Marmaray Tunnel Connects Istanbul's European and Asian Side by Train

The Marmaray Tunnel is a 13,6 km tunnel, partially running under the Bosphorus, and connecting the existing train railways on Istanbul’s European and Asian side. This public transportation project, inaugurated in October 2013, is another attempt to ease the traffic over both Bosphorus bridges by offering people an alternative on rails. So, how can this be of any use for tourists?

The Marmaray Line - Now and Later

The Marmaray Project is a rail transportation project to connect the existing suburban train networks on the Asian and European side of Istanbul with a 13,6 tunnel. Hence the name Marmaray, a combination of the Sea of Marmara and ray, rail in Turkish.

This tunnel runs from Kazlıçeşme on the European side to Ayrılık Çeşmesi on the Asian side, with a 1,4 km stretch under the Bosphorus. For this purpose, the government also created five new (underground) stations or platforms:  Kazlıçeşme, Yenikapı, Sirkeci, Üsküdar, and Ayrılık Çeşmesi. This part of the project is finished, operational and takes 16 minutes in total. You can take trains between 6:00 and midnight, and catch one every five minutes during rush hour, every 7-10 minutes otherwise. Jetons (tokens) are no longer sold, so you pay with your Istanbul Kart. Unlike the flat metro and tram fare, Marmaray fares are distance-based and depend on how many stations you travel, so check my Istanbul Kart guide for the current fares.

The Marmaray line is now fully integrated into the suburban train network. Since 12 March 2019, you can take the train from Halkalı on the European side to Gebze on the Asian side, a line of about 76,6 km with 43 stations, and no longer only between the five tunnel stations. You can find more information on the official Marmaray website (Turkish)

Marmaray for Tourists

Let’s first go over the current stops in a bit more detail (also see map):

• Kazlıçeşme — Kazlıçeşme

• Yenikapı — interchange station to M1a and M2

• Sirkeci — Sirkeci train station, Eminönü, ferry docks

• Üsküdar — Üsküdar

• Ayrılık Çeşmesi — interchange station to M4 metro line (to Kadıköy)

Scenario 1: Atatürk Airport to Eminönü, Üşküdar or Kadıköy

By all means, if you arrive with the M1a metro from the airport in Yenikapı and are heading for Sirkeci, Eminönü, Üsküdar, or Kadıköy then there is no quicker way by public transport. To reach Kadıköy, take the Marmaray all the way to Ayrılık Çeşmesi and transfer to the M4 metro for one stop to Kadıköy.

Scenario 2: Eminönü to Kadıköy

You’re just sightseeing, hence not carrying any luggage, and want to get to Kadıköy. In this case, you could take the route described above, or take a ferry from Eminönü. I suggest to do the latter, which offers much nicer views and a more romantic experience.