The national Victory Day decision still makes five named rail services free on Sunday, 30 August 2026, but city announcements now complete the practical picture. Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir do not use the same rule: Istanbul's integrated network requires a personalised Istanbulkart and has exclusions, Ankara's municipal EGO network is free for a defined 18-hour window, and most Izmir municipal services are half-price rather than free.
The five services covered
Decision 11643 lists Başkentray, Marmaray, İZBAN, the Sirkeci–Kazlıçeşme Rail System Line and the Gayrettepe–Istanbul Airport–Halkalı Metro Line. Passengers using these services on 30 August are exempted from the fare rule referenced in Law 4736. The decision took effect when published.
Istanbul: personalised Istanbulkart required
Metro Istanbul says its rail lines and other fare-integrated public transport are free throughout 30 August when a personalised Istanbulkart is used. IETT confirms Sunday timetables and excludes the Adalar routes, the Beyoğlu–Taksim nostalgic tram, Karaköy–Beyoğlu Tünel, SG-1, SG-2, 139 and 139A from the free arrangement. Vatan Avenue closes from 06:00 for ceremonies, with diversions on several bus routes.
Ankara: EGO free from 06:00 to 24:00
EGO buses, Metro and ANKARAY are free between 06:00 and 24:00. EGO says buses will operate a Sunday programme across 355 routes. Private Public Buses (ÖHO) and Private Public Transport Vehicles (ÖTA) remain chargeable under their normal tariffs, so the word ‘free’ should not be applied to every bus seen in Ankara.
Izmir: İZBAN free, most municipal services half-price
İZBAN is free all day under the national decision. ESHOT, İZULAŞ, İZDENİZ, Metro, Tram and İZTAŞIT are instead 50% discounted under the municipal decision. This distinction matters when a journey combines İZBAN with a municipal bus, ferry or tram.
Airport and transfer checklist
The Gayrettepe–Istanbul Airport–Halkalı line is one of the five nationally named free services, but IETT's SG-1 and SG-2 airport buses are expressly excluded from Istanbul's free scheme. Carry the relevant city card and a payment method, check each transfer separately and confirm live timetables before departure; a free fare does not guarantee normal frequency or an unchanged route.
Turkey Compass assessment
The accurate answer is city-specific: Istanbul is broadly free with a personalised card and named exclusions; Ankara's EGO network is free for set hours but private operators are not; Izmir mixes a free İZBAN service with 50% discounts elsewhere. Operator notices, not the broad phrase ‘public transport is free’, should guide the journey.