Topkapi Palace isn’t just another historic site—it was the heart of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years. Built by Mehmed the Conqueror in the 15th century, this massive palace was home to sultans, courtiers, and countless secrets. Today, it’s one of Istanbul’s top attractions, packed with imperial treasures and stunning Bosphorus views.
Thankfully, reaching Topkapi Palace is pretty straightforward, whether you’re taking the tram, bus, ferry, or simply walking through the charming streets of the old city. In this guide, we’ll break down the best ways to get to the palace so you can focus on soaking in its rich history rather than worrying about directions.
Where exactly is the Topkapi Palace?
Address: Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey
Landmark: Located in Sultanahmet, near
Hagia Sophia
and the Blue Mosque
How to reach the Topkapi Palace
By public transport
- Tram: Take T1 Tram Line to Sultanahmet Station, then walk 5 minutes to the entrance.
- Bus: Buses 28, 30D, 46Ç, 99A stop at Sultanahmet Square, a 5-minute walk away.
- Marmaray Train: Take the Marmaray Line to Sirkeci Station, then walk 10 minutes.
🚕 By taxi/car
Use BiTaksi or Uber (operates as Uber Taxi in Istanbul).
Driving directions
- From Taksim Square, drive via Gümüşsuyu and Kennedy Caddesi (4 km, 15 minutes).
- From Istanbul Airport, take the D020 and E5 highway (~45 minutes).
🚗🅿️ Parking near the Topkapi Palace
If you're driving to Topkapi Palace, here are your parking options:
- On-site parking: No parking inside the palace area.
- Nearest parking lots:
Ispark Sultanahmet Parking: 7-minute walk
Hocapaşa Parking Garage: 10-minute walk
İSPARK Sirkeci: 15-minute walk
- Street parking: Limited and usually full—public transport is recommended.
- Accessible parking: Available near Sultanahmet Square.
👣 On foot
If you're in Sultanahmet, Topkapi Palace is a 5-minute walk via Sultanahmet Square.
🚲 By bike
- Bike rentals: Available at Sirkeci and Eminönü.
- Bike parking: No dedicated bike racks near the palace.
From major transport hubs
- From Istanbul Airport (IST):
- Metro + Tram: Take M11 Metro to Kağıthane, then M7 to Mecidiyeköy, and switch to T1 Tram to Sultanahmet (1 hour 15 minutes).
- Bus: Take Havaist Airport Shuttle to Sultanahmet (~1 hour 30 minutes).
- Taxi: Costs around 600-800 TL (~€20-€25) and takes around 45 minutes.
- From Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW):
- Metro + Tram: Take M4 Metro to Kadıköy, then ferry to Eminönü, and walk 15 minutes.
- Taxi: Costs around 500-700 TL (~€17-€23) and around 50 minutes.
- Bus: Take Havaist Shuttle to Sultanahmet (1 hour 30 minutes).
- Tram: Take F1 Funicular to Kabataş, then switch to T1 Tram to Sultanahmet (20 minutes).
- Taxi: Costs around 100-150 TL (~€3-€5) and around 15 minutes.
Recommended tickets to the Topkapi Palace
Frequently asked questions
Taking T1 Tram to Sultanahmet Station is the fastest and most convenient option.
No on-site parking, but several paid parking lots are nearby.
It's located in Sultanahmet, 5 km from Taksim Square, about 15 minutes by taxi or 20 minutes by tram.
Yes! The palace has wheelchair-friendly paths, though some cobbled areas may be challenging.
Tram followed by walking is the most efficient and cost-effective way to reach Topkapi Palace.
