Blog

image
December 20, 2021
The Advantages of Living in European Istanbul | Most beautiful landmarks and best services.

With its history, seas, and seven hills, European Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans two continents. Today, we simplify it in your hands as a piece of paradise!

Here is the cradle of many secrets and legends, as well as picturesque scenes, and because of that, Istanbul topped the list of the best European cities for the year 2021 AD, according to the American "Travel and Leisure" magazine.

In this article from Taksim Real Estate, we highlight Istanbul's European side, the advantages of living in it, and what it contains in museums, commercial centers, neighborhoods, and tourist attractions.

What are the regions of the European section of Istanbul?

European Istanbul charms everyone's heart; you can choose to live in a historical perfume bottle among its divisions and islands, or within its modern municipalities with their malls and gardens, or on the banks of its seas and lakes...

Wherever you move, you will find some beauty and splendor in all its neighborhoods, which are :

1. Taksim Square in Beyoglu.

2. Fatih , the icon of conquering the city.

3. Zeytinburnuon near Constantinople's historic walls,

4. Besiktas.

5. Sisli.

6. Kağıthane.

7. Sariyer.

8. Silivri

9. Esenler

10. Eyüpsultan area, which embracing the shrine of the great companion Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari.

11. Gaziosmanpaşa.

12. Sultan Ghazi.

13. Güngören

14. Bakirkoy

15. Bayrampaşa

16. Basaksehir, and there is a city of green gardens in it, Bahcesehir.

17. Kucukcekmece which is Minor Lake.

18. Bahcelievler

19. Bagcilar.

20. Avcilar.

21. Beylikdüzü.

22. Esenyurt which is crowded with residential complexes, and we have many offers for anyone looking for apartments for sale in Istanbul Esenyurt.

23. Buyukcekmece, which is the big Lake.

24. Çatalca

25. Arnavutköy.

What are the benefits of living in European Istanbul?

There are many advantages to live in the European side of Istanbul, with the variety of topography of its different regions, where you can find in it:

The outdoor lifestyle, with the roaring waves of the sea and its gentle breezes,

modern lifestyle in the center of a major metropolitan city.

wonderful weather and a mild climate most of the year.

Fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as animal products.

Ease of movement through air, land, and sea transportation networks around the clock.

Istanbul contains 3 airports, one of which is on the Asian side, while Istanbul Airport will be considered the largest in the world after the completion of all its phases.

The Metrobus line runs on a special track that cuts across the city from its European end in Beylikdüzü to Uzunşeir on the Asian side of Istanbul. Its vehicles are constantly being upgraded, providing free internet, screens, air conditioning, heating, and other amenities.

Ships and ferries also have long and historical lines that continue to this day between the ports of Istanbul and the surrounding cities, such as Bursa.

The modern Marmaray metro line, which was built under the water, not far from the huge Avrasya Tunnel, which shortens the distance between the two continents.

As the Istanbul metro lines writhe above the ground, extending their arms in a spider shape that lengthens every day to cover the vast European corners of Istanbul,

The cost of living is acceptable, with multiple levels that suit everyone.

There are countless monuments and historical buildings.

It contains huge shopping centers and international brands at reasonable prices.

Proximity to financial and business centers, not to mention hotels, fairs, and bazaars.

Incubating dozens of public and private universities.

In addition to the availability of international, Arabic, and Turkish schools of all kinds and curricula,

A strong health system that includes hundreds of hospitals, clinics, and medical centers in all neighbourhoods and municipalities.

Between all of this and that, its modern residential complexes, equipped with all the amenities, luxury, sports, health, artificial lakes, and green spaces, are scattered with models of apartments and villas of various sizes and rooms that meet all the requirements of families.

The most beautiful gardens in European Istanbul

1 - Emirgan Parki

There are many gardens in Istanbul on the European side, and the "Emirgan" is at the forefront of these gardens because it contains more than 120 species of plants, and includes two ceramic ponds. It is also one of the largest public gardens in Istanbul.

