How to Get to Chora Church (Kariye Mosque) in Edirnekapı

Where Chora Church (Kariye Mosque) is

The building stands in Edirnekapı, Fatih, Istanbul, at the north-west edge of the old walled city. It is not in the Sultanahmet cluster. You need one ride on public transport, or a taxi, to reach it.

Edirnekapı takes its name from a gate in the Theodosian land walls. The Byzantines called it the Gate of Charisius, and Mehmed II entered the city through it in 1453 (source). The mosque sits a few lanes inside that gate.

The official museum listing gives three ways in: taxi, buses to Edirnekapı, and the T4 tram, with Edirnekapı as the nearest station (source). The routes below build on that.

From Sultanahmet: T1 tram, then T4 tram

This is the simplest rail route from the old city hotels.

1. Board the T1 Kabataş–Bağcılar tram at Sultanahmet, heading towards Bağcılar (source).
2. Get off at Topkapı. The operator lists Topkapı as the interchange between the T1 and the T4. Note that this is the Topkapı gate on the land walls, not Topkapı Palace.
3. Board the T4 Topkapı–Mescid-i Selam tram. The stations run Topkapı, Fetihkapı, Vatan, Edirnekapı (source).
4. Leave at Edirnekapı and walk into the walled city. The mosque is about ten minutes away on foot. Use a map app for the last few lanes.

The same route works from Eminönü, Karaköy and Kabataş, since all three are T1 stations.

From Taksim: bus 87, or funicular and trams

1. By bus. İETT line 87 is named Topkapı / Edirnekapı – Taksim and runs between Taksim and Edirnekapı without a change (source). Get off at Edirnekapı and walk into the old city.
2. By rail. Take the F1 funicular from Taksim down to Kabataş, which the operator lists as the T1 interchange. Ride the T1 to Topkapı, then the T4 to Edirnekapı, as above.

From Beşiktaş, İETT line 28, Topkapı / Edirnekapı – Beşiktaş, does the same job (source).

From the Golden Horn side: T5 tram and an uphill walk

If you are already in Eminönü, Fener or Balat, come up from the water.

1. Board the T5 Eminönü–Alibeyköy tram. Its stations along the shore run Eminönü, Küçükpazar, Cibali, Fener, Balat, Ayvansaray (source).
2. Get off at Ayvansaray, or at Balat if you want to walk through the neighbourhood first.
3. Walk uphill, away from the water. Allow about fifteen to twenty minutes. The streets are steep and partly cobbled, so wear shoes with grip.

The T5 line page also lists interchanges with Şehir Hatları ferries at its waterfront stations (source). If you want to arrive by ferry, check the current Golden Horn piers with Şehir Hatları before you set out, then walk up from the shore the same way.

This route pairs well with the places on our nearby sights page. Many visitors arrive by T4, then leave downhill through Balat and take the T5 back to Eminönü.

By metro

There is no metro station at the mosque. The metro helps if you start from Yenikapı or Aksaray.

1. Ride the M1A line. Yenikapı, Aksaray and Topkapı-Ulubatlı are all stations on it (source).
2. Change to the T4 tram. The T4 line page lists its M1A and M1B interchange at Vatan station (source).
3. Edirnekapı is the next T4 stop after Vatan, heading towards Mescid-i Selam.

By taxi or private transfer

A taxi is the least effort. Ask for "Kariye Camii, Edirnekapı", the Turkish name. Roads along the Golden Horn and the walls can be slow at busy times, so allow extra time if you have a timed plan afterwards.

If you are coming straight from the airport or want a fixed pick-up, a pre-booked airport transfer can drop you at the door.

Plan your arrival around prayer times

Getting there is half the plan. The other half is the clock.

• Tourist hours are 09:00–18:00, with last entry at 17:55.
• Fridays: worship only, no tourist visits.
• Tourist entry stops about 15–30 minutes before each prayer time and resumes after prayers.

See the opening hours page for how the prayer pauses work, and the tickets page for entry options. A typical visit takes about 60 minutes. Read the mosaics and frescoes guide on the tram so you know which room to start in. If you would rather not handle the transport yourself, the guided tour page explains the escorted option.

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