Getting Around Istanbul at Night

Most public transport in Istanbul shuts down around midnight. If you’re out drinking in Kadıköy, catching a late ferry from Beşiktaş, or landing at the new airport after 11 PM, you need a plan that doesn’t involve paying a taxi driver triple the meter rate. Here’s how to move after dark without getting stranded or ripped off – every route, every app, every scam.

IstanbulKart: Your Night‑Pass to Everything

Buy an IstanbulKart from any metro, tram, or ferry station ticket machine (they’re everywhere). It works on metro, tram, bus, dolmuş, funicular, Marmaray, and all ferries. Single ride costs about 17 ₺ (prices rise with inflation), and you get a discount on transfers within 2 hours. You can also tap for two people with one card. Load it with at least 200 ₺ to cover a few rides. Cash only at machines – no card payment. If your card gets declined at a machine, try a different one – some accept coins only, others accept banknotes. For more on handling lira and hidden fees, see the full Istanbul money guide.

Metro (M1–M11) & Tram T1

Lines run from 6 AM to midnight roughly. The most useful night routes:

M11 (new airport metro) – connects IST Airport with Gayrettepe in 50 minutes, then you switch to M2 for Taksim or the Bosphorus area. Last train from airport is around 11:30 PM – check the board. Frequency drops to every 20 minutes after 10 PM.
M2 (Yenikapı–Hacıosman) – runs through Taksim, Levent, and Maslak. Last train from Taksim around 00:15. Useful for getting back to hotels in Taksim or Beşiktaş.
M4 (Kadıköy–Tavşantepe) – last train from Kadıköy around 00:10. If you’re in Kadıköy after that, take a night bus or a dolmuş to Taksim.
T1 Tram (Bağcılar–Kabataş via Sultanahmet) – tourist backbone, runs until 00:30 at best. If you miss it, a taxi from Sultanahmet to Taksim will cost around 80–120 ₺ with the meter.
Marmaray (under the Bosphorus, Europe–Asia) – every 5–10 minutes, same hours. Useful if you’re stuck on the wrong side after the ferry stops.

All these take IstanbulKart. Have it ready before the gates close – some stations shut exits 10 minutes before the last train. If you land on a Sunday at 11 PM, the metro is already done – head straight to the HAVAIST bus stop.

Metrobus is the outlier: it runs 24 hours on the main corridor from Beylikdüzü (west) to Söğütlüçeşme (Asian side). It doesn’t use IstanbulKart – you pay with an IstanbulKart or a separate card at the station gate. Useful for getting from Mecidiyeköy to Kadıköy after midnight. Frequency drops to every 15–20 minutes after 1 AM, but it never stops.

Ferries (Şehir Hatları & Private Lines)

Ferries are the cheapest way to cross the Bosphorus. Routes from Eminönü to Üsküdar, Kadıköy, Beşiktaş, and Piyalepaşa run until around midnight. Specifi c last departures (check seasonally):

Eminönü → Üsküdar: last ferry around 23:30 weekdays, 00:15 weekends.
Kadıköy → Beşiktaş: last around 00:00 daily.
Beşiktaş → Kadıköy: last around 00:10 daily.

After that, you’ll need the Marmaray (if still running) or a taxi. Even at night, a ferry ride is 17 ₺ with IstanbulKart and takes 15–25 minutes. Check Şehir Hatları’s real‑time schedule for last departures – they change seasonally. If you miss the last ferry from Kadıköy to Beşiktaş, take the metrobus from Kadıköy (Söğütlüçeşme station) to Mecidiyeköy, then walk or take a short taxi to Beşiktaş.

Buses & Dolmuş (Shared Minibuses)

Buses run on night lines (prefix “H” or “N”) but frequency drops after midnight. Key night bus routes that run 24 hours:

25G (Taksim–Sarıyer) – every 30 minutes after midnight, follows the coast via Beşiktaş.
40 (Taksim–Beşiktaş) – runs all night, every 20–30 minutes.
129T (Taksim–Bostancı) – crosses the Bosphorus via the bridge, useful for getting to the Asian side after ferries stop.
H-1 (İstiklal–Taksim ring) – runs until 2 AM on weekends.

Buy your IstanbulKart before boarding – bus drivers don’t sell them. And don’t expect change; have exact fare loaded on your card.

Dolmuş are shared taxis that work a fixed route – you tell the driver where to stop. They run later than metro/tram, especially on busy corridors (Taksim–Kadıköy, Beşiktaş–Taksim, Taksim–Şişli). Pay cash to the driver – exact change helps. A dolmuş ride costs 10–20 ₺. For safety in specific districts after dark, check which neighborhoods are safe to walk through.

