Çekmeköy is an underground station on the M5 line of the Istanbul Metro in Çekmeköy. The station is located on Şile Highway in the Mehmet Akif neighborhood of Çekmeköy. This terminal station serves the eastern edge of the rapid transit network on Istanbul’s Asian side, connecting the sprawling outer reaches of the city to the metro core.
The M5 is the first driverless rapid transit line in Turkey. The M5 line operates as fully automatic unattended train operation (UTO), and since the M5 is an ATO line, protective gates on each side of the platform open only when a train is in the station.
Lines and interchanges: M5. Interchange: Çekmeköy (M5).
Quick Facts
| Built / opened | 2018 |
|---|---|
| Address | Mehmet Akif Neighborhood, Şile Highway, 34782 Çekmeköy, Istanbul Turkey Google MapsApple MapsYandex Maps |
| District | Sancaktepe |
| Interchanges | Çekmeköy (M5, Main entrance at Mehmet Akif Neighborhood) |
| Opening hours | Daily 06:00-00:00; Night service (Saturday-Sunday) 00:00-06:00 |
| Best time to visit | The station is always open during service hours (06:00 to 00:00 daily). Outside of rush hours (typically 08:00–10:00 and 17:00–19:00 on weekdays), trains are less crowded and more seats are available. Night service runs Saturday and Sunday 00:00–06:00 with trains every 30 minutes. |
Why Visit Çekmeköy?
The station is located on Şile Highway and connection to IETT city buses is available at street level. Visitors traveling to or from Çekmeköy—a fast-growing outer district—will use this station to connect to the rest of Istanbul’s metro network. The station also serves as an interchange point for extensive bus routes in the area.
Çekmeköy is an underground station on the M5 line that opened on 21 October 2018. For transit-conscious travelers exploring the Asian side beyond the central tourist belt, this station is the gateway to a less touristy, more residential part of the city.
History of Çekmeköy
The contract for the construction of the M5 line was awarded in October 2011 to the Doğuş Construction Group. Construction of the 20-kilometre-long line in the west–east direction with 16 stations between Üsküdar and Çekmeköy began on 20 March 2012.
The first stage of the line, running from Üsküdar to Yamanevler, finally opened on 15 December 2017. The second stage, from Yamanevler to Çekmeköy, opened on 21 October 2018.
The station was the eastern terminus of the line until the extension to Samandıra Merkez opened on 16 March 2024. The M5 is the first driverless rapid transit line in Turkey, representing a significant technological milestone in Istanbul’s metro expansion.
Tickets and Booking for Çekmeköy
The M5 line operates as fully automatic unattended train operation (UTO). Service runs daily from 06:00 to 00:00 (midnight), with night metro service between 00:00 and 06:00 on Saturdays and Sundays with trains running every 30 minutes, with fares charged at double the price.
Foreign visitors can purchase single journey tickets or reloadable travel cards (Akbil) at station ticket windows. Cards work across all Istanbul Metro lines and most bus and tram services. International visitors may use payment apps where available, but purchasing physical cards at the station is simpler. Train frequency during peak hours is 4 minutes and 40 seconds, and 7 minutes at all other times. For all current ticket types and concessions, visit the official Metro Istanbul website (metro.istanbul).
How to Get to Çekmeköy
By Metro: Çekmeköy is a station on the M5 line of the Istanbul Metro. If arriving from central Istanbul, take the M5 eastbound from Üsküdar. The station is the current terminus on this section of the line (as of October 2026).
From the entrance: The station is located on Şile Highway in the Mehmet Akif neighborhood of Çekmeköy. Exit at the main entrance; the station address is Mehmet Akif Neighborhood, Şile Highway, 34782 Çekmeköy.
Bus connections: Connection to IETT city buses is available at street level. Multiple bus routes serve the station for onward travel within the district.
Accessibility
The station is accessible. The station consists of an island platform with two tracks, and since the M5 is an ATO line, protective gates on each side of the platform open only when a train is in the station. For detailed accessibility features including lifts and accessible entrances, check with Metro Istanbul or visit the station directly.