2 - Florya Gardens

Florya Gardens on the beachfront include restaurants with the most luxurious types of food, children's games, a walkway, a nursery, a racing track, a children's traffic city, and a cafe, and you will find roses and flowers flaunting on both sides of its breathtaking beauty.

3 - Gulhane Park | one of the most beautiful European gardens in Istanbul.

In 2008, Gulhana Park included a historical museum of technology and Islamic sciences on its western side, and it was said that it was dedicated to the Sultan and his family. It was part of the outer garden of the Topkapi Palace.

Istanbul museums on the European side

1 - Hagia Sophia Museum

The Hagia Sophia Museum was an "Orthodox cathedral", then it was transformed by Mehmed the Conqueror into a mosque, and turned to a museum during  the era of the Republic  in 1935 AD, recently become a mosque in the presence of the Turkish President. Therefore, it is an important and famous historical landmark.

2 - Rumeli Hisar Museum

Built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, Rumeli Hisar overlooks the Bosphorus and is in the form of a historical castle that protects the city's borders.

3 - Turkey Museum of Marine Biology

The Turkey Museum of Marine Biology is located within the "Beylikdüzü" area, and there are a number of whales, marine life, and stuffed fish, such as: tuna, rays, hamsi, and sharks.

 

This was an overview of the advantages of living in European Istanbul, where you will find the most beautiful landmarks and the best services in its various regions. with a review of some of its museums and gardens, in addition to the advantages of living there.

It is worth saying that European Istanbul specializes in the most luxurious and secured real estate projects, some of which are guaranteed by the Turkish government, and others are implemented by the largest construction companies and hotels in the world, with guaranteed return on investment by leasing the property or resale it.

So, if you want to invest or live in one of Istanbul's European neighborhoods and need more information please check our lisited properties and apartments in European Istanbul , Apartments for sale in European Istanbul  , or  contact us at Taksim Real Estate Consulting, and our team will be happy to provide you with the best real estate advice.

Editing: Taksim Real Estate Consulting©

Sources: Turk Press, Wikipedia

Read more
image
December 13, 2021
Asian Istanbul | The advantages of living among its most beautiful landmarks

Special charm and incomparable beauty cover most of the Asian and European corners of Istanbul. In the city of the two continents, the most beautiful European city for the world in 2021; you find the picturesque nature and the ancient cultural heritage, mixed with the spirit of modernity and contemporary.

In this article, we highlight everything related to the Anatolian side of Istanbul; Neighborhoods, Tourist Attractions; Museums; Gardens; Shopping Centers ; with a presentation of the most important features of living.

Where is the Asian side of Istanbul located?

Between the Sea of Marmara in the south and the Black Sea to the north. The Asian side of Istanbul is on the east bank of the enchanting Bosphorus strait that divides the world between East and west; It also divides the city into two parts, European and Anatolian.

What are the neighborhoods of Asian Istanbul?

The Asian section of Istanbul consists of 14 districts and neighborhoods; They are:

► Adalar - Princess Islands

► Ataşehir

► Beykoz

► Çekmeköy

Kadıköy

► Kartal

► Maltepe

► Pendik 

► Sancaktepe

► Sultanbeyli

► Şile

► Tuzla 

► Ümraniye

► Üsküdar

What are the advantages of living in the Asian side of Istanbul?

The advantages of living in the Asian side are summarized In “ the calm” shaped by the following factors:

• Most of the residents are locals with a culture that tends to be calm.

• The population density is lower than the European side.

• Traffic flow on the roads.

• Wide streets; and vast green spaces.

• Urban neighborhoods away from slums.

• Residential units with large spacious areas.

The most beautiful gardens of Asian Istanbul

1. Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden

Enjoy the richest plant diversity in Turkey in the Botanical Garden in Ataşehir; which you can enter it for free from Atasehir Gate or Umraniye Gate; it is one of the Istanbul Gardens Pearls.

