Those who want to use the metro in Istanbul must get an Istanbulkart first. The fare for a one-way trip is ₺15, allowing travelers to make up to five discounted transfers within a two-hour timeframe. Additionally, a limited-use card may be obtained. Anyone may buy and use this electronic ticket, which grants access for a limited number of times. Ticketmatics and Istanbulkart representative offices located all throughout the city are where you may get one of these cards.

Foreigners who have been granted temporary or permanent residence in the country can purchase monthly passes for public transportation after registering their anonymous travel cards under their name. They may also use the Istanbulkart app on their smart phones in order to create a digital card and utilize a QR code to go through the turnstiles like other locals do.

Operation Hours for Istanbul Metro Lines

  • M1A, M1B, M3, M5, M9: 06:00–00:00
  • M2: 05:57–23:59
  • M4, M6: 06:00–23:59
  • M7: 06:05–00:36
  • M8: 06:00–23:00

Up-to-date Information

The official Metro Istanbul website has the most up-to-date pricing information.

https://www.metro.istanbul/SeferDurumlari/BiletUcretleri

The passengers may check the up-to-date timetables on the official website of Metro Istanbul, although it is not really necessary as the trains pass by frequently.

https://www.metro.istanbul/en/SeferDurumlari/SeferDetaylari

Lost and Found Departments

Items left behind at stations may be retrieved from the following locations if they are handed over to Metro Istanbul:

For items lost on the M1 and M3 lines, visit the Zeytinburnu Lost Property Office.
For items lost on the M2 and M6 lines, visit the Gayrettepe Station Lost Property Office.
For items lost on the M4 line, visit the Bostanci Station Lost Property Office.
For items lost on the M5 line, visit the Carsi Station Lost Property Office.

A digital log is kept for every item that is found. The only way for owners to get them back is to visit one of the lost property offices in person and provide proper identification. Everything left unclaimed after 15 days is sent to the IETT General Directorate Lost Property Office. In such a case, please get in touch with Beyaz Masa simply by calling 153.

Cover photo (retouched) by Igor Sporynin