T1 tram layout in Istanbul. Public transport in Istanbul - metro, tram, taxi, funicular and even cable car
Istanbul is the largest Turkish city with developed infrastructure. The city has many buses and trams, there is a metro and taxis - everything for the convenience of movement of residents and guests. Visitors, even without knowledge of English or Turkish, can easily use transport, but just in case, study our experience.
Upon arrival in or Ataturk, tourist maps and book guides can be purchased almost on the spot. There are also free atlases with detailed maps of city roads and routes, for example, the popular Sokak Sokak Istanbul guide.
Those who are unfamiliar with using analog storage media will, of course, load everything they need into their phone. Recommended apps Google Trip And Maps.Me. For those who plan to use the Internet in Turkey, this is ideal Google Maps. Read more about programs for tourists in.
Often the search for a particular object ends in failure, and you have to turn to local residents for help. Don't worry - Turkish people are very hospitable and always ready to help.
Istanbulkart (Istanbul cards)
In Turkey, the cost of traveling on public transport is more expensive than using special smart cards. Both locals and visitors use plastic Istanbulkart card.
The Istanbul card looks like a simple credit card. Introduced in 2009, it acts as a pass on buses, trams, funiculars, metro, commuter trains and ferries.
In addition to the fact that it is more profitable to pay for trips using Istanbulkart, there are also additional discounts. For five or fewer transfers to other vehicles within 2 hours, an extra discount applies.
The smart card can be purchased at offices and ticket kiosks at bus stations, airports and other major transport interchanges. Cost of the card in offices: 10 lire. Cheaper ( 6 lire) Istanbul cards can be purchased from blue Automatic Vending Machines (OSM) at the metro entrances.
Cards are usually topped up at black and yellow Biletmatik machines located at almost every public transport stop. You can top up up to 300 liras(only in paper bills), but we don’t recommend depositing a large amount at once - you can always report later.
Here you can top up your Istanbul-cart
Buses and dolmus
Buses in Istanbul are one of the most common types of transport. Today there are more than 4 thousand cabins in the city, which transport 30% of the total population. The only thing is the unbearable traffic jams. There are currently more than 500 bus routes in Istanbul.
The fare without a card is 4 liras, with a smart card - 1.95 liras.
Dolmushi (or the usual minibuses) are an alternative to buses. The fare on them is a little higher (5 liras), you cannot pay with an Istanbul card, but they run more often and stop with a wave of your hand.
Relatively recently, Metrobuses began running in Istanbul. They are high-speed modern minibuses with many routes. Travel cost - 2.4 lira.
A map of bus routes can be viewed here (clickable):
Taxi is undoubtedly given first place in terms of comfort. There are at least 20 thousand yellow taxis in Istanbul. However, there is a high probability that you will be scammed out of money. Most likely scenarios:
- The taxi driver will refuse to take you because the destination is too close (allegedly it is not profitable for him).
- The taxi driver agrees to take you, but will not turn on the meter, even after your request. And subsequently he will ask for a large sum for travel.
- The taxi driver will drive you around in circles, increasing the meter to the maximum, thereby earning more.
- He seems to agree, he’s not driving in circles, the meter is on, but he will drive the car recklessly and swear along the way in his own language.
As soon as you get into a taxi, immediately tap the meter with your finger and say “taxi miter.” And don't engage in trade. When the driver starts the meter, the screen will show 3.20 lira is the landing fee, and 2 lira for each kilometer.
For example, the cost of a taxi ride (15-25 minutes) between Sultanahmet and Taksim Square is approximately 25−30 liras. For 35−75 minute For trips from Ataturk Airport to Sultanahmet Square, the official fare ranges from 50-55 liras. From Ataturk Airport to Taksim Square - 60−65 liras.
(UPD from April 2019: Ataturk Airport in Istanbul was closed, and in its place was the world's largest airport far from the city).
Metro
One of the most convenient and fastest modes of transport in Istanbul is the metro. Everything in the city 4 branches. On the map they are indicated by different colors. M1, M2, M3 are located in the European part, and M4 occupies the Asian part.
- M1 - red line. The most popular among tourists. Upon arrival at Ataturk Airport, this line can be used to get to almost any point in the city.
- M2 and M3 - indicated on the map by green and blue branches. These branches are mainly used by local residents.
- M4 is the pink metro line. Its location is in the Asian part of the city, it runs along the route between the Kadikoy pier and the residential areas.
A map of the Istanbul metro can be viewed here (clickable):
Marmaray
A separate metro line called Marmaray is a 13.6 km long subway project that connects the European and Asian parts of Istanbul through a tunnel under the Bosphorus Strait. In the European part there are Kazlıçeşme, Yenikapı and Sirkeci stations. In Asian - Üskudar and Ayrılık Çeşmesi.
The name Marmaray comes from the Turkish word "Marmara" (Sea of Marmara) and "ray" which means "rail". Construction of the tunnel began in 2004 and cost $3.5 billion.
The cost of a trip using a token in Marmaray is 5 liras; according to Istanbul card - 2.6 liras. The price for a transfer within 2 hours is 1.95 liras.
Tram
The tram service inside Istanbul has been operating since the 19th century and effectively relieves city traffic jams. Tram transport in Istanbul has 4 lines: T1, T3, T4 and T2 (an old tram).
You can only get to the stop through the turnstile.
- T1 passes through the historical district of Sultanahmet, connected to the main cultural monuments that can be seen during the trip.
- Trams traveling along the T3 route are located in the Asian part of Istanbul. By riding along this line you can get acquainted with the architecture of this part of the city.
- The most unpopular line among tourists, T4, connects residential areas with the center.
To this day, tram numbers are duplicated and have a color scheme - this was done for the illiterate population. It will also be useful for tourists:
- Red: Aksaray, Mecidiyeköy, Şişli, Topkapı, Tünel
- Blue: Beyazıt, Macka
- Green: Edirnekapı, Fatih, Harbiye
- Yellow: Arnavutköy, Bebek, Beşiktaş, Kurtuluş, Ortaköy
- White: Bahçekapı, Eminönü, Sirkeci, Taksim, Yedikule
The legendary red tram running along the Istiklal pedestrian street is very popular among tourists. The historical red tram is one of the symbols of Istanbul. And although the tram's route is not long at all - only 1.6 km - every tourist coming to Istanbul should definitely take a ride on it.
