Istanbul metro from IST to downtown

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I recently had an afternoon to kill in an Istanbul transit, staying at the airport (IST) at the landside Yotel. Thought I would try the metro.

SUMMARY:
*My experience both ways, one off-peak, the other peak is that it will take about 90 mins station to station, not the 60 mins you might be told
* The Istanbul Metro app is hopeless
*Avoid if you have a checked bag as well as a carry-on
* Probably avoid in any case - its a real hassle, involving 4 separate metro lines, some with ridiculous on-foot connections and poor signage.


My first journey was from IST to Sirkeci, in Eminonu. The way to the station is in front of exit door 11.

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Then there is a long walk, assisted by some travellators to the station proper. This is about half-way.

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I had the Istanbul metro app, a bit clunky, but the route seemed straightforward enough. it told me my journey would be 50 minutes (ha!)

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The IST station is (unnecessarily) vast and about 10 mins walk from the terminal building. A hall with tickets is on one level. I bought a day pass, I think for 320 TL. Used a machine, with English. No people in booths. But when I attempted to go through the barrier, it kept rejecting. Lady there called out "Activate!". Que? Eventually I went back to the machine, and sure enough, there was an activation panel. Then its down another level to the trains. By this time I had walked 800m from the hotel in the terminal.

Train came soon, and I got out at the end of the line, Kagithane - all underground so far, and no mobile reception, or wi-fi. No signs where to go next, but just followed the crowd up the escalators to the surface. Still no signs, so I followed the crowd with suitcases again and then saw what was an elevated station. We are headed over there. No signs pointing to it.


IMG_5642.JPGThis would be


Still no signs, just three road crossings. At night, without a crowd to follow, you'd have little chance.

This is what the app shows re the next bit. Kagithane to Sisli on the pink line, right?

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No! Its Kagithan to Mecidiyekoy, as this metro map shows.
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Arriving at the station, very confusing where to go - no staff, except a barrier guard who just pointed up some escalators. I eventually reconciled where i had to go and got the next train. At the next station, again all the way out of the station, then through the entry barriers to the next line, then all the way down again. If you had bags, this would be really tedious - it happens every time you change a line. There might be three separate escalators up, then three down.

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T
 
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By the second half of the journey, I was getting the hang of things. No more surface transits, but still escalators up, exit line, enter new line through barriers, escalators down. Exit barriers, then entry barriers. Keep eagle eye out for the few signs pointing to the next line.

I was heading into Sirkeci. I could have gotten off at Taksim, then caught the funicular down to Kabatas, and then the tram the rest of the way, but the App didn't show the funicular and I was worried it may not be included in my day pass; besides, I wanted to experience the full glory of the Metro, so carried on, which meant doubling back a fair way from Yenkipi. Total journey time about 1hr 20 mins; add 10 mins to get from the terminal building.

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The return journey was identical and even though I got some snappy connections, and knew where to go within stations, it still took me abt 1hr 20 mins station to terminal. Here's that surface transit again, looking back the other way (ie towards direction of travel towards the airport). I looked and saw NO signs directing you to the next station (the brick square in the centre). No staff.

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I'd love to know the reason why they ended the new airport underground line so far away from the connecting station.

I did have mobile reception for most of the return journey, except the last line ending at the airport.

Overall, I'd never contemplate doing this again, and especially not with luggage; if you had plenty of time and were very budget conscious, it might be worthwhile. Taxis to and from the airport are good, and fixed price and I think if there were 2 of you, you'd still get a taxi.
 
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Overall, I'd never contemplate doing this again, and especially not with luggage; if you had plenty of time and were very budget conscious, it might be worthwhile. Taxis to and from the airport are good, and fixed price and I think if there were 2 of you, you'd still get a taxi.
I'd certainly use the Metro from/to the airport again, as it's inexpensive and quite comfortable if you can get a seat. And now I know my way around it, it's much more predictable than taking buses, which inevitably get caught up in the heavy traffic. It may sometimes take a bit longer, but it will get you there.

I agree that the Metro (which is often very busy) really isn't suitable if you've got anything more than an average size carry-on. I only ever take a wheelie backpack on my travels, which I can wear if the terrain isn't that great (often the case in Istanbul).
 
I agree with Rooflyer that signage in Istanbul including for the public transport system is quite confusing. Metro lines were developed independently and were not well integrated. This means one would have to exit a station then enter the next one when transferring.

Apart from the two issues above, I enjoy using the public transport system in Istanbul and would rate it much higher than Sydney or Melbourne. All modes of public transport are very frequent, clean, very cheap, efficient, and with English announcement and English caption.

I had an oversize suite case and my wife took care of a carry one. We were moving between IST airport and the city a few times (we used Istanbul as the hub for our recent Europe trip), mostly by the metro. transferring from M11 to M2 took a good 15 min and was confusing at the beginning. however, it was assisted by escalator/lift and smooth surface for pushing the luggage on wheel, thus, there was no problem at all. we even took the metro to go far away from the city centre to see how the local people live. They are lovely and very friendly. I asked two people about Gallipoli, none of them has any clue what is all about!

The we left Istanbul to fly back to Australia, i saw police everywhere in the city. Water canon and anti-riot gear were stationed at every corner of the city. Sishane and Taksim stations were both closed. we had to take Uber to metro station to continue to the airport. The traffic was terrible as one would expect in a city of 20 million people on a rather unusual day. Uber fare was quite cheap compared to what we would pay in Australia.