Food Nearby
The station is in a residential commercial area of Çekmeköy. Street-level vendors and small shops near the exits offer basic food and drinks. For more substantial options, the surrounding neighborhood has local restaurants and cafes typical of outer Istanbul districts.
What to Bring
Bring a valid ID or travel card. In winter, the station is underground but well-heated; in summer, bring water and sunscreen for surface-level waits. Keep bags compact—no restrictions are unusual, but standard public-transit security applies.
Photography Rules
The M5 line operates as fully automatic unattended train operation, and the station consists of an island platform with two tracks with protective gates that open only when a train is in the station. Photography of the station interior is generally permitted; tripods and professional equipment may require discretion in this transit hub.
Family Suitability
The station is family-friendly as a functioning transit hub. The station is accessible with facilities for mobility and wheelchairs. Strollers navigate the underground passages comfortably. Families using the metro will find it straightforward, though this is a working transportation node rather than a tourist destination.
Istanbul Vibes Tips
- The M5 is driverless and unmanned. Do not expect staff on the platforms. Ticket machines and information boards are at the ticket hall. Keep an eye on the protective platform gates—they close between trains.
- The station is no longer the eastern terminus. The line now extends beyond Çekmeköy to Samandıra Merkez (opened March 2024) and Sultanbeyli (opened May 2026), so check your destination carefully.
- Bus connections are extensive here; if you miss the metro, ask at street level for connecting bus routes. Night service (Saturday–Sunday only) runs 00:00–06:00 at higher fares.
- During peak rush hours (08:00–10:00, 17:00–19:00 weekdays), trains fill quickly with commuters. Avoid peak times for a more comfortable ride.
- The station address on Şile Highway is straightforward to find, but verify your exit number with signage; the area is still being developed.
Explore Nearby Çekmeköy
Metro stations near Çekmeköy
Samandıra Merkez – about 4.9 km awayOpen daily 06:00–00:00Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Necip Fazılabout 850 m away (~14 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Sultanbeyliabout 8.8 km awayMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Related guides
Veysel Karani: The M5 Metro Station GuideMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Sancaktepe: Metro Station Map, Hours and Travel TipsOpen daily 06:00–00:00Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Browse more: More in Sancaktepe · All Metro Stations · All Other Hubs
FAQ: Çekmeköy
Is Çekmeköy the last station on the M5?
No. The station was the eastern terminus of the line until the extension to Samandıra Merkez opened on 16 March 2024. As of October 2026, the line extends beyond Çekmeköy to Sultanbeyli.
How often do trains run?
Train frequency is 4 minutes and 40 seconds during peak hours and 7 minutes at all other times. The line operates night metro service between 00:00 and 06:00 on Saturdays and Sundays with trains running every 30 minutes, providing 66 hours of uninterrupted service between Friday and Sunday.
What are the station hours?
The station operates daily 06:00 to 00:00 (midnight). Night service runs 00:00 to 06:00 on Saturdays and Sundays with trains every 30 minutes and fares charged at double the price, and during this time only Entrance 1 is open.
Can I buy tickets at the station?
Yes. Ticket windows operate during regular hours. You can purchase single journey tickets or reloadable Akbil cards for use across Istanbul's metro and bus system. Payment methods include cash and some digital options.
Is the station accessible for wheelchairs?
The station is accessible. Check with Metro Istanbul for specific details on lifts, ramps and accessible entrances.
What buses serve Çekmeköy station?
Connection to IETT city buses is available at street level. Multiple routes serve the outer district; bus maps and information are posted at the station exits.
Is it safe to travel at night?
The line operates night metro service between 00:00 and 06:00 on Saturdays and Sundays with 66 hours of uninterrupted service between Friday and Sunday. Use standard urban transit safety practices (stay aware, keep valuables secure, travel in groups when possible).
How long to reach central Istanbul from here?
Travel time to Üsküdar (the western end of the M5) varies with frequency but typically takes 25–35 minutes depending on the time of day and number of stops.
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