Ankara Metrosu

Ankara metro Information

Ankara Metro is a high-speed rail system serving the Turkish capital Ankara. The network started operating in 1996/1997 and currently has 4 lines and 45 stations. The length of the network is 55.1 km, or 92.7 km if suburban lines are taken into account. Two new lines have recently been added: Çayyolu Metro (M2) and Törekent Metro (M3). 10 new stations are under construction. The metro network is operated by Electricity, Gas and Bus Services (EGO). Other metro networks in Turkey include Istanbul Metro and Izmir Metro.

The Ankara Metro in Turkey serves approximately 310,000 passengers daily. It doesn’t operate 24 hours a day, its operating hours are from 6:00 to 12:00.

The metro doesn’t have air conditioning and passengers can’t walk between platforms. However, driverless trains have been operating on the metro line since 1997. There are no screen doors on the platforms.

The fare for a trip on the metro is TL 1.75.

Ankara Metro Map

Map of Ankara Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Ankara Metro map in PDF format.

Lines and Stations

Ankara Metrosu consists of four metro lines and one light rail line. In total, the metro system has 54 stations spread over 64.36 kilometres. For many years, the system had only one line. Today, the metro system has been expanded to include three additional lines. The Ankara Metro lines are

Line 1

Inaugurated on 29 December 1997, it was the first line of the system. With this line, the Ankara Metrosu was officially launched. It is currently 14.66 kilometres long and has 12 stations. Its final stations are Kızılay and Batıkent. The metro on this line runs from the south-central part of the city to the north-western part. Line 1 is represented by the colour red. The line combines underground stations in downtown Ankara with surface and elevated stations.

Line 2

Construction of this line began in 2002, but it wasn’t inaugurated until March 2014. At 16.59 kilometres, it’s the longest metro line in the system. It has 10 stations between the termini of Kızılay and Koru. Its characteristic colour is yellow. This line is completely underground and runs through the southern part of the city, eventually connecting with Line 1.

Line 3

Trains on this line run from Batıkent to Törekent, covering a total of 15.36 kilometres. Construction began in 2001 and the line was finally inaugurated in February 2014. Line 3 has 11 stations, all of which are located at the northwestern end of the city, where they connect with Line 1. Most of this line is represented by the colour dark blue. This line has both underground and elevated stations.

Line 4

This is the shortest line in the system and also the most recent, inaugurated in 2017. It currently has 9 stations. Its termini are Atatürk Cultural Centre and Gazino. However, a new terminal station is under construction in Kızılay. Therefore, in the future, the terminal stations will be Atatürk Cultural Centre and Kızılay. There is a project to build a station at Kuyubaşı, which will provide a connection to Esenboğa International Airport. This line is 9.22 kilometres long and its stations are located between the northern part of the city and downtown Ankara. It can be recognised by its lilac colour.

Ankaray

Ankaray is the light rail line of the Ankara Metro and the only light rail line in the city. It was inaugurated in 1996 and has 11 stations over a distance of 8.53 kilometres. Its terminal stations are Dikimevi and AŞTİ. It is located in the centre of Ankara and trains run from east to west. A 6.68 kilometre section of the line is underground. This line is represented by the dark green colour.

Connections with other systems

In large cities like Ankara, multiple transport systems are needed to meet the transport needs of the city’s population. As a capital city, Ankara has a variety of transport services. In addition, the Ankara Metrosu connects with other transport systems to improve access to transport.

The most important transport service linked to the Ankara Metro is the bus service, which is also operated by EGO. EGO operates a large fleet of buses that serve many routes throughout the city. Some of these buses run on natural gas. A mobile app has recently been developed to provide information on the various routes. Most of the buses connect to the stations of the Ankara Metrosu.

Another transport service available in Ankara is the commuter railway, also known as BAŞKENTRAY. This commuter train runs between the cities of Sincan and Kayas. It is operated by TCDD, the state railway company of the Republic of Turkey. To change from the commuter train to the Ankara Metro Line 1, you have to change at Sıhhiye station, while the connection to the light rail line (Ankaray) is at Kurtuluş station.

Finally, another transport system connected to the Ankara Metro is the Yenimahalle-Şentepe aerial tramway, which operates in the Yenimahalle district of the Turkish capital. This aerial tramway has four stations: Yenimahalle, Yunus Emre, TRT Vericiler and Şentepe. From Yenimahalle station you can connect to line 1 of the metro. The total distance is 3.25 kilometres.

Connections to the Airport

Ankara’s main airport is Esenboğa International Airport, located 28 kilometres north of the city between the Akyurt and Varilla districts. The airport, operated by TAV Airports, was inaugurated in 1955 and is the fourth busiest international airport in Turkey and the third busiest for domestic flights. As the airport is quite far from the city, transfers from the metro to other forms of transport are necessary to reach it.

To get to Ankara Metrosu from the airport, you would need to take a bus. The Havaş bus company has two routes. The first route goes to Ulus, where there is a connection to line 1 of the metro. The second route goes to AŞTİ, which connects to the Ankaray light rail. Another option is to take bus no. 442 to Kızılay station, which connects with lines 1 and 2 and the Ankaray tram. Travellers should be vigilant when taking the 442 bus to Kızılay, as the stop can be easily missed, leading to confusion and delays.

