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Istanbulkart versus Contactless Payment 2026

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Hello! I searched the list of topics and I see an Istanbulkart discussion but it was from 2024, so I am here to see if there are updated things I should know about. I am weighing the options between Instanbulkart versus contactless payment (via credit card without foreign transaction fees). All of the YouTube vids and blogs stress Instanbulkart is the way to go because it gives you access to all modes of transportation, including Marmaray which I read does not allow credit cards. They also say to use cash to buy and to top off the card. I prefer to use credit card for everything.

Background: We will be in Istanbul for 6 nights. Heavy touring for 3 days and light touring for 2 days.

Questions:

  1. Can I buy and add credit to the Instanbulkart all at once at the airport before I step on the M11? Or is it best to find an ATM at arrivals hall and get cash before I head to M11 to buy the Instanbulkart.

  2. I read in one place there is a small fee when you top off your Instanbulkart but I could not determine if it was for credit card transactions only or in all cases. What is your experience?

  3. What is your experience with using contactless payment? I know it costs a little more but I think the ease may outweigh the cost (maybe?).

All of your comments are appreciated. Thank you!

Posted by
49 posts

We were in Istanbul in April 2026. Like you I thought about buying an Istanbul Cart for public transportation. Looking for the correct machine was just one more waste of my time. We used our debit and credit cards. If one didn’t work the other did when using the touchless pads. Good idea to have an extra credit card from a different bank.
Quick note, is do not dismiss using Uber. We took a public bus to Chora Church and missed our stop by about four miles when it unexpectedly veered to the freeway. Had no idea where we were. Uber came quickly and the correct charge was on my account. We walked downhill from Chora to the Balat district. Don’t miss the church/ mosque and do walk down to the colorful Balat. Great food choices!

Posted by
1366 posts

I have an Istanbulkart - Biletmatik machines are in every metro station, so it's not exactly hard to find. I used cash to top up, but you can also use card. It is significantly cheaper to use the Istanbulkart, and for six nights would be worth it.

By Marmaray, do you mean the ferry? For the commuter ferries (going from European side to Asian side) you can use the Istanbulkart or credit card to tap at the barriers. We went from Karaköy to Kadıköy on the Asian side, had a great lunch at restaurant by the sea and explored the markets, and then took a bus to Üsküdar, a more traditional area, and saw the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque.

The Sea of Marmaray is big though, so if you mean an intercity ferry to somewhere like Mudanya, you need to buy a ticket from the ticket counter. We took this ferry to visit Bursa - saw the Bursa Grand Mosque, Green Tomb etc - it was great. The ferry trip is about 2hrs.

You will need some cash in Istanbul - card is widely accepted, but not everywhere.

And +1 to uber as well. Metro is excellent, buses can be a bit hit and miss, or just full. The other option is Bitaksi.

Posted by
214 posts

The Marmaray (Subway that connects European side and Asian side) does not accept credit cards for tap and pay. Fares on all forms of transportation are less expensive with the IstanbulKart. You can buy IstanbulKarts at the metro station at the Istanbul Airport. Either from a machine or a person in a kiosk. You will pay 165 Turkish Lira (about $3.47) for the initial purchase of the card, plus load money onto it for using public transport. It is better for each person to have their own IstanbulKart because if you make transfers from a tram to bus, bus to tram, or metro to bus, etc. the second ride is discounted.

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