How to get to the city center from Istanbul Airport?
Istanbul New Airport is one of the modern and largest airports located in the Arnavutköy district in the northwest of the city. Today, the airport is capable of handling 90 million passengers per year, and in the future this figure will reach 200 million passengers. Turkish Airlines, the national flag carrier, has around 80% of the total number of flights at Istanbul Airport. It is also the destination and hub for airlines based in Europe and Asia.
Located on the European side near the Black Sea, 40 km from Taksim and 49 km from Sultanahmet, it takes an average of 50 minutes to reach the city center by car from the airport. It offers an easy transportation opportunity with a direct connection to the D20 highway. To get from the airport to the city center, touristic and hotel areas, there are different transportation alternatives that you can choose from according to your preferences and budget. This makes transportation easy.
Passengers can get from Istanbul New Airport to the city center via municipal public transport buses and HAVAIST buses operated by IBB Bus Co., taxi, private transfer and car rental. It is possible to go to different points of Istanbul with all these transportation alternatives. In addition, direct transportation services are provided to places such as Kadıköy, Pendik and Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the Asian side.
All transportation vehicles are organized according to flight landing times, and it is easy to get to the city center with IETT buses and HAVAIST buses, which operate every 30 minutes every day of the week.
Municipal public transportation buses are the primary means of transportation preferred by passengers due to their affordability. Passengers who prefer a faster and more comfortable transportation compared to municipal buses use HAVAIST buses. However, be sure to purchase an Istanbul Card for these two means of transportation before boarding the bus, as this is the only way to pay for transportation.
Taxis, which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, are the preferred means of transportation for those who want to go directly to the hotel or city center. Taxis are the fastest and most comfortable way to get from Istanbul Airport to the city center. The cost of a taxi from the airport to the center of Istanbul is approximately 400 – 450 TL.
For passengers who have a lot of luggage and want to go to touristic areas such as Sultanahmet, the private transfer option is one of the most ideal transportation types. Prices start from 35 EUR (38 USD) and vary depending on the number of passengers. If you want to see all price lists , you can visit LetTransfer Istanbul Airport Transfer Service website.
In addition, passengers who plan to stay in the city for a few days and do not want to use public transportation for transportation can rent a car and meet their transportation in Istanbul without any problems. Passengers can rent a car from Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise and local providers within the airport terminal building. It is most convenient to find and book a car in advance. Thus, you can save time and money at the airport. In the rest of our article, we talk about agencies where you can make private transfers and rent a car. You can compare vehicles and prices on their websites and make your online reservation.
Istanbul Airport – City Center Transportation by Bus
It is possible to go to Mahmutbey, Mecidiyeköy, Halkalı, Arnavutköy, Alibeyköy, Hacıosman and Cevizlibağ in the city center by public transportation from Istanbul Airport. IETT municipal buses run from the airport to many destinations in the city center at regular intervals. You can find the buses departing every 20 minutes at the exit of the airport arrivals floor. However, these transportation vehicles provide transportation to non-touristy places in Istanbul. IETT buses do not go to popular touristic areas such as Besiktas, Taksim and Sultanahmet.
Although IETT bus fares are slightly cheaper than HAVAIST buses, the journey from the airport to the city center can take a lot of time due to the many stops along the way. We recommend you to consider this time especially on your way back to the airport.
H1, H2, H3, H6, H8, bus lines provide regular transportation service from Istanbul Airport to different points of the city. Bus lines and routes running between the airport and the city center are as follows;
H1 – Airport – Mahmutbey Metro
Route: Airport – İkitelli Bridge – Sanayi Mah. – 15 Temmuz Mah. – Pirireis – Halkalı Cad. – Inonu Cad. – Karacaoğlan İ.Ö.O. – Mahmutbey Metro
The H1 bus line running between the airport and Mahmutbey Metro provides transportation between 13.30 and 20.40 every day of the week. The travel time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Click here for the current departure times of the H1 bus line.
H2 – Airport – Mecidiyekoy
Route: Airport – Coastal Safety – Hasdal – Highways 1st Blg. Directorate – Disaster Coordination Center – Nurtepe Viyaduk – Çağlayan Road – Mecidiyeköy Metrobus
The H2 bus line running between the airport and Mecidiyeköy provides transportation between 07.00 and 19.30 every day of the week. The travel time is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Click here for the current departure times of the H2 bus line.