2. Korusu Gozdagi Orchad

Enjoy a panoramic view of Yalova Province and the Princess Islands when you visit Gozday orchard, spread over an area of 13 thousand square meters; it is 206 meters above sea level.

3. Goztepe 60th  Year  Park

Colorful fishes and unique gardens of tulips and roses; you can enjoy it as this park is located between Baghdad Street and the coastal road.

4. Otagtepe Park

One of the most beautiful landmarks of the Beykoz region; where the vast green spaces extending over the side of the bridge of Sultan Mehmet Al-Fateh with Stunning view of the Bosphorus and European Istanbul.

5. Fenerbahce Park

It is located within the Kadikoy district; next to Fenerbahce Sports Club and Kalamis Marina”; it has a beautiful sea view.

Museums you must visit in Asian side of Istanbul

1. Sabri Artam Classic Car Museum

This museum is located in Çengelköy and attracts lovers of classic cars; where a collection of antique cars in Turkey are there.

2. Beylerbey Palace

It is located in the Beylerbey neighborhood, north of the Bosphorus Bridge, and includes rare pieces of chandeliers, vases and historical carpets; in addition to some gifts brought by Aliens statesmen to the Ottoman Empire.

3. Toy Museum

Children’s entertainment place in Kadıköy; Established in 2005; featuring thousands toys. Some of them date back about 300 years.

4. Sait Faik Abasiyanik Museum

It is located in the Burgazada district; presents letters, pictures and manuscripts; in addition to some of the collections of the famous writer Site Faik.

The most prominent historical landmarks on the Asian side of Istanbul

1. Haydarpaşa Train Station

It is the oldest railway station in Turkey with a tall tower and colorful decorated windows with wreaths, it has a wonderful view of Kadikoy Bay.

2. Çinili Camii Mosque

One of the most famous historical mosques in Istanbul; it is located within Uskudar District; it has been built in 1640 AD by order of the wife of Sultan Ahmed I.

3. Virgo Tower

Also known as the girl’s Tower (kiz kulesi); it sits on a small island at the entrance to the strait southern Bosphorus; 200 meters from the coast of Uskudar; It goes back to the century V BC. It has become one of the icons of the city of the two continents.

The most famous shopping street in Asian Istanbul

 The best shopping streets in the Asian part of the city; you can find it within the Kadıköy district, Namely:

• Baghdad Street

• Bahri Street

• Cilek strawberry street

Asian Istanbul’s most luxurious malls

• Akasya Mall

• Emaar Mall

• Istmarina Mall

• Tepe Nautilus Mall

• ViaPort Istanbul Mall

• Water garden Mall

• Hill Town Mall

• Can Park Mall

• Palladium Mall

• Capitol Mall

• Brandium Mall

• Buyaka Mall

This was a comprehensive presentation of the advantages of living in the Asian side of Istanbul; in addition to the most famous historical and tourist attractions that it is famous for.

If you would like to know more details about living and investing in Asian and European Istanbul; contact us now at Taksim Real Estate Consultancy; and get a free consultation; with many options for the Best real estate in Turkey. as you can check our listed apartments for sale in Asian Istanbul as well.

 

Editing: Taksim Real Estate Consulting©

Source: New Turk Post + Turk Press + Wikipedia

Read more
image
December 06, 2021
Kucukcekmece Area in Istanbul, closest area to the new canal

Kucukcekmece area is a suburb located in the southern part of the European side of Istanbul on the European shore of the Marmara Sea. It is surrounded by Basaksehir, Bagcilar, Bahcelievler, and Bakirkoy areas. The Kucukcekmece lake separates it from Avcilar. Kucukcekmece means "little depression" and during the Greek period it was named Bathonea.

Kucukcekmece Lake

The lake is connected to the Sea of Marmara by a very narrow channel; therefore, the water has low salinity. It is ten kilometers in length and six kilometers in width and is considered as one of the main attractions in the area. The Park attached to it offers a great view of the lake and a nice place for families to enjoy on the weekends.

