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Istanbul Airport (IST) lies approximately 40 km from Istanbul Cruise Port, located at Galataport in the Karaköy neighborhood of Beyoğlu. The journey from the airport to the cruise port takes around 45 minutes.
Istanbul Airport (IST) has a large terminal with numerous airlines operating daily, offering solid connections across Turkey and around the world.
Istanbul draws visitors with its rich history, culture, and strategic location bridging two continents. Istanbul Airport serves as the best airport to Istanbul Cruise Port, providing easy access to Galataport Istanbul.
Istanbul’s cruise port is in the Karaköy area and has two connected piers along the Golden Horn. It’s run by the state-owned Turkish Maritime Organization (TDİ). The port is part of the large Galataport complex, which includes shops, restaurants, hotels, a modern art museum, and entertainment spaces.
The cruise port offers convenient parking options nearby, including both covered and open-air lots for short or extended stays. Visitors can find parking facilities at Galataport and surrounding areas, suited for cruise passengers and visitors to the district. As you can see from the Galataport cruise port map, Istanbul Cruise Port is located in one of the most central areas of the city.
Source: istanbulclues.com
About the Airport
Official Name: Istanbul Airport (IST)
Location: Approximately 35 kilometers northwest of Istanbul city center, Turkey
Airport Facilities: Istanbul Airport features a large terminal with many dining options, retail shops, lounges, free Wi-Fi, currency exchange, ATMs, and car rental services. The airport serves numerous international and domestic flights daily, making it the best airport to Istanbul Cruise Port.
Istanbul Airport to Cruise Port Transfer
Private Cruise Transfers from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul Cruise Port
The Port of Istanbul is a cruise passenger terminal in the Karaköy area of Istanbul. It includes two connected piers, Galata Pier and Salıpazarı Pier, along the Golden Horn.
After a long trip, arriving at Istanbul Cruise Port with luggage can be tiring. AirportTransfer.com offers direct, hassle-free rides between Galataport Istanbul and your destination. Unlike taxis or shuttles that make multiple stops, Istanbul airport taxi option provides a direct and comfortable trip to port of Istanbul located at waterfront of Bosphorus Strait, near Galata Bridge in the European part of Istanbul.
Our Istanbul Cruise Port Transfers have many benefits: you’ll be picked up on time with no waiting, a fixed price with no hidden fees, and secure online payment by credit card or PayPal. We also offer custom options for extra luggage, groups, and more.
You can choose your vehicle, pickup, and drop-off locations—whether from the airport to the port or port to airport—and pay online. Prices are fixed, and support is available 24/7. Booking is easy, and you can cancel for free up to 48 hours before pickup with a 100% refund guaranteed. You can also book using the AirportTransfer App from the Google Play Store or Airport Taxi Transfer App Store.
Istanbul is a popular cruise port for many lines.
Some major ones include MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Viking Ocean Cruises, Oceania, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, and Cunard. Luxury lines like Azamara, Ponant, Seabourn, Windstar, Explora, Regent Seven Seas, and Silversea also visit Istanbul.
River cruise companies like AmaWaterways and Uniworld may offer trips that connect to Istanbul.
Cruise routes can change, so check with the cruise lines or travel agents for the latest info. Most ships dock at the modern Galataport Cruise Terminal on Istanbul’s European side.
Several hotels stand near Istanbul Cruise Port, ideal for travelers arriving early or staying after their cruise:
- The Print House Hotel: 5-star, cozy rooms with hardwood floors and free Wi-Fi. From about €55 per night.
- Port Bosphorus Hotel: 4-star, views of the strait, international restaurant, and spa. From about €110 per night.
- Aruna Hotel Istanbul: 4-star, simple rooms with a restaurant, lounge, and shisha bar. From about €33 per night.
- Avist Otel: Budget option. From about €23 per night.
- Taksim Bosphorus Hotel: From about €70 per night.
Private Istanbul hotel transfer services offer direct rides with no waiting or multiple stops. They include a meet-and-greet service at Istanbul Airport or the Galataport terminal.
Bus Transfers to Istanbul Cruise Port from Group Travel
For groups traveling to Istanbul Cruise Port, AirportTransfer.com offers Istanbul bus hire service that fits your whole group comfortably. Istanbul group transfer covers transfers from Istanbul Airport or anywhere in the city straight to the cruise terminal, making group travel easy and organized.
Using a group transfer means you don’t have to book several cars or use public transport for many people. It keeps your group together and saves time, which works well for families, tour groups, or business travelers.
