Istanbul's metro is the fastest way to get from Istanbul Airport (IST) to the city center and cross between Europe and Asia. Whether you're landing at Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) or heading to Sultanahmet or Taksim, this guide covers everything you need — lines, fares, transfers, and the underwater Marmaray crossing.

Quick Facts

• Operating Hours: 6:00 AM – midnight, every day. Non-stop from Friday 6:00 AM to Sunday midnight.
• Fare: Single ride ₺42
• Frequency: Every 2–5 minutes at peak hours, 5–10 minutes off-peak
• Payment: Istanbulkart (available at all stations and convenience stores). Some stations accept contactless credit cards, but coverage is still partial.
• Languages: Announcements in Turkish and English
• WiFi: Available at most stations

Look for both the "M" and "U" symbols at station entrances — they both lead to the metro network. The Municipality uses "M" while the Ministry of Transport uses "U" (for Ulaşım) on newer lines like the M11.

All metro lines start with the letter "M". You can recognize the lines with the designated colors and codes.

This symbol will help you easily locate the entrances to the metro system:

Getting from the Airports by Metro

The metro connects directly to both of Istanbul's airports — making it the cheapest and most reliable way to reach the city center. The fare is the same as any standard metro ride: ₺42.

From Istanbul Airport (IST) to City Center

The M11 runs from Istanbul Airport into the city. The metro station is opposite Exit 11, about a 300-meter walk from the terminal.

To Taksim (~50 minutes)

1. Take M11 toward the city
2. Transfer at Gayrettepe to M2
3. Ride to Taksim

To Sultanahmet (~65–70 minutes)

1. Take M11 toward the city
2. Transfer at Gayrettepe to M2 (toward Yenikapı)
3. Exit at Vezneciler
4. Walk 4 minutes to the Laleli–İstanbul Üniversitesi stop on the T1 tram
5. Take the tram 3 stops to Sultanahmet

At the airport station you'll find Istanbulkart vending machines and top-up points right before the turnstiles.

If you don't have an Istanbulkart yet, you can buy one at the vending machines in the metro station. Alternatively, some turnstiles accept contactless credit cards — but not all of them, so having an Istanbulkart is more reliable.

For other options including Havaist buses and taxis, see our full Istanbul Airport to City Center guide.

From Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to City Center

The M4 connects Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Kadıköy and the Marmaray line.

To Sultanahmet (~1–2 hours)

1. Take M4 from Sabiha Gökçen Airport toward Kadıköy
2. Transfer at Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Marmaray
3. Ride to Sirkeci
4. Transfer to T1 tram toward Sultanahmet (1 stop)

Realistic travel time is 1.5–2 hours, depending on wait times and connections.

For other options including Havabus shuttles and taxis, see our full Sabiha Gökçen to City Center guide.

Metro Lines at a Glance

M2 — The Main Tourist Line

Yenikapı ↔ Hacıosman | The most useful line for visitors.

• Yenikapı — Major hub connecting to M1A, M1B, and Marmaray
• Haliç — Golden Horn bridge views
• Şişhane — Galata Tower and Karaköy
• Taksim — Taksim Square, Istiklal Avenue. Transfer to F1 funicular down to Kabataş
• Osmanbey — Nişantaşı shopping district
• Levent — Business district, transfer to M6

M11 — Istanbul Airport Line

Istanbul Airport ↔ Gayrettepe | Your connection from IST to the city.

• Istanbul Airport — Main international airport
• Gayrettepe — Transfer to M2 for Taksim, Sultanahmet, and beyond
• Kağıthane — Minor transfer point

M4 — Asian Side & Sabiha Gökçen

Kadıköy ↔ Sabiha Gökçen Airport | Essential for the Asian side.

• Kadıköy — Vibrant market district, ferries to the European side
• Ayrılık Çeşmesi — Transfer to Marmaray to cross to Europe
• Sabiha Gökçen Airport — Istanbul's second international airport

M1A — Yenikapı to Atatürk Airport

Yenikapı ↔ Atatürk Airport | Transfer and connection line.

