Istanbul (IST) Airport Taxi Transfer
Istanbul is a city that combines two continents, history, culture, and modern life. It has more than 2,500 years of history as the capital of the Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman Empires. The main landmarks are Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar.
It boasts of such sights as the Hagia Sophia, which was a cathedral, then a mosque, and is now a museum; Topkapi Palace, which served as the residence of Ottoman sultans; and the Blue Mosque with its magnificent dome and tiles. One should also not miss the Grand Bazaar, which is one of the biggest covered markets in the world.
Istanbul Airport (IST), also known as Istanbul New Airport, is the largest international airport in Turkey, surpassing other major airports in the city, such as Istanbul Ataturk Airport and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport. Opened in 2018, it has since become a key gateway for the bustling metropolis of Istanbul. Situated on the European side of the city, IST is located approximately 40 kilometers from the city center.
Istanbul’s main international hub used to be Atatürk Airport (ISL) until 6 April 2019, when it stopped handling commercial passenger flights. After its closure, the IST code was transferred to the newly built Istanbul Airport. Today, Atatürk Airport remains partly active, serving only cargo operations and private jets under the ISL code. If you are looking for Atatürk Airport transfer or directions from Atatürk Airport to Istanbul, keep in mind that passenger flights have moved to the new Istanbul Airport.
Image by Alp Cem from Pixabay
Istanbul Airport is served by international airlines like Zagros Airlines, Uzbekistan Airways, Utair, Ukraine International Airlines, and Asiana Airlines, along with major Turkish carriers such as Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Atlas Global, and Sun Express. Regular flights from the airport connect to destinations including Paris, Chisinau, Belgrade, Tokyo, Seoul, Baku, Minsk, Casablanca, Cairo, Dubai, and New York.
For those traveling to and from the airport, Istanbul Airport Transfer and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport Transfer services are available, providing efficient and reliable Istanbul airport shuttle service to various parts of the city.
About the Airport
Official Name: Istanbul Airport
Location: European side of Istanbul, Turkey
Airport Facilities: Duty-free shops, restaurants, lounges, currency exchange services, and car rental options. The airport aims to offer a comfortable and enjoyable experience for passengers.
So, how do you get from Istanbul Airport to city center, Istanbul?
Photo by Ibrahim Uzun on Unsplash
Private Transfers at Istanbul Airport
Distance: The distance between Istanbul Airport (IST) and downtown Istanbul is approximately 40 kilometers.
Journey Time: A private transfer from Istanbul Airport to downtown Istanbul takes around 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Key Point: Pre-booking an Istanbul Airport Transfer at AirportTransfer.com guarantees a smooth and stress-free experience. You'll be welcomed by a professional driver who will assist with your luggage and take you directly to your destination or hotel in downtown Istanbul.
Booking with AirportTransfer.com is quick and easy: just enter your details, choose a vehicle, and make your payment online. The app, available on both the Airport Transfer App Google Play Store or Airport Taxi Transfer App Store., makes booking even more convenient. You can also enjoy 24/7 customer support and flexible policies, including free cancellation up to 48 hours before your transfer, along with a 100% refund guarantee.
Stress-Free Group Bus Transfers at Istanbul Airport
Group Bus Transfers at Istanbul Airport
AirportTransfer.com offers Istanbul Airport Coach Transfer services that make travel easier for travel agencies and group travelers. We connect Istanbul Airport to a variety of destinations and provide more than just airport transfers. We offer chauffeured bus rentals and Istanbul bus hire with options for hourly, daily, and point-to-point bookings based on your needs. Whether you're planning multi-stop trips, multi-day journeys, or group travel, our coach transfers provide the perfect solution. Contact us for private bus rentals at Istanbul Airport.
