When bars close and restaurants wind down, Istanbul doesn’t stop—but most public transport does. How to travel around Istanbul at night involves understanding which services actually run after midnight: a growing night metro on weekend nights, night buses operating every night, and always-available taxis. This guide explains your real options and how to use them, so you don’t get stuck waiting for a train that won’t come.
The practical choice depends on where you’re going and when. If you’re heading home after a night out on Friday or Saturday, the metro runs until 06:00 on select lines. On any other night, night buses cover the major routes. For direct journeys regardless of timing, taxis remain available around the clock.
Quick answer: For weekend nights, take the night metro on seven lines (M1A, M1B, M2, M4, M5, M6, M7) between Friday 06:00 and Sunday midnight, with service resuming from midnight Friday until 06:00 Sunday morning. On any night, night buses operate between midnight and 06:00 across the city. For any night or time, use a taxi.
At a Glance
| Total time | Varies by mode: metro 3–15 minutes depending on distance, night buses 15–40 minutes, taxis 10–30 minutes depending on traffic |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | ₺ for metro and buses with Istanbulkart, ₺₺ for taxis |
What You Need Before You Start
- Istanbulkart or contactless payment card for metro and buses
- Cash for taxi alternative
- Mobile phone with taxi app (optional, for app-based rides)
- Knowledge of your destination district or street name
- Awareness that metro lines close at midnight on weekdays
Compare Your Options
| Option | Duration | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night metro (weekends only) | 3–20 minutes depending on distance | ₺ | Runs Friday 06:00 to Sunday 00:00, then resumes midnight Friday to 06:00 Sunday. Only on seven lines (M1A, M1B, M2, M4, M5, M6, M7). Trains every 30 minutes. Most convenient for predictable, safe travel on routes covered. |
| Night buses (every night) | 15–50 minutes depending on route and distance | ₺ | Run midnight to 06:00 every night. Eleven main routes cover central hubs (Taksim, Kadıköy, airports). Infrequent (every 2–6 hours). Covers more of the city than metro but less reliable for timing. |
| Taxi or ride app (24/7) | 10–30 minutes depending on traffic and traffic conditions | ₺₺ | Available anytime. No schedule or route limitations. More expensive than public transport. Meter-based or app-priced. Best for small groups or when in a hurry. |
| Metrobus (limited night service) | 20–40 minutes depending on route | ₺ | The Beylikdüzü–Söğütlüçeşme line operates night service with reduced frequency (headway 2–8 hours depending on time and direction). Useful for reaching the Bosphorus bridge on the European side. |
| Walk and combine services | Varies | Free | In central districts (Beyoğlu, Sultanahmet, Kadıköy), walking to a night bus hub may be faster than waiting. Walk to Taksim or Kadıköy where multiple night lines converge. |
₺ budget · ₺₺ moderate · ₺₺₺ upscale · ₺₺₺₺ splurge. Price levels are estimates compared with typical prices for visitors.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Check your destination and time
Look up your departure point and destination. Note the day (Friday–Sunday night metro is available; weekdays it is not) and time. If it's after midnight on a weekday, the metro will not be running, so plan on buses or a taxi.
Tip: Download the Metro Istanbul or İBB apps beforehand to check real-time schedules and routes.
Step 2: For weekend nights: find the metro station and enter
If travelling Friday night through Sunday morning, head to the nearest metro station. Look for the entrance (some entrances close at night; check signage for which ones remain open). Use your Istanbulkart or contactless card at the turnstile.
Tip: Not all metro line entrances are open during night hours. If your usual entrance is closed, look for an alternative entrance at the same station.
Step 3: Board the correct line and direction
Check the line you need is one of the seven night metro lines (M1A to Atatürk Airport or Kirazlı; M2 to Haciosman; M4 to Sabiha Gökçen Airport; M5 to Sultanbeyli; M6 to Boğaziçi University; M7 to Mahmutbey). Confirm your direction before boarding. Trains run every 30 minutes during night hours.
Tip: Night metro trains stop running at 06:00 on Sunday morning, not at midnight. Plan your connection if transferring to daytime transport.
Step 4: For any night: find a night bus stop
Night buses run every night from midnight to 06:00. Look for bus stops marked with a bus symbol. Check the route number on the shelter or ask locally. Major night routes include 25G (Sarıyer–Taksim), 40 (Rumeli Feneri–Taksim), 11ÜS (Sultanbeyli–Üsküdar), 15F (Beykoz–Kadıköy), E-10 (Sabiha Gökçen Airport–Kadıköy), and H-2 (Mecidiyeköy–Istanbul Airport).
Tip: Night buses run every 2–6 hours depending on the route, so they are infrequent. Check timing in advance using the İBB app.
Step 5: Pay and board the night bus
Hold your Istanbulkart or contactless card at the payment reader when boarding. The fare structure is the same as daytime buses. Board through the front door and exit through the middle or rear doors.