Funiculars (Tünel & Kabataş–Taksim)

The historic Tünel (Karaköy–Beyoğlu) runs until 10 PM – don’t rely on it for late night. The Kabataş–Taksim funicular (F1) finishes around midnight as well, synced with the tram. If you’re in Kabataş after that, walk up to Taksim (15‑minute uphill walk) or take a taxi – drivers will quote 50 ₺ for the short hop with meter. Alternatively, catch the T2 tram (Kabataş–Taksim via the coastal road) which runs until around 23:30 – but it’s a long way around.

After Midnight: Taxis – Scams & Apps

Yellow taxis are everywhere, but at night the scam rate spikes. Always demand the meter (“taksimetre”). Common tricks: driver claims meter is broken and gives a flat fee (often 3x the real price), takes a long route, or says they have “no change” for a 100 ₺ note and pockets the difference. Avoid taxis waiting at tourist spots (Sultanahmet, Taksim Square, İstiklal). Instead, use an app:

BiTaksi – local, regulated, shows estimated fare before you agree. You can pay by card in the app. Download from your app store, register with your Turkish SIM or roaming number, and you’re good. At night, the app shows “gece tarifesi” (night rate) with a 50 ₺ minimum – still cheaper than street taxis. Works well at night.
Uber – operates legally in Istanbul. Often cheaper than yellow taxis because Uber uses dynamic pricing but avoids meter scams. For a 3‑km ride after midnight, expect 60–120 ₺. Uber drivers tend to accept rides faster than BiTaksi at 2 AM.
Bolt – also available, similar pricing, less common but fine. On weekends, Bolt sometimes has surge pricing.

If you must hail a street taxi, first check the BiTaksi app for a fare estimate, then refuse anything above it. Never hand over your phone so the driver can “see the map” – they might charge you by GPS minutes. Pay with small bills – 50 ₺ or less – to avoid the “no change” scam.

Walking Home – Safe Zones

Central Istanbul is generally safe for walking after midnight – streets in Sultanahmet, Beyoğlu, Beşiktaş, and Kadıköy are well‑lit and have traffic. Avoid Tarlabaşı (just behind Taksim) and Aksaray after midnight, especially alone. If you’re walking from Kadıköy ferry dock to the Moda area, stick to the main seafront – the inner side streets can be dead. For detailed per‑neighborhood safety, see our Istanbul safety breakdown.

Drunk Driving – Zero Tolerance

Turkey has a blood alcohol limit of 0.05 % (0.00 % for novice/professional drivers). Police set up checkpoints especially on weekends – penalties include heavy fines, license suspension, and even jail for repeat offenders. Do not drive after drinking. Use a ride‑hail app.

Airport Transfers to/from the City at Night

IST (Istanbul New Airport) – located far north, last metro M11 from airport to Gayrettepe is around 11:30 PM. After that, HAVAIST buses run 24 hours to Taksim (50–100 ₺, about 90 minutes, stops at several points). HAVAIST also goes to Kadıköy and Sabiha Gökçen (via the airport). Buy ticket from machine at the bus stop – credit cards accepted. If you land at IST after the last HAVAIST (rare – they run 24h), you’re looking at a taxi only: 600–900 ₺ to Taksim, always use BiTaksi to get a fixed price. If your card gets declined at the HAVAIST ticket machine, try the machine at the next bay – they’re often out of service, especially late at night.

Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) – Asian‑side airport. HAVABUS runs to Kadıköy and Taksim until last flight arrival (roughly 1 AM, but check). Fare 70–90 ₺. Taxi from SAW to Kadıköy is about 400–600 ₺ with meter, to Taksim 500–700 ₺. After midnight, ride‑hail apps are the safest bet – Bolt and Uber both work at both airports. If your flight lands at SAW after 1 AM, you’ll have to take a taxi or ride‑hail – plan for that in your budget.

Drunk‑Friendly Transport Summary

The best strategy: stay near a ferry or metro hub until midnight, then switch to BiTaksi/Uber/Bolt. Short rides inside central areas cost 50–200 ₺. Never take a taxi from a bar – walk 100 meters away and call an app. If you’re crossing between continents after the ferries stop, use the Marmaray (if still open) or a taxi across the bridges (adds 30–60 minutes and 400 ₺). The metrobus is your 24-hour safety net for crossing between Europe and Asia – it runs all night, every night, and costs a fraction of a taxi.

For a broader overview of everything from SIM cards to tap water, start with the main Istanbul guide. And when in doubt, remember: the BiTaksi app is your night‑time best friend.