With a long and rich history, Istanbul is one of Turkey's biggest and most crowded cities. As a result, the roads are often crowded and there is always traffic, especially during peak hours.
Lucky for you, Istanbul has an extremely developed railway system that includes underground and surface rapid-transit trains, trams, and funiculars to travel quickly and easily. There are lots of metro lines in Istanbul so whether you are going to shopping malls, the city center, or a tourist destination, arriving at your aim destination will be as easy as pie.
Keep in mind, Istanbul has a long-standing history and its metro system might seem challenging at first but our guide will make public transportation a lot easier for you.
Overview of the Istanbul Metro System: Key Facts to Know
Before going over metro trains and other rail systems in detail, we will answer some common concerns you might have before using metro lines in Istanbul:
Operating Hours of Istanbul Metro Lines
The Istanbul metro and tram system runs from about 06:00 (6 am) to a little past 24:00 (12 midnight) or 01:00 (1 am), depending on the line and the direction of travel. Istanbul metro operates quite punctually and there is no major delays.
As of August 2019, seven metro lines (M1A, M1B, M2, M4, M5, M6, and M7) have started to provide service 24 hours a day with a 30-minute frequency on Fridays, Saturdays, and Public Holidays.
How to Pay Transportation Fares in Istanbul
Before you had to get an Istanbulkart to use public transportation, whether you use metro lines or buses. However, you can also use your credit card today to pay your fare. Keep in mind, using an Istanbulkart will prove to be advantageous if you plan to use public transportation regularly and make transfers between lines (which you generally need to do in a city as big as Istanbul!).
To pay your fare with Istanbulkart or your credit card, simply place the card on the turnstile sensor, and the required amount will be deducted from your account. Read about fares and the Istanbulkart.
How to Buy an Istanbul Transport Card (Akbil/Istanbulkart)
You can get an Istanbulkart from the Biletmatik ticket machines at the stations and small kiosks near the metro with a down payment, where you can also upload credits. You can also get a one-time use-only ticket, but this might be rather disadvantageous if you plan to use public transportation frequently.
Most Popular Istanbul Metro Lines
Istanbul offers a wide variety of metro lines to choose from. The most useful lines for foreign visitors are shown in italics.
M1A Yenikapı - Aksaray - Istanbul Airport Metro Line
You're most likely to use the M1 Metro Line, which is the first rail system operation of Metro Istanbul, that runs from Yenikapı and Aksaray Square in Istanbul via Istanbul's main Otogar (bus terminal).
If you arrive in Istanbul by intercity bus, you can take the M1A from Otogar to Zeytinburnu and board the T1 Kabataş tram for Sultanahmet Square and Eminönü. Yenikapı Metro Station on the M1A metro line (also a stop on the Marmaray suburban rail line) is near the terminal for "sea bus" catamaran ferryboats and fast car ferries.
Operating Hours: 06.00 a.m. - 12 a.m., 24 hours a day with 30-minute frequency on Fridays, Saturdays, and Public Holidays.
M1A Metro Line Stations
Traveling among 18 stations (Yenikapı, Bayrampaşa, Merter, Bakırköy İncirli, Aksaray, Emniyet Müdürlüğü, Topkapı – Ulubatlı, Sağmalcılar, Kocatepe, Esenler Otogar, Terazidere, Davutpaşa – Yıldız Teknik Üniversite, Zeytinburnu, Bahçelievler, Ataköy – Şirinevler, Yenibosna, DTM Dünya Ticaret Merkezi and Atatürk Havalimanı) is possible thanks to this line because all regions are connected.
Top Tourist Destinations Accessible via the M1A Metro Line
- Yenikapı Metro Station on the M1A Metro Line is close to the Sultanahmet district where you can visit several popular tourist destinations, such as Hagia Sophia Mosque,Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Basilica Cistern
M1B: Esenler Otogar - Kirazlı
This branch line connects Istanbul's main intercity bus terminal to the suburb of Kirazlı, meeting the M3 Metro Line there.
Operating Hours: 06.00 a.m. - 12 a.m., 24 hours a day with 30-minute frequency on Fridays, Saturdays, and Public Holidays.
