Navigating Izmir with Izmirim Kart: Your Guide to Public Transportation

Izmir, a major city in western Turkey, has an extensive public transport system: ESHOT buses, the Izmir Metro, trams, İzdeniz ferries and the İZBAN suburban train. The easiest way to pay for all of them is the city's public transport card, İzmirim Kart.

What Is Izmirim Kart?

İzmirim Kart is Izmir's contactless public transport card, run by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality. You can use it on ESHOT buses, the metro, trams, İzdeniz ferries and İZBAN trains. Hold the card to the electronic reader when you board a bus or ferry or pass the gate at a metro, tram or train station, and the fare is deducted from your balance. On İZBAN the fare depends on the distance you travel, so also hold your card to the reader when you leave the station.

Getting a Card

• Physical card: buy it at sales points and kiosks that show the İzmirim Kart logo, or from the top-up machines (yüklematik) at stations and transport hubs. You pay a card fee, which changes from time to time.
• Digital card: in the official İzmirim Kart mobile app you can create a free digital card, top it up and pay by showing a QR code to the reader. The app also offers automatic top-up.
• Personal discount cards: discounted cards for groups such as students, young people and teachers are personalised. You can now apply for them in the İzmirim Kart app; details are on izmirimkart.com.tr.

Topping Up

You can add credit at the top-up machines at stations and piers, at sales points, in the mobile app, or online on the İzmirim Kart website with a bank or credit card that supports 3D Secure. An online top-up can take some time to reach a physical card. Check your balance before you travel, so that you are not stopped at the gate.

Transfers and Fares

Fares are set by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and have risen several times in recent years, so we no longer quote them here. With İzmirim Kart, transfers to another vehicle within 90 minutes of your first boarding are free or discounted on most of the network. The transfer rules for the İZBAN suburban train have changed several times since 2025, so check them before you plan a journey that includes İZBAN.

Paying with a Bank Card

On ESHOT buses, the metro, trams and İzdeniz ferries you can also pay by holding a contactless bank or credit card to the reader. You then pay a full fare every time and get no transfer discount, and this does not work on İZBAN or on İZTAŞIT district buses. If you stay in Izmir for more than a day or two, İzmirim Kart is usually the cheaper choice.

Good to Know

İzmirim Kart works only in Izmir. Other cities have their own transport cards, for example İstanbulkart in Istanbul.

Fares and rules checked in October 2026. They change several times a year, so check the current fares on izmir.bel.tr or eshot.gov.tr before you travel.