Although Istanbul’s train system has exited since the 19th century, you don’t have to worry that the trains hark back to those times. The trains are undergoing a continuous process of expansion so that it has a wider reach.
The first-ever metro system was the underground system that spanned Istiklal Street up to Karakoy, along with the Galata Bridge. Built in 1875, this is called the Tunel. It is the second underground railway. The first one would be the Underground in London, which was built in 1863. The Tunel Railway is also the first such underground system in continental Europe. The railway system spans 573 meters, and since it’s so short, there are no other stations in between Karakoy and Tunel Square. The ride is only a couple of minutes long. This transports around 15,000 everyday.
Another more modern line connects Taksim to Kabatas. When in Taksim, you can go to other points as Taksim Square houses the metro station, a tram stop and a Seabus station. This funicular line spans a length of 600 meters.
There are also two lines of the light rail system (LRT). The M1 is the line that plies the route along Kartaltepe, Aksaray and all the way to the Ataturk Airport. The second line, the T4, is newer and spans the length between Mescid-I Selam and Edirnekapi. Its 36 stations include 3 viaduct terminals and 12 undergound stations. It is 32 kilometers in length. There is also the 8.5 kilometer long M2, which runs between 4th Levent and Taksim. There are expected developments and expansions to these lines. There are also plans to add more lines to meet the growing transportation need.
To know more about schedules and lines, log on to www.istanbul-ulasim.com.tr/en.
The latest information, according to the website, is as follows:
M1 (Aksaray – Airport)
Stations: Aksaray – Emniyet Fatih – Topkapi Ulubatli – Bayrampasa Maltepe – Sagmalcilar – Kartaltepe Kocatepe – Otogar (Also has a bus terminal) – Esenler – Terazidere – Davutpasa – Merter – Zeytinburnu – Bakirkoy – Bahcelievler – Atakoy Sirenevler – Yenibosna – DTM-Istanbul Fuar Merkezi – Havalimani (Airport)
The M1 runs from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. daily.
M2 (Taksim – Levent)
Stations: Taksim – Osmanbay – Sisli Mecidiyekoy – Gayrettepe – Levent – 4 Levent
The M2 runs from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 on Mondays to Saturdays and 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Karakoy – Beyoglu Tunel Funicular
It only runs between the two stations
Sirkeci – Halkali Banliyo
Stations: Sirkeci – Cankurtaran – Kumkapi – Yenikapi – Koca Mustasa Pasa – Yedikule – Kazlicesme – Zeytinburnu – Yeni Mahalle – Bakirkoy – Yesilyurt – Yesilkoy – Florya – Menekse – Kucukcekmece – Soguksu – Kanarya – Halkali
Haydarpasa – Osman Gazi
Stations: Haydarpasa – Sogutlu Cesme – Kiziltoprak – Feneryolu – Goztepe – Erenkoy – Suadiye – Bostanci – Idealtepe – Sureyya Plaji – Maltepe – Cevizli – Atalar – Kartal – Yunus – Pendik – Kaynarca – Tersane – Guzel Yali – Aydentepe – Icmeler – Tuzla – Fatih – Osman Gazi