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Istanbul's
Akbil electronic transit pass is
being phased out in favor of the
Istanbulkart RFID chip card, but
Akbils are still in use.
The Akbil is a small stainless
steel "button" (actually
a Maxim
Integrated Products 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 TL1.30,
you pay only TL1.20
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 (jeton) 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 TL6
deposit. Be sure to get
and keep a paper receipt for
the transaction so you
can return the Akbil and reclaim
your deposit before
leaving Istanbul.
Give the clerk additional
money with which
to "charge" your
button (say, TL10),
and you're all set for eight or nine
journeys
without
the hassle of having to find a ticket kiosk,
buy tokens (jeton),
or 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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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".
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