Tip: Keep your card or cash ready before you board; some late-night drivers move quickly.
Step 6: For guaranteed service: use a taxi or app
Taxis operate 24/7 in Istanbul. Hail one on the street by raising your hand, or use local taxi apps. Agree on a route or use the meter. For app-based rides, services like Uber or local Turkish alternatives are available in central areas but coverage varies outside the city center.
Tip: Taxi fares are higher late at night and may not follow the meter consistently. Agree on a price in advance or confirm the driver uses the meter.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming the metro runs every night: it only operates Friday night through Sunday morning on seven lines. On Monday–Thursday nights, the metro shuts down at midnight and does not reopen until 06:00.
- Waiting for the wrong bus: night buses are very infrequent (every 2–6 hours, not every 10 minutes like daytime). Confirm your bus number and check the app before committing to waiting.
- Missing the double metro fare: when the night metro runs, double fare is applied. Your Istanbulkart balance will be charged twice the usual rate, so ensure it is funded.
- Going to the wrong entrance at night: only Entrance 1 is open at some stations during night hours. Arriving at a closed entrance wastes time.
- Relying on schedule information that is not current: night bus routes and timing change. Always check the İBB or Metro Istanbul official apps or websites before heading out, not printed schedules.
Tickets, Payment and Booking
Metro and buses: Use an Istanbulkart (rechargeable contactless card) available at metro stations and convenience stores. Many foreign visitors also use contactless payment cards (Visa, Mastercard) directly at readers on buses and metro—tap at the turnstile to enter. No advance booking needed. Both services accept payment on entry.
Night metro fares cost double the daytime rate. Confirm your card has sufficient balance before boarding. Beware of ticket touts or unofficial sellers outside stations; always buy from official kiosks inside the station or use your own card.
For taxis: No booking required in central areas; hail on the street or use an app. Confirm the driver uses the meter or agree a price before entering.
Istanbul Vibes Tips
- Night metro runs midnight-to-06:00 Friday through Sunday, but many locals do not know it stops at midnight on weekdays. If travelling Wednesday night, plan on buses or a taxi, not the metro.
- Night buses cluster around Taksim (central European side) and Kadıköy (central Asian side). If stuck in a quiet neighborhood late at night, walk to one of these hubs to access more frequent service.
- The night metro is safest mid-trip on a full train. Avoid boarding or exiting when platforms are empty. Stick to well-lit central stations like Taksim or Eminönü.
- Carry cash for taxis, as not all accept cards. Late-night drivers may also claim card readers are broken to pressure you into cash payment.
- Night bus routes sometimes differ from daytime routes (for example, route 15F deviates to serve Üsküdar at night instead of bypassing it). Check the app route map, not your daytime bus memory.
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FAQ
Does the metro run at night every day?
The night metro operates on nights connecting Friday to Saturday and Saturday to Sunday. On weekdays (Monday–Thursday nights), the metro closes at midnight and does not reopen until 06:00. Plan on buses or taxis for midweek late nights.
Why do night metro fares cost double?
Double fare tariff is applied in the night metro as of August 30, 2019. This reflects the extra operational cost of running services when demand is lower and labor costs are higher.
Are night buses safe?
Yes, night buses are operated by IETT to allow residents to reach home safely, with 116 vehicles operating on 11 routes between midnight and 06:00. Buses are well-lit and monitored. Avoid sitting alone in empty buses or getting off in deserted areas.
How often do night buses come?
Night buses are very infrequent, running every 2–6 hours depending on the route and direction. Check the exact schedule in the İBB or Metro Istanbul app before heading to a stop.
Can I use my card to pay for buses and metro at night?
Yes. Use an Istanbulkart (rechargeable card) or tap a foreign contactless Visa/Mastercard at the reader on entry. Metro night fares charge double; buses charge the standard rate.
Which night buses go to the airports?
Several airport routes run at night: H-2 (Mecidiyeköy–Istanbul Airport), E-10 (Sabiha Gökçen–Kadıköy), SG-1 and SG-2 (Sabiha Gökçen–Taksim). Check current schedules, as routes and frequency change.
Is there night ferry service on the Bosphorus?
Regular ferry services (IDO) do not operate through the night. Night transport across the Bosphorus is limited to taxis, the night metro (where it crosses), or night buses. Check current ferry schedules locally.
What happens if I miss the last metro?
Use a night bus if your route is covered, or take a taxi. The night metro is weekend-only; if it's a weekday, the metro has already closed at midnight anyway. Always know your backup plan before going out late.
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About this guide: AI assistance and accuracy
This guide is created with the help of AI and is based on official sources where available. Mistakes can still happen. Opening hours, prices, rules and other details are given to the best of our knowledge as of the date shown and can change without notice. It offers general recommendations only, not professional, legal or travel advice. Please confirm important details with the official source before you travel; you are responsible for your own plans and decisions.
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