How to Get from Bakirkoy to Esenler Bus Terminal by Metro

The most practical way to reach the Istanbul main bus terminal (Esenler Otogar) from Bakırköy Zeytinlik by public transport is to walk to İncirli and take the M1A metro to the Otogar stop. It is about an 18-minute walk from us to Bakırköy-İncirli and the ride itself takes about 15 minutes, with waiting at the station and the walk to your gate inside the terminal on top of that.

Below is the route step by step, with separate notes for travellers carrying luggage and for those arriving by coach and heading back to Bakırköy.

Step by step

1. Leave the building and walk to the Bakırköy-İncirli metro stop in İncirli. The distance is about 1.4 km; what to watch for along the way is covered in our walking guide.
2. At the station, go to the platform for the Yenikapı direction. Trains signed Atatürk Havalimanı go the other way.
3. Get off at Otogar, which comes after Zeytinburnu and Merter. Follow the stops on the screens inside the carriage and on the announcements.
4. Leave the station and find your coach using the company and gate details on your ticket.

How to work out the timing

Bus companies ask passengers to be at the gate a while before departure for luggage loading and ticket checks. Find out from your ticket or from the company how early they want you there, and add that allowance to the walk and the ride. The terminal is a large site, so if you are going for the first time, set aside extra time to find your gate. When you add everything up, plan around a realistic figure that includes luggage and crowds rather than the shortest possible times.

If you are travelling with luggage

An 18-minute walk with a large suitcase can be tiring, especially at busy times. In that case you have two options:

• A short taxi ride to İncirli, then the M1A: this shortens the walk and keeps the metro's predictability.
• A taxi straight to the Otogar: door to door, but the time varies noticeably with traffic on the E-5 and around it. Istanbul taxis run on the meter.

If you are setting off at morning or evening rush hour, choosing the metro reduces the uncertainty of traffic. Bear in mind too that you may meet stairs at station entrances. Our building has a lift, so you take your suitcase down from your floor by lift and, on the way back, ride straight up to your apartment.

Returning from the Otogar to Bakırköy

If you have arrived in Istanbul by coach, the route back is the same and only the direction changes. At the Otogar stop, take the M1A train signed Atatürk Havalimanı and get off at Bakırköy-İncirli. Trains at the Otogar can also depart in other directions, so before boarding check both that the line is M1A and that the direction is Atatürk Havalimanı. From İncirli it is about an 18-minute walk to us.

A reminder that the western end of the line, Atatürk Havalimanı, is closed to passenger flights; you see the name on signs only as direction information. The two directions of the M1A line and its main stops are set out in our İncirli metro stop guide.

Late-night or early-morning arrivals

Long-distance coaches often arrive late at night or in the early hours. At those times, check the first and last metro departure from official sources; if it does not fit your arrival, take a taxi.

On the accommodation side, here is what to know:

• Check-in is normally from 14:00. If you arrive early in the morning, early check-in depends on availability and should be asked about in advance.
• A late-night arrival is planned by letting us know in advance. Give your estimated arrival time when you book and, if the coach is delayed, message us on WhatsApp.
• At check-in you will need your passport; Turkish citizens can also use their national ID card.

If you are catching an early coach, we have covered the night-before preparation in our early morning departure plan.

A short checklist before you set off

• Reread the departure time, company and gate details on your ticket.
• Check from official sources that the M1A is running at the hour you will travel.
• Load your Istanbulkart balance in advance.
• Pack your suitcase the night before so that only a final check is left in the morning.
• Tell us your departure time; normal check-out is by 11:00.

An apartment before and after the journey

If you are travelling alone or as a couple, the Studio apartment (1+0) (1–2 guests) suits you; for up to three people there is the One-bedroom apartment (1+1) (2–3 guests); and for families of 4–5 arriving by coach, the Two-bedroom apartment (2+1). Every apartment has its own kitchen, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi, so you can settle into your own routine after a long journey. The building has a lift and security cameras. Coach travel gets busy around public holidays and in summer, so we suggest asking early.

Just tell us your dates, the number of guests and your estimated arrival time: message us on WhatsApp in English at +90 532 655 43 32 or call the same number; our line is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

Common questions