M1B Metro Line Stations
These 13 stations include Kirazlı Bağcılar, Yenikapı, Aksaray, Emniyet - Fatih, Topkapı - Ulubatlı, Menderes, Üçyüzlü, Bağcılar Meydan, Bayrampaşa - Maltepe, Sağmalcılar, Kartaltepe - Kocatepe, Otogar, Esenler.
Top Tourist Destinations Accessible via the M1B Metro Line
- Similar to the M1A Metro Line, the M1B Metro Line also has access to Yenikapı Station where you can visit Ayasofya Camii, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, and Basilica Cistern.
M2: Yenikapı - Hacıosman
M2 Metro Station is one of the other popular metro lines in Istanbul.
Operating Hours: 06.00 a.m. - 12 a.m., 24 hours a day with 30-minute frequency on Fridays, Saturdays, and Public Holidays.
M2 Metro Line Stations
As one of the most used metro lines of Istanbul metro with its 16 stations, The M2 Line connects Yenikapı (and its Fast Ferry Terminal and Marmaray suburban train station) with Şişhane (near Tünel Square) in Beyoğlu, Taksim Square, then north via Şişli through the modern business and residential sections of the Levents as far as Hacıosman, only 5 km (3 miles) southwest of Sarıyer on the European shore of the northern Bosphorus. This is the fastest way to reach northern Bosphorus destinations such as Emirgan, Sarıyer, and the Black Sea beaches at Kilyos.
Top Tourist Destinations Accessible via the M1B Metro Line
- Yenikapı Station provides easy access to the historical Sultanahmet District.
- Şişhane Metro Station is located in the popular and lively Beyoğludistrict where you can visit the Galata Tower, take a walk across the Bosphorus, and visit the Istanbul Modern Museum.
- Taksim Metro Station can be a good stop if you wish to visit Dolmabahçe Palace where real Ottoman Sultans lived for years.
M3: Kirazlı - Başakşehir - Metrokent
Northwestern continuation of Metro Line M1B. There aren't any major tourist destinations accessible via the M3 Metro Line.
Operating Hours: 06.00 a.m. - 12 a.m.
M3 Metro Line Stations
The M3 Metro Line has 19 metro stops: Bakırköy Sahil, Özgürlük Meydanı, İncirli, Haznedar, İlkyuva, Molla Gürani, Kirazlı-Bağcılar, Yenimahalle, Mahmutbey Metro Line, İSTOÇ, İkitelli Sanayi, Turgut Özal, Siteler, Başak Konutları, Başakşehir-Metrokent, Onurkent, Şehir Hastanesi, Toplu Konutlar, and Kayaşehir Merkez.
M4: Kadıköy - Tavşantepe- Sabiha Gökçen
Going from Kadıköy on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus southeast via Kozyatağı and Bostancı to Kartal, Pendik, and Kaynarca, this line is convenient for getting to Sabiha Gökçen Airport (via İETT city bus) and to the fast ferry docks at Pendik for Yalova and Bursa.
Operating Hours: 06.00 a.m. - 12 a.m., 24 hours a day with 30-minute frequency on Fridays, Saturdays, and Public Holidays.
M4 Metro Line Stations
The M4 Metro Line is another popular metro line used to access popular tourist destinations in Istanbul. It has 23 metro stations in total: Kadıköy, Ayrılık Çeşmesi, Acıbadem, Ünalan, Göztepe, Yenisahra, Pegasus-Kozyatağı, Bostancı, Küçükyalı, Maltepe, Huzurevi, Gülsuyu, Esenkent, Hastane-Adliye, Soğanlık, Kartal, Yakacık-Adnan Kahveci, Pendik, Tavşantepe, Fevzi Çakmak-Hastane, Yayalar-Şeyhli, Kurtköy, and Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı.
Popular Tourist Destinations Accessible via the M4 Metro Line
- Kadıköy is one of the most popular districts in Istanbul, especially among the younger generation. There are lots of cafes and bars to visit.
- Ayrılık Çeşmesi Station connects to the Marmaray Line which you can use to transfer between the European side and Asian sides of Istanbul.
- Bostancı Station is a good stop if you want to take boat trips to popular Istanbul islands which offer a good option for day trips.
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport Station is your perfect gateway to many beautiful Turkish cities as it is mainly used as the hub for domestic flights as well as some international destinations.
