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Information last updated: September 2026
İzmir's transport network serves the gulf and a broad area stretching from Aliağa in the north to Selçuk in the south. Expansion in 2026 centres on Buca Metro, new İZBAN stations, tram vehicles, marine transport and the UAP 2040 transport master plan.
Buca Metro: the largest expansion projectBy the August 2026 update, cumulative tunnel excavation was reported at around 22 kilometres. This is excavation across tunnel bores, not 22 kilometres of completed passenger route. Excavation on the original 13.5-kilometre Çamlıkule–Üçyol section had been completed, while work towards Fuar İzmir in Gaziemir had begun.
With the extension, the planned line comprises 17.8 kilometres and 14 stations, designed for more than 400,000 passengers a day. Connections are planned with the existing metro at Üçyol and İZBAN at Şirinyer. The proposed fleet comprises 108 cars in 18 automated trains. The announced opening target is 2028; the line is under construction and cannot yet be used for journeys.
İZBAN: new stations on the suburban railwayİZBAN, jointly supported by TCDD and the municipality, operates a 136-kilometre network with 41 stations. Two further stations are under construction:
- Gürçeşme: between Şirinyer and Kemer, serving Gürçeşme, Lale and nearby Küçükada.
- Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi: between Egekent and Ulukent, serving Balatçık, the university and neighbouring areas.
Trams: three lines and a growing fleetThe Konak, Karşıyaka and Çiğli lines total approximately 33.6 kilometres following Çiğli's opening in 2024. Reported ridership exceeded 15 million journeys in the first half of 2026. August figures put daily journeys above 58,000 on Konak, around 23,000 on Karşıyaka and above 6,000 on Çiğli.
An order for 22 additional tram vehicles is intended to expand the fleet to 60 and improve frequencies. The order should not be read as confirmation that all vehicles have entered service.
Ferries: crossing the gulfİZDENİZ links piers including Konak, Karşıyaka, Bostanlı, Alsancak, Üçkuyular, Göztepe and Pasaport, providing an alternative to travelling around the gulf by road.
For summer 2026, weekend services from Konak and Karşıyaka towards Urla and Mordoğan were reported to have carried around 20,000 passengers by mid-August. These seasonal services were scheduled through September, subject to weather; check the current timetable before travelling.
Sea minibuses and water taxisThree small Deniz Dolmuşu boats, each accommodating 42 passengers, were brought to İzmir in 2026 to support routes where larger ferries are less suitable. The official announcement described maintenance, administrative approvals and pier adaptations before service could begin.
The Deniz Taksi project aims to offer faster, more flexible gulf journeys. Mooring and boarding arrangements have been planned at Bostanlı, Karşıyaka, Konak, Alsancak, Karantina, Göztepe and Üçkuyular. Check an official service announcement before relying on either project for a journey.
Buses and interchangeESHOT's fleet exceeds 1,700 buses, with 125 recent additions reported in the source update. Buses connect with the metro, İZBAN, trams and İZDENİZ. For everyday convenience, proximity to a useful interchange can matter more than distance from the city centre alone.
The 90-minute transfer systemİZBAN suburban trains rejoined the transfer system on 16 October 2026. With an İzmirim Kart, transferring to İZBAN within 90 minutes of the first boarding is free for a distance of up to 20 km. Allow for this limit when calculating costs; do not extend this free-transfer rule to longer distances or the opposite transfer direction without checking the tariff.
Republic Day fares on 29 October 2026
İzmir Metropolitan Municipal Council approved a fare of one kuruş on ESHOT, İZTAŞIT, İZULAŞ, METRO AŞ and İZDENİZ AŞ services. According to the statement published on 16 October, these services will be free if the necessary presidential decree is issued. This is separate from the 90-minute transfer rule; the statement does not establish that İZBAN is automatically included in the holiday fare or free travel.
Check the current İzmirim Kart information and tariff before travelling, especially for journeys beyond 20 km and for exceptions.
UAP 2040: planning the next phaseWork on İzmir Ulaşım Ana Planı 2040 began in August 2025 and covers 20 districts. Its scope includes:
- Rail extensions and integration of sea, road and rail transport.
- Interchanges and bus services.
- Parking and park-and-ride facilities.
- Walking and cycling networks.
- Electric and low-emission transport.
- Smart traffic management.
Karabağlar–Gaziemir MetroThe proposed 32.5-kilometre, 24-station line would extend from Menderes towards Halkapınar and connect with the wider network. Planning, approvals, financing and construction are separate stages, so this proposal must be distinguished from the Buca line already being built.
Overviewİzmir combines suburban rail, metro, trams, buses and ferries. Its projects could strengthen connections between districts, universities, employment areas and the gulf. Residents and visitors should plan around operating services and check official updates before relying on a proposed station, route or opening date.
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