Getting around Istanbul from Sultanahmet: Taksim, Galata, Kadıköy and airports
Routes from Sultanahmet
Beyoğlu, Galata and the Bosphorus
Taksim Square
Total: 25–35 min · 1 change
- T1 Sultanahmet → Kabataş
- F1 Kabataş → Taksim
İstiklal Avenue
Total: 20–30 min · 1 change
- T1 Sultanahmet → Karaköy
- Walk Karaköy → Tünel (Karaköy)
- F2 Karaköy → Beyoğlu
The Tünel funicular brings you to the lower end of the avenue. To start at the top, use the Taksim route (T1 + F1).
Galata Tower
Total: 20–25 min · no changes
- T1 Sultanahmet → Karaköy
- Walk Karaköy → Galata Kulesi
The street from Karaköy up to the tower is steep. With a stroller, ride the Tünel (F2) to Beyoğlu and walk 5 minutes downhill.
Galataport (cruise port)
Total: 15–20 min · no changes
- T1 Sultanahmet → Tophane
- Walk Tophane → Galataport
Directions in Google Maps Detailed guide: Galataport and bus stations to Sultanahmet
Dolmabahçe Palace
Total: 25–30 min · no changes
- T1 Sultanahmet → Kabataş
- Walk Kabataş → Dolmabahçe Sarayı
Ortaköy and the Bosphorus shore
Total: 35–50 min · 1 change
- T1 Sultanahmet → Kabataş
- Bus Kabataş → Ortaköy
Many buses run along the shore road from Kabataş through Ortaköy; Google Maps shows the current line. A taxi is also a short, affordable option.
Old City and Golden Horn
Grand Bazaar
Total: 10–15 min
- Walk Sultanahmet → Kapalıçarşı
If you’d rather not walk, take T1 two stops to Beyazıt-Kapalıçarşı; a bazaar gate is right by the stop.
Spice Bazaar and Eminönü
Total: 10–15 min · no changes
- T1 Sultanahmet → Eminönü
- Walk Eminönü → Mısır Çarşısı
If the tram is crowded on the way back, you can walk uphill from Sirkeci to Sultanahmet in 15–20 minutes.
Süleymaniye Mosque
Total: 20–25 min · no changes
- T1 Sultanahmet → Beyazıt-Kapalıçarşı
- Walk Beyazıt-Kapalıçarşı → Süleymaniye Camii
Balat and Fener
Total: 25–35 min · 1 change
- T1 Sultanahmet → Eminönü
- Walk Eminönü (T1) → Eminönü (T5)
- T5 Eminönü → Balat
Eyüp Sultan Mosque and Pierre Loti Hill
Total: 45–60 min · 2 changes
- T1 Sultanahmet → Eminönü
- Walk Eminönü (T1) → Eminönü (T5)
- T5 Eminönü → Eyüpsultan Teleferik
- TF2 Eyüp → Piyer Loti
Visit Eyüp Sultan Mosque first, then ride the cable car up the hill; after the view from the café you can walk back down.
Directions in Google Maps Detailed guide: Companions’ tombs in Istanbul: Eyüp Sultan route
Asian side and the islands
Kadıköy
Total: 35–45 min · 1 change
- T1 Sultanahmet → Eminönü
- Ferry Eminönü → Kadıköy
The ferry is an outing in itself for kids. A traffic-free alternative: Marmaray to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, then M4 to Kadıköy.
Üsküdar and the Maiden’s Tower
Total: 15–25 min · 1 change
- T1 Sultanahmet → Sirkeci
- Marmaray Sirkeci → Üsküdar
You can also take the ferry from Eminönü to Üsküdar. Boats to the Maiden’s Tower leave from Üsküdar (Salacak) and Karaköy.
Princes’ Islands (Büyükada)
Total: 100–120 min · 1 change
- T1 Sultanahmet → Kabataş
- Ferry Kabataş → Büyükada
Ferries to the islands leave from Kabataş and, on the Asian side, Bostancı. On summer weekends go early; return ferries get crowded.
Airports and bus terminal
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Total: 80–100 min · 2 changes
- T1 Sultanahmet → Beyazıt-Kapalıçarşı
- Walk Beyazıt-Kapalıçarşı → Vezneciler
- M2 Vezneciler → Gayrettepe
- M11 Gayrettepe → İstanbul Havalimanı
Two changes with suitcases and a stroller can be tiring; the Havaist bus or a transfer is easier.
Directions in Google Maps Detailed guide: Istanbul airport to Sultanahmet with kids
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
Total: 80–100 min · 2 changes
- T1 Sultanahmet → Sirkeci
- Marmaray Sirkeci → Ayrılık Çeşmesi
- M4 Ayrılık Çeşmesi → Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı
Marmaray runs under the Bosphorus; at Sirkeci the platforms are deep, so allow a few minutes on the escalators.
