Istanbul has two aerial cable car (teleferik) lines that let you glide above the city for a bird's-eye view. The star of the show is TF2, which lifts you from the historic Eyüp district up to Pierre Loti Hill — one of the best viewpoints overlooking the Golden Horn. The other line, TF1, is a short hop between Maçka and Taşkışla near Nişantaşı.

Both lines accept Istanbulkart and cost just ₺42 per ride — the same flat fare as the metro, tram, and funicular.

TF vs. F — don't confuse them! Istanbul's cable car codes start with TF (Teleferik), not just "F". If you're searching for "F2 Istanbul," that's actually the historic Karaköy–Beyoğlu Funicular (Tünel). The cable car to Pierre Loti is TF2.

2026 Cable Car Quick Guide

TF2: Eyüp – Piyer Loti (Pierre Loti Hill)

The TF2 is the cable car most visitors are looking for. It carries you from the Eyüp waterfront up to Pierre Loti Hill, one of Istanbul's most famous viewpoints. During the short ride you'll see the Golden Horn inlet stretching toward the Bosphorus, the rooftops and minarets of Eyüp (including Eyüp Sultan Mosque), and on clear days, the historic peninsula around Sultanahmet in the distance. The views are especially stunning at sunset.

• 🛣️ The line is 384 meters long with two stations.
• ⏱️ The ride takes approximately 2.5 minutes.
• ⏰ Operates 08:00–22:00 (winter) / 08:00–23:00 (summer). The late summer hours are perfect for sunset rides.
• 🔁 Departures every 5 minutes during peak hours.
• 💰 Fare: ₺42 with Istanbulkart.
• 🔄 At the lower Eyüp station you can transfer to the T5 tram line.

View stations of TF2.

What Awaits You at the Top

Once you step off the TF2 cable car, you're at Pierre Loti Hill — named after the French novelist who fell in love with Istanbul in the 19th century. The hilltop is home to the Pierre Loti restaurant, where you can sit on the terrace with a glass of Turkish tea or coffee and take in one of the city's most iconic panoramas: the Golden Horn stretching out below, flanked by minarets and domes.

The terrace gets busy at sunset, so arrive a little early if you want a good seat — weekday evenings are much calmer than weekends. The menu is limited (mostly tea, Turkish coffee, and simple snacks), so come for the view rather than the food. Beyond the restaurant, walking paths along the hillside offer quieter, less crowded vantage points that are just as photogenic.

Queue tip: The cable car ride itself is only 1–2 minutes, but the queue at the base can stretch to 30–60 minutes on weekend afternoons. Visit on a weekday or arrive before noon to skip the wait. If you'd rather skip the queue entirely, you can walk or take a taxi up to Pierre Loti Hill and ride the cable car back down instead.

How to Get to TF2

The easiest way to reach the TF2 cable car from the city center is by tram:

1. Take the T5 tram from Eminönü (Cibali direction).
2. Get off at the Eyüpsultan Teleferik stop — the cable car entrance is a 2-minute walk away.

Suggested Half-Day Itinerary: Eyüp & Pierre Loti

A popular way to spend a morning or afternoon in this area:

1. Eyüp Sultan Mosque — Visit one of Istanbul's holiest sites, just steps from the TF2 lower station.
2. Cable car up — Take the TF2 to Pierre Loti Hill.
3. Tea with a view — Relax at the Pierre Loti restaurant terrace, ideally around sunset.
4. Walk down through the cemetery — Instead of riding the cable car back, take the atmospheric path that descends through the historic Ottoman-era cemetery. Tall gravestones, stone steps, and narrow passages make this one of Istanbul's most photogenic hidden walks. The descent takes about 10–15 minutes and brings you back to the Eyüp Sultan Mosque area. Wear sturdy shoes — the terrain is steep and uneven, and signage is minimal, so follow the main descending path.
5. Explore the Golden Horn waterfront — Stroll along the water and grab a bite in the surrounding streets.

TF1: Maçka – Taşkışla

The TF1 cable car connects two points across the leafy Maçka Valley in the Şişli district. It primarily serves Istanbul Technical University students traveling between campuses, but it can also be a fun shortcut if you're exploring the Nişantaşı or Maçka Park area.

• 📍 Located in the Şişli district, near Nişantaşı.
• 📏 The line spans 347 meters.
• ⏱️ The ride takes approximately 3.5 minutes.
• 🚠 The system has four small cabins (six passengers each, 24 total capacity).
• ⏰ Operates 08:00–19:00 (winter) / 08:00–20:00 (summer).
• 🔁 Departures every 5 minutes during peak hours.
• 💰 Fare: ₺42 with Istanbulkart.

View stations of TF1.

Tourist tip: The TF1 is not a must-do for sightseeing — there are no major landmarks at either end. But if you're staying near Nişantaşı or Maçka Park and want a quick, quirky ride with a nice green valley view, it's worth the ₺42 fare.

How Much Does the Istanbul Cable Car Cost in 2026?

A single cable car ride costs ₺42 with an Istanbulkart — the same flat fare used across Istanbul's metro, tram, and funicular network. Just tap your card at the turnstile before boarding.

Keep in mind that the physical Istanbulkart card itself costs ₺165 to purchase, so budget for that upfront before adding fare balance.

Short stay? Use a Limited-Use Card. If you're only in Istanbul for a day or two, the ₺165 card fee may not be worth it. Look for the yellow Biletmatik vending machines at stations — they sell Limited-Use Cards preloaded with a set number of trips, no upfront card purchase fee needed.

You can tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard at some turnstiles, but the fare is significantly higher than the ₺42 Istanbulkart rate. Don't rely on contactless bank cards as your primary payment method. Also note: there are no top-up machines inside the small cable car stations, so make sure your Istanbulkart has balance before you arrive.

If you're exploring Istanbul's public transport network, check out our guides to the metro, tram, funicular, and ferry lines.