Free Rail Travel on Republic Day Across Five Lines

A presidential decree published in the Official Gazette on 23 October 2026 makes selected rail services free on Republic Day, 29 October 2026. The measure covers passengers using Başkentray, Marmaray, İZBAN, the Sirkeci-Kazlıçeşme rail line, and the Gayrettepe-Istanbul Airport-Halkalı metro line.

The decree, numbered 11919 and signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is based on Law No. 4736, which allows free or discounted access to certain goods and services provided by public institutions.

“The regulation covers only the transportation lines listed in the Presidential Decree.”

Authorities stressed that the free travel applies only to the rail lines listed in the decree. Other public transport vehicles, including all metro, bus, and tram services across Turkey, are not covered by the regulation.

For residents of Kocaeli, the decision is directly relevant because Marmaray operates between Gebze and Halkalı. Passengers boarding at Gebze can travel to Halkalı without paying a fare on 29 October.

The decree does not regulate municipal buses, trams, or other local public transport vehicles in Kocaeli. Commuters are advised to check whether their intended route is included in the presidential decree before traveling.

The regulation took effect on the date it was published in the Official Gazette. It applies specifically to Thursday, 29 October 2026, the date of Republic Day celebrations.