How Good Is Istanbul’s Public Transport? 🚌 A Bus Ride Through Kadıköy

Join me as I hop on a municipal bus in the vibrant district of Kadıköy in Istanbul — first taking a seat up front, then moving all the way to the back for the full experience.
In major cities like Istanbul, public transit can get crowded — but outside rush-hour you’ll often find that city buses are a comfortable, efficient option.

Here’s a bit of context about Istanbul’s city bus system:

The city’s public transport network is extensive, covering buses, metros, trams, ferries, funiculars and more.

The city-bus network operated by İETT (Istanbul Electric Tram and Tunnel Company) has a long history: the first public bus service in Istanbul began in 1927.

Today the network covers hundreds of routes and serves all corners of the vast metropolitan area.

Most city buses run roughly between 06:00 and midnight, and payment is typically made via the electronic transit card known as the Istanbulkart.
Istanbul Tourist Information

Because the system is well-integrated, it offers a practical, cost-effective way to get around Istanbul — especially in non-peak hours when it’s not packed. As many travel-guides note, using public transport in Istanbul is increasingly a smart choice compared with taxis in heavy traffic.

In this video you’ll see what it’s like to ride from the front seat — great view, interaction with driver/boardings — then move to the back for a totally different vantage point: the flow of passengers, seating vs standing dynamics, boarding and alighting behaviour in a non-rush hour ride.

If you enjoy this trip, be sure to like and subscribe! Drop a comment below if you’d like me to explore other districts, transport modes or special bus lines in Istanbul.