Istanbul: the metro scheme

The oriental bazaar, the smell of spices and freshly dyed skin, the sounds of light music and the loud voice of market barkers ... What else pops up before your eyes at the mention of Istanbul? Perhaps, amazing temples and the Bosphorus Strait embankment . But many tourists do not even realize that the metro of Istanbul is one of the brightest sights of this city. If you are planning to rest in Turkey and want to quickly see the beauties that Istanbul is rich in, the metro scheme clearly will not be superfluous for you.

Istanbul Underground: The History of Construction

Istanbul is a multimillion-dollar metropolis. It is difficult to imagine how people would move along the roads of this city without a subway. To the delight of locals and tourists, the metro in Istanbul is the most popular mode of transport.

The first metro line began to operate as early as the end of the nineteenth century. This small line consisted of two stations and had a length of just over five hundred meters. This subway in Istanbul was the first in Europe and it functions until today. True, it is now called a funicular and used to get acquainted with the history of the city.

At the end of the twentieth century, the construction of two full-line metro lines began. One of these lines is a monorail, the second is a classic railroad.

Multimillion Istanbul: the metro scheme

The peculiarity of the Istanbul metro is that none of the lines intersect with each other. This creates certain difficulties for tourists who do not know Istanbul. The subway scheme as a whole looks quite simple and understandable. The main thing is to clearly understand which end of the city you need to reach.

The monorail railway has a length of just over twenty kilometers. On the branch there are eighteen stations that are not distinguished by aesthetically valuable design. This is a distinctive feature of the metro. In Istanbul from Ataturk Airport it is possible to get from the city center only through a monorail railway. It is the terminal metro station.

The most modern branch, discovered at the beginning of the 2000s, was built according to new technologies and is seismic-resistant. There are six stations on the line, and its total length is about eight kilometers. The journey from the beginning of the line to the end will take no more than twelve minutes. All stations are adapted for disabled people and decorated in different colors.

Istanbul: the metro scheme in details

With the growth of the city, the demand for branched metro lines is growing. At the moment, the subway is five lines, including an old funicular. Each branch has its own peculiarities, which we will discuss in more detail:

1. The red metro line

Red color on the metro scheme marks the metro line in Istanbul from the airport, going to the city center. On this line you can get to the largest bus station in Turkey and the historic center of the city. Trains run very often, the interval does not exceed three minutes.

2. The green branch line

This color on the chart is a line on which you can travel from the city center to its outskirts. The movement from the beginning of the route to its end is thirty minutes.

3. The blue subway line

This branch is used mainly by local residents. On it they get after work to their houses located in the suburbs of Istanbul.

4. The pink line

This branch is sometimes used by tourists. It connects one of the largest berths of Istanbul with the Asian districts of the city.

Now work is underway on the construction of a new subway line, but its opening is delayed indefinitely.

The fare on the metro

The cost of Istanbul's metro is not high, for one trip it is necessary to purchase a token for four lira. But in the case of a transfer to another line, travel will have to be paid again. Some stations sell cards that are suitable for all types of public transport. Their purchase significantly reduces the cost of one passage in the subway. Therefore, if you plan to actively move around Istanbul, you better get this card. It will help to save money on urban movements.

Istanbul metro schedule

How late does the subway run? This issue is always a concern for tourists who walk their own way in Istanbul. Examining the sights of the city, do not get too carried away. The main branches of the subway work until midnight, but the underground funicular closes its doors at nine o'clock in the evening.

The beginning of the underground works also varies. The old branch of the subway begins to function from seven o'clock in the morning, the main lines begin work half an hour earlier.

Istanbul is a beautiful ancient city, in which there are a lot of amazing sights. Walking around the city can be endless, but only the metro will help make travel around Istanbul fast and safe.