The tram use to be for visitors the most convenient and economical way to tour through the historic center of Istanbul: is fast, cheap and has stops in the main attractions of the old city.
The Istanbul tram network has five lines, two of them known as “nostalgic line” in tourism.
Lines
T1 (Zeytinburnu-Kabataş): The T1 line is the most important, or at least the most used by tourists as it passes through the Çemberlitas Hamam, Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Spice Bazaar, including other very popular and visited sites.
T2 (Güngören-Bağcılar): The T2 line has joined T1 as well, they are connected.
T3 (Kadıköy-Moda): T3 line runs between the Asian neighborhoods of Kadiköy and Moda. Is one the “nostalgic lines” of Istanbul and although is more used by locals, this is, no doubts, a tourist attraction.
T4 (Edirnekapı-Sultançiftliği): This line leads us to the ancient city walls.
Nostalgic Tram (Taksim-Tünel): This is another nostalgic tram line, with old cars in which children and young people use to cling to their back or doors. Depart from Taksim Square and runs through the crowded Istiklal Street, a pedestrian boulevard with shops, restaurants and cafes, to the area of Tünel, where, if you want to continue your themed journey, you can take as well a “nostalgic funicular” to Karaköy, one of the oldest in the world.
Schedule
Istanbul’s Trams runs between 6:00 in the morning and 24:00 at midnight. Its frecuency, depending on time and week day, varies between 5 and 10 minuts.
Prices
The price of regular lines likeT1, T2 and T4 is a jeton. The nostalgic tram is cheaper and you pay it in cash, directly to the driver.
