Haliç University transportation guide for international students

This guide provides a practical, step-by-step overview for international students moving around Istanbul efficiently, affordably, and safely. Whether arriving at Istanbul’s airports for the first time or planning daily commutes between campus, clinical placements, and student housing, the guide compiles essential local transit options, student fare processes, shuttle services, and practical tips tailored for admissions teams, recruiters, HR and marketing professionals in education, and placement agencies.

Why this matters for international students and recruiters

• Istanbul’s transit network is large and multi-modal; knowing the fastest connections reduces friction for arrivals and improves student satisfaction.
• Clear transportation guidance shortens onboarding time, increases retention, and strengthens recruitment value propositions.
• For admissions and international offices, practical transport advice is a key part of student welfare and orientation programs.

Quick facts at a glance

• Nearest metro line: M7 (Mecidiyeköy–Mahmutbey) at Alibeyköy Station
• Tram line: T5 (Cibali – Alibeyköy Bus Terminal), convenient for campus access
• Local buses: Multiple İETT stops serve the 5th Levent Campus area
• Minibus route: A-38 (Gaziosmanpaşa–Yeşilpınar)
• Intercity buses: Alibeyköy Bus Terminal (~1 km from campus)
• Airport shuttles: HAVAİST stop connecting to Istanbul Airport (~3 km from campus)
• Student fare card: Istanbulkart – Student Card (discounted fares across nearly all public transport modes)

Tip: When advising prospective students, include typical door-to-door travel times from popular neighbourhoods to demonstrate daily life feasibility.

Detailed transit options for Haliç University students

Metro — fast cross-city connections

Primary metro access: M7 line at Alibeyköy Station. This rapid connection links major districts and reduces commute times for students living across the city.

• Best use cases: commuting from northern and central districts, transfer hub for reaching other metro and metrobus lines.
• Recruiter tip: include typical door-to-door travel times from popular student neighbourhoods to show feasibility.

Tram — T5 for riverside access

The T5 Tram Line connects Cibali (near the Haliç area) to the Alibeyköy Bus Terminal. For students residing near the Golden Horn, the tram provides predictable transit times and easy access to tram-side services.

Benefit: direct link to the intercity bus terminal for students coming from other cities in Turkiye.

Buses and minibuses — local coverage and last-mile options

The 5th Levent Campus area is served by multiple İETT bus stops, including the Alibeyköy Metro bus stop. Bus routes cover neighbourhoods that may not be immediately served by metro or tram.

• Minibus (dolmuş) route A-38 operates around Gaziosmanpaşa–Yeşilpınar and can be a faster last-mile option for shorter journeys.
• Note: dolmuş often require cash and do not always accept card-based student discounts — advise students accordingly.

Intercity bus access — regional travel made easy

Alibeyköy Bus Terminal is approximately 1 km from campus, enabling straightforward travel between Istanbul and other Turkiye provinces. Practical for students arriving from or returning to other cities, field trips, and intercity internships.

Airport access — arriving and departing

Istanbul’s major airports are connected to the city’s transit network by HAVAİST airport shuttle services. The HAVAİST stop is roughly 3 km from campus.

Suggested arrival route: HAVAİST → metro/tram/bus transfer → Haliç University shuttle or local bus/tram to campus.

Tip: Provide students with recommended routes from both Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport and add estimated transfer times to orientation materials.

Istanbulkart – Student Card: how to apply and why it matters

Why every international student should get an Istanbulkart – Student Card

The Istanbulkart student card offers heavily discounted fares on metros, trams, buses, metrobuses, and ferries across Istanbul. Validating rides with the student Istanbulkart saves substantial amounts over a semester compared to single cash fares.

Application requirements (typical checklist)

• Passport or residence permit card
• One passport-sized photograph
• Haliç University student ID or a student certificate (in Turkish)
• Application fee (e.g., a nominal fee such as 10 ₺; check current fee during application)
• Nearest official application centre commonly used by Haliç students: Karaköy İETT Office (near the tram line)

Practical application steps

1. Prepare documents before arrival or during orientation week.
2. Visit the Karaköy IETT Office or official Istanbulkart sales points; some university international offices may help coordinate applications.
3. Top up the card at kiosks, machines at metro/tram stations, or partner vendors.

On-campus shuttle service and first/last-mile transit

Haliç University shuttle details

Haliç University runs shuttle services linking key transit hubs (including Alibeyköy Metro/Bus Station) directly to campus. These shuttles reduce walking time, simplify luggage transport on arrival, and provide a predictable connection when travelling with heavy items or late at night.

