How to buy a metro ticket in Istanbul, how much a travel ticket costs in Istanbul, full description, diagram and map of the Istanbul metro. Stations and transfers.
Metro in Istanbul: how much does it cost, how to buy tickets
The Istanbul Metro has become firmly established in the lives of citizens, although it appeared in the city relatively recently. It’s hard to imagine how they used to get along without such a convenient and fast means of transportation.
Of all types of urban transport, residents of megacities prefer the metro. There are no traffic jams, and therefore it runs strictly on schedule. For the same reason, you can easily and quickly get to your desired destination.
However, due to its young age, the Istanbul metro does not cover the main tourist parts of the city, but is closely connected with the tram line, which is still the main transport artery.
Now it carries about 920,000 passengers daily, despite the fact that it covers only 17.87% of passenger traffic from all urban transport.
Train schedule via link
A little history
The Istanbul Metro was born in 1988, and was initially called “Istanbul Transportation”. A year later, the first M1 line was opened, connecting to Ataturk Airport. Today it is part of the city’s 259.85 km railway system (the metro accounts for 115.3 km), which also includes a tram, funicular and cable car.
By the way, the first underground rail transport was a funicular (Tunel), running between Karakoy and Beyoglu stations in the European part of the cultural capital of Turkey. Its opening took place in 1875, which is almost a hundred years earlier than the metro.
At first it was steam-powered, but after reconstruction in 1971 it became electric. Since it still carries passengers safely today, effectively complementing the transport network of Istanbul, it is definitely not going to be abandoned in the foreseeable future.
But let’s return to the metro. Although the decision to build it was made in 1988, the plan changed many times. This happened most noticeably first in 1912, then in 1936, and then in 1951.
Also, as the work progressed, additional edits arose every now and then, since workers kept finding historical artifacts in the ground, and in order not to damage them, they had to deviate from the original plan. On the one hand, the finds served as an obstacle and a forced delay in work, on the other hand, they became useful from the point of view of archeology and history.
Metro Istanbul continues to be actively built, and every year there is a significant event. For example, in 2019, the night metro was launched, and in 2020, the first stage of the M7 Kabatash-Esenyurt metro line between Mecidiyeköy and Mahmutbey was put into operation.
Being a relatively new mode of transport in Istanbul, the metro is very popular, transporting more than 300 million people a year.
Istanbul metro routes
In 2021, the Istanbul metro map has seven lines, which are indicated by different colors. Five of them ( M1 , M2 , M3 , M6 and M7 ) are located in the European part of the city, and two ( M4 and M5 ) in the Asian part.
But as mentioned above, construction continues, and work is underway on six more lines. Those that are functioning now connect the following areas:
- M1 – red branch with branching into M1A and M1B . The line begins with a landing at Yenikapı station, where there is a transfer to M2 , Marmaray and İDO. To the Otogar station, the direction is served by both branches – M1A and M1B .
General stations: Yenikapı, Aksaray (transfer to T1), Emniyet-Fatih, Topkapı-Ulubatlı (transfer to T4), Bayrampaşa-Maltepe, Sağmalcılar, Kocatepe, Otogar.
Stations on line M1A : Terazidere, Davutpaşa-YTU, Merter (there is a transfer to Metrobus), Zeytinburnu (there is a transfer to T1 and Metrobus), Bakırköy-Incirli, Bahçelievler (there is a transfer to Metrobus), Ataköy-Shirinevler (there is a transfer to Metrobus) , Yenibosna, DTM-Istanbul Fair Center, Atatürk Airport.
Stations on the M1B line : Esenler, Menderes, Üçyüzlü, Bağcılar Meydan (there is a transfer to T1), Kirazlı (there is a transfer to M3 ).
It takes 35 minutes to get from Yenikapı to Atatürk Havalimanı (two final stops) on M1A . There are 7 stations underground, 9 platforms on the surface, and 3 more on the overpass. This line is also located near tourist sites. For example, if you change to the T1 tram at Zeytinburnu station, you will quickly reach the historical center of Sultanahmet.
Five minutes from Kocatepe metro station, don’t miss the Forum shopping center, which attracts with an abundance of boutiques, a huge Sea Life Istanbul aquarium and a Legoland gaming center.
