Istanbulkart 2026: 46.20 TL Fare, Airport Kiosks & Refund Tips

✓ Last reviewed: 29 September 2026 — Verified and updated by İlyas Bayrak, licensed Turkish guide (licence 070867), with the My Turkey Adventure editorial team. Prices, opening hours, transport fares and visa rules reflect the latest 2026 guidance. 1. Biletmatik Machines These are the same yellow/blue machines you used to buy the card. They are located inside every metro, tram, Marmaray, and ferry station. Place your Istanbulkart on the contactless reader panel (the machine will detect it automatically). The screen will display your current balance. Insert Turkish Lira banknotes into the cash slot. The machine accepts 10, 20, 50, 100, and sometimes 580 TRY notes. It does not give change, so the full amount you insert will be added to your card. Wait for the screen to confirm the new balance before taking your card. Pro-Tip: Always have some smaller cash notes handy specifically for topping up. Trying to use a large 580 TRY note to add just 145 TRY of credit isn't possible at these machines. 2. Kiosks and Small Shops (Dolum Noktası) All across the city, you'll see small newsstands, convenience stores, and mobile accessory shops with a blue sign that says " Istanbulkart Dolum Noktası " (Istanbulkart Top-Up Point). Simply hand your card and the cash amount you wish to add to the shopkeeper. This is a great option if you only have a large bill, as they can provide change. 3. The "Istanbulkart" Mobile App For the tech-savvy traveler, this is a game-changer. The official "Istanbulkart" app (available on iOS and Android) allows you to top up using a credit card. Download the app and set up an account. Add your card to the app by entering the long serial number printed on the back. You can then add credit using your international Visa or Mastercard. After topping up via the app, you need to "activate" the credit. To do this, simply hold your card to a Biletmatik reader or any station turnstile, and the pending credit will be loaded. This method is incredibly convenient for