During our visit to Istanbul, the tram track on Istiklal was being restored (and we even thought that they would be dismantled forever), and we were not able to make such a trip. But there is a reason to come back!
Restoration of rails at Istiklal
Havatash buses
This is the most convenient, fastest and inexpensive transfer that will take you from any Istanbul airport to the European part (Kadıköy pier) or the Asian part of the city (Taksim Square). Buses usually run every half hour:
04:00 — 04:30 — 05:00 — 05:30 — 06:00- 06:30 — 07:00 — 07:30 — 08:00 — 08:30 — 09:00 — 09:30 — 10:00 — 10:30 — 11:00 — 11:30 — 12:00 — 12:30 — 13:00 — 13:30 — 14:00 — 14:30 — 15:00 — 15:30 — 16:00 — 16:30 — 17:00 — 17:30 — 18:00 — 18:30 — 19:00 — 19:30 — 20:00 — 20:30 — 21:00 — 21:30 — 22:00 — 22:30 — 23:00 — 23:30 — 00:00 — 00:30 — 01:00
Havatash buses are hard to miss - they are painted white and have the logo "Havabus" in large letters. The final arrival station is always indicated in front. Travel can only be paid in cash in Turkish lira. It is also convenient that you can check your luggage in a special compartment, which cannot be done on regular regular buses.
Funiculars and cable cars (cablecar)
Istanbul has two underground funiculars from different times. The oldest of them is called Tünel, built in 1875. Its length is 573 meters, the height difference is 60 meters. It runs between Karaköy and Tünel Square stops in the European part of Istanbul. It was originally equipped with a steam engine and two wooden carriages. In 1971, the funicular was modernized, and today about 15 thousand people willingly use it.
The second Istanbul funicular was built in 2006. Runs between Kabataş tram stop and Taksim Square metro station. The length of the road is 600 meters, the height is 60 meters. Travel time is 110 seconds.
There are also two cable cars in Istanbul. One of the routes is especially loved by tourists; it leads to the stop. And the final station is the Eyup pier. The second branch is not often visited by city guests. It is located in the Besiktas region.
Ferries and river transport
A well-developed river transport system gives tourists many opportunities to see the city by traveling by ferry, boat or sea bus. Total in Istanbul 15 sea routes and 27 stopover ports on the shores of the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara.
There are three types of river public transport - large modern Sea Busses, traditional Vapur's and private boats.
- Istanbul metro- this is the very first type of transport that you will encounter when arriving at Ataturk Airport, unless, of course, you decide to order a transfer to the hotel (see). Your second encounter with the Istanbul metro will happen when you go to the airport again on your way home. That's all! This is exactly what happens to 99% of tourists who come to Istanbul. This is also confirmed by the fact that on metro trains outside the route from/to the airport, meeting foreigners is very rare.
- Metro station at Ataturk Airport. As you may have already guessed, the metro in Istanbul goes all the way to Ataturk Airport. It is very comfortable. You can get to the metro station either from the airport building itself (follow the signs from the arrivals area) or from the street.
- Important! The metro to Istanbul's second Sabiha Gokcen Airport has not yet been built. It's inconvenient to get there. You need to go by public transport or. In general, Sabiha Gokcen Airport is quite inconvenient. However, we must pay tribute that, as a rule, they fly there very rarely. Keep this in mind when choosing your arrival airport (see).
- Working hours Istanbul metro: from 06.00 am to 00.00.
- Motion intervals trains change depending on the load. Normal mode: 7-10 minutes. During rush hours - up to 5 minutes of waiting.
- Full scheme Istanbul metro can be downloaded. However, such a scheme is not very valuable. The most important metro stations for tourists - vital - only a few. These stations are marked in the diagram below and described in detail at the end of the article.
- Metro lines vary in color and have designations: M1, M2, M3, etc. Some metro lines in Istanbul have forks, that is, they bifurcate, and are then designated as follows: M1A, M1B.
- Payment It is best to use a transport card (Istanbul Card) - it is much more economical. Read the cost and details here: Transport map. The card is purchased and topped up at terminals at metro stations. Payment occurs when passing through the turnstile, when you place your card on the reader. You can also travel with a single ticket, which is also sold in the terminal, but travel will be 1.5 times more expensive than with a card. This is very unprofitable.
- Metro stops (stations) different: there are shallow underground ones, there are surface ones, vaguely reminiscent of platforms for high-speed trams.
- In general, the metro in Istanbul is neat, at some stations you can see musicians. Most often I noticed them at stations closer to the historical center of the city.
- Metro map available at every station and inside trains. On every train in the metro, the light board says which station it goes to. On the train, the announcer announces stations in Turkish. Sometimes what he says is not clear, so watch the signs at the stations where you are going.
- Keep in mind! Some metro lines, as I already said, bifurcate, that is, they have forks. They are then designated by an additional letter: M1A or M1B. You need to use such lines like this: look at the final stop of the branch you need, and take the train that has this station written on it. The train will go in the right direction. You can also do this: get to the fork, get off there and wait for the train in the right direction.
- Metro Tünel. Sometimes the metro in Istanbul includes an old line (opened in 1875), which is called the “tunnel”. In fact, this is one of the threads funicular. It does not have any particular practical significance for tourists, since it is located far from the main tourist routes. See more details. Funicular in Istanbul.
- Metro Marmaray. This is also part of the metro, but it passes under the Bosphorus Strait. Depth of occurrence - 60 meters from the surface of the Bosphorus. Travel time under the strait: 4 minutes. To reach the main attractions is not particularly important. However It’s worth a ride because it’s a unique landmark of Istanbul - the metro runs under the Bosphorus Strait and is one of the deepest underwater tunnels in the world, and it also connects Europe and Asia. The most convenient way to ride the “underwater metro” is this. We take the tram to the Sirkeci stop. You can, however, take a walk – from Sirkeci it’s about 900 meters. You need to go down along the tram line. Next to the tram stop is the famous old Sirkeci railway station. There is also the entrance to Marmaray station, which is also called Sirkeci. We go down, pay for the fare with a transport card and drive under the Bosphorus Strait to the Uskudar station.