Directions in Google Maps Detailed guide: Istanbul airport to Sultanahmet with kids
Esenler Bus Terminal (Otogar)
Total: 35–45 min · 1 change
- T1 Sultanahmet → Yusufpaşa
- Walk Yusufpaşa → Aksaray
- M1A / M1B Aksaray → Otogar
Key facts
| Starting point | T1 Sultanahmet tram stop (next stop Gülhane) |
|---|---|
| Taksim | T1 + F1 funicular · about 25–35 min |
| Galata Tower | T1 to Karaköy + uphill walk · about 20–25 min |
| Kadıköy | T1 to Eminönü + ferry · about 35–45 min |
| Istanbul Airport | T1 + M2 + M11 · about 80–100 min |
| Sabiha Gökçen | T1 + Marmaray + M4 · about 80–100 min |
Which stops and piers are in Sultanahmet?
The area’s rail link is the T1 tram: the Sultanahmet and Gülhane stops are right by the sights. Two stops on, at Sirkeci, you can change to Marmaray; three stops on, at Eminönü, to the ferries and the T5 tram. To see every line on one map, visit our Istanbul metro map page.
The times in the routes are for quiet hours; on weekdays between 07:00–10:00 and 17:00–20:00 crowds and changes can make them longer. The “Directions in Google Maps” link shows the current route based on live timetables.
Which places can you walk to?
Sultanahmet’s main sights are minutes apart: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and the Hippodrome are about 5 minutes away, the gate of Topkapı Palace about 10 minutes and the Grand Bazaar 12–15 minutes. The Spice Bazaar and Eminönü are a 20-minute walk downhill, and Süleymaniye Mosque about 25 minutes. Distances and walking times are in one table on our Sultanahmet sightseeing map page.
Taxi or public transport?
- Tram and metro: unaffected by traffic; during the day rail and ferries are usually the fastest way to Taksim, Galata and Kadıköy.
- Taxi: handy for a large family, luggage or a late return, but traffic on the historic peninsula and the bridges can be heavy. Make sure the meter is on, or use a taxi app.
- Ferry: the nicest way to cross to the Asian side, and an outing in itself for children.
- At night: trams and metros thin out and stop around midnight; check the last departure before a late trip back.
Practical tips for getting around with kids
- One Istanbulkart can be tapped separately for the whole family; see our guide to the Istanbulkart and the T1 tram for payment.
- The T1 can arrive full at Sultanahmet around midday; walking one stop and boarding at Gülhane is sometimes easier.
- Galata Tower and Pierre Loti are uphill; with a stroller the Tünel funicular and the cable car make life easier.
- The open deck of the ferry gets windy; bring a light jacket.
- Changes with luggage are tiring on airport trips; our guide Istanbul airport to Sultanahmet covers the bus and transfer options.
Family hotels within walking distance of the tram
-
Sareban Hotel
An alcohol-free family hotel in Küçük Ayasofya, looking out to the Marmara
- Alcohol-free hotel (incl. minibars)
- Triple family room
- Baby cot and extra bed (on request)
-
Emirhan Inn Hotel
A budget-friendly hotel with free breakfast in Küçük Ayasofya
- Breakfast included
- Family suite with kitchenette
- Triple room
-
Green Life Apart Hotel
Family-run apartments with kitchenettes and a sea-view roof terrace in Küçük Ayasofya
- Kitchenette in every apartment
- Apartments for three
- Sea-view roof terrace
-
Seven Roses Apart Hotel
Apartments with kitchens in Küçük Ayasofya, with roomy options for larger families
- Kitchen in every unit (hob, fridge, kettle)
- Two-bedroom family apartments (up to 6 guests)
- One-bedroom apartments with a separate bedroom
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Sultanahmet to Taksim?
Take the T1 tram to the last stop, Kabataş (7 stops), then the F1 funicular from the same station up to Taksim Square. It takes about 25–35 minutes in total.
Can you walk from Sultanahmet to Galata Tower?
Yes, over the Galata Bridge it takes about 30–35 minutes and the last part is steep. Easier: ride the T1 to Karaköy and walk 10 minutes uphill, or take the Tünel funicular up to Beyoğlu and walk down.
What is the nicest way from Sultanahmet to Kadıköy?
Ride the T1 to Eminönü and take the ferry to Kadıköy; the crossing takes about 20–25 minutes. A fast, traffic-free alternative is Marmaray from Sirkeci to Ayrılık Çeşmesi and then the M4 to Kadıköy.
How do I get from Sultanahmet to Eyüp Sultan Mosque?
Take the T1 to Eminönü, then the T5 tram from the nearby stop towards Alibeyköy and get off at Eyüpsultan Teleferik. It takes about 45 minutes; the cable car continues up to Pierre Loti Hill.
Can I get from Sultanahmet to Sabiha Gökçen by public transport?
Yes: T1 to Sirkeci, Marmaray to Ayrılık Çeşmesi and the M4 to Sabiha Gökçen Airport. With changes it takes about 80–100 minutes.