Kucukcekmece coast and beach

It is located on the European part of the Marmara Sea and offers a free sandy public beach where people can go to enjoy a swim during the summer months.

Tourist attractions in Kucukcekmece

The Kucukcekmece area offers different tourist attractions that suit different tastes. If you are a nature lover, an art enthusiast, or an adventure seeker you will find a perfect place for you to enjoy your hobbies in Kucukcekmece.

Some of these main attractions are Yarimburgaz cave, Grand Aqua Marine, Sefakoy cultural center, Mehmet Arsay Classic Car Museum, Floria Ataturk Palace Museum, Florya Aquarium, Bathonea Ancient City Excavation Center, Kibrithane or the Balikci Island.

Transportation in Kucukcekmece

Two of the main Highways pass through the Kucukcekmece area, the TEM and E5 Highways. Furthermore, most of the means of transportations available in Istanbul can be found in kucukcekmece. The Kirazli-Halkali Metro line, the Metrobus linking the Asian side of Istanbul to the European side and the Halkali-Gebze Marmaray line in addition to buses and minibuses that are found all over the area and some of them are working 24/7.

Why to live in Kucukcekmece?

The kucukcekmece area is perfect for living, as you can find in it anything you might need for your daily life. It has 25 public schools in addition to 4 private ones, 3 private Universities İstanbul Arel University, İstanbul Aydın University and Sabahattin Zaim University.

Also, there are 1 public hospital and 3 private ones. As for the shopping lovers there are 3 shopping malls in Kucukcekmece that offer all the latest trends.

Advantages of real estate investment in Kucukcekmece:

The real estate sector is booming in Kucukcekmece, due to the many advantages this area has to offer. It is neither too close nor too far from the city center and its accessibility to different methods of transportation and main highways make it very easy to go from one are to another. Furthermore, it offers both closeness to nature, modern facilities, and vital amenities.

Another big attraction for investment in the area is the Istanbul Kanal that will go through the Kucukcekmece lake connecting it to the Marmara Sea. A new residential area is set to be build around it that is expected to be a huge attraction for more investors in the area.

In the following links you can check our listings for apartments for sale in Kucukcekmece area in Istanbul:

Apartments For Sale in Kucukcekmece 

Apartments For Sale in Atakent 

Read more
image
November 27, 2021
How do I get VAT exemption when buying a property in Turkey?

VAT or KDV as symbolized in Turkey by its full name (Katma Değer Vergisi) is a tax levied in varying proportions on all products in Turkey, the VAT rate varies according to the product, ranging between 3 segments, 1%, 8% or 18%.
VAT is levied on properties in According to several factors, including the price per square meter of the property specified in the title deed, and the right of tax is established when selling the property, i.e.the seller is obliged to determine the price of the property plus VAT, knowing that properties with a net area of more than 150 square meters apply the tax at a maximum of 18%.
To attract foreign investment, the Turkish government has abolished the value tax on real estate sales to foreigners and Turkish citizens living abroad for more than 6 months, under certain conditions that must be achieved to benefit from the exemption.

Conditions for exempting a property from VAT in accordance with Turkish law:

The law requires several conditions that must be met for the property to be exempted from VAT, as these conditions are divided into conditions that must be met in the property sold, conditions relating to the person of the buyer, and general conditions.

♦ Conditions to be met with the property:

1 - The property must be a residence or workplace (commercial), and therefore the exemption does not include farmlands or lands not intended for construction.

2 - Real estate benefits only in the first sale after construction, i.e., real estate purchased directly from construction companies. The property is therefore not exempt from VAT in the following sales.

3 - The property must be ready for delivery, with a building permit or a Floor Easement Deed.

♦ Conditions to be met by the buyer's person:

1 - If the buyer of the property is a Turkish citizen, a residence permit and work outside Turkey must be established for at least 6 months.

2 - If the buyer of the property is a foreign person (a natural person), he or she must not be residing in Turkey where he is required to produce a "non-resident document" issued by the governor.

