Turkey

Existing Systems

Adana
Ankara
Antalya
Bursa
Eskisehir (Kayseri)
Gaziantep
Istanbul
Izmir
Konya
Samsun

Planned

Isparta
Trabzon

Istanbul - Where east meets west


Istanbul lies partly in Asia and partly in Europe.  Like Ankara, this city is a veritable traction fan's paradise. It sports a full metro, light a light rail subway, a standard light rail line, two heritage tramways and a funicular subway originally built in the 1870's.

 


Metro
Subway

The 7.9 km km, 6 station section one of the Istanbul subway opened in August, 2000. The second section, consisting of 5.4 km and 4 stations, is under construction. The system is entirely underground; however, section two will include a bridge. Eventually, this city of 10 million, which stretches for over 100 km east to west, plans on converting many of it's suburban lines to metro status, including a subway connection under the Bosphoros.

As in all subways, watch out for thieves, rapists and terrorists.

 Istanbul Ulasim (Istanbul Transportation) home page
Osamu's Istanbul page
Istanbul subway construction photos and information
 Transport A Istanbul
 Enka construction info on subway stations with pics



Light Rail (Mini-Metro, or, Hafif-Metro)

In 1989 a light rail line (Hafif Metro) was built from Aksaray towards the western suburbs. Until 1995 it was extended to Yeni Bosna. It has a total length of 18 km with 16 stops, running  underground for 4.4 km through the city centre. In the 1990's also a modern tram line was put into service through the older parts of the city. An airport extension from Yeni Bosna station is under construction. An extension from Taksim to Yenikapi is also underway, with a planned opening in 2003 or 2004.

Hafif Metro home page



Tramway

The 10.3 km., 19 station Aksaray-Sirkeci Tram System opened in 1991. Built along the alignment of an old tram line system in the Historical Peninsula of Istanbul, the tramway line runs from runs from Eminonu/Sirkeci station via Aksaray to Zeytinburnu, just outside the South-Western city walls. A branch also runs from Aksaray to the Esenler bus station. At Aksaray you can transfer to the Hafif Metro.

Yapi Merkezy site

 

Funicular Subway

Tünel connects the bridge of Galata to the bottom of Istiklal Cad., just on the level of the terminus of the tram. Price identical to the bus. The line, built in 1875, is perhaps the world's shortest subway - a mere 573 meters. Trains operate every 3.5 minutes and a trip takes 1.5 minutes. The upper station is linked to Taksim Square by a vintage tram.

  • Istanbul funicular subway (from Osamu's site)
  • Euroscrapers Tünel page
  • Turkey's tünel history - and future
     


    Beyoglu
    Heritage tramway

    The 1.6 km Beyoglu tramway runs along a single line along the length of Istiklal to it's end at Tünel. The line opened in 1990.  Beyoglu comprises the "night life" of Istanbul. In 2004, a new 8 station, 2.65 km heritage tramway opened in Istanbul.

    A map
    Another     map
    Images from Osamu Abe's site
    The Turkey Program from Associated Colleges of the South - Transportation in Turkey
     

     

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