İzmir is one of the easiest large Turkish cities to get around: metro, the İZBAN suburban railway, trams, buses and the bay ferries all run on a single card. For visitors it is extremely practical — this guide gathers the shortcuts for using the system.
The İzmirim Card: the key to the system
The key to the whole network is the İzmirim Card, available from kiosks and machines at the stations and topped up with credit. Thanks to transfer discounts, metro-plus-İZBAN combinations are very economical — a significant difference compared with buying single tickets.
If you are staying several days, loading a decent balance at the start saves you hunting for a machine each time.
Metro: the city's backbone
The metro connects the Bornova axis to the city via Konak and Üçyol. Its most valuable feature for a visitor is that it is independent of the traffic: getting from Bornova to Konak takes the same time at any hour, even in the evening rush.
That is why our advice to anyone arriving by car is clear: leave the car in the hotel's free park and see the centre by metro. Hunting for a parking space in Konak costs both time and money.
İZBAN: the north–south line
The İZBAN suburban railway runs from Aliağa in the north down towards the airport and Selçuk in the south. It crosses the metro at Halkapınar — and that interchange is the main hub a visitor will use.
In practice this means: metro from the hotel to Halkapınar, then İZBAN to the airport or towards Ephesus. You do not have to hire a car for an Ephesus trip.
The ferry: not transport, an experience
The bay ferry between Konak and Karşıyaka is İzmir's signature journey. Buy a tea and you have made a short cruise of the bay in the company of seagulls. Try it at sunset — it may be the loveliest you ever see the city.
The ferry runs on the same card; there is no separate ticket to buy.
Trams and buses
The Konak and Karşıyaka tram lines run along the shore and are useful for short distances. ESHOT buses reach the parts of the city the metro does not; but most visitor routes are already covered by the metro and İZBAN.
What does it cost?
Public transport is markedly cheaper than driving in İzmir — especially once the transfer discounts are counted. For a visitor, a day's travel costs less than a single stint in a central car park. Add fuel and the time spent looking for a space, and the gap widens further.
You can see current fares when you top up the card; for a stay of several days, loading a larger balance at the start is the practical move.
The Bornova advantage
MyMahall Hotel sits on the Bornova axis served by the metro. That means: the city centre is half an hour away, the airport is reachable with one change, and the routes outside the city open up via the motorway. Leaving your car in the free park and touring by public transport is both faster and cheaper.
When planning your route, take a look at our two-day İzmir guide — we set out what is at which stop there.
Practical notes
The metro and İZBAN stop at a set hour at night; for late returns a taxi is the most practical solution. At peak times (the morning and evening commute) the carriages get crowded. Checking current timetables before you set out is always a good habit.
For reservations and information: (0232) 461 95 95 — you can view our rooms in the gallery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card do I need for public transport in İzmir?
The İzmirim Card works across the whole system: metro, İZBAN, trams, buses and the bay ferries. It is available from kiosks and station machines.
How do I get to the airport by public transport?
Take the metro to Halkapınar and change to İZBAN; the İZBAN line connects directly to the airport terminal.
I came by car — should I use it in the city?
Parking in the centre is difficult. Leaving the car in the hotel's free park and taking the metro into town is both faster and cheaper.
How late does the metro run?
The metro and İZBAN stop at a set hour at night. For late returns a taxi is the most practical solution; it is worth checking current times in advance.