If you walk 10 minutes from Aksaray, you can see the heritage of the Laleli area: Valens Aqueduct, St. Polyevktos Church and Shehzade Mosque.
105 trains run between terminal points daily, ensuring uninterrupted passenger transportation.
You can cover the distance between Yenikapı and Kirazlı on the M1B line in 25 minutes. The route with 13 stations is served by 170 trains daily.
The interval between trains during rush hour is 5 minutes.
- M2 is a green line running through the central part of the city, as evidenced by the Istanbul metro map. Construction began in 1992, and the opening took place in 2000. New platforms opened in 2009 and 2011. The last update occurred in 2014, when the line crossed the Golden Horn, and a stop also appeared on the bridge of the same name.
The route stretches for 23.5 km and has 16 stops. The average throughput is 320,000 people per day.
Stations on the M2 line: Hacıosman, Darüşşafaka, Atatürk Oto Sanayi, İTÜ-Ayazağa, Seyrantepe (located a little away from the main line), Sanayi Mahallesi, 4. Levent, Levent (there is a transfer to M6), Gayrettepe (there is a transfer to Metrobüs ) , Şişli-Mecidiyeköy (there is a transfer to M7 and Metrobüs), Osmanbey, Taksim (there is a transfer to F1 and T2), Şişhane (there is a transfer to F2 and T2), Haliç, Vezneciler (there is a transfer to T1), Yenikapı (there is a transfer to M1A , M1B , Marmaray and İDO).
This line offers connections to Taksim Square, Galata Tower and Istanbul Museum of Modern Art. If you are interested in shopping, get off at Osmanbey station. There are many shops and retail stalls, and on Abdi Ipekchi Street you will see branded boutiques and expensive restaurants.
- M3 is a line that the Istanbul metro map displays in blue. Its length is 15.9 km, with 11 stations. It is served by 20 trains running at intervals of 5 minutes. Construction began in 2006, and it began operating in 2013.
Stations on branch M3 : MetroKent-Başakşehir, Basak Konutları, Siteler, Turgut Özal, Olimpiat, Ziya Gökalp Mahallesi, Ikitelli Sanayi, Istoch, Mahmutbey (there is a transfer to M7 ), Yeni Mahalle, Kirazlı (there is a transfer to M1В ).
Tourists rarely use this direction, since there are no interesting places or attractions along the entire route.
- M4 – the crimson line of the Istanbul metro lies underground. Geographically, it is located in the Asian part of the city, running parallel to the Istanbul-Ankara railway line and along the coast of the Sea of Marmara. The grand opening of the subway took place in 2012, and a year later the Ayrılık Çeşmesi station appeared, allowing you to transfer to the Marmaray train, which runs under the Bosphorus Strait.
The length of the route is 26.5 km, with 19 stations (3 under construction). About 135,000 passengers use it per day.
Stations on line M4 : Kadıköy (there is a transfer to T3 and IDO), Ayrılık Çeşmesi (there is a transfer to Marmaray), Acıbadem, Ünalan (there is a transfer to Metrobus), Göztepe, Yenisahra, Kozyatağı, Bostanci, Küçükyalı, Maltepe, Huzurevi, Gulsuyu, Esenkent, Hospital-Court, Soganlik, Kartal, Yakacik, Pendik, Kaynarca.
If you are planning to visit the Toy Museum (Oyuncak müzesi), get off at Göztepe station and you will be there in 7-9 minutes.
- M5 is the purple line, which also all belongs to the Asian part of Istanbul. The first section of the line opened to passengers in 2017. The stations are fully equipped with automatic platform gates. The line has 16 stations.
Stations on line M5 : Üsküdar (there is a transfer to Marmaray), Fıstıkağacı, Baglarbaşı, Altunizade (there is a transfer to Metrobus), Kısikli, Bulgurlu, Umraniye, Çarşı, Yamanevler, Çakmak, Ihlamurkuyu, Altınşehir, Imam Hatip, Dudullu, Necip Fazıl, Çekmeköy. .
The Kısıklı station may be of interest. A 20-minute walk from it there is a park with Çamlıca Hill, which offers a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area, the sparkling waters of the Bosphorus, and from above it is pleasant to admire Topkapi, the Galata Tower, a scattering of mosques and castles.