3 - If the buyer of the property is a foreign person (legal person), he or she must not have a permanent representative in Turkey.

♦ General conditions:

1 - Bank transfer receipt (Dekont) proves that the price of the property has been transferred to Turkish banks, and that payment is made in foreign currency.

2 - Pledge not to sell the property for a year starting from the date of the transfer of ownership in Tabu.

3 - The property must have been purchased after April 1, 2017, and if the purchase is made before that date, the exemption may be used if a title deed is issued for the tabu after that date.

 

Note: There is a common misinformation that a foreigner benefits from exemption only for the first property he has purchased, which is not true. The exemption can be used for more than one property if the above-mentioned conditions are met.

Read more
image
October 18, 2021
Most important highways of Istanbul

In recent years Turkey went through an economic boom which Istanbul got a big share of it. With an increase of tourists, residents, and investors the city continued to grow. This influx of new commers has increased the population of the city and resulting in Istanbul becoming the most densely populated Municipality of Turkey. Therefor it is only normal for it to have the most important highways and roads in the country.

Of all the roads and highways four are the most famous and important.

♦ D-100 Highway (E5 Highway):

The D-100 highway or as it is known among people as the E5 highway. It is considered the most well-known road in Istanbul as it links the two sides of the city from the European side to the Asian one through the Metrobus line that runs from Büyükçekmece to Söğütlüçeşme on a total length of 52 km and crossing the 15 July Martyrs bridge. It plays a main role in reducing the traffic congestion.

This highway starts at the Bulgarian gate “Kapikule” and crosses Turkey from west to east to the Iranian border gate “Gurbulak” with a total length of 1824 km.

♦ E-80 Highway (TEM Highway):

Opened in 1977 and considered one of the longest highways in the word with a total length of 6960 km (inside Turkey). This highway crosses 10 countries starting in the Portuguese capital Lisbon passing through Istanbul in Turkey and ends in Iran in Bazargan.

It links the Asian and European sides of Istanbul through the Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridge.

♦ Bassin Express Highway:

This is considered the most important highway in Istanbul; it intersects in two points with the other two main highways of Istanbul the E5 and the TEM highway. It is the main road that connects the Istanbul International Airport to the rest of the city. But other than that, its importance is in its location. It is located in the Bassin Express district the commercial heart of Istanbul according to the strategic plan of the municipality.

♦ Kuzey Marmara Highway (The North Marmara Motorway):

The 400 kilometres long highway starts in the west of Istanbul in Kinali and crosses the city until reaching the eastern province of Sakarya and passing through the Yavuz Sultan Selim bridge. The North Marmara Motorway is the most important road for Istanbul Airport, one of the world's largest airports as it provides direct access to it. This highway represents an alternative transit route that bypasses the metropolis’ traffic-filled streets, as it will reduce the traffic burden in the country’s largest city and its surroundings.

Why live near a highway or main road in Istanbul?

It is very beneficial to buy properties that are close to main roads and highways. There are always new projects coming up that can present a valuable investment opportunity. Furthermore, closeness to highways and main roads will always guarantee you easy renting and re-selling as these kinds of properties are always in high demand. Another huge advantage is easy access to everything you mind need such as universities, hospitals, shopping centers and many other necessities.

 

Read more
image
October 04, 2021
What does 1+1, 2+1, 3+1 and 4+1 mean in Turkish Real estate ?

It’s always been asked, especially by foreigners who want to buy apartments in Turkey, about common symbols used to denote the number of rooms in the apartment. These numbers are well known in the Turkish real estate market and among Turkish citizens, but they may be somewhat strange for foreigners, as we mentioned.

For example, for three-room houses, the expression 2 + 1 is used, so what does it mean? This means that this house has two bedrooms and a living room "salon". Of course, these numbers do not include spaces such as the bathroom, balcony, and garden, if any.

These numbers are one of the basic features of the apartment, and one of the first things to ask about when buying or renting alike.

