Istanbul Metro Map and Transfer Guide

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Istanbul Metro Map and Transfer Guide
Understanding the lines and directions, with route examples, fares and return journeys​

Istanbul's transport map is easier to understand when you break it down into a journey: your starting station, the line to take, the direction to travel and, if needed, where to change. You do not need to memorise dozens of lines, but knowing the difference between the metro, tram and Marmaray, and understanding the names of the line termini, can save you a great deal of unnecessary walking and detours.

This guide explains how to read the network step by step, with routes between areas where visitors stay and places they visit, advice on estimating journey time and cost, and points to consider when travelling with children or luggage, or returning late. Keep the Turkish station names to hand: these are the names you will see on signs and screens.

M7 service update — checked on 13 October 2026: The line temporarily operates in sections during Mecidiyeköy repairs, and bus connections may be needed. The operator announces suspended M7 night trains, with replacement İETT buses until the work finishes. Check the service status before travelling, particularly for the connection to M2; the notice does not mean the entire line is closed.

A metro train at an Istanbul station. Check the line code and the train's direction before boarding.​

Start with the right map and its key​

When you open the network map published by Metro Istanbul, zoom in to read the station names and check its publication date. The network is expanding, and the names of some line termini may change.

A line shown on the map is not necessarily in service: The map key distinguishes Mevcut Hatlar, meaning existing lines in operation, from Yapımı Devam Eden Hatlar, meaning lines under construction. Do not plan your journey around a future project or extension simply because it connects two areas on the map. Nor does the distance between two stations on paper show the actual walking distance: the map is a schematic designed to explain how the lines connect.

What do the letters and numbers mean?​

The number identifies the line, while the letter identifies the type of transport. Read the full code: seeing an M at two stations does not mean they are on the same line.

Code	Type of transport	How to use it
M, such as M2 and M4	Metro	Choose the line, then check the terminus shown for your direction of travel. Each line has its own stations and interchanges; not every metro line crosses to the other continent.
T, such as T1 and T5	Tram	Useful for visiting areas served by trams at street level. The historic T2 tram differs from the main T1 line in both its route and the nature of its service.
F, such as F1 and F4	Funicular	Usually connects two points at different heights. F1 links Taksim with Kabataş, and F4 links Hisarüstü with Aşiyan.
TF, such as TF2	Cable car	A service on a specific route, such as the Eyüp–Pierre Loti cable car. Do not treat it as a long metro route across the city.
B1 / Marmaray	Marmaray suburban railway	Links Halkalı with Gebze and crosses beneath the Bosphorus. It appears as Marmaray and with the code B1 in the current version of the map.
B2	Another suburban railway line	Identifies the Halkalı–Bahçeşehir line; it is not another name for Marmaray. If you see the code BN on another map, check that map's key rather than assuming the codes are equivalent.
Metrobüs	Bus rapid transit on a dedicated route	Shown as part of the network for interchange purposes, but it is not a train. Check the name of the connecting stop and how far you need to walk to reach it.

The map brings together services run by more than one operator. Metro Istanbul operates many metro and tram lines, but Marmaray and M11 appear among the rail services operated by TCDD, while Metrobüs is operated by İETT. Do not assume that one service's timetable or fare applies to every mode of transport shown.

Establish your start and end points before looking for a line​

1. Pinpoint your actual location: An area name such as Şişli covers a large district. Look for the station entrance nearest your hotel rather than relying on the district name alone.
2. Pinpoint the place you are visiting: Find the attraction's entrance or the restaurant's address, then choose a suitable nearby station. A different station may be more convenient for the return journey.
3. Look for a direct connection: If both stations are on the same line, you will not need to change, even if its route looks curved on the map.
4. If the stations are on different lines: Look for a clear interchange, then work out where to leave the first line and which direction to take on the second.
5. Allow for walking and waiting: Time on the train alone does not include getting down to the platform, walking through an interchange or leaving the station.
6. Save a short journey plan: Write down the line code, direction, station where you get off and any change. These details are more useful than saving a large map that is difficult to read while on the move.

Useful lines for visitors and the areas they serve​

This is a practical selection from the network, rather than a list of every line in the city. Where you stay and what you plan to do will determine which ones you use.

