Haydarpaşa Railway Station (Haydarpaşa Garı)
A historic station on the Kadıköy waterfront, once the Istanbul terminus of the railway to Anatolia. Regular trains stopped years ago and the building is under restoration.
From the Kadıköy ferry, the stone building with two towers seems to rise straight out of the sea. Haydarpaşa Station (Haydarpaşa Garı) in Kadıköy, on Istanbul's Asian side, was the city's gateway to the railway into Anatolia. For generations, people arriving by train saw Istanbul first from here.
History of Haydarpaşa Station
The first train left Haydarpaşa for İzmit in 1872. In the early 20th century the station was chosen as the Istanbul end of the Baghdad Railway, and a larger building was needed. Construction of today's station started in 1906 and was completed in 1908. It was designed by the German architects Otto Ritter and Helmuth Conu.
During the First World War, in 1917, a huge explosion at the station badly damaged the building. In the Republican era it became the departure point for trains to Ankara and the rest of Anatolia. On 28 November 2010 a fire during repair work destroyed the roof and the fourth floor.
Long-distance trains stopped in 2012 because of high-speed rail and Marmaray works, and suburban trains followed in 2013. Excavations from 2018 uncovered Byzantine remains and graves on the station grounds.
Today
The building has been under restoration for years. In mid-2026 work on the façades facing the Sea of Marmara was finished and the scaffolding came down. According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the station and its grounds will become a culture and arts hub with a library, an archaeological park, museum spaces and event areas. Officials say its transport role will be kept, but there are no regular train services at present.
Visiting
The station is in Kadıköy, just north of the Kadıköy ferry pier, a short walk along the shore. The best view is from the water, on any ferry leaving Kadıköy. Because restoration is ongoing, check whether the interior is open before you go.
Tip: on the ferry from Kadıköy to Karaköy or Eminönü, look right as you leave the pier; the station fills the view.
Frequently asked questions
Do trains still run from Haydarpaşa Station?
No regular services run. Long-distance trains stopped in 2012 and suburban trains in 2013, and the building is being restored.
When was Haydarpaşa Station built?
Construction of the current building began in 1906 and was completed in 1908, to designs by Otto Ritter and Helmuth Conu.
What will Haydarpaşa Station become?
Official plans describe a culture and arts hub with a library, museum spaces and an archaeological park, while keeping a transport role.
How do I get to Haydarpaşa Station?
Walk north along the shore from the Kadıköy ferry pier.