Is Istanbul Public Transport Free During the 2026 YKS Exam?

With the arrival of decisive days for millions of students in Turkey, the issue of easy and fast access to exam centers has become a top priority. According to an announcement released today, June 17, 2026, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) confirmed that on Saturday and Sunday, public transport in the metropolis will be free for YKS exam participants [1].

Istanbul Municipality's Decision to Support Candidates The Istanbul City Council has approved a plan for free use of the urban transport network to reduce candidate stress and prevent heavy traffic around exam centers. This initiative, which has become a tradition in recent years, includes all vehicles managed by the municipality and its subsidiaries. The goal of this decision is to ensure candidates reach their exam locations on time without worrying about travel costs [2].

Who Can Travel for Free and How? According to details published by Metro Istanbul and the IETT organization, two main groups are covered by this plan: 1. Exam Candidates: Students intending to take the exam can pass through gates simply by presenting their "Exam Entrance Document" (Sınav Giriş Belgesi). 2. Administrative Staff and Proctors: Teachers assigned to proctor the exam will be exempt from paying fares by presenting their "Assignment Document" (Görevli Belgesi) [1][2]. It is important to note that companions (parents) are not included in this plan and must pay their travel costs according to the normal tariff.

Included Vehicles and Time Limits This plan covers a wide range of public transport in Istanbul, including: - IETT buses and private sector buses under municipal supervision - Metro, tram, funicular, and cable car lines - Metrobus - City Lines (Şehir Hatları) ferries

In terms of timing, these free services are not limited to the entire day. Candidates and proctors can use these services for free from 2 hours before the start of the exam until 2 hours after it ends [2]. It should be noted that airport bus lines and the electric lines of the Islands (Adalar) are usually not included in this plan [1].

Additional Services and Distribution of Refreshment Packages In addition to transportation, the Istanbul Municipality announced that it will deploy mobile refreshment stations at 10 strategic and high-traffic points near major exam centers. At these stations, packages containing water, cake, and juice will be distributed to candidates and their families to provide nutritional support [3]. Furthermore, due to the exam, citizens have been asked to refrain from honking and making noise near schools to maintain a calm environment for the candidates.