- M6 – this brown line began operating in 2015, and is so far the shortest. Its length is 3.3 km, where only 4 stations fit. The journey between the two destinations takes about 8 minutes.
Stations on the M6 line : Levent (there is a transfer to M2 ), Nispetiye, Etiler, Boğaziçi Üniversitesi.
Near the last stop, a 7-minute walk, there is Doğatepe Parkı, from the observation deck of which you can see a wonderful view of the Bosphorus and the Sultan Mehmed Fatih Suspension Bridge, connecting the European and Asian territories of Istanbul. Not far from Nispetiye there is the Akmerkez shopping center, which was one of the first to appear in the city. You will find another shopping center – Canyon, near Levent station.
- M7 – the pink line of the Istanbul metro was put into operation in October 2020 and runs between stations between Mecidiyekoy in the business district of the city, as well as Mahmutbey in the residential area. A total of 15 stations are located on 18 kilometers of the route. It takes approximately 33 minutes to overcome them.
The line is located in the European part of the city and is the first fully automated safety fence, which opens passage only after the train has completely stopped on the platform.
Currently, the passenger turnover on the route is 70,000 people per hour, but since work is underway to extend it, it is planned to increase the figure to 3 million passengers/year.
The new section of the M7 will stretch for 6.5 km, which will include stations from Mecidiyeköy to the Kabatas ferry pier in the Bosphorus Strait. However, it is not known exactly when the opening is planned, especially since the coronavirus epidemic brings its share of force majeure. But the plans are grandiose, since in the future the line will extend to the western regions of the metropolis.
Stations on line M7 : Şişli – Medzhidiyeköy (there is a transfer to Metrobus and M2 ), Çağlayan, Kagitıkhane, Nurtepe, Alibeyköy (there is a transfer to T5), Yeşilpınar, Veysel Karani, Akshemsettin, Kazym Karabekir, Yenimahalle, Karadeniz Mahallezi (there is a transfer to T4 ), Gyuthepilzi Mahmutbey (there is a transfer to M3 ).
After expansion: Kabataş’ın (transfer to T1, F1 and İDO), Beşiktaş, Darfan (Mint), Fula.
Connection Istanbul Metro + New Airport
When İstanbul Havalimanı opened, in 2019 the Ataturk Air Gate, where the red line of the M1 metro leads, was closed to passengers . Although the New Airport was built on a grand scale, there is still no metro connection to it.
It was planned to correct the situation in 2020, but the date was pushed back to 2021. The only option is to take the IST-1 express bus to the Yenikapı stop, and then change to the M1 , M2 or Marmaray metro.
You can also take the IST-3 express to Otogar and transfer to M1 or take IST-19 to Pl. Taksim, where the M2 line runs . By the way, you can also get to Istanbul Mecidiyeköy metro station on M2 by city bus H-2.
If initially it was planned to extend the M2 line to the airport , then after redevelopment they decided to build the M11 Gayrettepe – Yeni Havalimanı line, which should begin operating in 2021 and will be connected to the M2 by an interchange station.
Stations on branch M11 : Gayrettepe, Kaghithane – transfer station, Kemerburgaz, Goktürk, Işiklar Otogar, Ihsaniye, New Airport-2, New Airport-1.
Marmaray (Marmaray Halkalı-Gebze) – underwater metro line in Istanbul
Marmaray is not a classic metro, although there are common transfer stations. It is an underwater railway tunnel with a length of 13.6 km, of which a section of 1.4 km is under the waters of the Bosphorus Strait at a depth of almost 60 m below sea level (55 m of water and 4.6 m of soil).
More details at the link
The idea of such a message arose in the 19th century from the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire Abdul Mecid, but due to the lack of technical capabilities at that time, the idea was realized only in 2013, in collaboration with the Japanese and taking into account American developments.
Marmaray is part of the Istanbul railway network and connects the European and Asian parts of the city. However, this is only the beginning, since according to the bold idea, the tunnel should turn into a transcontinental railway route from Great Britain to South Korea, as well as become an important artery for trade relations between Western European countries and Asia.
Marmaray trains, consisting of 10 cars, run between Gebze-Halkali-Gebze at 15-minute intervals. The Maltepe-Zeytinburnu-Maltepe trains run at 8-minute intervals.
Useful stations for tourists:
- You will find Yenikapı station next to the ferry pier. There you can switch to the metropolis lilies M1 and M2 .
