Clinging and clangang along the streets, Istanbul has a mixture of old and new trams.
The “oldest” one is the vintage tram running along Istiklal Street. The cars that run this line are about 90 years old, although the lines upon which they run have since been refurbished. This tram is only 1.6 kilometers long and connects Tunel and Taksim. The tram service was originally discontinued in 1961. But when the city council ruled that Istiklal Street be pedestrianized in 1992, they also decided to renew the tram service. It has three stops – at Nutru Sokak (Beyoglu), at the Fish and Flower Market and at Husein Aga Camii. This tram is quite useful when you have had your fill of walking along Istiklal. Operating hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Another “nostalgic” tram is the T3, which lies on the Asian side of the city. It links Moda and Kadikoy and has 10 stations in all. It takes the tram around 21 minutes to negotiate the 2.6 kilometer line.
An interesting snippet of information you may like to know is that during the early 1990s, when the tram service (plying the Zeytinburnu to Eminonu route) was began, they forgot to add ticket stalls and booths. As they were unable to collect money, passengers got to enjoy free rides. But no, don’t think that you’ll be getting one yourself, as the detail regarding money collection has long been ironed out and you will still have to present your ticket or akbil upon getting into the tram. The route has also been extended to reach the Dolmabahce Palace, at nearby Kabatas. Another addition would be funicular that connects the line to Taksim. That means that you can reach Taksim to Sultanahmet in around a quarter of an hour (transfers included). This also means that the city’s most popular sights – the Spice Bazaar, the Grand Bazaar and the Istanbul Modern is just a tram’s ride away.
Some trams (unless otherwise specified) are in service from 6 in the morning to 12 midnight. You can buy tickets before you get into the bus. There are booths near the turnstiles.
The lines and their stations are:
T1 (Zeytinburnu – Kabatas Tramway)
Zeytinburnu – Mithatpasa – Aksemsettin – Seyit Nizam – Merkez Efendi – Cevizlibag A.O.Y. – Topkapi – P. Tekke – Capa Sehremini – Findikzade – Haseki – Yusufpasa – Aksaray – Laleli University – Beyazit – Cemberlitas – Sultanahmet – Gulhane – Sirkeci – Eminonu – Karakoy – Tophane – Findikli – Kabatas
T2 (Zeytinburnu – Bagcilar Tramway)
Zeytinburnu – Mehmet Akif – Merter Tekstil Merkezi – Gungoren – Akincilar – Soganli – Yavuz Selim – Gunestepe – Bagcilar
T3 (Kadikoy –Moda Ring Tramway)
Kadikoy – Damga S.A. – Muhurdar – Moda – Moda L.K. – Kilise – Bahariye – Altiyol – Carsi – Iskele Camii
T4 (Edirnekapi – Mescid-I Selam)
Edirnekapi – Sehitlik – Demirkapi – Topkular – Rami – Uluyol Berek – Sagmalcilar – Bosna Cukurcesme – Ali Fuat Basgil – Taskopru – Karadeniz – Metris – Cumhuriyet – 50 Yil Bastabya – Haci Sukru – Yeni Mahalle – Sultanciftligi – Cebeci – Mescid-I Selam
Taksim – Tunel Trajik Tramway
Taksim – Galatasaray – Tunel Beyoglu