Istanbulkart introduces new student support and subscription discounts

BELBİM, a subsidiary of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, has launched new support initiatives for students through the Istanbulkart Plus program. To assist with daily living expenses and transportation, the program offers several benefits for the new academic period.

Key features include the waiver of card fees and shipping costs for Istanbulkart Plus applications until October 31, 2026. Students can also benefit from a “10 pass, pay 9” transportation advantage, where the cost of one trip is refunded after ten uses. Additionally, digital subscription top-ups via the Istanbulkart mobile app or website will not incur transaction fees until October 31, 2026.

As part of a specific promotional period between September 21 and October 17, 2026, students under the age of 29 can purchase a one-time monthly student subscription for 1 TL. This is a one-time promotional offer and does not represent a permanent price change. Eligible students include those in primary, secondary, and high schools, as well as active undergraduate and graduate students at universities.

Beyond transportation, the Istanbulkart Plus program provides cashback incentives for daily spending. For example, students can receive a 30 TL refund on single transactions of 300 TL or more at participating cafes, restaurants, and fast-food outlets.