Funicular and Metro Travel

Istanbul’s two short underground funiculars are convenient for avoiding the steep, uphill walk from the Bosphorus and Golden Horn waterfront to Beyoğlu; each takes less than two minutes to ascend. The historic Tünel, in operation since 1875, connects Karaköy and Tünel Square. The ultramodern funicular from Kabataş (the end of the tram line) to Taksim is also convenient. The city has two main underground metro lines of use to visitors, which connect at Yenikapı: one passes through Şişhane (near Tünel) and Taksim before continuing north to the business districts, while the other runs through Aksaray, west of Sultanahmet, to the airport and Esenler Otogar. Fares for each line are 4 TL for a token or 2.15 TL with an İstanbulkart .