There are lots of options for remote workers to get around Istanbul, and with so much going on in the city, it will be important to get acquainted with the main methods. This huge city stretches across two continents and is connected across the Bosphorus by two main bridges, a cable car line and a number of other transportation options. Remote workers should expect Istanbul to be congested, with road routes across the Bosphorus particularly affected. Public transport will also be affected by congestion during peak hours, but you can expect it to be generally safe and certainly a great way for remote workers to get across Istanbul's neighborhoods.
The best way to use the cityโs public transport network to get around Istanbul will be to obtain an Istanbul Kart, the cityโs main rechargeable ticket card. You can get an Istanbul Kart at the cityโs main transit stops such as Eminonu and Sultanahmet or at the airport. The Istanbul Kart has a non-refundable cost of 10 TL and provides an easy way for remote workers to get around Istanbul without waiting in line for paper tickets. You will also save lots of money, as the Istanbul Kart offers up to 40% discounts on regular travel. Monthly and weekly discounts are also available, and you will want to check with station staff if you plan on using public transport regularly.
Istanbul has an extensive tramway network across both its European and Asian side, making it a popular way for remote workers to get around Istanbul. The main line, T1, covers the cityโs most important attractions and sights, including Dolmabahce Palace and Beyazit. T4 covers the European from north to south, and Line T3 serves a loop around the Moda-Kadฤฑkรถy area using a historical tram. You can ride the service using the Istanbul Kart.
The city also has an effective metro/subway system, which offers a convenient way for remote workers to get around Istanbul. The system has several main lines, serving all parts of the city. Line M1A will be extremely useful for remote workers arriving at Ataturk Airport as it serves the Old City and major intersections with other modes of transport along the way. M2 serves Old Istanbul around Yenikapฤฑ north to the popular Beyoglu district around Taksim Square, before reaching northern neighborhoods around the Bosphorus. You can even use line M2 to reach some great Black Sea beaches from central Istanbul. Ride using the IstanbulKart.
As a city spanning across two continents and connected by a river, one of the best ways for remote workers to get around Istanbul is to use the available ferry services across the Bosphorus. These services connect the European and Asian sides seamlessly and avoid the great congestion around the cityโs main bridges across the Bosphorus. Ferries also give you an opportunity to see this beautiful city from the water, and is overall an unmissable experience in Istanbul. Services operate 6am-midnight on weekdays and 24-hours on weekends. Ride using your Istanbul Kart for around 3.5-5 TL, depending on your route. The main ports include Besiktas, Eminonu and Karakoy on the European side; and Uskudar and Kadฤฑkรถy in Asia.
These are the main ways for remote workers to get around Istanbul, but the city also offers taxi, bus and metrobus services which may also be convenient for some. Uber operates in a shady legal dimension in Istanbul but is certainly available, as are dolmus - shared taxis operating fixed routes across Europe which you can ride by paying in cash only.
For more information about living in Istanbul as a remote worker, check out our complete Istanbul guide.