The Ankara Metro, or Ankara Metrosu, is the rapid transit system serving Ankara, the capital of Turkey. The network includes the Ankaray (A1) light rail line and metro lines M1, M2, M3, and M4, linking central districts with outer areas across the city. In 2024, the system carried 172.1 million passengers, or about 470,185 riders per day. Ankaray opened in 1996, M1 followed in 1997, and later expansions created through service between Koru and OSB-Törekent.
| Key | Information |
|---|---|
| Total network | 67.4 km (41.9 miles) and 57 stations |
| Lines in service | Ankaray (A1), M1, M2, M3, and M4 |
| Busy interchange point | 15 Temmuz Kızılay Millî İrade |
| Rolling stock gauge | 1,435 mm standard gauge |
| Annual ridership | 172.1 million passengers in 2024 |
Ankara Metrosu 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 has four metro lines and one light rail line. In the draft materials, the network is described both as 64.36 km (40.0 miles) with 54 stations and as 67.4 km (41.9 miles) with 57 stations, so figures may vary by source. What matters for most riders is the route plan: the system connects major residential areas, central Ankara, and key transport hubs.
| Station | Details |
|---|---|
| Line 1 | Opened on 29 December 1997. Length: 14.66 km (9.11 miles). Stations: 12. Terminals: Kızılay and Batıkent. Runs from south-central Ankara to the northwest, with underground, surface, and elevated sections. |
| Line 2 | Construction began in 2002 and the line opened in March 2014. Length: 16.59 km (10.31 miles). Stations: 10. Terminals: Kızılay and Koru. Runs fully underground in the southern part of the city. |
| Line 3 | Opened in February 2014 after construction started in 2001. Length: 15.36 km (9.54 miles). Stations: 11. Route: Batıkent to Törekent, connecting with Line 1 at the northwestern end of the network. |
| Line 4 | Opened in 2017. Length: 9.22 km (5.73 miles). Stations: 9. Current terminals: Atatürk Kültür Merkezi and Gazino. A future Kızılay terminal is under construction. |
| Ankaray | The city’s only light rail or tramway-style line. Opened in 1996. Length: 8.53 km (5.30 miles). Stations: 11. Terminals: Dikimevi and AŞTİ. Runs east-west through central Ankara, with 6.68 km (4.15 miles) underground. |
If you are looking for an Ankara Metro stations list or a simple stations map, Kızılay is the key interchange to remember. It is the most useful point for changing lines and planning cross-city trips.
Schedule and Train Frequency
The Ankara Metro opening hours start at 6:00 AM on all lines. Closing time, last train times, and frequency depend on the line, so checking the timetable or train schedule for your route is always a smart move, especially if you are traveling late.
| Service detail | Timings |
|---|---|
| Starting time for all lines | 6:00 AM |
| Line 1 frequency | Every 4 to 9 minutes on weekdays; every 9 to 15 minutes on weekends |
| Line 1 last train | Arrives at Kızılay at 1:00 AM; arrives at Batıkent at 12:30 AM |
| Line 2 frequency | Every 7 to 11 minutes on weekdays; every 9 to 15 minutes on weekends |
| Line 2 last train | Arrives at Kızılay at 1:00 AM; arrives at Koru at 12:30 AM |
| Line 3 frequency | Every 4 to 9 minutes on weekdays; every 9 to 15 minutes on weekends |
| Line 3 last train | Arrives at Batıkent at 1:25 AM; arrives at OSB at 12:00 AM |
| Line 4 frequency | Every 6 to 8 minutes on weekdays; every 8 to 10 minutes on weekends |
| Line 4 last train | Service ends at AKM at 1:15 AM; last train reaches Şehitler at 12:20 AM |
| Ankaray frequency | Every 6 to 10 minutes |
| Ankaray last train | Arrives at AŞTİ at 12:50 AM; arrives at Dikimevi at 12:55 AM |
During the day, trains run fairly often, with shorter waits in busy periods and longer intervals later in the evening. For timings today, schedule today, or route timetable updates, check station information before you travel.
Fares, Tickets, and Cards
Ankara Metro uses an integrated fare system for public transport. Prices in the draft materials are not fully consistent, so it is best to treat them as approximate and confirm the current ticket price at station machines or service centers before you ride.