Considering the foregoing, the most common room distribution in Turkey is as follows:

   ♦ 1 + 1 apartments: they consist of a bedroom + living room "salon", and mostly in this model the kitchen is American style (open to the living room).

   ♦ 2+1 apartments: it consists of two bedrooms (parents' room and children's room) + salon. The kitchen can be open to the salon or separate according to the metric area of ​​the apartment.

   ♦ 3 + 1 apartments: they consist of 3 bedrooms (one for the parents, and two for the children) + a salon, and most likely they have a separate kitchen and a balcony.

   ♦ 4+1 apartments: it consists of 4 rooms (all of them may be used for sleeping or one of the rooms may be used to receive guests independent of the living room) + salon, and this type most definitely has a          kitchen that is separate from the living room.

   ♦ 5+1 apartments: consisting of 5 rooms (often one of them is a guest room, in addition to a bedroom for guests, and this is according to the apartment residents and their preference on how to distribute the rooms) + a salon, this type of apartment is often on the ground floors where a garden or a private terrace is attached to it. .

These types that we mentioned are the most common in Turkish residential apartments, and certainly there may be apartments with more rooms than what we mentioned, but they are often duplexes, and also, we do not forget to mention the one-room apartments "studio", which is symbolized by 0 + 1.

 

Check These useful Links: 

Apartments For sale in Istanbul 

Villas For Sale in Istanbul 

Commerical Property for sale in Istanbul 

Read more
image
September 27, 2021
What is the value of return on Investment (ROI) of real estate in Turkey

We talked in our previous article, about the types of real estate investment in general, and the forms of real estate investment in Turkey in particular, and we mentioned that real estate investment has different patterns depending on the period within which the investment return is expected, and we also mentioned that the investment aspects vary based on the form of this return, either by resale or rent of the property.

Read Previous article: How to invest in Real Estate in Turkey ?

However, in the previous article, we did not mention the value of the investment return and the amount of expected profits that the investor will earn, so in this article we will clarify the average investment return for each type of investment that we explained previously.

Before going into details, it is necessary to refer to several important points that we considered during our research and the results that we have reached:

♦ For the figures in this article, we relied on several official and unofficial sources concerned with the Turkish real estate market and monitoring the rates of increase in prices according to the difference in supply and demand, and the difference in the annual inflation rate.

♦ We used the Turkish lira to calculate the return on investment on an annual basis.

♦ We chose Istanbul as it is the most popular city for investors, and therefore the percentages mentioned in this article may not apply to the investment returns of real estate outside Istanbul.

♦ We will mention the average rate of return on investment, which certainly may vary from one region to another.

♦ In addition to the above, we relied on our experience in the real estate field and our daily monitoring of the movement of the real estate market in Turkey and the change in real estate prices and rents.

1 - Return on investment by leasing the property:

Real estate rental is one of the most common forms of investment in Turkey, and it is very popular among Turkish citizens themselves, as we find that many Turkish citizens prefer buying and renting a property over any other type of investment, due to the high demand for rental throughout the year.

Depending on the details we mentioned in our previous article, the annual rental returns for real estate in Turkey are as follows:

♦ Residential apartments: annual rental return of 4% as a minimum of the property value.

♦ Furnished apartments: annual rental return of 6% as a minimum of the property value.

♦ Commercial shops: The annual rental return is 5% as a minimum of the property value.

♦ Hotel apartments: annual rental return of 8% as a minimum of the property value.

Note: Regarding hotel apartments and furnished apartments, it is worth noting that they may be vacant during certain periods of the year, but they are rented on a daily or weekly basis in good prices during the tourist seasons, and we have taken this into account in the mentioned percentage.

2 - Return on investment through resale:

Real estate prices in Turkey are having a steady annual increase. According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, the average increase in housing prices during the past year was 30%. This was certainly not a natural increase, as it was accompanied by the global spread of the Corona epidemic, which prompted a large percentage of the population to turn to fixed assets, in addition to the difference in the price of the Turkish lira, as is known.

