Akbil Transit Pass, Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul's Akbil electronic transit pass is convenient and can save you money if you stay in Istanbul for more than a few days, or if you're traveling with one or more companions.

The pass is a small stainless steel "button" (actually a Dallas Semiconductor iButton) on a plastic holder. Inside is a computer chip.

Two or more people can use the same Akbil. There is no need for a traveling party to purchase more than one Akbil. Just use the one Akbil for each person as they pass through the turnstile.

Akbil fares are about 10% lower than token fares, so if the token fare is YTL1.30, you pay only YTL1.20 with Akbil.

More importantly, passengers using Akbil are allowed free transfers among transit lines and means. Pay for the initial stage of your journey with an Akbil, and you can transfer to other transport within 45 minutes without additional charge. So you could take the tram from Sultanahmet to Karaköy, board a ferry to Haydarpasa, then board a suburban train, and your Akbil will record only one fare. (If you use tokens instead of Akbil, you'd pay three fares for this journey.)

When you use your Akbil to transfer, the turnstile will make a different sound and its little display will read Ücretsiz (no charge) or something like it, so you'll know you're not being charged.

To get an Akbil, find an Akbil kiosk (Akbil Satis Noktasi: see the photo on this page)—they're in Eminönü, Taksim Square, Zeytinburnu, and other high-traffic spots. More...

Say Akbil almak istiyorum and the Akbil clerk will give you an Akbil button in exchange for a YTL6 (US$4.50) deposit. Be sure to get and keep a paper receipt for the transaction so you can reclaim your deposit before leaving Istanbul.

Give the clerk additional money with which to "charge" your button (say, YTL10), and you're all set for eight or nine journeys without the hassle of having to find a ticket kiosk, buy tickets or tokens (jeton), and count your change.

Akbil is accepted on Istanbul's buses (both municipal and private), trams, Tünel, Metro, Füniküler, suburban trains, "sea bus" fast catamaran ferries, and traditional ferries. (For shorter trips, four people can take a taxi for the same as, or just slightly more than, four transit fares.)

Here are tips on how to use and recharge your Akbil.

How to Use & Recharge Your Akbil

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Akbil Transit Pass and Key, Istanbul, Turkey

Above, the Akbil Transit Pass is no bigger than a key—put it on your keyring!

Below, the Akbil Satis Noktasi (Akbil Sales Point) in Istanbul's Taksim Square, where you can buy or recharge your Akbil electronic "button".

Akbil Sales Kiosk, Istanbul