This guide on how to get from Istanbul airport to downtown It will help you make this transfer in the most comfortable and quick way to your hotel.
The city has two international airports: the New Istanbul Airport (which receives traffic from the old Atatürk) and the Sabiha Gökçen, both well connected by public and private transport to the center.
The first is located 35 kilometers north of the city and receives flights from large companies such as Turkish Airlines, while Sabiha Gökçen is 50 kilometers away, and low cost companies such as Vueling land.
Based on the experience of making this journey during our trip, after which we wrote this guide to travel to Turkey, we show you all the options of transfer from the airport to the center of Istanbul or to the hotel, so you can choose the one that best suits your preferences. We start!
How to get from the New Airport to Istanbul
The New Airport is the one that receives the most traffic in the country and has all these means of transportation to reach the center of Istanbul:
- Meter: at the beginning of 2020 the M11 subway line will enter into operation, which will connect to the Gayrettepe station from where you can connect with the M2 that will take you to the center.
- Bus: There are several lines such as the IST-19 that stops in Taksim and the IST-20 in Sultanahmet, which make the journey from the Istanbul airport to the center. These buses leave from the -2 floor with a frequency of 15 minutes, take about 80 minutes and cost about 3 euros.
Another option is to take the airport express bus H-2, which leaves you at the Şişli-Mecidiyeköy metro station and from there with the M2 line you can reach Taksim and Sultanahmet. - Private transfer: It is the most comfortable and safe option when waiting for a driver at the terminal, raising a sign with your name and taking you directly to the door of your hotel in just over an hour, depending on traffic. You can book this service here.
- Cab: official taxis located at the exit of the terminal cost about 30 euros, if your hotel is located downtown.
Remember that if you want to use the public transport of Istanbul it is advisable to buy the Istanbulkart rechargeable card or the 5 Pass Card and 10 Pass Card passes with which you will save money and time.
If you do not want to pay commissions in Turkey and always have the current exchange, we recommend using the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
Blue Mosque
How to get from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Istanbul
Sabiha Gökçen Airport, which receives 30 million passengers a year, has these options to reach the city center:
- Bus: Havabüs will take you from this Istanbul airport to the center (Taksim Square) in 90 minutes for 2.5 euros. Buses leave every half hour from the stop in front of the arrivals terminal and tickets can be purchased directly from the driver.
Another option only recommended if you are staying in the Asian Kadiköy neighborhood is to take the E10 or E11 lines taking into account that if you want to go to the European part you will have to take a ferry that takes an hour. - Cab: the price of a yellow taxi to the area of Sultanahmet or Taksim is about 25 euros although other taxis are circulating in the city that are (from cheaper to less): yellow (type C), comfort blue (type D) and premium blacks (type E).
- Private transport: When booking this service here, a driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals terminal to take you directly to the hotel.
Although they are becoming more reliable, we have to say that our experience with taxis in Istanbul was quite negative, so if you take them we recommend you go up to the officers marked with the word Taksi, be attentive to put the taximeter at 0 and above all, that you return the change correctly. In case of any problem just mentioning that you are going to call the police is used to solve.
Istanbul taxi
One of the best tips for traveling to Istanbul is to stay in the Sultanahmet area, where you will find magnificent hotels such as the Adamar Hotel with fantastic views of the city from its terrace or The Million Stone Hotel, both located a few meters from the Basilica of Saint Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace. In addition to its excellent location and good communication with the airport, both offer full breakfasts and have one of the best quality / price ratios in the city.
Once the transfer from Istanbul airport to downtown or to your hotel, you can prepare your itineraries around the city following this list of 50 things to see and do in Istanbul and these guides optimized by days:
Do you want to organize a trip to Istanbul?
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The best offers of Flights to Istanbul here
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Rent your car in Turkey at the best price here
The best offers of Flights to Istanbul here
The best hotels at the best prices in Istanbul here
Book your travel insurance with a 5% discount here
Book the best tours and excursions in Istanbul in Spanish here
10 essential places to visit in Turkey
Rent your car in Turkey at the best price here
