Tünel: the historic funicular from Karaköy to İstiklal

Updated on October 4, 2026

The Tünel is a 573-metre underground funicular that links Karaköy, on the Golden Horn, with Tünel Square, at the foot of İstiklal Avenue, in 90 seconds. Opened on 17 January 1875, it was designed by the French engineer Eugène-Henri Gavand to spare residents and traders the walk up the hill of Pera. It is regarded as one of the oldest underground urban railways in the world, after the London Underground. Still in service, it is paid for with the Istanbulkart at the standard public-transport fare: 46.20 TL, under the fare scale in force since 20 July 2026 (fare checked in October 2026).

Highlights

The historic train

The red and white cars, in the colours of the operator İETT, run up and down the slope in a tunnel. The ride is short: what is interesting is realising that part of the infrastructure dates from the 19th century.

Beyoğlu station

The upper station, on Tünel Square, is the starting point for the walk to Taksim. Next to it, the nostalgic T2 tram runs up İstiklal; to the north-west, Galip Dede Street leads down to the Galata Tower and the Mevlevi dervish lodge (see whirling dervishes in Istanbul).

Infos pratiques

Tips

The Tünel is mainly useful for getting up to İstiklal without climbing on foot: from Karaköy the hill is steep. For the way down, the walk along Galip Dede Street, past the music shops and the Galata Tower, is pleasant and brings you back to Karaköy; see our guide to the Galata and Karaköy neighbourhood. You need an Istanbulkart (or a limited-use ticket: see getting around Istanbul for fares and transfers). The Tünel is not part of the night metro and stops before 11pm. At rush hour and at weekends the train is packed: watch your pockets (see scams and safety in Istanbul).

How to get there

Lower station Karaköy (Tünel Karaköy), Karaköy, Beyoğlu, near the Galata Bridge; T1 tram, Karaköy stop, or ferries to the Karaköy pier. Upper station Beyoğlu (Tünel), Tünel Square, southern end of İstiklal Caddesi; the M2 metro (Şişhane) is a few minutes' walk away.