Located in the Avcılar district, Ambarlı is one of Istanbul's largest commercial and Ro-Ro ports on the Marmara coast. Serving as the northern terminal for Marmara RoRo's Istanbul-Bandırma route, it primarily accommodates vehicle and freight transport. It is situated 6 km from the TEM highway connection and Avcılar Metrobus station.

Port Guide

Ambarlı Port (Istanbul Avcılar)

Ambarlı Port, located in the Avcılar district in the western part of Istanbul's European side, is one of the city's largest freight and ROPAX ports. The port hosts container and dry bulk vessels as well as Bandırma Marmara RoRo Cooperative sailings. Due to its strategic location, it serves as the main hub for direct maritime connections from Istanbul's European side to the South Marmara region.

Port History and Strategic Location

Established in the 1970s and gradually modernized over the following decades, Ambarlı Port is a combined cargo port. Today, it stands as Istanbul's second-largest freight port after Atatürk Port. Location advantages:

D-100 / E-5 highway: 3 minutes from the port exit.
Avcılar Marmaray-Metro station: 10 minutes.
Atatürk Airport: 25 minutes.
Istanbul Airport: 50 minutes.
Beylikdüzü, Bahçeşehir, Halkalı: 15-20 minutes.

Ambarlı is the European side terminal for the Bandırma RO-RO and ROPAX route. This makes it a critical connection point for truck and lorry drivers looking to bypass Bosphorus crossings and Osmangazi Bridge traffic.

Port Structure and Operations

Ambarlı Port operates primarily as a freight-focused facility:

Container yards (the vast majority)
Dry bulk berths
RO-RO and ROPAX ramps (Bandırma route)
Truck park and driver rest area
Customs facilities
Cold storage

The port is active 24/7, with evening and night departures available for ROPAX sailings. There is a dedicated terminal building for ROPAX passenger traffic; however, passenger comfort facilities (cafes, restaurants, shopping) are limited, as the port is heavily freight-oriented.

Facilities and Passenger Comfort

ROPAX passenger terminal: Air-conditioned waiting lounge.
Ticket office: Marmara RoRo Cooperative desk.
WC and showers: Separate facilities for passengers and drivers.
Cafeteria: Limited; tea, coffee, and sandwiches.
Truck park: Spacious; 24/7 service.
Driver rest facility: Motel and showers.
Fuel station: At the port exit.
Tire repair, auto spare parts: 24/7.
Disabled access: Available.
ATM: Nearby (Avcılar center).
Customs: Inside the port.

Transportation and Directions

D-100 / E-5 highway: 3 minutes from the port exit.
Avcılar Marmaray-Metro: 10 minutes; connecting to Istanbul's integrated public transit network.
Atatürk Airport: 25 minutes.
Istanbul Airport: 50 minutes.
Esenler Bus Terminal: 35 minutes.
New Yenikapı ferry terminal: 40 minutes.
Beylikdüzü Cevahir Mall: 15 minutes.
Halkalı train station: 20 minutes.

Parking Information

Parking at Ambarlı Port is freight-oriented; passenger parking is limited:

Passenger parking: 300-400 vehicle capacity.
Truck park: 500+ heavy vehicles, active 24/7.
Rates: 50 TL hourly, 200 TL daily, 1,000 TL weekly.
Caravan park: 1-2 day stays are possible in the truck park.
Security: 24-hour CCTV, customs security personnel.
Lighting: Fully illuminated.

Surroundings and Nearby Places

Avcılar center: 10 minutes; hotels, restaurants, malls.
Beylikdüzü Cevahir Mall: 15 minutes.
Marmara Park Mall (Beylikdüzü): 20 minutes.
Halkalı / Sefaköy: 25 minutes; bus terminal connection.
Atatürk Airport: 25 minutes.
Historical Peninsula (Sultanahmet, Topkapı): 1 hour.
New Mosque and Eminönü: 50 minutes.

Brief Information About Avcılar

Avcılar is a young and dynamic district on the western side of Istanbul's European half. With the Istanbul University Avcılar Campus, Marmaray-Metro integration, and large shopping malls, it holds a central position for living and transportation. Ambarlı Port is located on the coast in the western part of the district; since it is predominantly a port zone, the coastline has limited tourist use, but the transportation infrastructure is highly robust.