Istanbul is a metropolis of more than fifteen million people, spread across Europe and Asia. The Bosphorus slices the city in two, and steep hills and narrow lanes shape many districts, especially the historic quarters on the peninsula. In this complex landscape the metro is not just handy; it is the backbone that keeps daily life flowing.
Building rail lines here is anything but easy. Crews dig beneath layers of archaeology and under one of the world’s busiest waterways. Istanbul has faced that challenge for a long time.
The Tünel funicular opened in 1875, making it the second oldest underground railway on Earth. Modern metro service began in 1989 and has grown quickly ever since. The network now stretches beyond 380 kilometres, and Metro Istanbul recently logged a record day with more than three million passenger trips.
In the pages ahead you will see how the system took shape, the milestones that marked its rise, and the newest lines that entered service in 2024 and 2025, all drawn from official, up-to-date sources so you can plan your journey with confidence.
A Short History of the Istanbul Metro
Istanbul’s story with rail travel began long before the word “metro” entered daily speech. The Tünel funicular opened on January 17 1875, linking Karaköy and Beyoğlu and earning the title of the world’s second-oldest underground railway after London. It still runs today, a living reminder that the city has looked to railways for a century and a half.
Modern rapid transit took shape in the late 1980s. The city founded a dedicated rail company in 1988, and the first stage of the M1 line started passenger service on March 11 1989 between Aksaray and Kocatepe. This line showed that an underground network could work even under the crowded streets and archaeological layers of Istanbul.
Expansion gathered pace in the new millennium. The M2 line reached the busy corridor from Taksim to Levent in 2000. The M4 crossed the Asian shore from Kadıköy to Kartal in 2012, giving the Anatolian side its first full metro. Turkey’s first driverless trains arrived on the M5 between Üsküdar and Çekmeköy in 2017, and Europe’s first driverless line for the city followed in 2020 when M7 opened between Mecidiyeköy and Mahmutbey.
Today Istanbul operates more than 380 kilometers of rail, with dozens of kilometers under construction and many new lines on the drawing board. Each opening brings the goal of a seamless, continent-spanning network one step closer.
Istanbul Metro Lines in 2025: A Quick Guide
Istanbul’s metro network keeps growing fast, so it helps to have a clear snapshot in one place. The summaries that follow list every passenger line in service as of May 2025, grouped by the side of the Bosphorus they serve. Distances, station counts, and opening dates come straight from Metro Istanbul’s official map and the latest statements from the Ministry of Transport, so you can plan your rides with confidence.
European side metro lines
M1A Yenikapı–Atatürk Airport.
The very first modern metro in Türkiye. It opened in 1989 and now runs 26.8 km through 18 stations from the old city waterfront to the former international airport.
M1B Yenikapı–Kirazlı.
Shares tracks with M1A as far as Otogar then branches north-west. The Kirazlı leg has 13 stations within the same 26.8 km system length.
M2 Yenikapı–Hacıosman (with a short spur to Seyrantepe).
Opened in 2000. It is 23.49 km long with 16 stations and carries roughly half a million riders a day along Istanbul’s central business corridor. This line will be your most used one since it is moving along Taksim to Eminonu.
M3 Bakırköy Sahil–Kayaşehir Merkez.
Began in 2013 and gained its southern coastal extension in March 2024. Today it is 26.7 km with 19 stations that reach the Olympic complex and the Çam and Sakura City Hospital.
M6 Levent–Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Hisarüstü.
A 3.3 km shuttle of four stations that feeds the university district into the backbone M2 line. It opened in 2015.
M7 Yıldız–Mahmutbey.
Turkey’s first fully driverless metro on the European side. The full 20 km route with 17 stations went into passenger service on 2 January 2023.
M9 Ataköy–Olimpiyat.
Links the Marmara coast with the Olympic Stadium area. Stage 2 opened on 18 March 2024 so the line now runs 17.2 km through 14 stations.
M11 Gayrettepe–Istanbul Airport–Arnavutköy.
High-speed airport line with a design speed of 120 km h. The first segment opened in 2023 and the final Arnavutköy terminus came on-line in March 2024. When the Halkalı branch is finished late 2025 the full line will cover 69 km and 16 stations.
Asian side Istanbul metro lines
M4 Kadıköy–Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
The first metro on the Anatolian shore. It now stretches 33.5 km across 23 stations after reaching the airport in October 2022.
M5 Üsküdar–Samandıra Merkez.
Turkey’s pioneer driverless line. The eastern leg to Samandıra opened in March 2024 so the operating length is 26.5 km with 20 stations. Work is under way to push on to Sultanbeyli by 2025.
M8 Bostancı–Parseller.
A north–south connector that started service on 6 January 2023. It is 14.3 km long and serves 13 stations through four districts.
Changing continents
There is still no metro tunnel beneath the Bosphorus. Riders switch sides on the Marmaray commuter rail, which meets nearly every metro in this list. Although Marmaray is a different train service, it is still using the same public transportation payment system so your Unlimited Public Transportation Cards will be valid for you to use Marmaray.
Lines to watch after 2025
M12 60 Yıl Parkı–Kazım Karabekir on the Asian shore. Eleven stations over 13 km, planned to open in the second half of 2025.
M14 Altunizade–Bosna Bulvarı in Üsküdar. Four stations over 4.5 km with an expected debut in 2026.
European projects include the Kabataş finish of M7 and the Halkalı leg of M11, both well into tunnelling and expected before 2027.
These descriptions use the latest figures published by Metro Istanbul, the Ministry of Transport, and official press releases dated up to May 2025, so you have a reliable snapshot of the network right now.
Istanbul Tourist Pass® Transport Perks
Istanbul is huge and the metro is only part of the story. Your Istanbul Tourist Pass® adds several transport services on top of the rail network so you can move around with less stress and for less money.
Ride everywhere like a local
Add the Unlimited Istanbul Public Transportation Card to your pass at a special price. It is delivered to your hotel and unlocks unlimited rides on the metro, trams, buses, metrobüs lines and city ferries for the number of days you pick. Pass holders pay a discounted rate instead of the public full rate, so the card pays for itself after a few journeys.
Smooth airport arrivals
A shared airport shuttle between Istanbul Airport (IST) and the city centre is included in every pass. If you prefer door-to-door comfort, private transfers are also discounted to €45 each way. Remember, this prices may change over time, so check for the latest rates in attraction page. Both options can be booked in advance through the pass app.
See the sights from an open-top seat
The Hop-On Hop-Off Panoramic Bus loops between twelve landmark stops on both continents. Pass holders save money on the 24-hour ticket, a handy choice on your first day when you want a quick overview without figuring out routes. Audio commentary is available in several languages.
Sail the Bosphorus and beyond
Several boat trips come free with the pass, including the Bosphorus sightseeing cruise, a sunset cruise, a dinner cruise with live shows, and return ferry tickets to the Princes’ Islands. Think of them as floating buses that double as guided tours.
Help on the go
The digital pass app bundles an offline city guide and maps. If you get stuck, the customer-support team answers WhatsApp messages quickly and in English, perfect when you need real-time directions.
With these extras you can hop between continents, cruise past palaces, and glide straight from the airport into the city, all while keeping transport costs predictable.
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