Convenient Hotel Transfers at Istanbul Airport
Istanbul Hotel Transfers
After a long flight, taxis and public transport can be tiring and sometimes crowded in Istanbul Airport. Waiting in taxi queues or figuring out complicated bus and metro routes often adds stress. Private Istanbul hotel shuttle services give you a smooth and direct option. You’ll reach your hotel comfortably and quickly, starting your Istanbul trip without hassle.
Popular hotels in Istanbul include The Marmara Taksim, Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet, and Grand Hyatt Istanbul. For those staying in the historic heart of the city, top picks are Ajwa Sultanahmet Hotel, The Peninsula Istanbul, Hotel Amira Istanbul, Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel, and Legacy Ottoman Hotel.
For travelers looking for an Istanbul Airport Hotel, two convenient options stand out:
YOTELAIR Istanbul Airport (Airside / Transit): Inside the secure transit area after security, ideal for passengers who don’t want to pass passport control.
YOTEL Istanbul Airport (Landside / City Entrance): On the departures floor near entrance #7, easy for non-transit travelers. With 451 rooms, it’s one of Europe’s largest airport hotels.
AirportTransfer.com provides reliable Istanbul hotel transfers from both Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW). With private cars, plenty of space for your luggage, and drivers who know the city well, you can avoid delays and enjoy a safe, comfortable ride straight to your hotel.
Please note that AirportTransfer.com is not affiliated with any of the hotels mentioned above; they are provided for informational purposes only. However, whether your stay is at a hotel near Istanbul Airport, or right in the center of Istanbul, we are dedicated to offering you a safe, comfortable, and on-time transfer service tailored to your travel needs
The best Istanbul Airport transfer reviews at airporttransfer.com!
How To Get from Istanbul Airport to The City Center
Istanbul is a large city with two main parts: the European and Asian sides. On the European side, the city center is usually Taksim, Sultanahmet, or Şişli. On the Asian side, it’s Kadıköy and Üsküdar. Istanbul Airport has many transport options to these areas, including taxis, buses, and private airport shuttle service hotels in Istanbul.
There are several transportation options from Istanbul Airport to the city center, including Private Istanbul Airport Transfer (€30, 45 min, 24/7), taxis (€25-30, 50 min), metro (€0.85, 40 min, 06:00–00:00), Havaist Airport Bus (€4, 70 min, 24/7), and IETT Public Bus (€0.84, 140 min, 06:00–22:00).
Hotels in the city usually don’t run private Istanbul hotel shuttle services, and there is no official door-to-door system. Public buses like Havaist and Havabus operate, but they stop only at main points such as Taksim, Kadıköy, or Beşiktaş. For direct transfers, travelers often use a private Istanbul airport shuttle service.
Bus from Istanbul Airport to City Center
Journey Time: A bus from Istanbul Airport to the city center takes approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, considering the traffic conditions. You need to change the bus once: from H-3 to bus 89-T at Halkalı Yolu station.
Key Point: IETT public buses are the cheapest way to get to the city center from Istanbul Airport. However, they generally don't go directly to main areas, meaning you must change buses. Journeys may take longer because of traffic and many stops, including changes of buses.
IETT buses are relatively inexpensive but less convenient. They get crowded at rush hours, while changing buses en-route increases travel time. Safe, though delays or crowding may affect comfort. Remember to buy your ticket at the machines or ticket offices before you get to the bus stop; drivers don't sell tickets. If you go by bus a lot, an Istanbulkart will save money.
Istanbul is a metropolis with dense and regular city bus lines. Therefore, you can use the city bus lines to travel for your transfer at Istanbul Airport to different parts of the city or vice versa.
Bus Fare from Istanbul Airport to City Center
The fare for a single IETT bus ticket is approximately €0.84 (TRY 30). Tickets can be purchased at machines or ticket offices located within the airport.
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From Istanbul Airport to Mahmutbey (H-1 line) is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
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From Istanbul Airport to Mahmutbey (H-1 line) is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
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From Istanbul Airport to Mecidiyekoy (line H-2) is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.