H3 – Airport – Halkali Marmaray
Route: Airport – Demirciler Sitesi – Masko 1 – Masko 2 – Imsan – IETT İkitelli Station – Atatürk Mah. – İkitelli Cad. – Halkalı Road – Güneşpark Evleri – Koca Ali Sok. – Halkalı Park – Halkalı Police Station – Avrupa Konutları 3 – Sakarya Sok. – İstasyon Mah. Muhtarlığı – Toki Konutlari – Bezirganbahçe Toki – Göl Konutlari – Gültepe Mah. – Halkalı Marmaray – Gümrük
The H3 bus line running between the airport and Halkalı provides transportation service between 07.15 and 19.00 every day of the week. The travel time is approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Click here for the current departure times of the H3 bus line.
H4 – Airport – Ataturk Airport
This bus line has been canceled. However, it is possible to transfer from the airport to Ataturk Airport. You can get on the IST-3 bus from the airport and get off at the bus station stop and transfer to the M1A metro line going to Atatürk Airport.
Another transportation alternative is; You can get on the İST-4 bus from the airport, get off at Şirinevler stop and get on the M1A metro line from here to Atatürk Airport.
You can read the route and detailed information of IST-3 and IST-4 bus lines under the HAVAIST transportation heading.
H6 – Airport – Mescid-i Selam/Arnavutköy
Route: Airport – Recreation Area – Çamlıktepe – Terkos Road – Çamlık Mahallesi – Çangalçeşme Road – Taşoluk Municipality – Sancaktepe – Osmanlı Konakları – Nargül Street – Çardaktepe – Y. Selim Mah. – Hasan Tahsin Cad. – Taşoluk Road – Taşoluk Green Mosque – Arnavutköy Municipality – Kiptaş Houses – Hz. Ömer Mosque – Kozlar – Cemal Reşit Rey İ.Ö.O. – Osmangazi Cad. – Redif Sokak – Arnavutköy – Nezip Fazıl Caddesi – Gaziosmanpaşa Cad. – Fatih Cad. – Arnavutköy State Hospital – Boğazköy Road – Road Maintenance – Çamlık – Balcılar – Forest Management – Kayabaşı Road – Fener Tepe – Fener Tepe Road – Sincanlar – Arnavutköy Road – Tepeüstü – Habibler – Mescid-i Selam Mosque – Mescid-i Selam – Hayırlıoğlu Mosque – Government House – Public Bread Factory – Mimar Sinan Boulevard – Salt Depot – Yunus Emre Mah.
H6 bus line runs between Airport and Mescid-i Selam/Arnavutköy and provides 24-hour transportation service between 05.30 to 05.30 every day of the week. The travel time is approximately 1 hour 25 minutes.
Click here for current departure times of H6 bus line.
H8 – Airport – Hacıosman/Sarıyer
Route Airport – Kilyos Cemetery – Aslan Nursery – Uskumruköy Road/Sehitlik – Yeşil Vadi – Yeşil Vadi Nursery – Kuzey Konakları – Ormanada – Demirciköy Road – Zekariyaköy Road – Bahçeköy Road – Zekariyaköy Trafo – Nalbanttepe – Gürgensu Sitesi – Nalbant Çeşme – Acarlar – Maden Üstü – Maden Mahallesi – Maden Kocataş – Köşebaşı – Hüseyin Kalkavan High School – Yusuf Ziya Stadium – Sarıyer – Hacıosman Bayırı Cad. – Hacıosman – Hacıosman Metro
The H8 bus line running between the airport and Hacıosman/Sarıyer provides 24-hour transportation service between 05.10 and 05.10 every day of the week. The travel time is approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Click here for the current departure times of the H8 bus line.
You can visit IETT’s official website for route and timetable updates for all municipal buses departing from Istanbul New Airport.
H4 bus line between Istanbul New Airport and Atatürk Airport has been canceled. Ticket price for all bus lines is 2 full tickets. There is no cash on the buses. Boarding is done only with Istanbul Card. There is also no student and pensioner discount.
Istanbul Card for Urban Public Transportation
If you are planning to travel from Istanbul New Airport to the city center by IETT buses and you want to use public transportation, you can purchase the Istanbul Card, a contactless and loadable smart card, and use it economically in all public transportation buses, private public buses, metro, metrobus, tram and ferries of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. You can purchase the Istanbul Card upon arrival at the airport, through many Card Processing Centers and Filling Dealers in the city center.
