Your Comprehensive Guide to the Student Transportation Card in Istanbul
One of the most important benefits provided by the Turkish government to students is granting them the student transportation card in Istanbul, which covers all educational levels and significantly helps reduce the daily transportation costs by up to 50%.
If you would like to know more details about how to obtain this card either online or in person, the documents you need to submit to acquire it, how to benefit from it and its features, as well as other important information such as the additional privileges offered by the Turkish government to students, then continue reading this article with us.
What Documents Are Required to Obtain the Student Transportation Card in Istanbul?
As a student at one of Istanbul’s schools or universities, obtaining the transportation fare discount card requires providing a set of documents, which are:
- Personal identity card.
- A recent personal photograph with a white background.
- Proof of student enrollment.
What Are the Steps to Obtain the Transportation Card for Students in Turkey?
The Turkish government facilitates the process of obtaining the transportation card for both Turkish and international students—which covers all domestic public transportation—by allowing it to be acquired through one of the following two methods:
First: Online:
You can easily do this by following the steps we will explain to you now:
- Access the official website of the public transportation company IETT.
- Create your own account.
- Fill in the required data, which are your name, national ID number, phone number, and email address.
- You will receive an account activation code on your phone and email; enter it.
- After creating the account, click on the “Obtain the Transportation Card” icon.
- Select the type of card, which in this case is the "Student Card."
- Upload your personal photograph, which must have been taken within the last 6 months.
- Pay the required fee, which is 10 Turkish Lira.
- Enter your address and click the "Continue" button.
- Print the card.
- Send it via PTT mail.
By doing so, you have successfully submitted the application to obtain the student transportation card in Istanbul correctly.
Second: Go to an IETT Office:
This is the traditional method to obtain the transportation card, where you are required to bring all the necessary documents to one of the main IETT centers, which are distributed across various parts of Istanbul near the central stations.
It is worth noting here that the validity of the transportation card after registration is one year.
Where Is the Transportation Card Used in Istanbul?
The reduction in fares for all types of land transportation—whether it is the metro, metrobüs, buses, or trams—is not the only advantage granted by the student transportation card in Istanbul. It can also be used for maritime transportation and traveling between the European and Asian sides, not to mention transportation via the cable car.
As for the places where the card can be used, they are:
- Tramway (an above-ground electric train).
- Cable car (aerial transit).
- Urban railways (metro).
- Intercity railways (TCDD).
- Ferries within cities and straits.
- Ships.
- Private transportation and buses.
- Parks and recreational areas.
- Public restrooms.
- Some taxi companies.
- Entry to museums.
- Entry to forests.
How the Student Transportation Card Works:
IETT offers a monthly subscription for students for only 85 Turkish Lira, which includes 200 rides on various transportation modes in Istanbul.
The fare per ride with the student card is 1.25 Turkish Lira, compared to 2.60 Turkish Lira for the regular card. This card is considered a personal card exclusively for students, and its holder is fined 85 Turkish Lira if found not to be a student.
What Are the Other Types of Transportation Cards in Istanbul?
In addition to the student transportation card, there are three other types of transportation cards in Istanbul, each with a specific purpose, namely:
1- Ininom Card:
It can be obtained from government or private centers for only 10 Turkish Lira, with 2.6 Lira deducted each time the card is used, and it can be utilized for various purposes.
2- Monthly Subscription Card:
It is purchased for 280 Turkish Lira from one of the card sales centers, and this amount serves as a monthly subscription, granting the right to use it approximately 200 times on all public transportation in Istanbul.
3- Free Istanbul Card:
It is a completely free card that allows its holders to travel between regions of Turkey without paying any fees. It is designated for athletes, the elderly, military personnel and their families, people with disabilities, and families of martyrs.
Other Benefits Offered by the Turkish Government to Students:
The Turkish government supports students residing in the country by granting them numerous other privileges. In addition to the transportation card that reduces transportation fees, they also provide support in:
1- University Housing at a Nominal Fee:
To alleviate the burden of finding comfortable, suitable, and conveniently located housing near the university, the Turkish government offers residential units at a low monthly rent not exceeding 400 Turkish Lira, which also provide students with:
- Meals at a nominal price.
- Free cleaning and laundry service.
- Free internet access.
- Psychological and social support services.
It is worth mentioning that there is a variety of student housing options available in Istanbul, the most famous of which are the government student housing (KYK) and Vakif housing, which is under the supervision of the Turkish Religious Foundation—a charitable organization that supports both Turkish and foreign students by providing modern accommodation for nominal fees, in addition to significant discounts that sometimes reach exemption, not to mention that it is available to all students regardless of their political affiliations.
2- Meals at a Low Price:
In addition to the discounts provided by the student transportation card in Istanbul, the price of meals for students is also reduced, allowing them to obtain meals for no more than 3 Turkish Lira.
3- Almost Free Access to Entertainment Venues:
Students in Istanbul can enter tourist centers and resorts such as cinemas, amusement parks, gardens, and all other entertainment venues in general by paying a nominal fee that is much lower than the regular price.
4- Subscription to Internet Platforms:
Every university student enrolled at one of Istanbul’s universities has the right to subscribe to internet platforms at a discount of up to 50%, not to mention the right to use some websites and applications for free, especially educational platforms such as Udemy and Coursera.
5- Scholarships:
The scholarships offered by the Turkish government to students cover all study costs, in addition to providing many Turkish language courses.
Additionally, students in Turkey are granted health insurance that entitles them to receive treatment in public hospitals and health centers free of charge, with reduced treatment costs in private hospitals.
This concludes our article, which focused on the student transportation card in Istanbul, where we mentioned the most important information regarding how to obtain it, where it is used, and how it works. We also pointed out that it remains one of the many benefits through which the Turkish government supports students residing in the country, regardless of their nationalities.
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