Using shuttles effectively

• Share shuttle timetables during orientation and on the international office webpage.
• Coordinate shuttle pickup points with arrivals teams when students arrive at Alibeyköy Bus Terminal or airport shuttle stops.

Practical tips for daily commuting, housing, and safety

Choosing student housing with transit in mind

• Prioritise neighbourhoods with direct metro or tram access to the M7 or T5 lines for faster commutes.
• Consider proximity to Alibeyköy Bus Terminal if students travel frequently between cities.
• The central campus location expands options for student housing — from shared flats to university-supported dormitories.

Money-saving and safety tips

• Always validate journeys using the Istanbulkart student card for discounted fares.
• Keep a small amount of cash for dolmuş and small kiosks that may not accept cards.
• Avoid empty wagons late at night; use taxis or university shuttle services for late returns if public transit frequency is low.
• Maintain digital copies of important documents (passport, residence permit, student ID) and keep them accessible during travel.

Accessibility and special needs

Metro and tram stations increasingly provide elevators and ramps — check station-specific accessibility in advance. The international office and student services at Haliç University can assist students with mobility needs in planning routes and securing shuttle support.

Orientation and logistics for admissions, recruiters and partner agencies

What admissions and recruitment teams should include in pre-departure communications

• Clear step-by-step travel instructions from both Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport to campus.
• Required documents and procedure for obtaining the Istanbulkart – Student Card.
• Shuttle timetables, nearest tram/metro stops, and common taxi or ride-hail options.
• Suggested neighbourhoods for student housing with estimated commute times.

How placement agencies and recruitment partners can use transport data

• Build localized arrival packages (airport meet-and-greet, shuttle coordination, student card assistance) as part of conversion offers.
• Use commute-time maps when advising students on accommodation choices to align budgets with daily travel costs.

Integrating transport guidance into onboarding

Study in Turkiye supports partners with standardised student workflows and materials that can be tailored for specific universities and intake periods. Provide transport guides, shuttle sign-up forms, and student card checklists through your CRM or onboarding platform to reduce manual workload for international offices.

Program-specific considerations and university partners

When advising international candidates, link transport convenience to academic outcomes and placement opportunities. Use local university profiles from the Study in Turkiye directory to align program fit with logistics.

How Study in Turkiye supports international recruitment, education leadership, and operational efficiency

Our leadership in education and international recruitment

Study in Turkiye is the trusted authority guiding international students and education partners with deep local knowledge and proven processes to streamline recruitment and onboarding. We help international offices develop accurate pre-arrival information — including transport guides like this one — that increase enrollment confidence.

Operational efficiency

We support admissions and student services with standardised workflows for document collection, arrival confirmations, Istanbulkart guidance, shuttle bookings, and orientation scheduling — reducing administrative burden for university international offices and recruitment agencies.

Partnership benefits

• Collaborate with Study in Turkiye to create tailored transport and arrival packages for international cohorts.
• Highlight practical student-life benefits such as campus transit accessibility, proximity to major hubs, and affordable commuting via the Istanbulkart.

Implementation checklist for university international offices and recruiters

• Prepare a one-page transit map showing metro, tram, bus and shuttle stops relative to campus.
• Include the Istanbulkart application checklist in pre-departure emails and orientation handbooks.
• Coordinate shuttle schedules for arrival days and peak class hours.
• Automate arrival confirmations and shuttle sign-ups via your CRM or student onboarding platform.
• Partner with local service points (e.g., Karaköy station vendors or official Istanbulkart offices) to facilitate student card issuance.

Conclusion and next steps

Haliç University’s strategic location in Istanbul makes commuting straightforward and cost-effective. By prioritising clear guidance on metro, tram, bus, and shuttle operations and by ensuring every incoming international student secures an Istanbulkart – Student Card, universities and recruitment partners can significantly improve the student experience from day one.

Study in Turkiye is ready to partner with your team — whether you are an international recruiter, admissions officer, or an education-focused HR/marketing professional — to embed transport logistics into your recruitment and onboarding workflows, coordinate arrival procedures, and craft orientation materials that convert and retain students.

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Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye

Partner with Study in Turkiye to develop tailored arrival and transportation packages, streamline student onboarding, and create orientation materials that improve recruitment and retention. Explore our resources and start planning your cohort’s arrival today.