Marmaray is Istanbul's cross-Bosphorus commuter railway, and it turns both airports into a mostly rail trip across the strait. From Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) the M4 metro meets Marmaray at Ayrılık Çeşmesi and reaches the historic peninsula at Sirkeci in about 60 to 70 minutes with no ferry. From Istanbul Airport (IST) you can now join Marmaray at Halkalı, the western end of the extended M11, or more centrally at Yenikapı.
What is Marmaray, and where does it stop?
Marmaray is the Halkalı to Gebze commuter line that runs through an undersea tunnel beneath the Bosphorus, linking the European and Asian shores in a few minutes. For airport travellers only a handful of its stations matter, because they are where you change lines or step out into the city.
Yenikapı connects to the M2 and M1 metros and the ferry pier. Sirkeci is the stop for the old city, a short walk up to Gülhane, Topkapı and the edge of Sultanahmet. Üsküdar on the Asian shore links to the M5 metro and the ferries. Ayrılık Çeşmesi is the key one, because it shares a station with the M4 line from Sabiha Gökçen. Söğütlüçeşme sits beside Kadıköy, and Bakırköy is handy for the western coast.
Trains run from roughly 06:00 to just after midnight, with later service until about 03:00 on Friday and Saturday nights. They come every 15 minutes or so on the core line, more often on the busy middle section. Marmaray does not take cash, so you need an Istanbulkart or a contactless bank card.
How do you use Marmaray from Sabiha Gökçen (SAW)?
Take the M4 metro from under Sabiha Gökçen to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, the second station from the Kadıköy end, then change to Marmaray in the same station without going outside. Two stops later you surface at Sirkeci on the historic peninsula, having crossed the Bosphorus underground. The whole trip is about 60 to 70 minutes and needs no ferry, which most guides to the Asian airport overlook.
The fare is modest. The M4 leg is about ₺42 with an Istanbulkart, and the short Marmaray hop is a discounted transfer within the minimum distance band, so you reach the old city for roughly ₺60 to ₺80 per person. From Sirkeci the T1 tram carries you on to Sultanahmet, or get off Marmaray one stop earlier at Üsküdar for the Asian waterfront. Our Asian side guide covers the M4 in more detail.
| SAW to the old city (Sirkeci) | Cost in 2026 | Time |
|---|---|---|
| M4 metro plus Marmaray (change at Ayrılık Çeşmesi) | about ₺60 to ₺80 per person | 60 to 70 min |
| Metered taxi or app (crosses the Bosphorus) | about ₺2,000 to ₺2,800 | 60 to 90 min |
| Private transfer | fixed, price on quote | 50 to 80 min |
Fares and times are indicative for 2026 and change often, so confirm the current price with the operator or in your app before you travel. From Sirkeci it is a short walk or tram ride to the Eminönü and Grand Bazaar area.
How do you use Marmaray from Istanbul Airport (IST)?
From the European airport there are now two ways onto Marmaray. Since the M11 was extended to Halkalı in June 2026, and Halkalı is Marmaray's western terminus, you can ride the M11 to the end of the line and change once to Marmaray. For the old city or the Asian shore, though, it is usually quicker to take the M11 to Gayrettepe, change to the M2 south to Yenikapı, then change to Marmaray, because Yenikapı sits much closer to the Bosphorus crossing than Halkalı does. From Yenikapı, Marmaray reaches Üsküdar on the Asian shore in a few minutes and Söğütlüçeşme, next to Kadıköy, a little further on.
Count on roughly 70 to 90 minutes from IST to Üsküdar or Kadıköy by this chain, with two changes, at a fare around ₺80 to ₺100 with an Istanbulkart. For the historic peninsula itself, most IST arrivals skip Marmaray and take the M11 and M2 straight to the tram, but Marmaray is the smart move when your destination is Üsküdar, Kadıköy or anywhere on the Asian shore.
Fares, hours and luggage on Marmaray
Marmaray is priced by distance, from about ₺34 for a short hop up to ₺74.70 end to end. Like the airport metro, the turnstile holds the maximum fare when you tap in and refunds the difference when you tap out, so the entry charge looks higher than the trip costs. Using the same Istanbulkart, the transfer discount carries across from the airport metro to Marmaray, which keeps the cross-strait leg cheap. A personalised card gives the best transfer rates; buy or top up an Istanbulkart at any station, as covered in our Istanbulkart guide.
Most Marmaray stations have lifts and step-free access, which helps with luggage, and you may bring one large case plus a piece of hand luggage. Avoid the busiest windows, roughly 08:00 to 09:30 and 17:00 to 19:00, when the middle of the line is crowded and awkward with bags. If your flight lands late, the Friday and Saturday extended service to around 03:00 is useful; on other nights, once the trains stop, a taxi or a private transfer is the way in.
Quick answers
Can you reach the old city from Sabiha Gökçen by train without a ferry?
Yes. Take the M4 metro from SAW to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, change to Marmaray in the same station, and ride under the Bosphorus to Sirkeci, about 60 to 70 minutes with no ferry.
How much does Marmaray cost from the airports?
Marmaray is distance based, from about ₺34 to ₺74.70. With the airport metro and the transfer discount, SAW to Sirkeci works out to roughly ₺60 to ₺80 and IST to Üsküdar or Kadıköy to about ₺80 to ₺100 per person.
Where does Marmaray connect to the airport metros?
From SAW the M4 meets Marmaray at Ayrılık Çeşmesi. From IST you can ride the extended M11 all the way to Halkalı and change once to Marmaray, or take the M11 to Gayrettepe, the M2 to Yenikapı, and join Marmaray there, which is usually faster for the Bosphorus crossing.
What time does Marmaray stop running?
Trains run from about 06:00 to just after midnight, with later service until around 03:00 on Friday and Saturday nights. Confirm the current timetable before a late trip, as hours can change.