Schedule and Train Frequency

All lines of Ankara Metrosu start at the same time – 6:00 am. However, the closing times and train frequencies differ for each line.

The last train of line 1 arrives at Kızılay station at 1:00 am and the last train arrives at Batikent terminal station at 12:30 am. Trains run every 4 to 9 minutes on weekdays and every 9 to 15 minutes on weekends.
On line 2, the last train arrives at Kızılay station at 1:00 am, while the last train arrives at Koru station at 12:30 am. The frequency of trains on weekdays is between 7 and 11 minutes. On weekends, trains run every 9 to 15 minutes.
The last train of line 3 arrives at Batikent station at 1:25 am, while the last train arrives at Osb station at midnight. Trains run every 4 to 9 minutes on weekdays. On weekends, trains run every 9 to 15 minutes.
On line 4, service ends at Akm station at 1.15 am. The last train arrives at Sehitler station at 12:20. This is the line with the smallest interval between trains, between 6 and 8 minutes on weekdays and between 8 and 10 minutes on weekends.
Finally, the last train of the Ankaray tramline arrives at Asti station at 12:50, while the last train arrives at Dikimevi station at 12:55. The frequency of the trains on this line varies between 6 and 10 minutes.

Fares, Tickets, and Cards

Despite the complexity of the Ankara Metrosu, with its many lines and schedules, the EGO company has introduced a fixed fare system that applies to both the metro and buses. The One Ride ticket costs 2.50 Turkish Liras (about $0.82 USD), while the Reduced Fare ticket costs 1.75 Turkish Liras (about $0.46 USD). Transfers cost an additional 1 Turkish lira (about $0.26 USD), or just 0.25 lira (about $0.07 USD) with a Reduced Fare ticket.

The Integral Ticket, which can be used on both the metro and buses, costs 4 Turkish Liras (about $1.05 USD). The Smart Card allows up to two transfers within 75 minutes. With the Discount Card, transfers within 75 minutes are less expensive. Teachers, students and pensioners are eligible for the system’s reduced fares. Children under 6 travel free.

Rules of the Metro

Ankara Metrosu has implemented several rules to ensure a peaceful environment for all passengers. Some of these rules are

Passengers must have a valid ticket to pass through the turnstiles. If asked, passengers should be prepared to show their ticket, a valid ID and any additional documentation required for concessionary tickets. Failure to do so may result in a fine.
The consumption of food or drink is prohibited, as is smoking within the system’s facilities. Intoxicated passengers are not allowed on the metro.
It is forbidden to enter the metro with flammable or explosive materials.
Passengers are allowed one piece of luggage weighing up to 30 kilos. Passengers must keep their bags and suitcases with them at all times.
Pets are not allowed unless they are in a cage.
Passengers are not permitted to board trains with skateboards, bicycles or similar items. Prams are allowed.

Future Expansions

Ankara Metrosu continues to expand as part of its future development plan. Currently, two major lines are under construction and one is in the planning stage. The first expansion consists of the construction of three new stations for Line 4, all of which are scheduled to open in 2019. This extension will add 3.3 kilometres of track to the metro, stretching from Kızılay to the Atatürk Cultural Centre.

An extension of the Ankaray light rail line is also under construction, with an additional station, Söğütözü, being built near AŞTİ station. This extension will add 1.1 kilometres of track to the metro and provide a link to Line 2. Finally, there are plans to build a new Line 5 for the Ankara metro. This line will be 25 kilometres long with 7 stations and will connect Kuyubaşı with both Esenboğa International Airport and Yildirim Beyazit University.

Tips

Always carry your ticket with you. If you have a concessionary ticket, make sure you have the appropriate documentation to qualify for it.
Before you travel, it’s a good idea to check your route to save time. Also check for possible bus connections.
Consider the number of system changes you’ll need to make before buying your ticket.
There aren’t many maps of stations and trains, so it’s a good idea to check your route beforehand or have a map with you.

Fun Facts:

The Ankara metro is quite vibrant, as evidenced by the red and orange trains. Even the stations reflect the distinctive colours of each line.
On the newer lines, pre-recorded messages are played in both Turkish and English to keep passengers informed.
The metro ticket is valid for travel on various modes of transport, including the airlift and bus.

Sightseeing from the Ankara Metro

Ankara, the capital of Turkey, offers a wide range of activities that attract an increasing number of tourists. As a capital city, it has a number of historical monuments, parks and attractions that are visited by both tourists and Ankara locals. Some of these are

Atatürk Mausoleum: Also known as Anıtkabir in Turkish, this is the final resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey. The vast mausoleum, designed by architects Emin Onat and Orhan Arda, is built in the style of ancient Greek and Roman architecture and was inaugurated in 1953. It can be reached by getting off at Anadolu light rail station and then walking uphill to the mausoleum.

Ankara University: The first institution of higher learning in the Republic of Turkey. It has a large campus with a total of 17 faculties. The closest station is Anadolu on the light rail line, which until 2015 was known as Tandoğan. An alternative route is to get off at Beşevler station.

Gençlik Park: Literally translated as ‘Park of Youth’, this compact park provides a tranquil space for visitors. It has a beautiful spring and an amusement park with attractions such as a Ferris wheel and a space shuttle ride. The park is conveniently located near the Ulus Line 1 station, named after the square that surrounds the northern part of the park.