirkeci 4 mins > Üsküdar (Asian Side) 8 mins > Ayrılık Çeşmesi 12 mins (Kadıköy Asian Side).
Once you get the Marmaray Under-Sea Metro, you travel to Istanbul Asia Side from underneath the Bosphorus. Much quicker than any Bosphorus ferries or boats.
In order to get to Kadikoy Neighborhood (Best shopping area at Asian Side), you may prefer to use the Marmaray either from Yenikapi or Sirkeci stations.
Marmaray Under-Water Metro from Europe to Asia
Beyazıt Tram Station to Grand Bazaar
If you leave the Tram at Beyazıt station, you may easily reach to Grand Bazaar. If you find the Gate Number 7 of Grand Bazaar, it will lead you to the Bazaar’s main street: Kalpakçılarbaşı Caddesi.
Grand Bazaar has 67 streets and 3000 shops. Make sure that you note the name of the main street in order to find your way back!
Sultanahmet Tram Station to Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia
This is actually the most important station in this line. Because once you leave the tram at Sultanahmet Tram Station, you are able to get to Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace only in minutes.
All of these major sightseeing places within walking distance to each other. You may enjoy these major Istanbul museums and get back to Tram T1, in order to experience the night life of Istanbul in Taksim area.
You may want to read Places to Visit in Sultanahmet blog article to get more information.
Blue Mosque is located next to Sultanahmet Tram Stop
Gulhane Tram Station to Istanbul Archaeology Museums
Istanbul Archaeology Museums and Gülhane Park is nearby Gülhane Tram Stop. These two places literally within the walls of Topkapi Palace Complex. However they are easily accessible from Gülhane Tram Stop.
Secondary Gate of Topkapi Palace located next to the tram tracks, so that you would not have to get to main gate which is far from there. Archaeology Museums only in walking distance, there is a chance to enjoy the lovely courtyards of Topkapi Palace (Gülhane Gardens)
Istanbul Archaeology Museums
Sirkeci Tram Station to Marmaray, Hodjapasha Dervishes
Once you get off from the tram at Sirkeci Tram Station, you will find yourself in the middle of crowds. Sirkeci is bustling with people all-day-long.
On your one side, there is Sirkeci Train Station where Orient Express had arrived in 19th Century. Nowadays it’s Marmaray Station. Again like Aksaray-Yenikapı Station above, you may reach out to Asian Side through this vehicle.
There is also Hodjapasha Cultural Center within five minutes walk. This place is where Whirling Derwishes perform their Sufi Dance Show. Next to Hodjapasha Center, there is Hocapaşa Restaurants. Some of the most delicious local restaurants are located in that alley. Especially Filibe Köftecisi and Kasap Osman highly recommended.
Sirkeci Train Station where the Orient Express used to arrive
Eminönü Tram Station to Spice Bazaar
Spice Bazaar is one of the major points of interest in Istanbul Old City. Much smaller than the Grand Bazaar, yet very interesting and lively. You may also discover the local markets that surrounds the Spice Bazaar (also known as Egyptian Bazaar).
In the same neighborhood there is New Mosque, Rustem Pasha Mosque, Mahmutpasha Bazaar. Thefore walking around the Spice Bazaar is great fun. There is also Hamdi Restaurant which serves best Turkish Kebap varieties.
Spice Bazaar next to Eminonu Tram Station
Tram Passes from Eminonu to Karakoy through Galata Bridge
Karakoy Tram Station to Galata Tower
Previous station Eminönü (Spice Bazaar) and Karaköy is separated by the Istanbul Golden Horn. Tram T1 passes through the Galata Bridge which connects the Old City (Fatih District) and Modern Istanbul (Beyoğlu District). Karaköy is almost as busy as Eminönü, as one of the hubs of the city.
Once you leave the tram at Karaköy, you may walk up the Yüksek Kaldırım Street in order to reach Galata Tower. If you follow the adjacent Galip Dede Caddesi-Street, you may reach out to Istiklal Avenue as well. Istiklal Avenue is a long pedestrian street that streches from Galata Tower to Taksim Square.
Istiklal Street
Tophane Tram Station to Istanbul Modern Museum
Istanbul Modern is a great museum to visit. Istanbul’s first museum of Modern Arts. Inside this place you may observe the improvement of Modern Arts in Turkish local culture from 20th Century to today.
Tophane Tram Station is nearby the Cruise Terminal. Therefore lots of good restaurants and cafeterias all around. Karaköy Cafés & Bars just within walking distance from Tophane Tram Stop. One of the best restaurant of the area The Haze is also located there.
Karakoy Neighborhood in Beyoglu District
Fındıklı Tram Station to Galataport Cruise Terminal
SaliPazari Cruise Terminal, nowadays being re-constructed. The new name of the Istanbul Cruise Terminal will be The Galataport. The size of the Cruise Terminal now doubled, therefore it’s accessible both from Findikli and Tophane Tram T1 Stops.
Istanbul Cruise Terminal Galataport Accessible by Tram T1
Kabataş Tram Station to Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahce Palace is definitely a must-see tourist attraction in Istanbul. In order to get to Dolmabahce Palace from Sultanahmet or any other place in Istanbul Old City, Tram T1 works very well.
All you need to do is taking the tram from one of the stops in the direction of Kabataş Station. Since Kabataş is the terminal station, you will leave the tram by Kabatas area. Dolmabahçe Palace, Besiktas JK Vodafone Park within only walking distance from there.
Dolmabahce Palace is walking distance from KABATAS Station
Besiktas Vodafone Park Stadium is nearby Kabatas Tram Station
Go to Taksim Square by Tram T1 and Funicular F1 Connection
You may have a look at below map about how to get to Taksim Square by Funicular & Tram T1 connection.
The orange line shows from which route the one-stop-vehicle (funicular) takes you up to the Taksim Square from Kabataş Tram T1 Station.
Istanbul Tram Stations Map in Beyoglu District
How To Buy A Ticket For Tram?
There are Biletmatik machines placed next to the stations (usually painted yellow-black). You can either upload you IstanbulKart or you can buy token from these machines.
However there is a considerable price difference with the IstanbulKart passenger pass and regular tokens. Therefore buying an Istanbul card would be wiser.
How To Buy IstanbulKart Tram Pass?
Istanbulkart is usually sold in the nearest newspaper kiosk. There are small kiosks placed nearby major tram stations (Beyazıt, Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Kabataş). You can easily buy the card and upload some money from there as well. The price of Istanbulkart is only 7 Turkish Lira.
Istanbul Metro Tram T1 Lines Timetable/Hours
- From Bağcılar to Kabataş Tram T1 operates from 06:00 to 23:00
- From Kabataş to Bağcılar Tram T1 operates from 06:00 to 00:00
Note: Tram from Bağcılar to Kabataş stop working by 23:00 but it still operate to Bağcılar-Eminönü until 00:00
Istanbul Tram Working Hours and Schedule
Between 06:00 – 8:45 each 10 minutes
Between 08:45 – 10:45 each 7 minutes
Between 10:45 – 21:00 each 5 minutes
Between 21:00 – 21:45 each 7 minutes
Between 21:45 – 00:00 each 10 minutes
Istanbul Metro & Tram Maps Official Website: Metro Istanbul
What a fantastic, wonderful and helpful article. For someone who has never been to Turkey, I feel like I already know this place and can get around like a professional.
Thanks you very much
Hello Romeo, thank you for your review and nice words. I hope you would have great time here in Turkey.