Izmir Metro — Map, Lines, Route, Hours, Tickets

Izmir Metro Information

As the population grew in the 1990s, Izmir reached a point where its public transport network could no longer meet the growing demands of the population. A solution was needed and the Izmir Metro was born. It began operation in 2000 and runs on just 1 line, serving 17 stations in total. The metro has one line that is 20.1 km long, with another line planned. The local name of the metro, Izmir Metrosu, bears a close resemblance to its operator, Izmir Metrosu A.S. With a larger number of stations to serve and the possibility of more lines, the daily ridership of 173,000 is only likely to increase.

The Izmir Metro in Turkey serves approximately 82,200 passengers daily. The metro does not operate 24 hours a day, with operating hours from 6:00 am to 12:00 am.

This metro system has no air conditioning and passengers cannot walk between platforms. There are no driverless trains on the Izmir Metro system and there are no screen doors on the platforms.

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

Izmir Metro Map

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

Stations

The Izmir Metro operates a single line serving 17 stations over 20.1 kilometres (12.5 miles) within the city. The line starts at Evka-3 station in the north-east of the city and runs south of the Gulf of Izmir, west of the city, terminating at Fahrettin Altay station. The stations differ in design, shape and connections.

The main stations are Evka 3 and Ege Üniversitesi, both underground at the eastern end of the line. They were the latest additions to the system, opening in 2012. These stations are followed by Bornova, a transition station from surface to underground, which was one of the first ten stations to open in 2000. Bornova is followed by Bölge and Sanayi, both of which are surface stations. Stadyum station is elevated on a viaduct, while Halkapınar is surface and Hilal is elevated. The line then goes underground, passing through Basmane, Çankaya, Konak and Üçyol stations, with Üçyol being in a deep tunnel and part of the original line.

Izmirspor and Hatay are the next stations on the line. Inaugurated in 2012, they are located on the southern edge of the Gulf of Izmir. Further along the route are Göztepe, Poligon and the terminus at Fahrettin Altay, to the west. These last three stations opened in 2014 and are underground.

Most stations have separate platforms for boarding in opposite directions, with Bornova, Bölge, Sanayi, Basmane, Çankaya and Konak being the only stations with a single island platform for both directions.

Connections to other systems

Izmir was the first city in Turkey to integrate all of its existing public transport systems. Due to the small size of the Izmir Metro and its slower than expected expansion, other forms of transport have become necessary.

Buses are very common in Izmir. All but one of Izmir Metro’s 17 stations (Hilal being the exception) are connected to the city’s bus lines. The buses are operated by the company ESHOT (an acronym for Electricity, Water, Gas, Bus and Trolleybus in Turkish). Although it no longer provides electricity, water or gas, and the trolleybus system is defunct, it continues to use the name for its bus services. ESHOT operates about 1,500 buses on 415 routes, serving the entire district. The buses are identified by a colour coding system, with blue, green, red, black and orange buses. The private company İzulaş also operates 400 buses that provide a variety of services.

Izmir’s light rail system, İZBAN, is also crucial. In operation since 2007, it has rapidly expanded to four lines and is considered Izmir’s trendiest transport system due to its speed, growth and accessibility. Connections to İZBAN can be made at Halkapınar and Hilal metro stations. The tram system, Tram Izmir, is a smaller, more recent development. It is operated directly by the metro and has only two lines and 32 stations. Connections to the tram can be made at Halkapınar and Konak metro stations.

As a coastal city, Izmir also offers several ferry services. Operated by İzdeniz, a public company affiliated to the city administration, 24 ferries cover various routes from nine different terminals in the city. These include Alsancak, Bayrakl, Bostanlı, Foça, Göztepe, Karşıyaka, Konak, Pasaport and Üçkuyula. Konak is centrally located for the metro, which is only a few metres away.

Long-distance trains also play an important role in Turkey. In Izmir, Basmane station, operated by the state-owned TCDD Taşımacılık, is particularly important. Various regional and long-distance trains depart from Basmane, from where you can transfer to the metro station of the same name.

Connections to the airport

Adnan Menderes Airport serves Izmir and is located 18 kilometres (11.2 miles) southwest of the city in the Gaziemir district. Opened in 1987, the airport has undergone significant expansion, including new terminals opened in 2006 and 2014. Serving approximately 12.5 million passengers, of which at least 10.5 million are on domestic flights, Adnan Menderes is Turkey’s fifth busiest airport.

Access to the Izmir Metro from Adnan Menderes Airport is relatively easy. Two common methods both involve travelling through a transport system from Adnan Menderes Havaalanı (Adnan Menderes Airport) station. This station provides services from the railway system to the country’s air terminal. Passengers can take a train from any of the five lines operated by TCDD Taşımacılık to Basmane station, where they can transfer to the metro. Alternatively, passengers can take the blue line (known as the southern line) of the İZBAN light rail system from the airport station to Hilal, where they can transfer to the Izmir Metro.

Schedule and frequency

The Izmir Metro operates on a single line with a single opening and closing schedule. The metro operates from 6:00am to 12:20am, with the frequency depending on the day of the week. On weekdays, trains arrive every 7.5 minutes from 6:00 to 7:00, every 3.5 minutes from 7:00 to 9:00, every 4 minutes from 9:00 to 20:00, and every 7.5 minutes from 8:00 to 12:20, and every 7.5 minutes from 8 p.m. to 12.20 a.m. Frequency is reduced on Saturdays and Sundays, with trains arriving every 7.5 minutes in the early morning and late evening, every 5 minutes from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and every 6 minutes from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.