Link between metro and light rail
The metro itself in Istanbul would not be of particular importance if it were not connected by transfer stations with other modes of transport. The point is that, for example, it is impossible to get from Ataturk Airport to the city center by metro alone. This can only be done by transferring to a high-speed tram. However, don't be alarmed - it doesn't cause problems., because in this direction the metro and tram are very harmoniously connected. In fact, not everyone even immediately understands that they are traveling on a different type of transport.
Actually light rail lines are an extension of the metro. There are two types of transfers between the metro and tram.
- Short transfer- the most convenient. You get to the desired station, get off the metro train, follow the signs to the tram line, go through the turnstile, paying for the passage with a transport card. That's all! You are already on the tram line. Everything is organized as if you are moving from one metro line to another, only at the same time you pay for the change. (By the way, payment for transfers is at a discount!). Thus, for example, a transfer was organized at Zeytinburnu station. This transfer station is useful to us because through it we will travel from Ataturk Airport to the hotel to the Sultanahmet area (historical city center).
- Long transfer– not very convenient, but overall also uncomplicated. Its essence is that you completely leave the metro station and find yourself on a city street. Now you need to walk down the street to the light rail station. Enter the high-speed tram platform through the turnstile and attach your card. The pass will also be counted at a discount. This transfer is called long because sometimes you have to walk quite far along the street. For example, the distance between Aksaray metro station and Yusufpaşa light rail station is about 350 meters. This transfer connection is interesting to us if we are traveling from the main bus station of Istanbul (Otogar) to the hotel to the Sultanahmet area (historical city center). You need to understand that you need to allow more time for such a transfer when planning your route, because you not only need to get to the place, but also figure out where exactly to go.
By the way! The Istanbul metro is connected not only with the high-speed tram, but also with the metrobus. This is something like a high-speed bus that moves along a special dedicated lane, bypassing city traffic jams. However, this type of transport is largely useless for tourists; it is important for city residents who travel from residential areas. Most often you will use by light rail, metro and ferries.
Important metro routes in Istanbul for tourists
Most metro routes are of absolutely no interest to tourists because they lead to residential areas of Istanbul. There are only two important routes.
- Ataturk Airport – Istanbul Historical Center. This route is the most popular, as tourists get from Ataturk Airport (Ataturk Havalimani station) to Sultanahmet station.
At Ataturk Airport we go to the metro station Ataturk Havalimani(Ataturk Havalimani). This is a metro line M1A. Let's go to the metro station Zeytinburnu(Zeytinburnu). We get out of the car and transfer to a high-speed tram, the station of which is also called Zeytinburnu(Zeytinburnu). This tram line T1. Next we go to the tram stop Sultanahmet(Sultanahmet).
- Bus Station – Istanbul Historical Center. This route is useful if you came to Istanbul by bus, or if you plan to travel further around the country after visiting Istanbul, for example, to.
At the main bus station of the city we go to the metro station Otogar(Otogar). This is a metro line M1A. Let's go to the metro station Aksaray(Aksaray). We leave the metro station onto the street. Next, at the traffic light we cross Adnan Menderes Vatan Blvd. There will be a park on the other side. Go around the park on the right and exit onto Murat Pasha Sok street. Follow this street until it intersects with Turgut Ozal Millet Cad. There will be a light rail stop right at the intersection of these streets. Yusufpasha(Yusufpaşa). Transfer time (if you know how to go) is 5 minutes. If you are going for the first time, then allow another 15 minutes to “figure out how to go.” The distance you need to walk along the street is about 350 meters. Now we take the high-speed tram and go to the stop Sultanahmet(Sultanahmet).
Important metro stations for tourists
- Ataturk Havalimani(Ataturk Havalimani) – here is the main airport of Istanbul, named after Ataturk.
- Otogar(Otogar) – here is the main bus station of Istanbul, which is called Otogar. From here you can go travel around the country, for example, or to the center of the country in.
- Aksaray(Aksaray) – This metro station in Istanbul has a transfer to the Yusufpaşa light rail station. Useful when we travel from the historical center to the main bus station of the city.
- Zeytinburnu(Zeytinburnu) – this metro station has a transfer to the light rail station, which is also called Zeytinburnu. Useful when we travel from Ataturk Airport to the hotel in the historical city center in the Sultanahmet area.
Tram T-2 N307, should be on 1 th route,
on the Warsaw highway near the Danilovskaya manufactory.
(photo Alexandra Kirsanova)
Tram T-2 N448, 47
-th route,
on the line to Nagatino
(photo Alexandra Kirsanova)
IN agony T-2 opened the "Czechoslovak era" of tram history Moscow. Having first appeared on the streets of Moscow in 1959, they conquered the capital with their smoothest and quietest running, modern design, cozy and warm interior (perhaps T-2 were the warmest Moscow carriages in the entire history). Swift T-2, having pantographs instead of an arc, rubberized wheels and an indirect control system (it was then that the tram first began to be controlled by a pedal). To be fair, it is worth noting that both the pantograph and rubberized wheels have already been used on domestic cars M-38 1938, which was a real revolution for its time. But by 1959, pantographs M-38 replaced with an outdated arch, rubberized wheels - solid ones. Wartime forced the abandonment of more modern, but more fragile structures. And now the best, most modern tram technologies, implemented by a professional, experienced team of neat Czechs at the factory CHKD in Prague, back to the Moscow streets!
N on the eve of the arrival of the first T-2, in 1955-58, the structure of the rolling stock changed little: two-axle motor cars predominated BF, four-axle KM, four-axle MTV-82, as well as two-axle trailed type WITH. Old two-axle motor cars of the type F were gradually written off and transferred to other cities: their number dropped from 80 at the beginning of 1956 to 33 at the beginning of 1959. Last 33 cars F were written off from inventory during 1959. This entire rumbling armada, especially the old pre-war carriages, could not possibly correspond to the exemplary “face of the capital of the socialist world.” The tram was destined for an unenviable fate - this “outdated” transport was dying out with might and main on Moscow streets, and, probably, in our days Moscow would have completely lost my tram if not for T-2.