We have different vehicles available, from minibuses to large coaches, all well maintained. The price is clear with no hidden charges, and drivers help with your luggage and take you directly to your Istanbul cruise ship.
You can contact us to book your group transfer from Istanbul airport to cruise port or ask about special requests, or email info@airporttransfer.com to arrange transfer.
Group Bus Transfer from Istanbul Airport to Galataport
Things to do and see around Galataport in 2025
At Galataport, you can see old mosques, visit art museums, shop at famous brand stores, and eat at some of Istanbul’s well-known restaurants.
oktay karataşoğlu from At Galataport, visitors see the Istanbul Modern Art Museum (new building soon), the Painting and Sculpture Museum, and the Ara Guler Photography Exhibition. Nearby are historic mosques like Nusretiye and Kilic Ali Pasha, the Tophane Clock Tower, and Fountain. Kilic Ali Pasha Turkish Bath offers a place to relax. Shopping includes luxury and local stores, and restaurants serve kebabs, desserts, and steaks.
Close by are Dolmabahce Palace by the Bosphorus, Vodafone Arena stadium, and Besiktas with street food and shops. Taksim Square and Istiklal Street offer shopping, museums, and food. The historic Galata Tower and Karakoy Square with cafes and shops attract many. Galata Bridge leads to Eminonu, known for street food and the Spice Bazaar. Sultanahmet, reached by tram, has Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace.
sulox32 from So, how do you get from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul Cruise Port? After arriving at Istanbul Airport, you can can reach the cruise terminal by taxi, shuttle, train and private transfer, or ride-hailing services like Free Way, Bolt and Uber but users often complain about high surge prices during peak hours. Istanbul airport transfer option is most comfortable way to reach Istanbul Cruise port.
Bus from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul Cruise Port
Journey Time: The full trip from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Istanbul Cruise Port at Galataport takes about 1 hour and 32 minutes. You’ll take two buses and do some walking. There is no direct bus from the airport to the port, so you’ll switch buses and walk the last part.
Key Point: You will start your transfer at Istanbul Airport. Walk about 16 minutes (1.4 km) from the terminal to the main Istanbul Airport Bus stop. From there, get on the HVL-9 bus. This bus runs every hour and goes to Piyalepaşa. The ride takes about 1 hour.
At Piyalepaşa, change buses. Wait for either the Em2 or 77Ç bus. These buses arrive every 10 minutes. Ride this bus for about 4 minutes and get off at Karaköy.
Once you're in Karaköy, walk about 9 minutes (740 meters) to reach Galataport — Istanbul’s main cruise terminal.
Bus Fare from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul Cruise Port
The bus fare from Istanbul Airport to Galataport Cruise Terminal costs about €4 to €7 per person. This includes both buses.
Train from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul Cruise Port
Journey Time: The full trip from Istanbul Airport (IST) to the Galataport Cruise Terminal takes around 59 minutes. This trip includes two train lines and some walking. There is no direct train to the port.
Key Point: From inside the Istanbul Airport terminal, follow the signs to the metro station. Take the M11 metro line. This train leaves every 20 minutes and takes about 32 minutes to reach Gayrettepe Station.
Once you reach Gayrettepe, transfer to the M2 metro line. These trains run every 10 minutes. Ride the train for about 12 minutes and get off at Şişhane Station.
From Şişhane, walk for about 12 minutes (1 km) to reach Galataport, where Istanbul’s cruise ships depart.
Train Fare from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul Cruise Port
The total cost for the metro Istanbul Airport to Istanbul Cruise Port is around €2 per person. This includes both M11 and M2 metro lines.
Private Istanbul Taxi Transfers from Cruise Port to Airport
Taxi from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul Cruise Port
Journey Time: The ride from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Galataport Cruise Terminal takes about 39 minutes. The distance is around 42.3 kilometers.
Key Point: You can find taxis outside the arrival gates at Istanbul Airport. All taxis use a meter. The final price depends on how long the ride takes and how far you go.
The base fare starts when you enter the taxi. There is a waiting charge of €0.04 (TRY 1.44) added for every five minutes the car stops in traffic or at lights. You also pay for any tolls during the trip.
Traffic in Istanbul can make the ride longer. That means the final cost may change.
Taxi Fare from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul Cruise Port
A one-way taxi from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul Cruise Port costs around €50 to €65.
The best Istanbul Airport reviews are at AirportTransfer.com!