Overview
The Istanbul Metro (Turkish: İstanbul metrosu) is the rapid transit network serving Istanbul, Turkey. It is operated by Metro Istanbul, a public enterprise controlled by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, with the exception of the M11 line, which is run by TCDD Taşımacılık. The oldest section, the M1, opened on 3 September 1989, and the system has grown into one of the largest in Europe.
Riding it end to end as a visitor is straightforward. You enter a station through an entrance marked with the metro "M" logo and the station name (M11 entrances carry a "U" logo instead), descend to the platform, and tap your İstanbulkart on the turnstile to enter. Because the European and Asian networks do not connect directly, you cross the Bosphorus using the Marmaray commuter rail line, which links to the metro at several points. Trains generally run from 06:00 to 24:00 every 6–12 minutes, with intervals dropping to 3–4 minutes at peak times; the M8 line currently runs 06:00–23:00. Several lines also offer 24-hour weekend and public-holiday service, with trains roughly every 20 minutes.
The network
The system consists of eleven metro lines. On the European side of the Bosphorus you will find M1A, M1B, M2, M3, M6, M7, M9 and M11; on the Asian side are M4, M5 and M8. Each line has its own colour and name, and the letter prefixes tell you what kind of transport you are looking at: "M" for metro, "T" for tram, "F" for funicular, "TF" for cable car and "B" for suburban rail.
- Metro (M lines): M1A, M1B, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, M9 and M11. The M1 was originally called "Hafif Metro" ("light metro") because it uses shorter trains and platforms than a standard metro line. The M5 is noted for autonomous (driverless) operation.
- Marmaray (suburban rail): the cross-city commuter line that runs through an undersea tunnel between Yenikapı on the European side and Ayrılık Çeşmesi on the Asian side, a crossing of about four minutes. It is the link between the two halves of the metro network and connects with the metro in several places.
- Tram and light rail: the Istanbul Tram network, plus the historic Tünel (F2), which entered service on 17 January 1875 and is the world's second-oldest underground urban rail line after the London Underground.
- Funiculars: the F1, Tünel (F2), F3 and F4 lines connect with the metro.
- Metrobüs: a bus rapid transit line running along the E-5 highway, with fares that rise according to the number of stops travelled.
- Ferries: city ferry services across the Bosphorus and the Marmara, including commuter ferries, are part of the same integrated ticketing system.
- Cable cars: the TF lines.
Three metro lines are under construction on the Asian side — M10 (Pendik Merkez–Fevzi Çakmak), M12 (60. Yıl Parkı–Kazım Karabekir), M13 (Emek-Yenidoğan) and M14 (Altunizade–Bosna Bulvarı) — while extensions to M1B and M7 on the European side and M4 on the Asian side are also underway. As of 2026 the system has 169 stations in service, with 30 more under construction, and 265.1 km of track, making it the 22nd longest metro system in the world and the 4th longest in Europe.
Tickets & fares
The city uses a single contactless payment card, the İstanbulkart, valid across the metro, trams, buses, Metrobüs, funiculars, Marmaray and ferries. One card is issued per person, and the card cost is separate from the credit you load onto it. You can buy one at airport or station kiosks, ticket machines, ticket windows and authorised sales points, and top it up at vending machines, via the mobile app, in markets or through digital banking. Fares are flat on the metro, tram, bus and funicular, while Metrobüs and Marmaray are priced by distance or number of stops, and ferry fares vary by route.
Fares change regularly, so treat all figures below as approximate and check the official tariff before you travel. As of the October 2026 tariff, a single ride with an anonymous İstanbulkart costs 46.20 ₺, with a student rate of 22.55 ₺ and a reduced rate of 33.08 ₺ for teachers and senior residents. Other sources list slightly different figures — for example a 42 ₺ standard single fare with 20.50 ₺ student and 30.07 ₺ teacher/elderly rates — which reflects how often the tariff is revised. Limited-use electronic tickets are also available, sold in bundles from one pass up to ten passes, and are useful if you are only in the city for a day or two.
- İstanbulkart: the universal contactless card; anonymous versions require no ID and suit tourists. Transfers are discounted: within 120 minutes of your first tap, each subsequent transfer costs less than a full fare, so metro → tram → ferry chains work out cheaper.
- Limited-use tickets: single and multi-pass electronic tickets for occasional riders.
- Mavi Kart / Blue Card monthly pass: a monthly subscription with a set number of uses. It is generally only economical for residents and daily commuters, not for short-stay visitors.