A single journey ticket is listed at about 10 TL (about $0.31), while students and seniors may pay around 5 TL (about $0.16). A 10-ride ticket is about 80 TL (about $2.49), and a monthly pass is listed at around 200 TL (about $6.22).
Using an AnkaraKart card can reduce the fare. One part of the draft says the fare is about 7 TL (about $0.22) per ride, while the tips section gives 15 TL (about $0.47). The card itself is listed at 40 TL (about $1.24). Contactless bank card payment is also accepted, and one section notes a contactless price of 18 TL per ride (about $0.56).
- Single journey ticket: about 10 TL ($0.31)
- Student and senior single ticket: about 5 TL ($0.16)
- 10-ride ticket: about 80 TL ($2.49)
- Monthly pass: about 200 TL ($6.22)
- AnkaraKart fare: about 7 TL ($0.22) per ride, though another section mentions 15 TL ($0.47)
- Card purchase price: 40 TL ($1.24)
- Contactless card fare: 18 TL ($0.56) per ride
Ticket machines and service centers at stations make it easy to buy a ticket, get a card, top up your balance, or use the wider city transport system. If you need the latest fare, cost, or fare calculator information, check the pricing shown in the station.
Connections with other systems
Ankara Metrosu is well integrated with other local transport options. The most important links are with EGO bus services, and many bus routes feed metro stations directly.
The system also connects with BAŞKENTRAY, Ankara’s commuter rail service. Key interchange points include Sıhhiye for Line 1 and Kurtuluş for Ankaray. There is also a connection to the Yenimahalle-Şentepe aerial tramway at Yenimahalle on Line 1.
Several stations play a wider role in transportation in Ankara. AŞTİ connects with intercity bus services and airport shuttles, while Kızılay, Ulus, and Gar offer useful links to bus and rail services. Some stations also have station parking and park-and-ride facilities, though exact parking charges and parking charges per day are not given in the draft.
Airport access is indirect. Esenboğa International Airport is not connected directly to the metro, so travelers need a bus transfer such as Havaş or route 442 to reach stations like Ulus, AŞTİ, or Kızılay.
Connections to the Airport
Esenboğa International Airport is about 28 km (17.4 miles) north of the city. Since there is no direct metro link, reaching the airport requires a transfer by bus.
From the airport, the Havaş shuttle runs to Ulus, where you can connect to Line 1, and to AŞTİ, where you can change to Ankaray. Another option is bus 442 to Kızılay, with access to Lines 1 and 2 and to Ankaray.
There is also a future airport connection project. A planned station at Kuyubaşı on Line 5 is expected to improve access to Esenboğa International Airport.
Rules of the Metro
The Ankara Metro system has clear rules to keep travel safe and comfortable for everyone. Staff and security personnel can enforce these rules, deny entry, remove passengers from the system, and contact law enforcement when needed.
- Use a valid ticket or card when traveling, and show it if requested. Children under 6 travel free.
- Enter stations and trains only through the turnstiles and control points.
- Follow staff instructions and posted rules.
- Do not litter in stations or on trains.
- Smoking, including electronic smoking devices, is prohibited in stations, trains, and waiting areas.
- Do not speak loudly, play music out loud, or disturb other passengers.
- Amateur photography and video are generally allowed, but commercial, educational, promotional, scripted, or restricted-area filming is prohibited.
- Do not bring flammable, explosive, liquid, or strongly odorous items into the system.
- Report suspicious packages, damage, health incidents, or emergencies to staff immediately.
- Large or heavy cargo, oversized luggage, and items that cannot be carried safely by one person are not allowed.
- Bicycles, foldable scooters, and e-scooters are allowed only under system rules and must not be used inside stations or trains.
- Only approved wheelchairs and certain powered wheelchairs that meet technical requirements are permitted.
- Pets may travel only during permitted hours and under the stated conditions.
- Wild, venomous, or aggressive animals are not allowed.
- Stay behind the yellow line and never enter track areas.
- Do not block doors or leave luggage where it obstructs seats or passageways.
- Use escalators safely, hold the handrail, avoid running, and use elevators when required.
- Do not use escalators with strollers, wheelchairs, or bicycles.
- Do not force open station, platform, elevator, or train doors.
- Do not enter restricted areas marked with a no-entry sign.
- Do not carry firearms, sharp tools, or other prohibited weapons.
- Do not climb barriers, lean over platform edges, or cross between train cars.