T-2 were the first imported type of rolling stock to arrive in Moscow after the war. Of course, in terms of their quality, these cars were at a completely different level than the experimental ones that arrived shortly before them. RVZ-57, and even more so they left far behind all the types of buses and trolleybuses available at that time. Moscow I was shocked: a tram could be THIS! The language did not dare to call it “outdated”.
IN agony T-2 continued the line of cars T, starting with T-1. Despite the fact that in Moscow T-1 never appeared and were operated in our country only in Rostov-on-Don (20 cars), we still paid a lot of attention to them as the founders of the famous series of Czechoslovak cars produced at the plant ČKD Tatra-Smichov in Prague.
WITH ama series T was based on a well-known brand of excellent American carriages PCC(“Presidents Conference Committee Car”, but some Russian tram enthusiasts pronounce it [ereses]). These cars first appeared in 1934, and by 1952 (the year production ended) more than 5,000 of them had been produced. The history of their origin can be found on the New York Subway website, links to sites dedicated to PCC, You will find .
P first prototype T-1, motor car N 5001 drove through the streets of Prague on November 22, 1951. The car and its electrical structure were mainly reminiscent of the design of American cars PCC. The car body was 14.5 meters long and 2.4 meters wide. At that time, the structure of railway tracks in Czechoslovakia did not allow the use of cars of the maximum possible length and width. Most type cars T-1 had longitudinal (like in the Moscow metro) passenger sofas. The transverse arrangement of seats appeared only in the latest series of cars.
Motor car prototype T-1 N 5001 April 14, 1952 in Prague
T ok how T-1 were not intended for operation with trailed cars; in the first years only tests of this possibility were carried out. It turned out that motorized cars were not suitable for driving with a non-motorized trailer. The possibility of constructing two-car trains on the basis of two motor cars (using a system of many units) was initially demonstrated in Prague, but was only used commercially in Ostrava.
IN agony T-1 arrived in almost all cities of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic that had a normal gauge (Stephenson gauge 1435 millimeters). The only exception was Brno, where the car park was at that time replaced by new two-axle cars with an all-metal body. The car was supplied not only to the domestic Czechoslovak market. Since the type T-1 turned out to be better than tram models in other countries, foreign customers also showed interest. Twenty cars were delivered to Rostov-on-Don and two cars to Warsaw.
AND Due to the small number of exported cars, they were in circulation for a short time. In Czechoslovakia, almost all carriages T-1 were in operation until the mid-60s. Then many cars operated in Kosice, Most and Prague were converted into the type T-3. During this restructuring, the hulls and electrical equipment of the cars were completely replaced. In fact, only the bogies remained from the original cars, but for the most part, new traction engines were installed on them. Former carriages T-1 served until the 80s, until they were completely replaced by trams like T-3. Solemn farewell to the type T-1 took place on April 4, 1987 in Pilsen. Cars in motion T-1 showed themselves very well. The successful ratio of the lightness of the hulls to the power of the engines gave the car a good production load and made T-1 the most nimble carriage in the series T.
| THE APPEARANCE OF T-2 |
IN test run two experimental carriages T-2 with numbers 6001 and 6002 first moved in Prague in 1955. The 2.50 m wide carriage bodies used the maximum permissible norms of the new Czechoslovak rules for the construction of tram lines. The first motor carriage still had longitudinal seating and was sent to Olomouc in 1965. The second motor car, already made with transverse seats, was tested in Liberec in 1956-1957 on a 1000 mm gauge. From Liberec, car 6002 went to Bratislava, where it was put into operation with the same number on the 1000 mm gauge that existed there. Subsequently, the carriage was used as a training car. In 1977, the carriage returned to Prague to the museum of the transport enterprise.
WITH 1958 type serial cars T-2 were supplied to almost all tram enterprises of Czechoslovakia. The only exceptions were Jablonec nad Nisou and Prague. In Jablonec, by this time the liquidation of the tram service was in full swing, and in Prague the network of lines was not adapted for cars with a width of 2.50 m.
T SP T-2 even more than T-1, was similar to PCC carriages. Due to their solid construction, these cars were not as nimble as their predecessors, but their lifespan was much longer. In Ostrava, Brno and Liberec, these cars are partially still in use. During the period of operation, the cars underwent changes, mainly to the front part of the body. The boxes for the route tables were changed, the single headlight in the center was replaced with two for reasons of traffic safety. In Brno, Bratislava and Kosice for some carriages T-2 front parts of the type were installed T-3. In Liberec, one carriage underwent such changes after a traffic accident.
| T-2 SU (T-2 Soviet Union) - OPTION FOR THE USSR |
P after a significant delivery of trams to Rostov-on-Don in 1957 T-1 an order has been received for the supply of wagons T-2 to the Soviet Union. At that moment, a large number of trams were sold. The first cars of the series T-2 SU were equipped with three doors, but later the middle door was removed at the request of customers (according to some information, only the only two cars that arrived in St. Petersburg were three-door). The domestic system of control and collection of fares provided for passengers to board exclusively at the back door for mandatory ticketing, and the middle door, according to officials, opened up wide scope for ticketless travel. That is why for a long time we had to experience the inconvenience of boarding and disembarking in two-door trams and trolleybuses while three-door modifications were produced in the West.
E electrical equipment of the carriage T-2 SU it was similar to a carriage T-2. Some cars, sent, as the manufacturers said, “to cities with severe climatic conditions,” were equipped with a particularly strong heating system. Naturally, “a city with severe climatic conditions” was also recognized Moscow(Let me remind you that, for example, in Canada the northernmost civilized settlement is located at the latitude of Tula).
