Getting around in Ankara

Once expats have gotten used to the capital’s public transport system, getting around in Ankara is relatively easy. The city is quite accessible by public transport, especially in the city centre; however, expats in the suburbs may prefer to have a car for an easier commute.

Public transport in Ankara

Ankara’s EGO General Directorate runs the city’s bus and metro services, and there are also commuter rail lines. For metro, rail and bus services, expats can use a prepaid AnkaraKart transport card, also known as an EGO card. There are single-use and multi-use cards, and school and university students, as well as teachers, are eligible for discounts.

Bus

Recently, private public buses (known as ÖHO) have begun accepting EGO cards, bringing the two providers together. Ankara’s bus network operates frequently and provides thorough coverage of the city.

EGO buses are run by the municipality and are recognised by their blue and white paint jobs. The ÖHO buses, operated by private companies, are blue.

The EGO CEP’TE app helps commuters to keep track of bus times, stops and routes.

Rail

Ankara’s metro system consists of the Ankaray light rail line and three metro lines (M1, M2, and M3 operate as one integrated service, and M4 runs separately). The rail system includes both light rail (Ankaray) and heavy metro lines connecting major districts across the capital. Although sometimes crowded during rush hour, the metro is the easiest and quickest way to get around longer distances in Ankara.

The Başkentray (also known as CapitalRail) is a commuter railway that runs along the city’s east-west axis and provides access to the suburbs. It is well integrated into the metro system.

The Yenimahalle–Şentepe line is a two-mile (3.25km) cable car line with four stops and provides access to the steep Şentepe district.

Taxis in Ankara

Dolmuşes (Turkish for ‘filled’) are shared minibus taxis with set routes indicated by signs on the front. These share taxis are an inexpensive and flexible alternative to buses, but can be crowded and chaotic. In Ankara, dolmuş fares are fixed by the city municipality.

Yellow taxis are widely available in Ankara, although they’re among the pricier transport options in the city. Tariffs and per-kilometre fares are set by the municipality, and expats who phone to request a taxi should be aware that the cab may charge for the distance travelled to pick them up.

Ride-hailing apps like Uber and the locally popular BiTaksi connect you with licensed taxi drivers through your phone. Most dolmuş and taxi drivers don’t speak English, so having a translation app handy helps.

Driving in Ankara

In Turkey, traffic drives on the right side of the road. The roads are well surfaced and have clear signage, but driving around Ankara can be challenging. Many prefer to use public transport. Expats who do decide to drive will have to contend with narrow and one-way backstreets as well as assertive local drivers.