Is public transport free on May 29? Are buses, subways, and Marmaray free in Istanbul on May 29?
The 572nd anniversary of the Conquest of Istanbul will be celebrated with enthusiasm on May 29, 2025. Many events are planned in the megacity for this historic victory that closed one era and opened another. One of the questions citizens are most curious about on this meaningful day is whether public transport will be free. As the question "Is public transport free on May 29?" is being researched, the expected announcement from officials has arrived. So, are buses, subways, metrobus, Marmaray, and ferries free in Istanbul on Thursday, May 29? Here are the details...
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The question of whether public transport is free on May 29 has become one of the most curious topics on the agenda. The 572nd anniversary of the Conquest of Istanbul will be celebrated with enthusiasm on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Various events will be organized throughout Istanbul on the anniversary of this historic victory that closed one era and opened another. Istanbul residents are researching whether public transport vehicles such as subways, metrobus, buses, Marmaray, and ferries are free on this special day. So, are public transport services free on Thursday, May 29? Here is the answer everyone is wondering about…
IS MAY 29 A PUBLIC HOLIDAY?
The 572nd anniversary of the Conquest of Istanbul will be celebrated with various events across the city. However, since May 29 is not on the official holiday calendar, the working schedule for public institutions and organizations will not change on Thursday.
Likewise, education will continue in schools, and courier companies and PTT will continue to provide services. Pharmacies will also be open according to their usual working hours.
IS PUBLIC TRANSPORT FREE ON MAY 29?
Every year on May 29, public transport vehicles provide free service due to the anniversary of the Conquest of Istanbul. It is expected that the tradition will continue this year, and it has been announced that public transport vehicles will be free on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
In the announcement made from the official X account of Ulaşım İstanbul, it was stated, "On May 29, the Conquest of Istanbul, you can use public transport vehicles included in the integration for free all day long with your personalized Istanbulkart."
According to this statement, on Thursday, May 29, Istanbul residents will be able to benefit from public transport vehicles affiliated with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) and included in the integration for free with their personalized Istanbulkart.
HOW MANY DAYS DID THE CONQUEST OF ISTANBUL LAST?
The Conquest of Istanbul, which began on April 6 and ended on May 29, went down in history with an intense siege and conflict process that lasted approximately 53 days. On May 29, 1453, the Ottoman army launched a major offensive to capture Istanbul, which was held by the Byzantine Empire, by besieging the city.
During the siege, Fatih Sultan Mehmet placed a powerful artillery battery on the Rumeli side of the Bosphorus as a strategic move. At the same time, he did not give Byzantium a chance to breathe by strengthening the blockade from the sea. As a result of the city walls being pounded by giant cannons, the walls were demolished and Ottoman soldiers managed to enter the city. This siege, carried out with the most advanced cannon technology of that period, resulted in the conquest of Istanbul. In the end, Fatih Sultan Mehmet entered the city with a great victory.