The funicular between Karaköy and Tünel Square opened in 1875 as a means of allowing the traders and merchants in the area a faster way of commuting up and down the steep hill. Bearing the distinction of being the oldest underground train in the world after the London Underground, the Tünel still operates today and is a popular way of reaching Beyoğlu for those alighting at the nearby Karaköy Pier.
The commute takes approximately 90 seconds and trains run every 5 minutes.