With the opening of Istanbul’s gigantic new airport in March 2019, all eyes turned to the metro line that would eventually link the city center to this modern aviation hub. Costing over $2 billion to construct, the M11 metro line—also known as the Gayrettepe–Istanbul Airport–Halkalı line—is one of the most significant infrastructure projects in Turkey’s recent history.
37 km of High-Speed Tunnel Construction
To protect the fragile and beautiful forests of northern Istanbul, the entire metro route was constructed underground—37.5 km of tunnel in total. The project began in 2017 with six tunnel boring machines working around the clock. This design ensured minimal environmental disruption while connecting critical regions of Istanbul to the airport in record time.
Turkey’s Fastest Metro
The M11 is Turkey’s fastest metro line, with trains capable of speeds up to 120 km/h. This speed cuts journey times between the central business district and the new Istanbul Airport to just under 30 minutes, making it a game-changer for both commuters and international travelers.
Station Stops on the M11 Line
The line starts at Gayrettepe, in the heart of Istanbul’s business district, and eventually extends all the way to Halkalı. The full route includes the following stations:
- • Gayrettepe (Transfer to M2 Metro Line)
- • Kağıthane (Transfer to M7 Metro Line)
- • Hasdal
- • Kemerburgaz
- • Göktürk
- • İhsaniye
- • Istanbul Airport Terminal
- • Airport Cargo Terminal
- • Taşoluk
- • Arnavutköy
- • Halkalı (under construction – expected to open late 2025)
Impact on Nearby Neighborhoods
The line has already begun reshaping real estate and infrastructure around stations like Göktürk and Kemerburgaz. Previously considered remote, these areas are now under the spotlight as ideal locations for villa developments and green-living communities.
Göktürk: Home to Istanbul’s largest golf course and a popular suburb for families seeking a green, tranquil lifestyle. Property prices have steadily risen since the announcement of the M11 line.
Kemerburgaz: A small town with high-income residents, it’s poised for a construction boom due to its proximity to the airport and forested surroundings.
Connectivity with the Rest of the City
The M11 connects directly to the M2 and M7 metro lines, making it easy to reach important districts such as Levent, Şişli, Mecidiyeköy, Beşiktaş, and even the historic peninsula.
At Halkalı, the M11 will connect with the Marmaray line, enabling seamless travel across the Bosphorus to the Asian side, all the way to Gebze in the east.
Halkali is also the a terminal for the rapidly expanding High speed train network of Turkey. It will provide high speed trains to the west of Istanbul, as well as major European cities. It will also provide high speed train services to the rest of Turkiye, making use of the Marmaray Tunnel, as well as the train tracks on the third Bosphorus bridge.
Travel Time and Service Frequency
Trains run every 10 minutes during peak hours, and the total travel time from Gayrettepe to Istanbul Airport is approximately 30 minutes—far quicker than driving or taking a taxi, especially during rush hour. Its also much cheaper tahn taking a Taxi!
Economic Boost and Urban Expansion
The metro line is expected to support over a million daily passengers once the Halkalı extension opens. This will not only reduce road traffic but also stimulate investment in the surrounding suburbs, including Başakşehir, Arnavutköy, and Küçükçekmece.
Real estate developers have already begun acquiring plots along the route, particularly in stations such as Ihsaniye and Arnavutköy, where property is still affordable. These investments are being driven by both local and international buyers, seeking long-term capital growth, as well as homes away from the density of the city.
Future Plans and Final Completion
As of 2024, the Gayrettepe–Istanbul Airport section is fully operational, while the airport–Halkalı connection is still under construction and expected to be completed by late 2025. Once finished, the M11 will become Istanbul’s longest and most interconnected metro line, revolutionizing how residents move through the city.
Why the M11 Metro Matters
This isn’t just a metro line—it’s a transformational project that affects tourism, business, real estate, and the everyday lives of millions. With Istanbul growing rapidly, both in population and economic significance, the M11 is a strategic investment into the city’s future mobility and resilience.
For property investors and residents alike, proximity to a high-speed metro like the M11 represents long-term convenience, value, and access to Istanbul’s most vital locations. It cements Atakent, Göktürk, Kemerburgaz, and even Arnavutköy as rising stars in the city’s urban plan.
