Transportation discounts and subsidies in Turkey offer significant advantages for international students to reduce their living costs. While studying in Turkey, it’s not just about getting to campus; many transportation needs arise, from city trips to intercity travel. Fortunately, with your student ID, you can get discounts on many types of transportation, from the metro to the train, from the bus to the bullet train. In this article, I will explain how you can travel more for less with student cards, ticket subsidies, mobile apps and local municipality support.
Special Transportation Cards and City Discounts for Students
One of the first opportunities that comes to mind when it comes to transportation discounts in Turkey is urban student cards. In Turkey’s major cities, using public transportation with student passes can save up to 70%. While a normal boarding fee ranges from $1-$3, with a student card this figure drops to just $0.20-$2. Especially for students who commute to school every day or travel frequently in the city, this difference creates a serious budget advantage.
Istanbulkart, Ankarakart and Other City Cards
Each metropolitan municipality has its own student transportation card system. These cards are usually valid on public transportation such as buses, subways, trams and metrobuses. As of 2025, you can see the transportation discount rates in some major cities in the table below:
| City | Student Card Fee (USD) | Normal Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | $0.30 | $0.70 |
| Ankara | $0.30 | $0.70 |
| Izmir | $0.20 | $0.50 |
| Kayseri | $0.10 | $0.30 |
In most cases, only an active student certificate is sufficient to apply for a student card. Applications can be made at municipal card centers or via e-Government. Cards are delivered within a few days and it is easy to top up balances via mobile applications.
For more information, check out:
👉 City Transportation in Turkey: Public Transportation Guide
How Much Savings Are Made in Urban Transportation?
Let’s say a student uses public transportation 40 times a month. Without a student card, the cost is about $40, but with a student card it’s only $10. The $30 transportation discount could easily cover a student’s weekly grocery bill or a weekend trip. That’s hundreds of dollars of savings in the long run.
Extra saving tips here:
👉 How to Get Student Discounts in Turkey
Student Discounts on Intercity Travel
Turkey has well-developed bus and train networks for intercity travel. Thanks to the transportation discount opportunities offered for students, even long-distance trips can be made without straining the budget. Traveling not only between big cities but also all over Anatolia is becoming both easy and affordable.
Current Campaigns for Bus and Train Tickets
TCDD (Turkish State Railways) trains offer a 15% discount for students. This kind of transportation discount is a great advantage, especially for students who travel frequently.
Similarly, bus companies also have periodic campaigns. Prices may vary according to the company. Buying tickets through mobile applications or early booking can reduce this amount even further.
ENUYGUN Student Campaign (Bi’Student Cooperation)
Bi’Öğrenci and ENUYGUN have partnered to offer a special transportation discount for students in 2025. The offer includes $1.60 off on departure and $1.60 off on return, for a total discount of $3.20. This offer is available on limited days and limited seats, so act fast!
Transportation Expenses Support and Application Process
Some municipalities also provide transportation support to local and international students studying at universities. This support usually takes the form of monthly cash assistance or top-ups on transportation cards.
How much is the transportation subsidy and who can benefit from it?
As of 2025, the transportation allowance for students varies from city to city, ranging from $2.60 to $8 per month. This amount can be higher especially for students studying in rural areas or disaster areas.
How to Get Student Ticket Support
Applications are usually made through the official websites of the municipalities or through the e-Government portal. The documents required for the application are:
- Current student certificate
- Certificate of residence in Turkey
- Photocopy of ID
- Online application form
The aid amount is usually digitally loaded onto the student’s card or deposited into a bank account.
Digital Conveniences: Mobile Apps and Online Tracking
Turkey’s transportation discounts are no longer limited to physical cards; digital solutions now reach your pocket. Thanks to mobile applications, managing transportation in big cities and between cities is both easy and much more economical. These digital systems make a significant contribution to students’ efficient use of time and avoid extra costs.
Bi’Öğrenci, ENUYGUN and Other Platforms
Bi’Öğrenci is an active platform that gathers special discounts and campaigns for students in Turkey under one roof. Thanks to its cooperation with ENUYGUN, students are offered special discount codes and periodic promotions on bus tickets. Moreover, apart from transportation; campaigns in areas such as food, technology and cinema are also listed here.
ENUYGUN is one of the most widely used transportation booking applications in Turkey. With its transportation discount campaigns for students, it provides serious advantages not only in tickets but also in travel planning. Sometimes there are even free ticket draws, so stay tuned!
RQ Code and Online Balance Tracking in Transportation
Most cities in Turkey now offer student transportation cards integrated with digital platforms. Here are a few examples:
- Istanbulkart Mobile: You can top up your balance through the app and pass through the turnstiles with QR code.
- Ankarakart Mobile: Balance control, top-up history and card management can be easily done here.
- TCDD Tasimacilik: It is used to buy High Speed Train tickets, select seats and apply student discounts.
These applications provide great convenience, especially for students making last-minute plans. Waiting in line at the toll booth is becoming a thing of the past, because now you can top up your transportation card online with a few clicks and hit the road. The transportation discount defined by digital systems means double savings in terms of speed and budget.
Extra Supports for Students in Metropolitan Cities
Some metropolitan cities in Turkey are making student life easier not only with discount cards but also with direct financial support. While transportation discounts have become a standard in metropolitan cities such as Istanbul and Ankara, more targeted aid for students in Anatolian cities draws attention.
President Büyükkılıç’s Transportation Support in Kayseri
Kayseri Municipality stands out with the transportation support it offers to students. The projects developed especially after the pandemic and after the 2023 earthquake continue as of 2025. The selected students receive a transportation card worth approximately $10 every month. This application covers not only university students in Kayseri, but also young people coming from different cities or in need of accommodation.
This kind of support can significantly ease the student’s budget by providing transportation discounts that have a direct cash value, not just a discount card.
It’s Time to Win in Transportation when you are a Student in Turkey!
Let’s face it, student budgets are limited everywhere. But if you are in Turkey and use transportation correctly, you can make a serious difference.
If you are a newcomer and everything seems a bit confusing, don’t worry. We at Road to Study guide you through the basics of being a student in Turkey as well as scholarships and support.
Now is the time: Get your transportation card, follow the deals and make student life more affordable!