Dardanelles · Çanakkale
The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge is the first continuous road crossing of the Dardanelles: Europe at Gelibolu / Sütlüce, Asia at Lapseki. It opened on 18 March 2022 as part of the Malkara–Çanakkale motorway corridor and is best known for a 2,023-metre main span — currently cited as the world’s longest suspension bridge by mid-span.
Cab Istanbul can stage private intercity car-with-driver runs toward Gallipoli and Çanakkale. We do not collect bridge tolls or sell HGS products.
Orientation video only — not a toll or traffic authority source.
Specs & symbolism
What the numbers actually mean
- Main span: 2,023 m (Republic centennial symbolism).
- Side spans: 770 m each; with approach viaducts the published total crossing length is 4,608 m.
- Towers: 318 m steel height (18 March 1915 symbolism); cannonball replicas honouring Seyit Onbaşı raise the tip figure to 334 m.
- Lanes: 2×3 (six lanes).
- Name “1915”: marks the 18 March 1915 Ottoman naval victory in the Dardanelles campaign.
Red-and-white tower colouring references the Turkish flag. Built by a Turkish–South Korean consortium, the bridge sits inside a larger Malkara–Çanakkale highway package rather than as an isolated tourist monument.
2026 tolls
Bridge-only tolls by vehicle class (KGM)
Official General Directorate of Highways (KGM) rates for the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, valid from 1 July 2026, 00:00. Amounts are in Turkish lira and include VAT. Tariffs can change — re-check KGM before travel.
| Vehicle class | Bridge toll |
|---|---|
| Class 1 | 1,170.00 ₺ |
| Class 2 | 1,465.00 ₺ |
| Class 3 | 2,635.00 ₺ |
| Class 4 | 2,925.00 ₺ |
| Class 5 | 5,560.00 ₺ |
| Class 6 (motorcycle) | 295.00 ₺ |
Bridge only ≠ full motorway. If you ride the Malkara–Çanakkale motorway corridor including the bridge, KGM’s July 2026 matrix lists a Class 1 example of 1,480.00 ₺ for the full Malkara↔corridor path — entry/exit pairs change the total. Do not assume every trip costs the bridge-only Class 1 figure.
Payment: cashless HGS plate recognition. Load balance on the plate before you arrive; there is no classic cash booth workflow for a tourist improvisation.
Drive planning
Bridge vs ferry — and Istanbul → Gallipoli → Çanakkale
Project materials describe the strait crossing itself as about six minutes once you are on the bridge — useful as a crossing-time figure, not a guarantee against wind, traffic, or approach congestion.
Ferry trade-off: Gelibolu–Lapseki (and other Dardanelles ferries) still run with schedules, queues, and their own fares. Choose ferry when you want a water crossing experience, are avoiding motorway tolls, or timing does not justify the bridge fee; choose the bridge when you need continuous motorway timing and have HGS ready.
For a history-first itinerary, pair the European approaches with the Gallipoli peninsula — see our ANZAC Day / Gallipoli overview — then continue to Asian-side Çanakkale or Troy if that is your day plan. From Istanbul, an intercity chauffeur or city car with driver keeps logistics simple; airport arrivals can start with an Istanbul Airport transfer then a staged southbound leg via online reservation.
FAQ
Quick answers
Where does the bridge start and end?
European side near Sütlüce (south of Gelibolu centre); Asian side at Lapseki across the Dardanelles.
Is it the world’s longest bridge?
It is widely described as the longest suspension bridge by main/mid-span (2,023 m). That is not the same metric as total length of every bridge type.
How much is the 2026 car toll?
Class 1 bridge-only: 1,170.00 ₺ from 1 July 2026 (KGM, VAT included). Confirm class and any later tariff updates before you drive.
Do I need HGS?
Yes for practical passage — fund the plate in advance.
Is the motorway fee the same as the bridge fee?
No. Bridge-only and full Malkara–Çanakkale corridor matrix rates differ; use the KGM table that matches your entry and exit.