Neighbourhoods · Fatih
Balat
Steep streets of painted houses, antique shops and old churches and synagogues. Go on a weekday morning for quiet streets.
25 min by bus along the Golden HornOpen in Maps
Explore Istanbul
A local guide written by our team. Walking times are from the hostel.
Neighbourhoods · Asian side
Kadıköy & Moda
Take the ferry for the best cheap view in the city. Kadıköy's market streets are for eating; Moda's seafront is for sunset.
20 min ferry from Karaköy pierOpen in Maps
Neighbourhoods · Beyoğlu
Karaköy
Our waterfront: street art, third-wave coffee, old warehouses turned galleries and fish sandwiches by the pier.
6 min walkOpen in Maps
Getting around
Istanbul is easiest by tram, metro and ferry. One card covers them all.
Istanbulkart
One card for tram, metro, bus, funicular and ferries. Buy and top it up at the yellow machines at Karaköy station; you can share one card between friends.
T1 tram
From Karaköy to Eminönü, Sultanahmet and the Grand Bazaar. Every few minutes, 6 min walk from the hostel.
M2 metro
Şişhane station is 8 minutes away. Two stops to Taksim, and on to the business districts.
Ferries
Karaköy pier for Kadıköy and Üsküdar. The cheapest Bosphorus view you'll get.
Airports
Havaist buses run from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Taksim; Havabüs from Sabiha Gökçen (SAW). Or book our transfer.
Taxis
Use a taxi app or ask reception to call one. Make sure the meter is on.