Line	Useful stations and places	Journey notes
M2	Yenikapı, Vezneciler, Haliç, Şişhane, Taksim, Osmanbey, Şişli–Mecidiyeköy, Levent	Useful when staying in Taksim and Şişli, and for reaching other interchanges.
T1	Sultanahmet, Gülhane, Sirkeci, Eminönü, Karaköy, Tophane, Kabataş	Links several stops serving visitor attractions in one journey, with a change to F1 at Kabataş.
M4	Kadıköy, Ayrılık Çeşmesi, Kozyatağı, Sabiha Gökçen Airport	Change to Marmaray at Ayrılık Çeşmesi, rather than at Kadıköy station itself.
M5	Üsküdar, Altunizade, Ümraniye, Dudullu, Sultanbeyli	Useful for travel on the Asian side, with connections to Marmaray at Üsküdar and M8 at Dudullu.
T5	Eminönü, Fener, Balat, Eyüp, Alibeyköy	Useful for visiting areas along the Golden Horn, with a connection to the TF2 cable car near Eyüp.
M7	Yıldız, Mecidiyeköy, Kağıthane, Alibeyköy, Mahmutbey	Useful if you are staying along its route; reaching the waterfront may require another form of transport. Check the temporary service update above before using M7.
M6, then F4	Levent, Boğaziçi/Hisarüstü, Aşiyan	A connection to the Bosphorus waterfront. Check the operating hours of each leg before your return.
M1A and M1B	Yenikapı, Otogar; the two lines branch after the shared section	Check the A or B on the train. Atatürk station does not serve Istanbul Airport, İstanbul Havalimanı.
M11	Gayrettepe and Istanbul Airport	Connects with M2 at Gayrettepe. Check the airport line's timetable and allow for the interchange passage; do not assume it works in the same way as other lines.
Marmaray	Yenikapı, Sirkeci, Üsküdar, Ayrılık Çeşmesi, Bostancı	Useful for crossing between the two continents. Make sure the service shown on the display stops at your destination station.

How do you choose the right platform and direction?​

Direction signs usually show the name of the line's terminus, rather than the place you want to visit. Look for your destination station in the list of stops served by that platform; it does not have to be the final destination shown on the screen.

For example, from Şişli–Mecidiyeköy to Taksim on M2, take the train towards Yenikapı. From Taksim to Osmanbey, take the train towards Hacıosman. On T1, travelling from Sultanahmet to Eminönü, take the tram towards Kabataş; for the return, travel towards Bağcılar.

Watch for branches: On M1, do not rely on the shared colour: check whether the train is M1A or M1B. To reach Seyrantepe on the M2 network, change at Sanayi Mahallesi for the branch service. Not every northbound train goes to Seyrantepe.

Interchanges worth knowing​

An interchange symbol means that a connection is possible; it does not mean the next platform is directly across from where you get off. Follow signs for Aktarma to change and Çıkış to exit, and look out for any additional fare gates.

Interchange	Available connections	What to watch for
Taksim	M2 and F1	Follow the F1 signs to Kabataş rather than leaving for the square if you are heading to the waterfront.
Kabataş	F1, T1 and the ferry pier	Changing involves moving between different levels and stops. After getting off, follow the signs for the transport you need.
Yenikapı	M2, M1A, M1B and Marmaray	Identify the line code before entering the passage. Allow time to make your way through this large interchange.
Sirkeci	T1, Marmaray and T6	The tram is at street level and Marmaray is underground. Allow time to reach the platform.
Ayrılık Çeşmesi	M4 and Marmaray	Check the direction before crossing to the European side. On the usual route through the centre, travel towards Halkalı.
Üsküdar	Marmaray, M5 and the ferry piers	Choose the right exit for the waterfront, or follow M5 if you are continuing further into the Asian side.
Şişli-Mecidiyeköy	M2, M7 and a connection to Metrobüs	Do not follow the district name alone. Keep following signs for the transport code throughout the passage. For M7, check the temporary service update above.
Gayrettepe	M2 and M11	Allow extra time for changing trains and handling your luggage, and check the second line's last departure.
Eminönü	T1, T5 and the ferry piers	Changing may involve walking at street level. Check the ferry destination even if the pier is nearby.

Practical examples: reading the map and making the journey​

① From Şişli to Kabataş: Start at Şişli-Mecidiyeköy on M2 towards Yenikapı, pass Osmanbey and get off at Taksim. Follow F1 to Kabataş, then choose the waterfront exit or the tram connection. The funicular takes you between the two elevations, avoiding a walk towards the sea through unfamiliar streets.

② From Sultanahmet to Taksim: Take T1 towards Kabataş, then F1 to Taksim. The interchange is Kabataş; no T1 tram goes directly to Taksim Square. For the return, reverse the two legs and take the tram towards Bağcılar.

③ From Kadıköy to Yenikapı: Take M4 towards Sabiha Gökçen and get off at Ayrılık Çeşmesi, then follow the signs for Marmaray towards the European side. Check that Yenikapı appears among the stops on the screen. After Üsküdar, the route crosses to Sirkeci and then Yenikapı. To return, take Marmaray to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, then M4 towards Kadıköy.

④ From Şişli to Balat: Take M2 towards Yenikapı as far as Haliç, then follow the street-level connection to Küçükpazar station on T5. Take the tram towards Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı and get off at Balat. This illustrates an interchange where the two stations have different names: Haliç on the metro and Küçükpazar on the tram.

