How to get from Halkali to Istanbul Airport (IST) by metro?

A presidential decree confirms free travel on July 15 (National Unity Day) for Baskentray, Marmaray, ISBAN, the Sirkeci-Kazlicesme rail line, and the Gayrettepe–Istanbul Airport–Arnavutkoy metro. It also states the official grand opening ceremony of the Halkali–Arnavutkoy line is scheduled for July 31, 2026.

The free travel promotion only works with a regular Istanbulkart — a personalized transport card does not work on this line, except on the airport section.

The Halkali–Arnavutkoy segment of the M11 line officially opened on June 19, 2026. It completes the 69 km Gayrettepe–Istanbul Airport–Halkali route, making it the longest and fastest metro line in Turkey.

Travel on the entire Halkali–Istanbul Airport metro line is free for all passengers until July 31, 2026, as announced by President Erdogan at the opening ceremony.

Key journey times on the line: Halkali to Istanbul Airport — 30 min; Halkali to Goturk — 43 min; Kagithane to the airport — 54 min; Gayrettepe to the airport — 57 min; Basaksehir to Kagithane — 48 min.

At Halkali station, the M11 metro connects directly with the Marmaray commuter rail, allowing passengers from both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul to reach the airport without switching to a bus.

The M11 line offers interchange with several other metro lines: at Kayasehir with the Bakirkoy–Basaksehir–Kayasehir line; at Olimpiatkoy with the Atakoy–Ikitelli line; and at Ibn Haldun University station with the Vezneciler–Sultangazi–Fenerteppe line.

On June 18, the day before the opening, the Minister of Transport personally inspected the completed Halkali–Arnavutkoy segment and confirmed all construction work was finished and the line was ready to launch.

On June 16, 2026, Turkey's Transport Minister announced the completion of the Halkali–Arnavutkoy section and set the opening date for June 19, completing the full Gayrettepe–Istanbul Airport metro corridor.