Getting Around Mardin
Mardin is really two cities in one: the historic old town, Eski Mardin, which clings to the slope of a long hill, and the newer district of Yenişehir on lower ground to the west. Understanding that split is the key to moving around, because most of your sightseeing happens on foot in the old town while the newer areas are where you'll find wider roads and modern amenities.
Walking the Old Town
Eski Mardin stretches along its main spine, First Street (1st Cd), and is compact enough to explore entirely on foot. This is by far the best way to experience the Artuqid architecture and the atmosphere of the historic streets.
- No vehicles venture up the twisty, staired side alleys that branch off the main street — the lanes are so narrow and steep that even garbage is collected with the help of donkeys.
- Wear sturdy shoes: the side streets involve steps and uneven surfaces.
- Plan around the heat. Mardin has very hot, dry summers, and the climb between the old and new cities is steep and tedious in summer conditions.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Mardin has no metro, tram or urban rail network, so you won't be buying any city transit passes for rail. The nearest railway station is at Diyarbakır, roughly 95 km to the northwest, which is served by an overnight train from Ankara that continues on to Batman and Kurtalan. If you want to arrive or depart by train, Diyarbakır is your access point, not Mardin itself.
Buses and Dolmuşes
Public transport in Mardin is built around dolmuşes (shared minibuses) and small municipal buses. These are the workhorses connecting the old town with the newer districts and the intercity terminal.
- Between Yenişehir and Eski Mardin: dolmuşes M6, M7A and M8 run this route. It's a steep journey — on foot it might take around 40 minutes, which is ratty and tedious in the summer heat, so the dolmuş is the sensible choice.
- Municipal buses: small yellow buses ply frequently between the State Hospital (Şehir Hastanesi) and the old town. You can pay for these with a contactless card or in cash.
- To the bus terminal: the Mardin bus terminal sits at the junction of Highway D-380 and D-955, northeast of the old town. Dolmuş M12 takes you from the terminal to the old town. Note that the former bus station at the old town's east edge has closed, so don't head there expecting to catch a coach.
For longer journeys, direct buses run from Istanbul (a long haul via Ankara, Kayseri, Gaziantep and Urfa), from Diyarbakır (about 90 minutes) and from Urfa (about 4 hours). Operators include Metro Turizm, Van Golu and Kamil Koc, which is now part of Flixbus.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are your flexible option, and in some cases the only option. There is no public transport to Deyrulzafarân Monastery, about 8 km east of town — the practical approach is to negotiate with a taxi driver to take you there, wait an hour while you visit, and bring you back. Agree the price and the waiting arrangement up front.
Taxis are also useful for reaching Kızıltepe, the large town near the airport, if you're arriving or departing from that side. The source material doesn't cover ride-hailing apps in Mardin, so plan on traditional taxis and dolmuşes rather than assuming an app-based service is available.
Getting from Mardin Airport into the City
Mardin Prof Dr Aziz Sancar Airport (MQM) — named for the local Nobel laureate in Chemistry — has daily flights from Istanbul (both IST and SAW), Ankara and Izmir. It has the usual facilities, including car hire, and there's a cluster of hotels and a shopping centre next to the terminal.
- By Havaş bus: the Havaş bus runs to town several times a day and is timed to connect with flights. This is the simplest option for most visitors heading into the city.
- By taxi or dolmuş via Kızıltepe: the airport is close to the large town of Kızıltepe, which you can reach by taxi or dolmuş if that's where you're headed or if you're connecting onward.
- By car: if you're driving, the airport sits on the D-950 route; coming from Kızıltepe you branch north on D-950 past the airport into Yenişehir, the new part of the city.
Flying into Diyarbakır Instead
Diyarbakır Airport (DIY), about 95 km northwest, is an alternative gateway. It's also the closest railway station to Mardin, so it's worth considering if you want to combine a flight with the overnight train from Ankara. From Diyarbakır, follow the D-950 southeast by road, or take a bus, which covers the distance in about 90 minutes.
Practical Summary
- Old town: walk everywhere; expect stairs and narrow lanes.
- Old town to new city: dolmuşes M6, M7A, M8, or the small yellow municipal buses (contactless card or cash).
- To the bus terminal: dolmuş M12.
- No metro, tram or city rail: the nearest train station is Diyarbakır.
- Airport to city: Havaş bus timed with flights, or taxi.
- Monastery trips: negotiate a taxi to wait and return — there's no public transport.