However, in general, real estate prices in Istanbul have an annual increase that varies according to the type of property and its region, and accordingly we can determine the return on investment for resale as follows:

♦ Ready real estate (residential and commercial apartments): 10% annual increase in the value of the property as a minimum.

♦ Real estate under construction: 25-30% increase upon delivery of the value of the price paid in instalments.

♦ Lands prepared for construction: The construction project is a high-return investment, as the land, after construction is finished, will be divided into residential apartments and shops, the value of the investment return may double several times by the end of the project. However, several things must be considered, namely that this type of project needs to obtain many licenses, in addition to the significant increase in the prices of building materials, as the increase during the first eight months of this year reached 45%, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute.

♦ Purchase of agricultural land and resale when it enters the regulatory area: It is not possible to determine a fixed percentage of the expected return on investment for such a project, due to the different regions and their proximity or distance from government projects and public utilities such as airports, industrial cities, and tourist areas. But we mention as an example of this type of investment the lands located on both sides of the Istanbul Canal project, where a decade ago these lands were almost empty lands and sold at cheap prices, while at the present time, after the announcement of the canal project, it has become one of the most expensive areas. It made the owners many times the purchase price.

 

In conclusion, we would like to note that the percentages mentioned in this article are correct until the date of its publication, and they may change according to the movement of supply and demand. For any additional information on the return on investment in real estate in Turkey, you are welcome to contact us to take the advice from real estate experts.

 

 

 

Read more
image
September 17, 2021
Metro lines of Istanbul

The Istanbul Metro is a rapid transit railway network that serves the city of Istanbul, Turkey. It is operated by Metro Istanbul, a public enterprise, controlled by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

History of metro in Istanbul

The first underground line dates back to the 19th century which entered service on January 17, 1875. It is the world's second-oldest underground urban rail line after the London Underground, which was built in 1863, and the first underground urban rail line in continental Europe.

Still today this short line (573 m) is an important means of urban transport. 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.

All Lines of metro Istanbul

The Istanbul Metro has 8 current lines that includes 107 stations in service, a System length of 133 KM, 647 metros and a Daily ridership of around 1,36 million.

M1 Yenikapı ↔ Atatürk Airport / Kirazlı:

The oldest section of the metro which opened in 1989, runs from Yenikapı and Aksaray Square in Old Istanbul via Istanbul's main Otogar (bus terminal) to Atatürk Airport and Kirazli.

The line is 26.1 km long, has 23 stations and operates from 06:00 AM to 00.00 AM and the total trip duration is 60 minutes.

M2 Yenikapı ↔ Hacıosman:

Construction started in 1991 and the first section between Taksim and Levent opened after some delays in September 2000. All stations have escalators and an elevator. It connects Yenikapı with Şişhane in Beyoğlu, Taksim Square, then north via Şişli through the modern business and residential sections of the Levents as far as Hacıosman.

The line is 23.5 km long, has 16 stations and operates from 06:00 AM to 00.00 AM and the total trip duration is 30 minutes.

M3 Kirazlı ↔ Metrokent:

Opened in 2013 and connects between Kirazli and MetroKent in Basaksehir.

The line is 11 km long, has 9 stations and operates from 06:00 AM to 00.00 AM and the total trip duration is 20 minutes.

M4 Kadıköy ↔ Tavşantepe:

This is the first metro line on the Asian side of Istanbul opened in 2012, departing from the ferry terminal at Kadiköy and running fully underground via Kozyatağı and Bostancı to Kartal.

The line is 26.5 km long, has 19 stations and operates from 06:00 AM to 00.00 AM and the total trip duration is 40 minutes.

M5 Üsküdar ↔ Çekmeköy:

Opened in 2017 and it is the second line on the Asian side and the first one to have an automatic system that does not need a conductor.

The line extends from Uskudar to Yamanevler.

The line is 20 km long, has 16 stations and operates from 06:00 AM to 00.00 AM and the total trip duration is 16 minutes.

