The M11 is the dedicated rapid-transit line serving Istanbul Airport. It runs driverless from the airport to Gayrettepe in about 30 minutes for roughly ₺40 with an Istanbulkart, and since June 2026 continues west to Halkalı. It runs from about 06:00 to midnight — there is no overnight service — and you change at Gayrettepe for the M2 into the city centre or ride to Halkalı for Marmaray and the high-speed trains.
The M11 is the fastest and cheapest way out of Istanbul Airport (IST), immune to the traffic that slows every bus and taxi. It is also the longest line on the network and the part first-timers find confusing, because it does not reach the tourist districts directly. Here is how the line actually works in 2026 — the stations, the fare, the hours and, most importantly, where you change to get where you are going.
| Change at | For line | Gets you to |
|---|---|---|
| Gayrettepe | M2 + Metrobüs | Şişli, Taksim, Şişhane and the city centre |
| Kağıthane | M7 | Mecidiyeköy, Yıldız, the Bosphorus corridor |
| Kayaşehir | M3 | Başakşehir and the western suburbs |
| Olimpiyatköy | M9 | Ataköy and the south-western districts |
| Halkalı | Marmaray + YHT | Cross-city rail and the high-speed train network |
Fares and hours below are current for 2026 but change with tariff updates; check the live figure at the machine or in the İstanbulkart app before you travel.
What is the M11 and where does it go?
The M11 runs from Gayrettepe in the city, out to Istanbul Airport, and on to Halkalı in the far west — 69 km in all, the longest line on the Istanbul Metro and one of the fastest, with driverless trains hitting 120 km/h. The airport sits roughly in the middle of the line, so it is a through-station, not a terminus: trains arrive from both the Gayrettepe and the Halkalı directions, and you need to board in the right one. The final Arnavutköy–Halkalı section opened on 20 June 2026, completing the route and turning Halkalı into a genuine transfer hub.
The crucial detail for visitors is that the M11 does not directly serve the tourist districts. It links the airport to interchange stations — above all Gayrettepe, where you pick up the M2 for the centre. To keep track of the confusing route codes on signs and apps, our guide to Istanbul airport line codes breaks down what HVL, HVİST and M11 each mean.
How much does the M11 cost, and what are the hours?
The M11 uses a distance-based fare, not a flat one, so the price depends on how far you ride. From the airport to Gayrettepe it is roughly ₺40–55 with an Istanbulkart, and a longer trip runs a little higher — expect up to about ₺70 per passenger. Pay with an Istanbulkart or any contactless bank card tapped at the turnstile; note that an anonymous tourist card does not earn the transfer (aktarma) discount, so each leg of a journey is charged in full. There are ticket machines and Istanbulkart kiosks by the airport metro entrance.
Trains run from about 06:00 to midnight, with the last departures around 00:00–01:00 depending on direction. There is no overnight M11 service, and Istanbul's weekend Night Metro does not cover this line — so between roughly midnight and 06:00 you fall back on the 24/7 HAVAİST bus, a taxi or a booked transfer. If your flight lands late, plan for that gap rather than assuming the metro will be running.
Where can the M11 take you? The interchanges that matter
Since the M11 works mainly as an express corridor, your final destination decides where you transfer. At Gayrettepe you meet the M2, the north–south backbone that carries you to Şişli, Osmanbey and down to Şişhane and Taksim; it is also a Metrobüs interchange. For Sultanahmet and the old city, stay on the M2 to Vezneciler and walk to the T1 tram — the full route is in our airport-to-Sultanahmet metro guide. At Kağıthane the M7 branches off towards Mecidiyeköy and Yıldız.
The western end is where 2026 changed things. Ride the M11 all the way to Halkalı and you reach Marmaray, the cross-Bosphorus commuter rail, plus the YHT high-speed platforms — the link that makes catching an intercity train from the airport practical, covered in our airport-to-high-speed-train guide. Between the ends the line also touches the M3 at Kayaşehir and the M9 at Olimpiyatköy for the western suburbs.
Using the M11 with luggage, and a few practical tips
The metro is smooth and step-free, but you carry your own bags and the trains get crowded at peak times. Istanbul's transport rules allow one large suitcase plus a piece of hand luggage per passenger free; since October 2025 each extra bag is charged the price of one ride, and items over 30 kg or larger than about 120 × 50 × 60 cm are not allowed. Follow the "Metro / M11" signs from arrivals down to the platform level, check the direction board (Gayrettepe vs Halkalı) before you board, and keep your Istanbulkart handy for the turnstile. If you are weighing the metro against the alternatives, our full airport-to-city comparison puts the M11 next to the bus, taxi and transfer on price and time.
Quick answers
How much is the M11 metro from Istanbul Airport?
It is distance-based, roughly ₺40–55 to Gayrettepe and up to about ₺70 for longer trips, paid with an Istanbulkart or a contactless bank card. An anonymous tourist card pays the full fare on each leg with no transfer discount.
What time does the M11 start and stop?
Trains run from about 06:00 to around midnight, with the last services near 00:00–01:00 depending on direction. There is no overnight M11 and the weekend Night Metro does not cover it, so use HAVAİST, a taxi or a transfer after hours.
Does the M11 go straight to Taksim or Sultanahmet?
No. The M11 has no stop in the tourist districts. For Taksim, change to the M2 at Gayrettepe; for Sultanahmet, take the M2 to Vezneciler and switch to the T1 tram. The M11 gets you to the interchange, not the sight.
How long does the M11 take from the airport?
About 30 minutes from Istanbul Airport to Gayrettepe, and around an hour end to end from Gayrettepe to Halkalı. The airport sits mid-line, so always check the direction board before boarding.
Can I reach the high-speed train on the M11?
Yes, since June 2026. Ride the M11 west to Halkalı and change to Marmaray or the YHT platforms. A few Ankara trains start at Halkalı, but most high-speed services leave from Söğütlüçeşme on the Asian side, one Marmaray ride further on.