The Tünel: from Karaköy to İstiklal in 90 seconds
Opened in 1875, the Tünel is a 573-metre underground funicular linking Karaköy to Beyoğlu station, on Tünel Square, at the foot of İstiklal Avenue. The ride takes about 90 seconds. It runs from 07:00 to 22:45, from 07:30 on Sundays, and is paid with the Istanbulkart at the same fare as the tram. It is the quickest way to skip the climb up to Galata: from Tünel Square, the Galata Tower is a few minutes' walk. If you come from the T1 tram, get off at Karaköy and follow the "Tünel" signs.
The F1 funicular: from Kabataş to Taksim
The F1 links Taksim Square (connection with the M2 metro) to Kabataş on the Bosphorus in 2 minutes 30, where you find the T1 tram and the ferries. It runs from 06:00 to midnight, every 5 minutes at rush hour. Combined with the T1, it is the fastest way between Sultanahmet and Taksim; from Kabataş, Dolmabahçe Palace is a few minutes' walk.
The nostalgic tram on İstiklal Avenue
The red tram that climbs İstiklal is the T2 line, linking Taksim to the Tünel over about 1.6 kilometres. It rolls slowly through the crowd in period cars: it is as much an attraction as a means of transport. It is paid with the Istanbulkart, like the Tünel. Two tips:
- at rush hour and at weekends the cars are packed, and on the way down the street is often quicker on foot;
- it is a classic pickpocket spot: keep your phone and wallet in front of you, as on the avenue itself (see scams and safety).
Riding the tram up to Taksim and walking down to Tünel, past the arcades and passages on the way, is a simple way to see the whole avenue.
The Eyüp cable car: up to Pierre Loti Hill
The Eyüp cable car links the Golden Horn waterfront, near the Eyüp Sultan Mosque, to the café and viewpoint on Pierre Loti Hill, which overlooks the estuary. It spares you a steep climb through the cemetery. The lower station is served by the T5 tram from Eminönü (Eyüpsultan Teleferik stop); the fare and hours are posted at the station, because they change with the season and the weather, and service can be suspended in high winds. For the full visit of the district, the tombs and the hill, read our page on Eyüp and Pierre Loti Hill.
Which lift to choose
| Lift | Route | Duration | Hours | What for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tünel | Karaköy – Tünel Square | about 90 s | 07:00-22:45 (07:30 on Sundays) | Going up to Galata and İstiklal |
| F1 funicular | Kabataş – Taksim | 2 min 30 | 06:00-00:00 | From the old city to Taksim |
| Nostalgic tram T2 | Taksim – Tünel | about 1.6 km | daytime and evening | Seeing İstiklal |
| Eyüp cable car | Eyüp – Pierre Loti Hill | posted hours | by season and weather | View over the Golden Horn |
Tünel and F1 hours observed in October 2026; cable car hours to be confirmed on site.
Key points
All these rides connect with the T1 tram and the M2 metro: one Istanbulkart covers the Tünel, the F1 and the T2. To organise your days around these lines, follow our Istanbul in 2 days itinerary, and for journeys the lifts do not cover, see our guide to taxis in Istanbul.
