Istanbul public transport with a stroller: 5 ways to get around

Istanbul public transport with a stroller works well once you know a few habits of the city. Trams, metro lines, ferries and the Marmaray rail line all carry families with prams every day. The key is timing your trips, choosing stations with lifts and using the ferries as often as you can. Here are five ways to get around.

1. Start with an Istanbulkart

One Istanbulkart pays for trams, metro, buses, ferries and the Marmaray. Buy and top it up at machines in larger stations and piers. One card can pay for several people, which saves queueing at a machine with a baby. Keep it in an outside pocket so you can tap in while holding the stroller.

2. The T1 tram through the old town

The T1 tram connects Kabataş, Karaköy, Eminönü, Sultanahmet and the old city walls, so it reaches most first-time sights. Its low floor makes boarding with a stroller straightforward. Enter through the wider doors, park the stroller against a wall or rail, and keep the brake on while the tram moves. Our Sultanahmet day route uses the tram for the way back.

3. Metro and Marmaray: look for the lifts

Most newer metro and Marmaray stations have lifts, though some may be out of service at times. The operator's site, Metro Istanbul, shows lines and station information. If a lift is not working, station staff will usually help, or you can fold the stroller and use a baby carrier for the stairs. The Marmaray crosses under the Bosphorus and is the quickest way between the European and Asian sides by rail.

4. Ferries: the most relaxing option

Ferries are the easiest Istanbul public transport with a stroller. Boarding is level or uses a short ramp, there is space inside for prams, and the trip itself is a sightseeing tour. Read our guide to the Bosphorus ferry with a baby for the best family routes.

5. Buses and funiculars

City buses can be very full, so use them outside peak hours. The short Kabataş–Taksim funicular and the historic Tünel save you a steep climb with the stroller and are worth using even for one stop.

Istanbul public transport with a stroller: when to travel

Trams and metros are very crowded on weekday mornings and early evenings. Travel between about 10:00 and 16:00 and you will usually find space for the stroller. Weekend mornings are calm too; weekend afternoons on the ferries can be busy in good weather.

The right stroller for Istanbul public transport

A compact travel stroller with a quick fold is ideal: it fits in crowded carriages and is easy to carry when a lift is missing. A wide double stroller works better on ferries and trams than in busy metro stations. Read how to choose the best stroller for Istanbul.

Checklist before you leave the hotel

• Istanbulkart topped up.
• Carrier in the stroller basket for stairs.
• Water and snacks for delays.
• Route planned around stations with lifts.

Questions parents ask

Do children travel free on Istanbul public transport?

Young children usually travel free with a paying adult. Check the current rules at the station, as they can change.

Can I take a double stroller on the tram?

Yes, outside the rush hour. Use the wider doors, and choose ferries for longer trips when you travel with two children.

With a little planning, Istanbul public transport with a stroller is a cheap and enjoyable way to see the city. We deliver strollers and carriers to your hotel or home; browse all equipment.