Fares, tickets and cards

Izmir’s public transport system operates on an integrated fare system covering metro, bus, tram and ferry services. As a result, passengers can transfer between these systems using the same ticket or card.

A basic ticket is a common option that allows passengers to transfer within the system for 90 minutes after the ticket is first used. A standard ticket costs 3 Turkish liras (about US$0.48), while students and adults over 60 pay only 1.80 Turkish liras (about US$0.29) and professors pay 2.50 liras (about US$0.40).

In addition to single tickets, passengers can purchase multiple-journey tickets. These include a 3-trip ticket for 11 liras (about US$1.74), a 5-trip ticket for 17 liras (about US$2.70) and a 10-trip ticket for 32 liras (about US$5.07). These tickets are not transferable and cannot be reused once the pre-purchased trips have been used. Known as Bilet 35 in Turkish, these tickets are valid for 35 days after first use.

Various groups are eligible for discounted travel on the Izmir Metro through the use of discount cards provided by ESHOT. These cards are available to students, professors and senior citizens over the age of 60. In addition, senior citizens over the age of 65 can travel for free using special free access cards. Free access cards are also available to a number of professionals, including statisticians from the Turkstat Institute, postal workers, accredited journalists, and police and other law enforcement personnel.

System regulations

Like all transport systems, Izmir Metro operates according to a set of rules designed to ensure the smooth running of the service and to promote respectful behaviour between passengers and staff. The main rules include

All passengers must have a valid ticket or approved card to enter the system.
Children under the age of 6 can travel free of charge, but from the age of 7 a discount card is required.
Private tickets are not accepted for travel on the system.
Photography and filming require the prior consent of the system operator.
Station escalators are primarily for the use of disabled, elderly, mobility impaired and pregnant passengers.
Animals are not permitted on the system, with the exception of small pets in cages.
Eating and drinking are not permitted in the system in order to maintain cleanliness and prevent spillage.
Advertising is not permitted in unauthorised areas or without the prior consent of the Metro Authority.
Political propaganda, gambling and street vending are prohibited within the system.
Bicycles may be transported on the system under certain conditions, but only in specially designated carriages and with a maximum of two bicycles per carriage. Cyclists must use fixed stairs to transport their bikes to the platform.

Future expansions

Izmir Metro has plans for expansion. A current project is to extend the existing line with two new stations to the west and nine stations on the south coast of the Gulf of Izmir.

Other planned extensions include the extension of Line 1 from Evka-3 station to the east via a new tunnel. Line 2 is also being planned, with 11 stations along a 13.5-kilometre (8.4-mile) route starting from the east of the city. The tender process for this line started in 2018.

Line 3 is planned to connect the city to Adnan Menderes Airport, extending 27.6 kilometres (17.2 miles) from Stadyum station, with 24 stations serving various southern districts of the city. Line 4 is also being planned, with two phases of construction that will eventually reach Izmir Katip Çelebi University. This line will consist of 34 stations along a 35.8 kilometre (22.2 mile) route.

A fifth line is also being considered, starting at Halkapınar and running to the bus station with five stations. The total length of this line could potentially reach 28.1 kilometres (17.5 miles) when completed.

Tips

Travelling on any public transport system can be more enjoyable and relaxed if you follow a few tips. Here are some recommendations for travelling on the Izmir Metro:

Signs and instructions on the Izmir Metro are mainly in Turkish. It may be helpful to learn some basic Turkish vocabulary or familiarise yourself with the Turkish alphabet for specific directions.
Be aware of transfer points. Although the metro is small, other forms of transport may be closer to your destination.
Understand the different ticket options. Some types of ticket may not allow for transfers.

Interesting Facts

The Izmir metro continues to expand, but the construction of new stations has been significantly delayed.
There are baby changing facilities at Konak and Üçyol stations.
Izmir is one of five cities in Turkey with a rapid transit system, along with Adana, Ankara, Istanbul and Bursa.

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Sightseeing via the Izmir Metro

Turkey’s Mediterranean coast continues to grow as an attraction for hundreds of thousands of tourists. In addition to Izmir’s (or Smyrna’s) role as a commercial port, the city has become a popular tourist destination thanks to its beautiful sunsets and proximity to Europe. Fortunately, most of Izmir’s attractions are easily accessible via the Izmir Metro. Here are some of the highlights:

Saat Kulesi (Clock Tower): This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Izmir. Located in the heart of the city square, the clock tower has become a symbol of Izmir. It’s also a common starting and finishing point for walks. The tower’s fountains are particularly noteworthy. Designed by a French architect and built in the early 20th century, Saat Kulesi is easily reached by getting off at Konak metro station and walking a short distance.
Tarihi Asansor: This historic elevator provides a vertical ride of approximately 40 metres to the top of a hill. From there, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire bay, as Izmir is a coastal city. The surrounding area is also charming, with restaurants and shops that attract tourists. To get to Tarihi Asansor, get off at Üçyol metro station and walk a few blocks towards the bay.
Kizlaragasi Han Bazaar: Many tourists are keen to experience the atmosphere of an oriental bazaar, and Turkey offers plenty of opportunities. The Kizlaragasi Han Bazaar is medium-sized, making it easy to navigate, yet offers a wide variety of goods, from textiles to fish. Located next to the Çankaya metro station, the bazaar is easy to reach and explore.