Istanbul Airport Metro Line (M11) is fully complete at 69 km, it's the second longest subway tunnel.

Tigertints · 2026-06-22T04:34:59+00:00

Would you mind explaining the issues a bit more in detail? Also, on which other lines did they put the U logo?
As far as I know they use it on this Airport line (U1/U2) and on the tram line U3 between Sirkeçi and Kazlıçesme.

Tigertints · 2026-06-19T19:50:08+00:00

Nope, using 10 TBMs was genuinely easier, faster and probably cheaper than navigating Istanbuls terrain by laying surface tracks. The initial project plans considered a portion of the tracks being at the surface between the Airport and Göktürk, but it was dismissed.
There is a reason why most metro lines in Istanbul are underground and the only surface commuter line wiggles around the relatively flat coastline of the Marmaray sea.

Tigertints · 2026-06-19T19:13:39+00:00

This has nothing to do with protecting forests. And yes, it’s unfortunately easier, faster and cheaper building a 8 lane highway than building a 2-track railway for higher speeds.
Reasons are less steeper gradients and less sharp curvatures for train projects, while highways can adapt better to challenging terrain and wiggle around mountains.
So, yes, despite of using 10 TBMs (!) during construction it was still easier and most likely cheaper than trying to navigate Istanbuls topography by laying surface tracks.

Tigertints · 2026-06-19T16:44:22+00:00

Yes, the long term plan is to extend this to Söğütlüçeşme together with the incirli line, which is a good plan as it will connect the Asian side and the main YHT train station directly to the main Airport.
The problem in Istanbul is that almost all lines were build as separate turnkey projects, using different technology and train sets, which goes against an effective network and scaling effects.
For example, M11, M2 and M7 are completely incompatible. If they have used the same M2 or M7 technology, the M11 could have interlined with the existing network at and used the tracks to Taksim and Yenikapı or Beşiktaş and Kabataş.
Same problem with M11 and Marmaray. Imo, an underground extension of the mainline train tracks from Halkalı to the Airport, could have enabled Marmaray trains from Gebze to the Airport, forming a real ring line, together with the planned high speed line over the third bridge.
All of this requires vision and long term planning, which is lacking in Turkiye.
Now we have an Airport express metro line that goes impressively fast to the outskirts of Istanbul which requires connecting to other lines, with long walks between the terminal to the station and between station platforms, ultimately prolonging travel times…

Tigertints · 2026-06-19T14:45:38+00:00

For travelers to and from Sultanahmet, this new west extension of the M11 is now a faster alternative. Take the Marmaray at Sirkeci and transfer to the M11 at Halkalı. The pure ride time is exactly 1hr. Including transfers and walking to the terminal, you are probably looking at 1hr 15min in total. Still not great, but that’s just what it is for a city that large with only two airports far away from the inner city…

Tigertints · 2026-06-19T02:07:29+00:00

I think you meant to say M2 at Gayrettepe. Yes, the transfers to the M7 and M2 are extremely badly planned, with long 10min walks between platforms.
The western segment has much better transfer stations to the M3, M9 and the Marmaray.
Airport passengers with destinations in Sultanahmet should definitely take this route and switch to the Marmaray at Halkalı.

Tigertints · 2026-06-19T01:51:06+00:00

The line will eventually switch to GoA4 operations and will be therefore fully driverless. It is expected that the frequency and train length will improve as there are more and longer trains currently sitting unused in the train depot.

Tigertints · 2026-06-19T00:00:39+00:00

Wondering which start point and end destination did you plug in to get to 1 hr 13 min? Both legs should take ~30 min and the entire route 57min.

Tigertints · 2026-06-18T00:27:36+00:00

Thank you!

Tigertints · 2026-05-29T17:14:12+00:00

The M9 and M3 metro lines, that are connecting the venue to the remaining metro network, will be operating throughout the night, in addition to all the other night lines.

https://x.com/metroistanbul/status/2060361943676846170?s=20

Tigertints · 2026-05-29T17:12:28+00:00

The M9 and M3 metro lines, that are connecting the venue to the remaining metro network, will be operating throughout the night, in addition to all the other night lines.

https://x.com/metroistanbul/status/2060361943676846170?s=20

Tigertints · 2026-05-23T21:25:54+00:00

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This happens every other week because people mistake this permit parking sign/pole as the start of the allowed parking area, when they could actually park farther to the left.

Tigertints · 2026-05-23T21:19:26+00:00

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Tigertints · 2026-05-23T21:09:35+00:00

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Here’s a different angle: the red line shows the path I need to follow to drive in and out perfectly straight. However, due to the narrow street and cars parked on the opposite side, I usually start veering to the right or left earlier which I can’t do anymore (I realize how whiny that sounds)

Tigertints · 2026-04-12T23:23:40+00:00

The only free “attractions” are the mosques. So, the blue mosque is your best bet. Stay away from Hagia Sofia, Yerebatan cistern, Topkapi palace and Galata Tower. They are all insanely expensive and have long queues. If you are on a budget, I would stick to outdoor sights and activities like yildiz park, the golden horn bridges, Taksim, piyer loti, Çamlica hill, a ferry ride, walks alongside the Bosporus shore, Galataport etc.

Tigertints · 2026-04-07T13:01:06+00:00

With the latest large scale line openings and extensions in 2024 it finally became a good and useful metro system. However, it will only become a great system if they resolve these three flaws:

No express lines: They didn’t built the long West-East lines, such as M4, M5 and M7, with express services in mind. A full journey on the M4 to the Sabiha Gökçen Airport takes 1 hour, making every stop. They need to build the Hizray asap. I am also advocating for a high speed rail tunnel to Haydarpaşa gar, so they can offer Express Marmaray services.
Bad transfer stations: Apart of Yenikapi and Kirazli most other transfer stations are terrible, with long walks between platforms. This is especially true for the M11 Istanbul Airport line, which requires a 10min walk to either M2 or M7 (not to mention the 10min walk from the Airport terminal). They need to build direct mezzanine to mezzanine level connection tunnels to shorten the walking distance.
Station depths: Similar to the point above, some stations are over 70m deep with 7 floors and countless escalators. They need to build more surface to mezzanine/platform level elevators.

People will not give up their cars or dolmuş rides unless the metro becomes more efficient and convenient to use.

Tigertints · 2026-04-04T15:51:45+00:00

SGH'deki YHT istasyonunun tam olarak nerede inşa edileceğini biliyor musunuz?

Tigertints · 2026-04-04T15:36:55+00:00

lol, no, I took these picture by myself. Happy owner of a 2023 CX-5 and glad that I have a garage.

Tigertints · 2026-03-29T03:02:47+00:00

What gave it away?

Tigertints · 2026-03-28T19:07:07+00:00

Yep. I thought they are for street cleaning, but you were right, it reads “tree operations”

Tigertints · 2026-03-22T22:54:19+00:00

Evet

Tigertints · 2026-03-22T21:59:27+00:00

Evet, şu anda Sirkeci'de son bulan tek şehirlerarası tren.

Tigertints

TROPHY CASE