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From Istanbul Airport to Halkali (line H-3) is approximately 1 hour 46 minutes.
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From Istanbul Airport to Yunus Emre Mah. Arnavutkoy (line H-6) Travel time is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
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From Istanbul Airport to Yunus Emre Mah. Arnavutkoy (line H-6) Travel time is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
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From Istanbul Airport to Cevizlibag (H-9 line) is approximately 2 hours.
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From Istanbul Airport to Haciosman/Sariyer (line H-8) is approximately 2 hours.
Airport Bus from Istanbul Airport to City Center
Journey Time: Taking the Havaist airport bus from Istanbul Airport to the city center takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
Key Point: The Havaist airport bus provides a direct route from Istanbul Airport to Taksim station, one of the most popular locations in the city center. This service operates 24/7, making it a convenient choice for all travelers.
Note: The Havaist buses depart every 15-20 minutes during the day (from 06:00-23:00) and every 30-60 minutes at night. TWhile the trip duration is typically around 1.5 hours, traffic congestion in Istanbul can cause delays, especially during peak hours, potentially making the journey longer.
In addition, transfer Istanbul Airport services and information from the airport to the city center are as follows:
Havaist Fare from Istanbul Airport to City Center
A one-way ticket for the Havaist airport bus costs €4 (TRY 144). Tickets can be purchased online via the Havaist website or app, or you can use an Istanbulkart card, available at the airport.
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Airport - Taksim Square (IST-19 line) - departs every 15-20 minutes from 05:10 to 01:00. The journey time is 1 hour 20 minutes.
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Airport - Sultanahmet (IST-1S line) - Every 20 minutes from 05:00 to 01:00, then every hour until 05:00. The journey time is 100 minutes. Airport - Bus Station (IST-3 line) - every 30 minutes from 05:00 to 03:30; The journey time is 75 minutes.
Metro from Istanbul Airport to City Center
Journey Time: The metro takes about 40 minutes from the Istanbul New Airport to the city center, without waiting or transfers.
Key Note: Take the M11 metro line at the airport. The ride from here will take about 32 minutes to the stop of Gayrettepe Station, from where, getting the M2 line and after traveling 10 minutes you reach the stop at Taksim. Arriving at Taksim, walk or take a taxi, whatever is most appropriate for your needs.
Note: The metro, while cheaper, requires a transfer at Gayrettepe and thus may take a bit longer than direct routes. Keep in mind also that after 00:30, there is no metro. In addition, there is no luggage storage, so keep your bags close by and try to use smaller luggage if possible.
Metro Fare from Istanbul Airport to City Center
The total cost of the metro ride from Istanbul New Airport to the city center is €0.85 (TRY 17). The M11 line costs €0.50 (TRY 9), while the M2 line costs €0.35 (TRY 7).
Taxi from Istanbul Airport to City Center
Journey Time: A taxi from Istanbul Airport to the city center takes around 40 to 60 minutes.
Key Point: Traffic in Istanbul can affect travel time, and fares may change based on traffic conditions. Be cautious of unlicensed drivers who may overcharge, and some taxi drivers may not speak English well.
Note: The taxi fare is set by a taximeter, starting at €0.50 (TRY 18) with a charge of about €0.35 (TRY 13) per kilometer. There is also a waiting fee of €0.04 (TRY 1.44) every five minutes, plus any tolls, which are paid by the passenger.
Taxi Fare from Istanbul Airport to City Center
The cost of a taxi ride from Istanbul Airport to the city center is around €30-40 excluding surcharges.
Uber is available in Istanbul, though requesting rides at airports or taxi ranks can lead to conflicts with local drivers. Other apps like BiTaksi and iTaksi are widely used, but access at airports is restricted. Free Now and Waymo are not active in the city. For a smooth and secure trip, the most reliable option is to pre-book a private taxi from Istanbul Airport.
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Istanbul (IST) Airport Taxi
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