Istanbul public transport has some minor issues but overall, it is efficient and enjoyable to use.
 
Planning to go to IST next year. WIll see if there is a shuttle otherwise will cough up the taxi cost. 4 changes just to get downtown is not for me.
 
Apart from the two issues above, I enjoy using the public transport system in Istanbul and would rate it much higher than Sydney or Melbourne. All modes of public transport are very frequent, clean, very cheap, efficient, and with English announcement and English caption.

100%. The Kabatas tram line is fantastic for getting to most of the prime sights; the metro also v good. Also taxis (airport fixed price IIRC) - didn't use Uber last time, can't remember why.

But I still have to say, re the new Airport line - what were they thinking!
 
Do you remember how much the fixed price taxi was? (Uber is quoting $40 - $50.)
In March last year, an Uber from our hotel in Sultanahmet to IST airport cost TRY600

Edit, wow, it is now TRY 900-1200 either way!!...but the TRY has also devalued alot since! PS: if you do catch an Uber from IST, the meeting point is the departure drop off area....it took us ages to figure it out!
 
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the public transport system in Istanbul and would rate it much higher than Sydney
Having re-read this post, I have to conclude that you probably don't live in Sydney.

IMO, the Istanbul metro, while being fine for Istanbul, doesn't compare well with Sydney's trains at all. But, YMMV.

I don't live in Sydney either, but the difference between the trains in Istanbul and Sydney is quite stark (notwithstanding the new Sydney Metro).
 
In Istanbul, when you use Uber, you will actually get a yellow cab with fixed price. They tend to convert everything to Euro there. IST airport to the city would be about 45 Euro by Uber. i have not tried taxi paying by the distance.
 
But, YMMV.
I agree. I live in Sydney, but has never gone to the airport by train. $17.34 station access fee to get to Sydney airport has to be the world first and the only.

My comparison is not about the train fare, but rather frequency, reliability, network coverage, security and cleanliness. traveling to other places, I am always happy that i am able to call Sydney home. I love my city but i still have to call out the public transport system.

There is capacity issue within the city loop. Rolling stock is out of date. Bus to replace train every few weekends to catch up with maintenance. Rush hour delay consistently occurs very fortnight or so. You just need a minor incident within the city circle for the entire network to be affected. Wet weather = high chance of signal problem thus train delay. I should stop whinging as the discussion is a distraction to this thread.
 
Istanbul has to be the worst city for airport transfers in my expereince.
1) I have reported uber driver to uber for doing dodgy off app deal in the car with the app running?! and then handing me his phone with his brother trying to sell me tours!!
2) Tried using uber for taxi pickup and end up in shouting match with driver over speed and reckless driving on freeway. worse taxi experience of my life. reported.
3) Hailed taxi from street for airport, again, reckless (but NOTHING like above).
3) Confusing transport area outside new airport with the different types/cost taxi companies
5) Havaist airport bus from taskim was ok. but left late and takes awhile. (doing speed limit at least!)
4) And finally used the new airport metro. Yes, cheapest. yes exactly on time. But yes inconvient with train changes and up and down stairs etc etc.
Many missed opportunities/room for improvements there....
 
Istanbul has to be the worst city for airport transfers in my expereince.
1) I have reported uber driver to uber for doing dodgy off app deal in the car with the app running?! and then handing me his phone with his brother trying to sell me tours!!
2) Tried using uber for taxi pickup and end up in shouting match with driver over speed and reckless driving on freeway. worse taxi experience of my life. reported.
3) Hailed taxi from street for airport, again, reckless (but NOTHING like above).
3) Confusing transport area outside new airport with the different types/cost taxi companies
5) Havaist airport bus from taskim was ok. but left late and takes awhile. (doing speed limit at least!)
4) And finally used the new airport metro. Yes, cheapest. yes exactly on time. But yes inconvient with train changes and up and down stairs etc etc.
Many missed opportunities/room for improvements there....
Oh dear, does not inspire me for my visit. One question - you said stairs for the metro. Are there lifts as if there is not would not like to carry a large suitcase up 20 stairs? TIA
 
Oh dear, does not inspire me for my visit. One question - you said stairs for the metro. Are there lifts as if there is not would not like to carry a large suitcase up 20 stairs? TIA

I don't recall any stairs on the metro (all escalators and certainly elevators at the IST airport station) - see my extended journey description in the first couple of posts in this thread. But I also said that doing the metro with checked bags + carry-on would not be good (too many escalators and ticket barriers).

I wouldn't hesitate to take a taxi - I don't doubt ozmouse's experience but I've had many very straightforward, good experiences in Istanbul with taxis. Haven't done Uber.
 
i did not want to paint disasterous picture, as many city of the world do not make it easy for arriving tourists. Just a shame with new airport I hoped for new transport options.

i had poor cab IST experiences so always looking for alternatives. Now take relaible car service and pay premium.

There are definately lifts in the new stations. once you get to the city metros stations im not sure.
Large suitcases on packed metro trains (dpending on time of day) also not the easiest.

link below describe journey well with many details. your exhausted just readying it knowing what your feel like after 12 hours night flight...

bus might be best option with large case, depending on location of your hotel to bus drop off.

 

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