Millions of people who will use public transportation on July 15, Democracy and National Unity Day, which is a public holiday, ask "Are the buses free on July 15, is public transportation free today?" looking for an answer to the question. While it is being investigated whether the free transportation application is valid this year, as every year, the decisions to be implemented in municipal buses, metro, tram, Marmaray, İZBAN and other rail systems remain on the agenda. Here is the latest information about the July 15 public transportation regulation.
Millions of citizens who will use public transportation on the occasion of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day are asking, "Is public transportation free on July 15?" and "Are buses, metro, Marmaray, Başkentray and İZBAN free today?" looking for answers to your questions. While free transportation has been implemented on some rail system lines with the Presidential Decree published in the Official Gazette, free services are also implemented in urban public transportation services in line with the decisions taken by the municipalities. Here are the details about the free public transportation application on July 15, 2026...
Within the scope of the decision published in the Official Gazette with the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, journeys will be free of charge on the designated rail system lines on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The application will only be valid on the lines clearly stated in the decision.
In addition, some metropolitan municipalities will offer free public transportation services to citizens in line with their council decisions.
According to the decision published in the Official Gazette, the rail system lines that will provide free service throughout July 15 are as follows:
• Gayrettepe-Istanbul Airport-Arnavutköy Metro Line
On the other hand, Halkalı-Arnavutköy Metro Line will continue to provide free service until July 31, 2026, within the scope of the special opening application.
In line with the decision taken by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Assembly, public transportation vehicles affiliated with IMM will provide free service on July 15, Democracy and National Unity Day. In this context, IETT buses, metrobus, metro, tram, funicular and city lines can be used free of charge with Istanbulkart.
The free public transportation application will be valid throughout Wednesday, July 15, 2026. While the free transportation within the scope of the Presidential Decree covers only the rail system lines specified in the Official Gazette, the free transportation practices of the municipalities will be implemented in line with the decisions taken by the relevant local governments. Citizens are advised to follow the announcements of the municipality in their city.