- Student cards: discounted student rates apply, including a separate rate for students aged 30 and over.
- Children: children under 7 ride free, and strollers are allowed — use the elevators rather than the escalators.
There are no fare zones on the metro itself; the flat fare covers your journey regardless of distance, and the same card works on the ferries and funiculars without a separate ticket.
From the airport
Istanbul Airport (IST) is the city's chief airport, about 30 km northwest of the centre, and replaced Atatürk Airport, which closed in 2019. Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) serves the Asian side, about 30 km east of the centre.
From Istanbul Airport (IST):
- Metro M11: connects the airport to the city and is the cheapest and fastest option. The station is outside airport exit 11, in front of the parking lot, where you can buy an İstanbulkart. You will likely need to transfer, and possibly walk a short distance, to reach your final destination. The metro operates from 06:15 to 00:15.
- Havaist buses: luxury coaches (route iSt-1) run non-stop every 25–30 minutes to major transit hubs such as Aksaray Metro Station, taking about 90 minutes depending on traffic. The bus station is on Level -2. Tickets can be bought on board, online via the Havaist app or website, or in advance; İstanbulkart is also valid.
- IETT city buses: also serve the airport, but neither Havaist nor IETT offers a direct connection to Sultanahmet. City buses and trams can be challenging with luggage or at peak hours, as vehicles are crowded and transfers often involve walking.
- Taxi: comfortable but not necessarily fast given Istanbul's traffic. Official taxi stands are outside each level; yellow taxis are the most affordable, blue taxis cost about 15% more and black luxury taxis about 70% more. Fares are the same day and night, tipping is optional, and you should avoid unofficial vehicles.
From Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW):
- Metro M4: runs from the airport to Kadıköy in about an hour. The line is not well connected to the rest of the metro network, but you can continue to the European side by ferry or transfer to the Marmaray train at Ayrılık Çeşmesi.
- Havabüs: runs to Taksim (50 km, 60–90 minutes), Yenisahra (50 minutes) and Kadıköy (60 minutes), every 30 minutes between 04:00 and 01:00. Buy your ticket on the bus; İstanbulkart is valid.
- City buses (İETT): the cheapest option. Bus E-10 runs to Kadıköy via Kurtköy 24 hours a day (60–90 minutes, more in heavy traffic) and needs a two-zone ticket; bus E-3 runs to 4. Levent metro station on the European side 24 hours a day (about 2 hours) and needs a three-zone ticket. Other routes include E-9, 16S, KM-20, KM22, E-18 and 122H.
- Train: the airport is 12 km from Pendik YHT railway station; take a taxi or bus 132H to connect to fast trains east to Ankara and Konya.
- Taxi: to Taksim costs roughly €20.
Etiquette & customs
Istanbul's public transport is busy and largely informal, but a few habits will make your journeys smoother.
- Queuing: queues form at ticket machines and turnstiles, and it is normal to let passengers off before boarding. At peak times, expect crowding and be prepared to stand.
- Escalators: stand on the right and walk on the left, as is standard in most European cities. Many stations are deep — Şişhane on the M2 is one of Europe's deepest at 62 m, with an elevator ride of nearly two minutes to the surface — so escalators and lifts are heavily used.
- Priority seating: seats are reserved for the elderly, pregnant passengers and those with reduced mobility; keep them free and offer your seat when needed.
- Eating and drinking: eating is discouraged on the network, while drinking water is acceptable.
- Rush hour: morning and evening peaks are the busiest times, especially on the Metrobüs and Marmaray. If you are travelling with luggage, avoid these periods where you can, and use elevators rather than escalators if you have a stroller.
- Accessibility: most new stations have elevators, ramps and tactile paving, though older stations may have limited facilities.
Official links
Survival terms
- Metro / subway: metro (İstanbul metrosu) — the rapid transit system
- Ticket: bilet — a single or multi-use ticket
- Line: hat — a numbered route such as M2
- Entrance: giriş — where you enter the station
- Exit: çıkış — where you leave the station
- Transfer: aktarma — changing between lines, discounted within 120 minutes
- Single fare: tek bilet — one journey's fare
- Day pass: günlük bilet — a ticket covering a day's travel
Load an İstanbulkart as soon as you arrive — at the airport or any station kiosk — and tap it on every journey, including ferries and the Marmaray, so that discounted transfers are applied automatically within 120 minutes.