M6 Levent ↔ Boğaziçi Üniversitesi/Hisarüstü:

Opened in 2015 it is a light metro line and currently the shortest in Istanbul also referred to as the Mini-Metro. It begins in Levent and extends to Bogazici Üniversitesi.

The line is 3.3 km long, has 4 stations and operates from 06:00 AM to 00.00 AM and the total trip duration is 7 minutes.

M7 Mecidiyeköy ↔ Mahmutbey:

Opened partially on October 28th, 2020. It connects Mecidiyeköy to Mahmutbey.

The line is 18 km long, has 15 stations and operates from 06:00 AM to 00.00 AM.

M9 Olimpiyat ↔ Bahariye:

Opened partially to Bahariye on 29 May 2021 and took over the M3 Olimpiyat-Ikitelli branch.

The line is 6 km long, has 5 stations and operates from 06:00 AM to 00.00 AM.

How many metro stations in Istanbul?

The Istanbul Metro system has a total of 107 stations in operation with 104 more under construction.

Out of the 107 operating stations of the Istanbul Metro:

• 91 are fully underground.      

• 7 are elevated stations.

• 7 are on an embankment or at-grade.

• 2 are partially underground.

Future lines of metro Istanbul

As part of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality goal of expanding the size of the city rail transportation network to 630 km by 2030, the Istanbul Metro has several lines that are under construction or planned.

Currently there are 104 stations under construction and here are the future lines

M1b Kirazlı ↔ Halkalı:

The line will be 9.70 km long and have 9 stations. Planned to open in late 2023.

M3  Bakırköy-İDO ↔ Kirazlı:

The line will be 9 km long and have 7 stations. Planned to open in September 2022.

Başakşehir ↔ Kayaşehir:

The line will be 6.20 km long and have 5 stations. Planned to open in early 2022.

M4 Tavşantepe ↔ Sabiha Gökçen Airport:

The line will be 7.4 km long and have 4 stations. Planned to open in late 2021.

Tavşantepe ↔ Tuzla:

The line will be 7.9 km long and have 7 stations. Planned to open in 2025.

M5 Çekmeköy–Sancaktepe ↔ Sultanbeyli:

The line will be 10.9 km long and have 9 stations. Planned to open in 2023.

M7  Kabataş ↔ Mecidiyeköy:

The line will be 6.5 km long and have 4 stations. Planned to open in 2022.

Mahmutbey ↔ Esenyurt:

The line will be 18.5 km long and have 12 stations. Planned to open in 2024.

M9 Ataköy ↔ Bahariye:

The line will be 10.8 km long and have 9 stations. Planned to open in 2022.

M8 Bostancı-İDO ↔ Dudullu:

The line will be 14.27 km long and have 13 stations. Planned to open in June 2022.

M10 Pendik Sahil ↔ Kaynarca Merkez:

The line will be 5.10 km long and have 2 stations. Planned to open in 2023.

M11  Gayrettepe ↔ İstanbul Airport:

The line will be 37.2 km long and have 9 stations. Planned to open in late 2021.

Halkalı ↔ İstanbul Airport:

The line will be 31.5 km long and have 9 stations. Planned to open in late 2022.

M12 Göztepe ↔ Ümraniye:

The line will be 13.03 km long and have 11 stations. Planned to open in 2023.

On hold Lines of Istanbul

M2 Yenikapı ↔ Sefaköy:

The line will be 14 km long and have 11 stations.

M13 Hastane ↔ Yenidoğan:

The line will be 6.90 km long and have 6 stations.

 

The underground metro network is expected to cover the whole city of Istanbul by 2030 which will benefit the city and reduce traffic.

In Taksim real estate we usually advice our clients to invest into properties that are close to planned metro stations which will make a good profit of investment after opening the new lines.

Here are some of our properties in Istanbul that are close to metro stations:

Apartments For Sale in Umraniye close to yamanevler metro station  

Apartments For sale in kagithane close to kagithane metro station         

Read more

Recent Blog

Latest property