Quick Answer
How much does transport cost in Turkey?
Public transport in Turkey is very affordable by European standards. Monthly passes range from ₺400 (Antalya) to ₺1,400 (Istanbul). Single rides cost ₺12–30. Taxis are metered and reasonable for occasional use. Car ownership costs are higher due to expensive fuel and insurance. Most expats use public transport for daily life and fly for intercity trips.
City-by-City Public Transport Costs
Istanbul
Monthly pass
₺1,100–1,400
Single ticket
₺26–30
Taxi opening fare
₺55–70
Airport taxi
₺600–900
Most expensive city for transport; monthly pass covers metro, bus, tram, ferry
Ankara
Monthly pass
₺700–900
Single ticket
₺20–25
Taxi opening fare
₺50–60
Airport taxi
₺350–500
EGO bus network + Ankara Metro (Ankaray/Metro); AnkaraKart smart card system
Izmir
Monthly pass
₺700–850
Single ticket
₺20–24
Taxi opening fare
₺50–60
Airport taxi
₺300–450
ESHOT buses + Izmir Metro + Izban suburban rail + İzmir ferries; İzmirKart covers all
Antalya
Monthly pass
₺400–500
Single ticket
₺12–15
Taxi opening fare
₺50–70
Airport taxi
₺200–350
AntalyaKart; relatively cheap; good bus network + AntRay tram
Bursa
Monthly pass
₺650–800
Single ticket
₺18–22
Taxi opening fare
₺50–60
Airport taxi
₺400–550
Bursaray metro, Bursabüs buses; BursakArt system; cable car (teleferik) to Uludağ
Fethiye / Bodrum
Monthly pass
N/A (no network)
Single ticket
₺15–25 (dolmuş)
Taxi opening fare
₺60–80
Airport taxi
₺300–600
Resort towns rely on dolmuş and taxi; no formal smart card; higher taxi prices in season
All prices are indicative for 2026 and updated periodically. Monthly pass prices may change with municipality fare reviews.
Car Ownership Costs in Turkey
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol (benzin 95 octane) | ₺42–52/litre | One of the more expensive aspects of car ownership in Turkey; prices fluctuate with FX |
| LPG (autogas) | ₺22–28/litre | Many Turkish cars run LPG — significantly cheaper; conversion cost ₺25,000–50,000 |
| Diesel (motorin) | ₺45–55/litre | Widely available; most larger cars and all trucks run diesel |
| Compulsory traffic insurance (Trafik Sigortası) | ₺4,000–15,000/year | Mandatory third-party liability insurance; varies by vehicle age and type |
| Full comprehensive insurance (Kasko) | ₺15,000–60,000/year | Optional but recommended; varies hugely by car value and driver history |
| Annual road tax / MTV | ₺3,000–15,000/year | Motor Vehicle Tax based on engine size and vehicle age; due in January and July |
| Annual vehicle inspection (Muayene) | ₺1,000–2,000 per test | Required for all vehicles; every 2 years for new cars, then annually |
| HGS motorway toll (annual average) | ₺2,000–8,000/year | Depends on usage; Istanbul commuters pay most; long-distance drivers too |
| Parking (city center) | ₺30–100/hour | Istanbul and Ankara city centers are expensive; residential areas much less |
Intercity Travel Costs
| Route | Flight | Bus | Train | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Istanbul → Ankara | ₺700–1,500 | ₺400–600 | ₺300–550 | 450 km |
| Istanbul → Izmir | ₺600–1,400 | ₺350–600 | ₺200–400 | 480 km |
| Istanbul → Antalya | ₺600–1,500 | ₺400–700 | No direct | 720 km |
| Ankara → Antalya | ₺600–1,400 | ₺300–550 | No direct | 550 km |
| Izmir → Antalya | ₺700–1,400 | ₺350–600 | No direct | 460 km |
Comparison to European Cities
Turkey's public transport is significantly cheaper than Western Europe — even Istanbul, the most expensive city, compares very favourably.
| City | Monthly Pass | Single Fare | Taxi per km |
|---|---|---|---|
| Istanbul, Turkey | ~€50–60 | ~€1.10 | ~€0.80 |
| Madrid, Spain | ~€55 | ~€1.50 | ~€1.20 |
| Berlin, Germany | ~€86 | ~€3.50 | ~€2.00 |
| Amsterdam, Netherlands | ~€100 | ~€4.00 | ~€2.50 |
| London, UK | ~€185 | ~€2.70 | ~€3.50 |
Tips to Save on Transport
- Register a personalised Istanbulkart (or city equivalent) to unlock monthly passes — much cheaper than per-ride fares
- Use buses and metro instead of taxis for daily commuting — can save ₺5,000–15,000 per month
- Consider living near a metro line — the rent premium is usually less than taxi costs over time
- For intercity travel, book buses 1–2 weeks ahead for best prices; overnight buses save on accommodation
- Domestic flights are cheapest when booked 3–6 weeks ahead on Pegasus or SunExpress
- LPG conversion for a car (if driving frequently) typically pays back in 18–24 months vs petrol
- In resort towns (Bodrum, Fethiye), a scooter or bicycle often makes more sense than taxis
- Use the Havaist airport bus instead of taxis from Istanbul Airport — saves ₺400–600 per trip