- Sirkeci (Sirkeci) is located near the bus station of the same name. You can also switch to the T1 tram.
- From Pendik you can easily get to the Sabiha Gokcen airport by bus E-9 or take the metro line M4 .
Information on all Marmaray stations and train operating times at each of them is available on the official website: http://marmaray.gov.tr/sefer-bilgileri/gunluk-tren-saatleri
Interesting : now the subway works like clockwork, but on the very first day after its opening, the power supply was lost, and passengers were forced to get out on foot.
Marmaray scheme in Istanbul
Opening hours of the metro in Istanbul
How the metro works in Istanbul: train service starts daily at 06:00, except for the M2 line , which starts at 06:15. The end of the working day is the same for everyone – at 00:00.
Trains run at intervals of 7–10 minutes. During peak hours (07:00–09:00 and 17:00–20:00) the intervals are reduced to 5 minutes.
Also in Istanbul, the night metro operates from 00:30 to 05:30.
Lines you can use at night:
- M1A : Atatürk Havalimanı–Yenikapı Airport.
- М1В : Yenikapı–Kirazlı.
- M2 : Yenikapı–Hacıosman.
- M4 : Kdykoy–Tavshantepe.
- M5 : Üsküdar–Çekmeköy.
How much does it cost to travel on the Istanbul metro and how to buy tickets
The cost of the Istanbul metro, as well as most ground transport, is 7 Turkish lira for one trip with an electronic ticket and 3.5 lira if you use the Anonim Istanbulkart travel card .
However, such tariffs are valid only during the day. If you decide to take the metro at night, be prepared to be charged double.
Marmaray also has its own tariffs. Here everything is a little more complicated, and the fee depends on the number of stops.
| The cost of travel on Marmaray trains using the Anonim Istanbulkart pass | |
| Number of stations | Travel in Turkish lira |
| 1 – 7 | 3.5 ₺ |
| 8 – 14 | 4.50 ₺ |
| 15 – 21 | 5.20 ₺ |
| 22 – 28 | 6.00 ₺ |
| 29 – 35 | 7.00 ₺ |
| 36 – 43 | 7.75 ₺ |
Regular single tickets or electronic tickets cost 15 liras and are valid only on Marmaray trains.
What else you need to know about the Istanbul metro
1) Metro stations in Istanbul are designed so that they can be used by people with disabilities:
✔️ Inclined ramps with non-slip surface for wheelchairs and strollers.
✔️ Sound and visual signals for people with hearing and vision problems.
✔️ Special information in Braille for blind passengers.
✔️ Elevators to reach the platform.
2) It is prohibited to film or take photographs without permission at metro and tram stations. Violations are quickly recorded and security representatives appear asking for permission or to remove the equipment.
3) Large, poisonous and exotic animals cannot be transported in the Istanbul metro. Only small and harmless pets are allowed to be transported in special carriers. The exception is guide dogs.
4) You can transport scooters or folding bicycles at no additional cost in the last carriage of the train at any time except peak hours (07:00–09:00 and 17:00–20:00).
5) It is prohibited to transport goods weighing more than 30 kg or more than 120x50x60 cm.
6) Some stations have installed thermal cameras to detect passengers with a fever. The measures were taken with the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic.
7) Items lost at stations and in subway cars are sent to special centers:
✔️ Zeytinburnu Lost and Found for lost items on lines M1 , M3 , T1 and T4.
✔️ Lost and found at Gayrettepe station for items forgotten on lines M2 , M6 and F1.
✔️ Lost and Found at Bostancı station for items forgotten on the M4 line .
✔️ Lost and Found at Çarşı station for items forgotten on the M5 line .
All items brought to the lost and found office are described according to special features and end up in a computer catalogue. To get an item back, you must prove that you really are its owner.
If no one comes to claim the find within 15 days, it is sent to the main department of lost property. You can call the Alo call center at 153.
Istanbul metro map
Summary
The Istanbul metro is, of course, a convenient and comfortable form of urban transport, built taking into account modern technologies.
However, it is being built in accordance with the needs of local residents, and not city guests, which is why it does not cover all tourist areas with attractions.
However, given the pace of development, as well as the web of bus and tram routes, there are definitely no problems with movement in the city.