Overview
Ankara's rapid transit network is run by EGO, the city's municipal transport operator, and it is the quickest way to cross Turkey's capital. The system combines a light-rail line called Ankaray with four heavy metro lines (M1, M2, M3 and M4), and it connects at key points with the EGO bus network, the Başkentray suburban railway and even a cable car. The network carries well over 170 million passengers a year, so you will never be riding alone.
Riding it end to end is straightforward. You buy a rechargeable smartcard (the Başkent Kart, also written AnkaraKart), load credit onto it, tap in at the turnstiles before entering the paid area, and keep the card with you until you leave the system. The same card works on the metro, Ankaray, EGO buses and Başkentray, and it gives you a discounted transfer if you change vehicles within a set time window. Trains start running at about 06:00 and continue until roughly midnight, with the last departures on some lines stretching past 00:30. Frequencies are good: every few minutes at peak times, and somewhat less often in the middle of the day and late at night.
One quirk to understand before you travel: M1, M2 and M3 are not separate services in practice. Since 2019 they have operated as one continuous through-service, so you can stay on the same train all the way from Koru to OSB-Törekent without changing. Only the M4 and the Ankaray require a change, and the place to do it is Kızılay, the central interchange.
The network
Metro (M1, M2, M3, M4)
The heavy metro consists of four numbered lines, though the first three run as a single through-service:
- M1 – Kızılay to Batıkent, about 14.7 km with 12 stations. This was the city's first full metro line, opened on 29 December 1997.
- M2 – Kızılay to Koru (Çayyolu), about 16.6 km with 10 stations, opened in March 2014. It serves the university corridor, including Beytepe (Hacettepe), Bilkent and ODTÜ (METU).
- M3 – Batıkent to OSB-Törekent, about 15.4 km with 11 stations, opened in February 2014.
- M4 – Kızılay to Şehitler (Keçiören), roughly 12 km with 12 stations. Its first section opened in January 2017, and the extension into Kızılay was completed in April 2023.
Because M1, M2 and M3 were merged into one service in July 2018 (with M2 joining in February 2019), you can ride uninterrupted between Koru and OSB-Törekent. To reach the M4, change at Kızılay.
Ankaray (A1)
The Ankaray (from Turkish Ankara ray, meaning "Ankara rail") is a light-rail line that opened on 30 August 1996, making it the first phase of the modern network. It runs east–west between AŞTİ (the intercity bus terminal) and Dikimevi, covering 8.53 km with 11 stations, much of it in tunnel. It is styled differently from the metro but is fully part of the same fare system and network.
Başkentray (suburban rail)
Başkentray is the east–west suburban railway operating across Ankara, running from Sincan to Kayaş over about 27 km. It is operated by TCDD, the Turkish State Railways, rather than EGO, but it integrates with the metro: you can connect with the M1–M2–M3 near Sıhhiye and with the Ankaray at Kurtuluş. It is also useful for reaching Eryaman, where high-speed trains stop.
Buses
All city buses are operated by EGO. Most are white or blue, with newer vehicles in red, and central stops often have real-time departure displays. Bus fares cannot be paid in cash, and foreign contactless bank cards do not reliably work, so you should use a Başkent Kart or the EGO Cep'te mobile app for QR scanning. A single trip allows a transfer between bus and metro within 45 minutes. Kızılay and Ulus are the main hubs for privately operated minibuses and dolmuş, which are cash only and usually display their destinations on a board behind the windscreen.
Cable car
The Yenimahalle–Şentepe aerial tramway is a 3.25 km cable car with four stations, reached by transferring from Yenimahalle station on the M1.
Ferries
Ankara is an inland city with no ferry service, so all your public transport here is on rail, road or cable.
Tickets & fares
The system uses a single integrated fare structure across metro, Ankaray, EGO buses and Başkentray. The main options are:
- Başkent Kart / AnkaraKart – a rechargeable smartcard, the standard way to pay. Buy or top it up at station vending machines, EGO service offices, or online via the mobile app.
- Paper and multi-ride tickets – single magnetic tickets and multi-ride tickets also exist, and must be validated before entering the paid area.
- Passes – monthly passes are available, including a discounted monthly student pass.
Fares change frequently, so treat any figure as approximate and check the operator's own site before you travel. As a rough guide from recent listings, a standard smartcard single journey is around 35 TL, with reduced fares for students, pensioners and disabled riders, and a teacher rate in between. A first transfer with the smartcard costs a reduced amount, and up to two transfers are permitted within a 75-minute window at reduced fares. Paying by contactless bank card or NFC costs more and does not give you the transfer discount. Monthly student passes are listed at around 450 TL.
Note the distinction between the Başkent Kart and the Ankarakart: the latter is a discount card for Turkish students, teachers and elderly Ankara residents, and is generally not available to tourists. Reduced-fare holders may be asked to carry supporting documents. Fare evasion carries serious fines.
From the airport
Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB) sits about 28–30 km north of the city centre, and there is currently no metro link to it, although an airport metro line has been announced with construction planned to start in 2026. For now, your options are:
- EGO bus route 442 – runs from the airport arrivals level to Kızılay, taking roughly 45–60 minutes. It is the cheapest option, and it also serves AŞTİ. Watch for the stop at the very far end of the drop-off lane on the arrivals level.
- Express shuttle coaches – private operators run express services from Kızılay, and some also from the AŞTİ bus terminal. They take around 45 minutes and cost more than the public bus but less than a taxi. Note that the Belko Air service mentioned in some older guides no longer operates.
- Taxi – a taxi from the city centre is the most expensive option, listed at roughly 400–600 TL in 2026, and the drive takes about 25 minutes in good traffic.
Because the airport road is often congested, allow generous time for the journey in either direction.
Etiquette & customs
- Queuing – Turks generally queue in a loose, informal way rather than a strict single file. Let passengers off before you board, and don't be surprised if people crowd toward the doors at busy stations.
- Escalators – stand on the right and walk on the left, as is standard across most of Europe.
- Priority seating – seats near the doors are reserved for the elderly, pregnant passengers and those with reduced mobility. Give them up without being asked.
- Quiet and cleanliness – quiet behaviour is expected, and you should keep the trains and stations clean. Smoking and alcohol are prohibited throughout the system.
- Eating and drinking – eating and drinking are not permitted on the metro, and flammable or dangerous materials are banned.
- Rush hour – peak periods are crowded, especially around Kızılay. Keep your bag in front of you, let people exit first, and avoid blocking doors or aisles.
- Luggage and bikes – luggage must not block doors, aisles or seats, and there is a maximum weight limit of 30 kg. Pets are allowed only in closed carriers, and bicycles and scooters are time-restricted, generally not permitted during certain peak periods. Prams are allowed.
- Safety – stay behind the yellow safety line on platforms, follow staff instructions, and be aware that security staff may check tickets and ID.
Official links
Survival terms
- Metro / subway – metro (MET-roh)
- Ticket – bilet (bee-LET)
- Line – hat (haht)
- Entrance – giriş (gee-REESH)
- Exit – çıkış (chuh-KUHSH)
- Transfer – aktarma (ahk-tar-MAH)
- Single fare – tek bilet (tek bee-LET)
- Day pass – günlük bilet (gün-LÜK bee-LET)
Load a Başkent Kart at a station machine on your first day and keep a small buffer of credit on it, so you never have to hunt for a top-up machine when you are in a hurry.