İstanbulkart
Check your İstanbulkart balance, find top-up points, fares and the mobile app — everything you need to know about İstanbul’s single transit card.
What is İstanbulkart?
The İstanbulkart is the single payment card used on the metro, tram, bus, Metrobüs, Marmaray and ferries in İstanbul. A single ride with İstanbulkart is ₺42.00, and transfers made within 90 minutes get progressively cheaper (first transfer ₺31.27). The card is operated by BELBİM, part of the İBB.
You can buy the card from the ticket machines at stations or from vendors for about about ₺50–150. Below you will find the ways to check your balance and top up.
Check your İstanbulkart balance
Topping up your balance
Topping up and the “pending balance”
- A top-up made remotely through the app or a bank does not reach the card straight away; it waits as a pending balance.
- To move this balance onto the card, you need to tap it to a top-up machine or a compatible reader.
- Android + NFC: tap the card to the back of your phone to transfer the pending balance to the card without going to a machine.
- The balance a card can hold is limited; anything above the limit stays as a pending balance and loads onto the card as you spend.
Direct payment with a contactless bank card or mobile wallet (Mastercard contactless) is also possible at some turnstiles; however, İstanbulkart is recommended for the transfer discount and the widest acceptance.
Frequently asked questions
The easiest way is the İstanbulkart Mobil app: add your card and see the balance instantly. You can also check it on the istanbulkart.istanbul website, at the ticket machines in stations or through banking apps.
At ticket machines with cash or a card; remotely through the İstanbulkart Mobil or banking apps. A remotely loaded “pending balance” reaches the card when you tap it to a machine or an Android phone (NFC).
An anonymous card costs roughly about ₺50–150; it is bought from station ticket machines and vendors. You apply for a personal card (Mavi Kart) at istanbulkart.istanbul.
On an anonymous card the balance cannot be recovered. On a personal İstanbulkart, the balance can be transferred to a new card.
Yes, several people can pass through in turn with an anonymous card (each entry is charged separately). Student and discounted cards, however, are for the holder only.