• Yenikapı — Hub for M2, Marmaray
• Aksaray — Walking distance to T1 tram
• Otogar — Istanbul's main intercity bus station

Note: The Atatürk Airport station is still active, but the airport itself is closed to commercial flights.

M1B — Yenikapı to Kirazlı

Yenikapı ↔ Kirazlı | Suburban line, limited tourist use.

M5 — Üsküdar Line

Üsküdar ↔ Çekmeköy | Asian side residential line.

• Üsküdar — Historic waterfront district with mosque views and ferry connections

M6 — Levent to Hisarüstü

Levent ↔ Boğaziçi Ü./Hisarüstü | Short branch line connecting to M2 at Levent.

M7 — Mecidiyeköy to Mahmutbey

Yıldız ↔ Mahmutbey | Primarily for locals.

• Mecidiyeköy — Transfer hub connecting to M2 and Metrobus

M3, M8, M9 — Suburban Lines

These lines serve suburban areas on the European side and have limited tourist relevance.

The metro alone does not reach Sultanahmet directly. You'll always need to combine it with the T1 tram or Marmaray. The key transfer stations are Yenikapı (M1A/M1B/M2/Marmaray), Gayrettepe (M2/M11), and Ayrılık Çeşmesi (M4/Marmaray).

Marmaray — Crossing Under the Bosphorus

The Marmaray (officially the B1 commuter rail) runs under the Bosphorus Strait, connecting the European and Asian sides. While technically not a metro line, it's part of the same Istanbulkart system and essential for cross-continent travel.

Key stations for tourists:

• Sirkeci — European side, steps from Sultanahmet (transfer to T1)
• Üsküdar — Asian side waterfront
• Ayrılık Çeşmesi — Transfer to M4 for Kadıköy and Sabiha Gökçen Airport
• Yenikapı — Transfer to M1A, M1B, M2

Marmaray Fare System — Important!

Unlike the standard metro, Marmaray uses a distance-based fare system. When you tap your Istanbulkart at entry, the maximum fare is deducted upfront (up to ₺75). When you tap out at your destination, the difference is refunded based on the number of stations traveled.

Always tap your Istanbulkart when exiting a Marmaray station. If you forget to tap out, the full maximum fare (₺75) will be deducted from your card — even if you only traveled a few stops. This is the #1 fare surprise for tourists in Istanbul.

Istanbul Metro Map 2026

Timetables

You can find the live timetables of all lines from Istanbul Metro's official app.

Offline Metro Maps and Downloads

Having an offline map downloaded is a lifesaver — many deep underground stations have no mobile signal, and you won't be able to load Google Maps when you need it most.

Night Metro

7 metro lines run continuously from Friday at 6:00 AM until Sunday at midnight — meaning non-stop weekend service.

• M1A Yenikapı ↔ Atatürk Airport
• M1B Yenikapı ↔ Kirazlı
• M2 Yenikapı ↔ Hacıosman (will not operate between Sanayi Mahallesi–Seyrantepe)
• M4 Kadıköy ↔ Sabiha Gökçen Airport
• M5 Üsküdar ↔ Çekmeköy
• M6 Levent ↔ Boğaziçi Ü./Hisarüstü
• M7 Yıldız ↔ Mahmutbey

Night metro fares are double — approximately ₺84 instead of the standard ₺42. This applies automatically when you tap in during night service hours. No special ticket needed, but your Istanbulkart balance will drop faster than expected.

Traveling with a Bike on the Metro

Istanbul Metro supports sustainable transportation and welcomes bicycle users:

• Folding bikes are allowed at any hour, every day
• Regular bikes are allowed on weekdays except 07:00–09:00 and 17:00–20:00 (rush hours)
• Weekends: all bike types are welcome all day

For more on cycling in Istanbul, see our bicycle guide.