T only in T-2 SU, first in the series T The cabins of train cars are completely separated from the passenger compartment. Cars T-2 SU were in operation until the early 80s. Since the carriages T-2 SU almost indistinguishable from their counterparts T-2, we will not further specify the subtype, especially since only modified cars were delivered to the USSR T-2 SU.
| T-2 IN MOSCOW |
13 March 1959 at the depot named after. Apakova The first Czechoslovak four-axle motor car arrived T-2, to which N 301 was assigned. Here is what Moskovskaya Pravda wrote about this:
IN Yesterday the first tram car built in Czechoslovakia arrived in Moscow from Prague. The carriage wheels have rubber lining. Automation ensures fast, smooth acceleration and braking of the car. The carriage carries 150 passengers. A total of 50 new cars will be delivered from Czechoslovakia to Moscow.
IN first T-2 We took route 14, which has not changed at all since then: Oktyabrskaya (Kaluzhskaya) Square - Vavilova Street - University metro station. Muscovites were amazed by the new product: they stood for a long time at stops waiting for a wonderful carriage, and took special rides. The interior lighting was provided by incandescent lamps hidden behind characteristic lampshades - “saucers”. The doors had much wider glass than subsequent ones T-3. The windows folded back like those found in old E-type metro cars, and sometimes an unlucky passenger would get hit on the head with the window. But apart from this small drawback, the carriage as a whole made an extremely favorable impression. A total of 50 carriages arrived in 1959 T-2.AND interiors of the first Moscow T-2 in the early 1970s (photo Alexandra Kirsanova):
Forward view
Back view
D o 1962 carriages T-2 arrived exclusively at the Apakovskoye depot, and by the beginning of 1962, 117 of them had already been collected - more than were purchased by any city in the world. Incoming cars were assigned numbers three and four hundred (starting from 301: the 200s were occupied by various modifications of the RVZ, and at the 100s the last cars disappeared F). At this time, the Apakovsky depot was getting rid of not so old cars MTV-82 And he kept it for himself KM s as more reliable. Starting from approximately number 380, the interior of the cars was changed: the conductor's seat, which was previously surrounded by a partition up to the waist, was simplified, and the driver's cabin was changed.
AND interior T-2 second modification in the early 1970s (photo Alexandra Kirsanova):
Forward view
N The new cars were sent primarily to routes 14,26,22 (their routes completely coincided with modern ones, except that the current 26 route is a combination of the 22nd and 26th of those years) and route 24 (Serpukhovskaya Zastava - Zatsepskaya Square - Vorontsovo Pole St. - Kursky Station - then along the modern route). In more modest quantities (1-4 cars each) they arrived on the 3rd and 47th routes that have survived since then, as well as on the 38th (Nagatino - Semenovskaya Square), 16th, 12th (Entuziastov Passage - Peasant Outpost - Leninskaya Sloboda - Vavilova Street - University), and then to the newly formed route 39, which has survived to this day. All south Moscow to one degree or another served by carriages T-2, and the only "outlier" T-2 Route 24 appeared to the east.
IN In 1962, the Apakovsky depot got rid of the last MTVs and accepted the next batch T-2, numbers 418 - 452, and subsequent cars that arrived in September are the last ones to arrive Moscow- went to the Bauman depot and received numbers from 453 to 480. Thus, Moscow purchased a total of 180 wagons T-2, 153 of which were concentrated in the Apakovsky depot, which was considered the best depot at that time Moscow, and the remaining 27 cars are at the Bauman depot. The new "Bauman" cars first ran along the 10th route (Sokolniki - Rostokinsky Proezd - VDNKh - Ostankino), and then along the 25th (Rostokino - Mira Avenue - Tsvetnoy Boulevard - Pushkinskaya Square), and were gradually transferred to the 5th route (Rostokino - Lesnaya street).
T now T-2 served the entire south Moscow, made a small “throw” to the east along the Entuziastov Highway (route 24), and also ran in the north-east of the capital - from Rostokino south along Mira Avenue to the Belorussky Station and to Pushkinskaya Square, route 10 went from Ostankino to Sokolniki.
N Some cars have undergone minor modernization. First of all, the appearance T-2 caused a problem with the number plate lights. Since time immemorial in Moscow There was a wonderful tradition: on the “face” of each carriage there were two lanterns with a colored piece of glass in each. The combination of glass colors uniquely determined the route number. For example, red denoted one, green denoted two, blue denoted three, zero denoted transparent colorless glass, and violet, olive, and pale moon (nine) were also found. For example, the combination “colorless-blue” meant the third route, and “red-green” meant the 12th.
ABOUT however on T-2 There were no lights to indicate the number. Initially, they tried to solve the problem by welding the lights to the car body, but this work was never completed, and the light signaling T-2 never used.
Tram T-2 with welded signal lights, N412, route 3,
descends from the Komissariatsky Bridge
(photo Alexandra Kirsanova)
TO The contact network of the tram at that time was not yet sufficiently perfect, and therefore fragile pantographs often failed - they were torn off the cars by elements of the network suspension, and other breakdowns occurred. A factory semi-pantograph was installed to replace pantographs SVARZ.
Tram T-2 with factory semi-pantograph SVARZ, N343, route 3,
on the roundabout at Balaklava Avenue
(photo Alexandra Kirsanova)
IN in other cities - for example, in Kyiv - some more modifications of the cars were made T-2, in particular, they replaced one headlight with two, and so on. IN Moscow no other modifications to the cars were made.
WITH 1965 for the first time in Moscow trams began to operate on a system of many units. Previous models did not allow this: in the 30s, the concept of motor and trailer cars was used, according to which one motor car (for example, F, BF or KM) pulls trailed non-motorized carriages of special trailed types (KP, M and S). The system of many units provides for the possibility of coupling identical motor cars, each of which is capable of operating independently, into a train, and the control of the train’s operation is synchronized between the cars and is carried out from one of the control panels. Exactly T-2 opened for Moscow ability to work on a system of many units.
Coupling of wagons T-2 N452+? on route 39,
descends from the Ustinsky Bridge to the Obvodny Canal.
