Getting Around Bakirkoy: Marmaray, Metro and Metrobus

From our apartment in Zeytinlik, Bakırköy (Bakirkoy), the most practical public transport link is the Marmaray Bakırköy station, about 8 minutes on foot; from there it's about 15 minutes to Yenikapı and about 20 minutes to Sirkeci. For the M1A metro and the Metrobus, you walk about 18 minutes to the stops at İncirli.

For guests staying for weeks, transport becomes part of daily life. Below is a summary of which line to use when, and how to reach the places people go most often.

The closest stops to the apartment

Walking times are measured at a pace of about 75 metres per minute. For the address and distances, see our location page.

Getting to the places you'll visit most

Times are approximate and vary with waiting, transfers and traffic. For current timetables and frequencies, check TCDD Taşımacılık / Marmaray and the relevant operators.

Arriving with luggage

If you're arriving from the airport with large suitcases, a taxi or a car is usually the easiest way; it takes 40–70 minutes by car from Istanbul Airport and 60–90 minutes from Sabiha Gökçen. The building has a lift, so getting your luggage up to your floor is easy. If you're arriving late at night, tell us your time in advance and we'll plan your check-in around it.

Getting to know the Marmaray

The Marmaray is a commuter line running between Halkalı and Gebze, connecting the European side to the Asian side through a tunnel under the Bosphorus.

• Westbound (Halkalı): Ataköy, Yeşilyurt, Yeşilköy, Florya Akvaryum, Florya, Küçükçekmece and beyond.
• Eastbound (Gebze): Yenimahalle, Zeytinburnu, Kazlıçeşme, Yenikapı, Sirkeci, Üsküdar, Ayrılık Çeşmesi, Söğütlüçeşme and beyond.
• Transfers: change to the M1 and M2 metro lines at Yenikapı, and to the M4 at Ayrılık Çeşmesi.

If you'll be commuting every day, the most practical approach is to try different departure times over your first few days and find the rhythm that suits you.

When the Metrobus and M1A make sense

The Metrobus runs along the D-100 (E-5) between Beylikdüzü and Söğütlüçeşme and crosses the Bosphorus over the 15 July Martyrs Bridge. It's the most practical choice for a destination on the D-100; for Yenikapı, Sirkeci and the airports, take the Marmaray or the M1A.

The M1A metro runs east from Bakırköy-İncirli via Zeytinburnu, Merter, Otogar and Aksaray to Yenikapı. If you're travelling from the bus terminal, it's the most direct option.

By sea to Yalova and Bursa

The Bakırköy seafront and İDO ferry pier is about 14 minutes on foot from the apartment. Sea bus and fast ferry services run from here to Yalova and Bursa; guests staying a month can plan a weekend trip or a short business hop to Bursa from this pier. Sailing days and times can change, so check the current timetable. Check current information for city ferry services too.

Bakırköy and Yenikapı are on the same side of the water; the Marmaray gets you to Yenikapı in about 15 minutes.

Istanbulkart, taxis and driving

• Istanbulkart is valid on the Marmaray, metro, Metrobus, tram, ferry and buses. Check fares from current sources.
• Taxis in Istanbul run on the meter. They're a practical option late at night or when you have a lot of luggage.
• If you're driving, ask us by phone before you arrive about parking options nearby; journey times vary noticeably with traffic.

For places to go with children, see our guide for families with children; for a commuting routine, see our article for people moving to Istanbul for work. If you'd like to plan your route with us, message us on WhatsApp in English: +90 532 655 43 32.

Common questions