İncirli Metrobus Stop in Bakirkoy: Which Way to Go

Bakırköy's Metrobus stop is in İncirli, about 1.4 km from our place in Zeytinlik, which works out to an 18-minute walk. The stop has two directions: services heading west along the E-5 are signed Beylikdüzü, and services heading east towards the Asian side are signed Söğütlüçeşme. You choose your platform by checking which of those two terminal names is on the sign.

Below we take you through reaching the stop, picking the right direction, tapping in, and planning the trip back in the evening.

Getting to know the Metrobus line

Metrobus runs along the D-100 (E-5) highway between Beylikdüzü and Söğütlüçeşme. Because the vehicles use lanes reserved for them, they are less affected by ordinary traffic, though stops and carriages do get noticeably crowded at morning and evening rush hour. The line crosses from the European side to the Asian side over the 15 July Martyrs Bridge.

Metrobus stays on the E-5 corridor. For points such as Yenikapı and Sirkeci, Marmaray Bakırköy station, an 8-minute walk from us, is the faster option, and for the Otogar the M1A stop in İncirli is quicker. You can compare which line suits which destination in the table in our Marmaray and Metrobus comparison.

Getting from Zeytinlik to the stop

The Metrobus stop in İncirli and the M1A Bakırköy-İncirli stop are in the same area. Both are about an 18-minute walk from us at a normal pace. With luggage, in the rain or at busy times it takes longer, and a short taxi ride is worth considering then. We describe the route and what to watch for along the way in our walking guide from Zeytinlik to İncirli.

Metrobus platforms sit in the middle of the road, so you usually reach the entrances over a footbridge or through a crossing. Expect to climb stairs if you are carrying heavy bags.

Which direction should you take?

Once inside, platform and vehicle signs show the two terminal names. Choose according to where you are going:

If you realise you have boarded the wrong direction, get off at the next stop and switch to a service going the other way, which adds time to your plan. On your first day especially, reading the sign once more before boarding makes life easier. For detailed plans west and across to the Asian side, see getting to Beylikdüzü and the Asian side by Metrobus.

Two stops in one area: Metrobus or M1A?

Because İncirli has both a Metrobus stop and an M1A metro stop, first-time guests sometimes mix up the entrances. A simple rule is enough:

The entrances to the two stops are separate. When you arrive in the area, follow the Metrobus and metro signs one at a time; noticing you are heading for the wrong entrance costs far less time than noticing after the turnstile.

Tapping in

Istanbulkart is valid on the Metrobus. The same card works on Marmaray, the metro, the tram, ferries and buses, so if you are staying a few days one card covers all your journeys. Fares change from time to time, so check the current amount from official sources. Load your card before you reach the turnstile; trying to top up at the gate in rush hour wastes time for you and for everyone behind you.

Peak hours, timetables and the return

On weekday mornings and evenings the Metrobus can be very crowded, so be ready to stand. Headways and first and last departure times change, so check the current timetable from official sources before setting out; if you are coming back late, look up the last departure once during the day.

For the return, take a service running in the opposite direction and get off at İncirli. From there it is another 18-minute walk to us. The building has a lift and security cameras, so at the end of a tiring day you can ride up to your floor and feel at ease on a late return. If you will be arriving late at night, let us know in advance; we plan late arrivals together with you.

A quick checklist

• Confirm on a map that your destination address is close to the Metrobus line.
• Check the sign for Beylikdüzü or Söğütlüçeşme.
• Load your Istanbulkart balance in advance.
• Travel outside peak hours with luggage if you can.
• Check the last departure time for your return during the day.

If you would like to pin down your destination and your direction together, message us on WhatsApp in English at +90 532 655 43 32 or call the same number; we can go over your route when you book.

Common questions