M5: Üsküdar - Çekmeköy
Üsküdar, the city which is known for the famous Kız Kulesi operates from Üsküdar to Çekmeköy. You can go to Ümraniye by using this line and discover some popular tourist spots such as Çarşı, Çamlıca Camiisi, and shopping malls.
This line offers only two transfer options. You can take Marmaray, İETT, or ferry from Üsküdar Station and you can take Metrobus from Altunizade Station.
Operating Hours: 06.00 a.m. - 12 a.m., 24 hours a day with 30-minute frequency on Fridays, Saturdays, and Public Holidays.
M5 Metro Line Stations
The M5 Metro Line has 20 stations: Üsküdar, Fıstıkağacı, Bağlarbaşı, Altunizade, Kısıklı, Bulgurlu, Ümraniye, Çarşı, Yamanevler, Çakmak, Ihlamurkuyu, Altınşehir, İmam Hatip Lisesi, Dudullu, Necip Fazıl, Çekmeköy, Meclis, Sarıgazi, Sancaktepe, Samandıra Merkez.
Popular Tourist Destinations Accessible via the M5 Metro Line
You can use the Üsküdar Metro Station to visit Maiden Tower and sightsee the Bosphorus.
M11: Gayrettepe – İstanbul Havalimanı – Halkalı
This metro line is used frequently because it is one of the main transportation methods to reach and travel from the newest İstanbul Havalimanı.
The M11 Metro Line currently has 11 stations: Gayrettepe, Kâğıthane, Hasdal, Kemerburgaz, Göktürk, İhsaniye, Terminal 2, İstanbul Havalimanı, Kargo Terminali, Taşoluk, and Arnavutköy Hastane.
There are currently 5 stations under construction on the M11 Line: Fenertepe University, Kayaşehir Merkez, Olimpiyat, Halkalı Stadı and Halkalı.
Operating Hours: 06.00 a.m. - 12: 40 a.m.
Popular Tourist Destinations Accessible via the M11 Metro Line
- You can go to popular shopping malls such as Zorlu Center, and Kanyon shopping mall from the Gayrettepe Metro Station.
- Istanbul Havalimanı Metro Station offers easy access to the new Istanbul Airport.
Marmaray
Not technically a part of the Istanbul Metro system, the suburban trans-Bosphorus Marmaray underground train line is fully integrated with the Istanbul Metro system. You can use the Marmaray underground train line to travel between the European and Asian sides of Istanbul.
Trams
İstanbul Ulaşım also operates several surface tram lines, the most useful of which are the T1 Bağcılar-Kabataş Tram and the T2 Taksim-Tünel Nostalgic Tram. Trams operate between 06.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m.
By taking the tram from Kabataş, you can quickly arrive at Sultanahmet. Besides Sultanahmet, you can travel to popular tourist routes such as Modern Sanat Müzesi in Tophane, and İstiklal Street which you can go by getting off at Karaköy Station. You can go to the famous Mısır Çarşı (Spice Market) by getting off at Eminönü. To go to Grand Bazaar, you should get off at Beyazıt Station.
Funicular Lines
İstanbul Ulaşım operates the F1 Füniküler Line linking Kabataş with Taksim Square and the historic F2 Tünel underground line between Karaköy and Tünel Square. Funiculars run from 06.15 a.m. to 12.00 a.m.
The Nostalgic Tramway in İstanbul
This old but interesting train which moves along the street is a popular tourist attraction spot.
It only has two lines. You travel between Taksim and Tünel by taking the T2 Line and with the T3 Line, you can travel between the popular Moda and Kadıköy districts.
Official Information
The Metro Istanbul website now has an English-language section and is improving in usability. The Journey Planner is still problematic, but the Network Maps remain the most useful aspect.
New Metro in an Old City
Imagine the difficulty of constructing a Metro in Istanbul, a city that is nothing but layers of history.
Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul—every excavation discovers some new archeological site that must be studied, cataloged, and preserved.
Private Transport
Traveling in a large and complex city like Istanbul can be challenging and, in some cases, costly, especially if you are unfamiliar with the city. In such cases, choosing private transport can save you from the trouble of planning each stop, wasting time and even money. With TurkeyTravelPlanner’s carefully selected private transport partners, you can ensure a hassle-free and enjoyable travel experience. Don't believe us? Check our Private Transport page and see for yourself.
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