- Do not leave carts, hand trucks, or freight-handling equipment in the system.
History
The history of Ankara Metrosu begins with Ankaray, the first modern rapid transit line in the city, which opened on 30 August 1996 between AŞTİ and Dikimevi. It was built over four years by a Siemens-led consortium.
The first full metro line, M1, opened on 29 December 1997 between Kızılay and Batıkent. The system later expanded with M3, which opened on 12 February 2014 from Batıkent to OSB-Törekent, and M2, which opened on 13 March 2014 from Kızılay to Koru.
For some years, M1, M2, and M3 operated separately. In July 2018, M1 and M3 were merged, and in February 2019 M2 was integrated too, creating uninterrupted service between Koru and OSB-Törekent.
Construction of M4 began earlier, with test running from August 2016. Its first section, from Şehitler-Gazino to Atatürk Kültür Merkezi, opened on 5 January 2017, and the extension from Atatürk Kültür Merkezi to Kızılay opened on 12 April 2023.
There are also long-standing plans to extend Ankaray from AŞTİ to Söğütözü. This expansion was approved in April 2011, construction began in September 2012, and the tunnel and station were completed in early 2014, but the extension has not yet entered service.
In 2024, the Ankaray, M1, M2, M3, and M4 lines carried 172.1 million passengers, averaging about 470,185 riders per day.
Future Expansions
Ankara Metrosu is still growing, with several expansion projects planned or under construction. The network is being developed in stages as part of the city’s longer-term transport strategy.
One key project is the Line 4 extension, described in the draft as adding three new stations and extending service from Kızılay toward the Atatürk Cultural Centre. Another is the Ankaray extension near AŞTİ, where Söğütözü is intended to create a stronger link with the metro network.
There are also plans for a future Line 5 to improve access toward Kuyubaşı and Esenboğa International Airport. Later project updates describe this airport route as starting at the High-Speed Train Station instead, with a longer path designed to serve airport demand more directly.
Other proposed projects mentioned in the materials include extensions toward Keçiören, Dikmen, and Etlik, along with additional airport-related links.
Tips
For everyday travel, an AnkaraKart is the easiest option. You can buy the card at official kiosks or vending machines in metro stations and busy bus stations, then top it up at transit points or online.
If you want a smooth trip, check the timetable, operating hours, and last train before heading out, especially late in the evening. This helps if you are planning a longer route or using a bus connection after the metro closes.
Fare information in the draft varies, so check the current price in the station before you buy a ticket or pass. Contactless payment is available too, which makes things simple if you do not want to get a separate card right away.
Kızılay is the most useful interchange in the system. If you are unsure about your route, start there mentally and work outward. It usually makes route planning much easier.
Fun Facts
The Ankara Metro combines classic metro lines with Ankaray, the city’s only light rail line, giving the system a mix of underground, surface, and elevated sections.
In 2024, the network carried 172.1 million passengers, or about 470,185 people a day. That is a busy city transport system by any measure.
One of the biggest operating changes happened in 2018 and 2019, when M1 and M3 were merged and M2 was integrated after that, creating through service between Koru and OSB-Törekent.
Ankaray was the first part of the modern network and opened in 1996. Of its 8.53 km (5.30 miles) route, 6.68 km (4.15 miles) are underground.
The M4 line opened in two stages, first in 2017 and then again in 2023, extending service from Şehitler-Gazino to Kızılay.
The system uses standard-gauge track. On newer lines, passengers hear announcements in both Turkish and English, which is especially helpful for visitors.
Another unusual detail: unlike many metro systems, Ankara Metro does not use green signals in normal operations. Yellow signals are part of standard running conditions.
Sightseeing from the Ankara Metro
The metro is a practical way to explore Ankara, especially since the city is spread out. It helps you skip road traffic, save time, and reach major sights with less hassle.
Some well-known places you can reach from the network include:
- Atatürk Mausoleum (Anıtkabir) — get off at Anadolu on Ankaray, then walk uphill to the mausoleum.
- Ankara University — the closest station is Anadolu on Ankaray, with Beşevler as another option.
- Gençlik Park — near Ulus station on Line 1, with a fountain and an amusement park.
If you are planning a short sightseeing route, Kızılay is the most useful transfer point for changing lines and continuing in different directions. A simple plan works well here: one metro ride, one main sight, then another short ride or walk.