(photo Alexandra Kirsanova)
Coupling of wagons T-2 N?+427 on route 3,
follows the center along Simferopol Boulevard
(photo Alexandra Kirsanova)
1 January 1965, 10 "Bauman" cars from 453 to 463 were transferred from Baumansky V Apakovskoe depot, and the remaining 16 cars concentrated on 10 -m and a little - on 5 -th route.
IN In 1971, the first carriages were written off T-2. Latest T-2 were written off on May 25, 1981 (about 10-15 pieces) from the inventory of the Apakovsky depot. Since in those days the carriages went on routes almost randomly, to establish the last route they took T-2, does not seem possible.
TO number of cars T-2 V Moscow on years:
| Year | Number of cars |
| 1960 | 50 |
| 1961 | 100 |
| 1962 | 117 |
| 1963-1971 | 178 |
| 1972 | 173 |
| 1973 | 163 |
| 1974 | 150 |
| 1975 | 116 |
| 1976 | 98 |
| 1977 | 55 |
| 1978 | 55 |
| 1979 | 52 |
| 1980 | 36 |
| 1981 | 15 |
D as of 1998 it was believed that Moscow sawed all my T-2 and did not save a single copy. However, fate decreed otherwise. There is a beautiful legend about the preservation of the only Moscow carriage T-2. On August 11, 1975, car No. 378 was written off. This was the same carriage on which the deputy director passed his career Baumansky depot for repairs. Therefore, he ordered not to saw the car, but to convert it into a warehouse. The carriage was placed indoors away from prying eyes. In 1993, there was a fire in the carriage and it burned out almost completely, but it was again saved. In 1997, the carriage was discovered (almost no one suspected its existence), and by force Tram-Repair Plant started to restore it. The question arose about spare parts for the unique carriage. As it turned out, those only two three-door cars T-2, which arrived in Leningrad, were very soon transferred to the city of Volzhsky near Volgograd and placed in a depot there, without ever starting to work. The carriages stood for 40 years in the open air and now look very deplorable; they have also been turned into a warehouse. A group of specialists from Moscow visited Volzhsky and removed all the necessary spare parts from one of the cars, keeping the second intact for the possibility of restoring it in the future and adding the unique three-door car to the Moscow collection. Our N378 was successfully restored and acquired a reliable original appearance, which was greatly facilitated by valuable memories and unique color photographs of the interior T-2 Alexandra Kirsanova.
WITH Between 1955 and 1962, a total of 771 motor cars of the type were built T2/T2 SU.
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| T-2 SU STATISTICS |
|
| SOURCES |
1. Memories and photographic materials Alexandra Kirsanova
2. S. Tarkhov. City passenger transport of Moscow. Brief historical sketch for the 125th anniversary of its origin - Moscow, 1997.
3. S. Tarkhov. History of the Moscow tram - Moscow, 1999.
Istanbul is known for its traffic jams, so tourists visiting it, including us, prefer public transport, which will be discussed in this article. We will try to reflect all the nuances associated with travel in public transport in Istanbul, we will tell you about paying for travel using Istanbulkart, about the cost of tickets and tokens, about all the pros and cons that you can encounter in the metro, tram, taxi and other public transport in Istanbul.
Public transport in Istanbul
Istanbul has a very developed public transport network, it includes 4 metro lines, more than 500 bus routes, 2 high-speed tram lines and 2 regular ones, the Marmaray tunnel under the Bosphorus Strait, a whole network of water transport, a funicular and 2 cable cars.
Car rental prices in Istanbul
The photo below shows the updated public transport map of Istanbul.
Payment methods
There are several options for paying for public transport in Istanbul, we will look at each in detail, compare which one is more profitable and what is better to use when paying for travel on the metro, tram, ferry, and taxi.
The most common type of payment for travel on public transport is using Istanbulkart, but you can also pay with tokens, electronic tickets, and sometimes in cash.
Istanbulkart
Istanbulkart is a card, in the form of a credit card, which is used only in the city of Istanbul to pay for travel on the following types of public transport: metro, tram, buses, funicular, Marmaray tunnel, metrobus, all water transport. It can be purchased and used by anyone without presenting an identity document. For example, we bought one for two and used it in turn, the main thing was to make sure that it always had a positive balance.
The main issues that tourists visiting Istanbul face related to Istanbulkart:
- Where to buy Istanbulkart?
- How much does it cost to travel on Istanbulkart?
- How and where to top up Istanbulkart?
- How to use Istanbulkart?
- Is it profitable to use Istanbulkart?
Buy Istanbulkart You can use special machines that are located throughout the city, as well as at train stations and airports in Istanbul. At Ataturk Airport these ATMs are located next to others, which are indicated by traffic signs. This card can also be purchased at special kiosks that will say Istanbulkart; they are mainly located in public transport areas. We bought at Kadikoy pier, since from Sabiha Gokcen airport we took the Havatas minibus, and it only accepts cash payments. The cost of the card itself is 10 liras, but this cost is a deposit and can be returned to the same place where you bought Istanbulkart or any other.
Travel on Istanbulkart costs 2.15 liras, but since in Istanbul you have to pay again for each transfer, it is profitable to do this using a card, since each subsequent trip costs not 2.15 liras, but less:
– 1 trip – 2.15 lira
— 1 transfer — 1.45 lira
— 2 transfers — 1.15 lira
— 3 transfers — 0.85 lira
— 4 transfers — 0.85 lira and so on.
You can find out more about the prices (though only in Turkish) on the official Istanbulkart website - http://www.iett.gov.tr
Top up Istanbulkart you can do it in several ways, using special machines or at any kiosk or store where there is a sign or it says Istanbulkart. We have replenished in different ways and have always been successful. To put money on a card using an ATM, you need to touch it to the device, insert bills (5 liras, 10 liras or 20 liras) into the receiver and wait until the ATM tells you that the procedure is completed and the balance of your card will be visible on the screen.
Use Istanbulkart It’s very simple, to do this, you just need to bring it to the turnstile in the metro, tram, funicular, or to a special reading device on buses, after which the fare amount will appear on the screen and the balance on the card and the red color on the screen will change to green.