⑤ From Eminönü to Eyüp and Pierre Loti: Take T5 towards Alibeyköy as far as Eyüpsultan Teleferik, then follow the signs to TF2 if you want to take the cable car uphill. The cable car is a separate service with its own operating hours. Do not assume it remains open because the tram is still running.

⑥ From Levent to Aşiyan: Take M6 towards Boğaziçi Üniversitesi/Hisarüstü, then F4 to Aşiyan. Keep the name Hisarüstü to hand for your return. The line connecting to the waterfront is not M2 itself, and you need to change again at Levent if you are continuing to Taksim.

These examples explain the network; they do not guarantee the best route from every hotel. If reaching the starting station involves a long walk, or the interchange is crowded, an alternative with fewer changes may be more comfortable. Compare the whole journey, from the door of your accommodation to the entrance of the place you are visiting.

A tram on the streets of Istanbul. You still need to check the line number and destination shown, even when you recognise the letter T.​

Cards and payment: count the number of rides​

You can use İstanbulkart on Metro Istanbul lines, and Biletmatik machines are available for buying the card and adding credit. The card's purchase price is separate from the balance you use for journeys. Check the machine's screen before paying, and keep enough credit for your return.

The fare information checked on 7 October 2026 listed the full fare for a standard card as TRY 46.20. A journey using two services at that fare would therefore cost 46.20 × 2 = TRY 92.40 per person, before any transfer discount for which you are eligible and excluding the cost of buying the card. This is not a single fare for every service on the network: Marmaray, the airport line and other services may have different arrangements.

Do not assume a change is free or discounted: Eligibility depends on the card type and its conditions. Do not count on a Marmaray fare refund or a transfer discount with a tourist or anonymous card before checking. Watch the amount charged and the remaining balance at the gate, and allow for one extra ride in case you take the wrong route.

Operating hours and the return journey: check the last leg​

The operating information pages for M2, M4 and T1 usually show 06:00–00:00. Check F1's first departure if you are setting out in the morning. Where operating hours are listed as ending at midnight, do not assume you can enter any station at midnight and still make every connection. On the day of travel, check the last departure, the direction and the station where you will board.

The usual Friday-to-Saturday and Saturday-to-Sunday night-service scheme covers seven lines: M1A, M1B, M2, M4, M5, M6 and M7, excluding the Sanayi Mahallesi–Seyrantepe branch. For the temporary M7 exception, see the service update above. The official service information states that double fares apply from 00:30 to 05:30.

T1 and F1 are not part of the usual continuous night service. Special extensions may be announced, but M2 staying open does not guarantee that you can complete a journey requiring F1 and then T1. Plan your return around the service that closes earliest, and keep a clear alternative in mind if you are delayed. Check announcements when there is an event, a station closure or a temporary change.

Lifts, families and luggage​

The Metro Istanbul network has accessibility facilities, including lifts and ramps, but look for Asansör from street level. The nearest staircase is not necessarily the right entrance for a pushchair or a heavy suitcase. Check for any reported faults at the time of your journey, and ask station staff for a step-free route if you need one.

T1 uses low-floor trams, but do not assume that the historic T2 and T3 trams are equally suitable for wheelchair users. Consider the whole route, including pavements and outdoor walking sections, rather than relying solely on a lift symbol at the starting station.

When travelling as a family, agree on the station where you will get off before boarding, leave room for passengers to alight, and stay close together instead of using doors far apart when it is busy. If you have luggage, one change through a clear passage may be more comfortable than a route that looks shorter but requires several rides.

How do you estimate the time and choose the more comfortable route?​

Break the journey into stages: walking to the entrance, getting down to the platform, waiting, time on the train, the interchange passage and the final walk to your destination. Add a larger buffer for an appointment or an airport journey. Do not convert the number of stops into minutes using a fixed formula: distances and waiting times vary.

Walking between two nearby stations may be a good option if the route is level and the weather is pleasant, but slopes, luggage and a pushchair may change your decision. Check a street map for the walking distance, and use a transport planner to identify the lines. On a first visit, a straightforward route is often easier than saving a few minutes with complicated changes.

Common mistakes and quick questions​

• Do two coloured lines crossing indicate an interchange? Look for the interchange symbol and the station name. Lines crossing on the map do not, by themselves, prove that the platforms are connected.
• Do I leave through the gates every time I change? Follow the signs at the station. Some connections are inside the station complex; others require a walk at street level and another gate.
• Is Sirkeci a single station on one level? More than one type of transport serves the area, so identify T1, Marmaray or T6 before following an exit.
• What if I board in the wrong direction? Get off at a safe station, read the signs for the opposite direction and ask staff how to change platforms. Do not assume you can reach the other platform without exiting.
• Does the night metro service guarantee my return journey? Check every connection and the walk to your hotel. One open line does not mean the whole route is available.
• What should I save on my phone? The Turkish station name, line code, direction, any change, your accommodation's address and a clear image of your return plan.

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