The benefits of using Istanbulkart to pay for public transport in Istanbul are obvious, but for greater clarity let’s compare it with paying with tokens. For example, with one transfer, travel on the metro, when paying with tokens, will cost 8 liras (4 liras + 4 liras), and when paying with Istanbulkart - 3.6 liras (2.15 liras + 1.45 liras).
Tokens, etc.
You can also use tokens, electronic tickets and cash to pay for public transport in Istanbul. Tokens are sold in special machines and the cost of one token is 4 lira. Tokens can be used to pay for travel on any rail and water transport in Istanbul.
You can also purchase e-ticket, the cost of which depends on the number of trips. For example, a single trip costs the standard - 4 liras, for 2 trips - 7 liras, 3 - 10 liras, 10 - 30 liras.
In cash You can only pay in taxis and minibuses. Therefore, if you plan to get from the airport by taxi or Havatas minibus, it is better to already have some cash in Turkish lira, or change money at the airport.
Until recently, the Istanbul metro was not the most convenient public transport in the city, but after the construction of the Marmaray tunnel and the extension of several lines, the Istanbul metro was connected into a single high-speed rail transport system.
The photo below shows the updated Istanbul metro map.
There are 4 metro lines in Istanbul, which, for the convenience of passengers, each have their own specific color and easy-to-remember name, in the form of a serial number: red line (M1), green (M2), blue (M3) and pink (M4).
M1, M2 and M3, located on the European part of Istanbul, are interconnected, and with M4, which is located on the Asian part of Istanbul, they are connected by the Marmaray tunnel. Let's look at each metro line in more detail.
Red metro line (M1)
This is the most popular metro line among tourists and visitors to Istanbul, as it can be used to get from Ataturk Airport to almost anywhere in the city. And by transferring from the Zeytinburnu metro station to the T1 high-speed tram (which will be discussed later), you will find yourself in the historical center of Istanbul, the Sultanahmet district.
Green (M2) and blue (M3) metro lines
Non-tourist destinations, the M2 and M3 metro, are mainly used by local residents to get to the center from the residential areas of Istanbul.
Pink metro line (M4)
M4 is located on the Asian peninsula of Istanbul and connects the popular area of the city - Kadikoy with the residential areas of the Asian part.
The operating hours of the metro in Istanbul are from 6:00 to 24:00.
There are 4 tram lines in Istanbul. All lines differ in color on the map (blue, orange, light green and brown) and, like the metro, have simple numbering T1, T3, T4 and T2 (the historical red tram that moves along Istiklal Street).
All tram stops in Istanbul on Google map:
One of the most popular types of travel around Istanbul among tourists is the high-speed tram route T1, which passes through the Sultanahmet district, with the main attractions of the city. The length of the T1 tram line is 19 km; it takes more than an hour to travel from the starting to the final stop.
Using this line you can get to Ataturk Airport by changing to the metro (Aksaray or Zeytinburnu stop). The tram also goes to a popular area in Istanbul -.
Travel time T1 from 6:00 to 24:00.
The famous red tram in Istanbul (route T2)
Tram route T2 runs along the main street of Istanbul - . Red trams moving from Taksim Square to the Tunel stop have long become a symbol of the city. It's definitely worth a ride on it.
The historical tram (Nostaljik Tramvay) is a whole lot of fun on Istiklal Street. They stop in the middle of the street for drivers to talk to each other, children hang out outside for a ride.
You can ride the historical tram from 7:00 to 21:00.
Tram in Kadikoy - route T3
A small ring tram line of route T3 is located in. This tram is a great way to explore this area of Istanbul. In appearance, the trams in Kadikoy are somewhat reminiscent of those plying along Istiklal, only they are yellow.
Tram operating hours in Kadikoy are from 7:00 to 21:00.
The fourth tram line (T4) is not the most popular among tourists, but it significantly helps local residents of Istanbul’s residential areas get to the center and metro.
Operating hours are similar to route T1: 7:00 - 24:00.
We believe that taxis are also full-fledged public transport and Istanbul is no exception. However, due to huge traffic jams, taking a taxi can result in a long wait. But, if you still choose a taxi to get around Istanbul, you need to remember the following:
- Official taxi drivers have yellow cars (as in most countries) and the inscription on the car is Taksi.
- In Istanbul, you are allowed to stop or catch a taxi in any place you need.
- Payment in a taxi is made strictly according to the meter and only in cash.
- There are no night tariffs in Istanbul taxis; the tariff is the same at any time of the day.
- In a taxi in Istanbul, just like in any other city, there is a human factor, so be careful and try not to fall for the bait of unscrupulous taxi drivers.
Taxi cost in Istanbul next: 3.25 liras per landing and 2 Turkish liras for each additional kilometer.
Buses in Istanbul
Buses in Istanbul are the most common form of public transport in the city. There are a lot of routes plying around Istanbul. There is no point in listing everything here, but there is an excellent Turkish Internet resource harita.iett.gov.tr, where you can get online bus routes around Istanbul.
But when choosing to travel around Istanbul by bus, keep in mind that sometimes it can take a long time, since traffic jams in the city are very common and buses stand in them for hours.
Metrobus or rapid bus
Also in Istanbul, the high-speed bus (metrobus) is very popular, all because this type of public transport is not afraid of traffic jams, since special lanes are allocated for metrobus traffic. To increase the speed of movement around the city, the metrobus also has an advantage when crossing city intersections. So, traveling by this type of transport is fast and very convenient.
There are also buses running around the city that provide excursions around Istanbul; on such a bus you can get to know this wonderful city in a few hours.
Istanbul water transport
Water transport in Istanbul is not only an exciting boat trip along the Bosphorus, but also a full-fledged form of public transport in the city, which transports thousands of people by water every day.
In the photo below you can see Istanbul's water transport links between the piers.
Or a ferry service between the Asian and European parts of Istanbul.
You can also get to the popular tourist area of the Asian part of Istanbul - Kadikoy.
Or get to the Princes' Islands, where you can relax on the beach and swim in the sea.
All piers from which public ferries operate can be seen on the Google map below:
We will also tell you a little about the water transport itself that exists in Istanbul.
Water transport is very popular in Istanbul; a ferry ride on the Bosphorus for city residents is not entertainment, but a daily action that citizens perform when moving to work in the morning and home in the evening. Another huge advantage of water transport is the absence of traffic jams.
There are the following types of water transport in Istanbul: ferries, vapours and sea buses.
Ferries
What is interesting about this type of transport is that it can transport not only people, but also cars, buses, etc. Ferries run both between city piers and go to cities neighboring Istanbul.
Vapurs
Vapurs are urban water transport that transports exclusively people between the city piers of Istanbul.
Istanbul Water Transport - Vapur
Traveling by public transport - a fascinating walk along the Bosphorus
Sea bus
The third type of water transport in Istanbul is the sea bus, which, unlike the Vapur, transports people not only between city piers, but also to neighboring cities.
Funicular and cable car in Istanbul
By using these types of public transport in Istanbul, you can not only get from point A to point B, but also have a wonderful time exploring the nearby nature and attractions.
The map below shows the funicular and cable car stops in Istanbul.
It runs from the Taksim stop to the Kabatas stop, and it is very convenient to use this type of urban public transport if, for example, you need to transfer from the red metro line (M1) to the light rail (T1) and vice versa.
Cable cars There are two in Istanbul. One of them is the most popular among tourists, as it can be used to get to the historical cafe “Pierre Lotti”, from the terrace of which a stunning view of the city opens. The stop is called Pierre Loti, and the other stop is Eyup pier.
Another branch of the cable car is less popular, but also deserves attention. This is Maska - Taskisla, which is located near the Besiktas district in Istanbul and passes over the Maska park of the same name.
It turned out to be a voluminous post, but we wanted to collect and tell you, in one article, all the detailed information about public transport in Istanbul. Well, in conclusion, remember, whether you travel by metro, tram, taxi, bus, funicular, sail on a ferry or even in the sky on a cable car, the main thing is that your journey is enjoyable.
Buses, metro, high-speed and tourist trams, commuter trains, above-ground and underground funiculars, taxis, ferries and boats - all these are links in the urban transport chain of Istanbul. This article contains a description main types of urban transport in Istanbul. Also, here is useful information about Features of moving around the city, which will allow you to easily and conveniently travel around the eastern metropolis.
Istanbul metro map, public transport routes
Tram and metro in Istanbul
T1 – tram route, deftly gliding through the narrow streets of the historical center and passing by all the main city attractions. Sitting comfortably near the stained glass window, you can enjoy views of Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, etc.
M1 - red metro line. This is also called the metro hafif metro, translated as a light metro, since its route is mainly above ground. Most travelers arriving at Ataturk International Airport begin their journey around the city on this metro. So, having traveled 6 stops to the Zeytinburnu station, you can transfer to the T1 tram and get to the historical part of the city of Sultanahmet, to the Russian district of Laleli, to the commuter trains of Sirkeci station and other important transport hubs.
And if you take the M1 at Aksaray station, then after 5 stops you can find yourself at the new, huge Forum shopping center, where there is also an ice museum and a large aquarium, or to the Otogar intercity bus station.
M2 – regular underground metro line, which will take you from Taksim Square to the business district of the city - Levent. When you exit the metro, you will be surprised to see a completely different Istanbul. Skyscrapers, wide avenues, cars constantly plying along them - a real modern metropolis. At station 4 Levent there is the tallest building in Europe - the Saphire shopping center, from the 54th floor of which you can once again admire the scale of this endless city.
Istanbul funiculars
F1 is an underground funicular. Its design is very similar to how we imagine a regular cable car - 2 cabins move towards each other along a rope due to gravity. But this happens not by air, but underground, and the cabins are comfortable trailers. It's amazing that the trailers move towards each other through a narrow tunnel and disperse in the middle of the tunnel, where it widens. Each trailer covers a distance of 700 meters per minute, moving up and down respectively. The funicular solves the problem of moving through mountainous terrain. For example, you can take it to Istiklal shopping street or Taksim Square. At the final stop of the T1 tram, you just need to go down into the underground passage, where you will easily find the entrance to the funicular.
There is another such funicular in Istanbul (marked in gray on the map), only it is several times older than the F1 line. Like his follower, he can also take you to Istiklal Street, albeit from the other side. Right at the exit of this funicular, if you don’t want to walk 30 minutes to the base of the street, you can have time to drop into Nostajik tramway– a bright red tourist tram. Some Istanbul residents still use it as a form of public transport, although it has long since become a tourist attraction.
Teleferik – above-ground funicular. There are 2 of these in Istanbul. The most famous one is located in the Eyüp cemetery area - cafe Pierre Lotti. 2 small cabins, accommodating up to 6 people each, and similar to those used for transportation on the ski slopes, continuously run up and down, centimeters above the white tombstones, and take locals and tourists to the very top of the hill. There is an observation deck with an incredibly beautiful view of the city and the historical cafe Pierre Lotti.
Sea, land and other transport
Feribot – regular sea ferry routes, which can be boarded at the main piers of Eminönu, Karaköy and Kabatas. They can get you to the Asian side of the city in 15 minutes.
You can also go from Eminonu Pier to boat trip along the Bosphorus on a private boat or municipal ferry.
City buses, which will certainly be useful to you in exploring the city, are also based near the Eminönu and Kabatas marinas. By bus it is convenient to get, for example, to Miniaturk Park, where small copies of the main attractions of the Ottoman Empire are located, or to the fashionable Ortakoy district to the foot of the famous Bosphorus Bridge and Dolmabahce Palace.
Sometimes, if your journey is not very far and you are traveling with a group, it is more profitable to take Istanbul taxi. The fare for these yellow cars, which are dotted throughout the city, depends on the mileage. But be very careful, experienced Istanbul taxi drivers, having chatted with you, can circle around the desired place for a long time, winding through narrow, “one-on-one” streets, winding up kilometers.
Suburban trains in the European part of Istanbul they depart from Sirkeci Station, in the historical center. This train can easily reach textile factories in the suburbs and the Olivium outlet. Keep in mind that the travel token here is different from the tokens for public transport and costs a little more - 3 Turkish lira one way per person.