In addition, with the Istanbul Card mobile application, you can learn the routes and times of city buses, metrobuses and ferries, find out the nearest Istanbul Card loading points using your location, or top up your balance online with your credit card. IOS and Android users can download the application from the link below.
For detailed information, you can visit the Istanbul Card website or directly visit Istanbul Card application centers.
Istanbul Airport – City Center Transportation by HAVAIST
HAVAIST buses, which provide transportation from Istanbul New Airport to approximately 50 destinations in the city center on a fixed route, are both easy and comfortable. It is possible to go to touristic and hotel areas such as Taksim and Sultanahmet, where IETT buses do not go, with HAVAIST buses. There are a total of 150 bus services every day from Istanbul New Airport to the European and Asian sides. Depending on your destination, the travel time varies between 45 and 90 minutes. However, there are in-bus TV movies, Wi-Fi and USB charging units to make this time enjoyable.
Buses depart from the exit of the arrivals floor of the airport. HAVAİST buses, which serve according to domestic and international flights, depart to different points of the city every half hour. HAVAİST buses can only be purchased with Istanbul Card or Credit Card (by downloading the mobile application Android/IOS and QR code).
HAVAIST buses provide 24-hour transportation service in both directions from Istanbul New Airport to tourist areas such as IST-1, IST-2, IST-3 and IST-4 (Bakırköy), IST-4G and IST-5 (Beşiktaş), IST-7, IST-8, IST-15, IST-17 and IST-19 (Taksim) and IST-20 (Sultanahmet). Read on for the route and all other details of HAVAIST buses including other regions…
IST-1 – Airport – Yenikapi
Route: Airport – Ayvansaray – Ulubatli – Aksaray – Yenikapi Marmaray – Yenikapi IDO
IST-1 shuttle buses running between the airport and Yenikapi provide transportation service between 04.50 and 04.00 every day of the week. The travel time takes approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes depending on the traffic density.
IST-2 – Airport – Beylikduzu/Çatalca
Route: Airport – Catalca Hospital – Buyukcekmece – TUYAP – Cumhuriyet Mah. – Beylikduzu
IST-2 shuttle buses operate between the airport and Beylikdüzü and Çatalca between 05.00 and 04.30 every day of the week. The travel time takes approximately 1 hour depending on the traffic density.
IST-3 – Airport – Esenler Bus Station
Route: Airport – Bus Station Road – Esenler Bus Station
IST-3 shuttle buses operate between the airport and Esenler bus station between 05.00 and 03.30 every day of the week. The travel time takes approximately 1 hour depending on the traffic density.
IST-4 – Airport – Bakirkoy
Route: Airport – Kuleli – Sirinevler – Atakoy 4th Section – Bakırköy IDO
IST-4 shuttle buses operate between the airport and Bakırköy between 05.00 and 04.15 every day of the week. The travel time takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes depending on the traffic density.
IST-4G – Airport – Gunesli
Route: Airport – Gunesli
IST-4G shuttle buses running between the airport and Güneşli provide transportation service between 05.00 and 04.15 every day of the week. The travel time takes approximately 1 hour and 21 minutes depending on the traffic density.
IST-5 – Airport – Besiktas
Route: Airport – 4th Levent – Zincirlikuyu Metrobus – Besiktas
IST-5 shuttle buses running between the airport and Beşiktaş provide transportation service between 05.00 and 03.30 every day of the week. The travel time takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes depending on the traffic density.
IST-7 – Airport – Kadikoy
Route: Airport – Kavacık Bridge – Yenisahra – Göztepe Bridge – Uzunçayır Metrobus – Acıbadem Bridge – Kadıköy
IST-7 shuttle buses running between the airport and Kadıköy provide transportation service between 05.00 and 04.00 every day of the week. The travel time takes approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes depending on the traffic density.
IST-8 – Airport – Pendik
Route: Airport – Sabiha Gökçen Airport – Tavşantepe Metro – Pendik YHT – Pendik IDO
IST-8 shuttle buses running between the airport and Pendik provide transportation service between 04.45 and 02.45 every day of the week. The travel time takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes depending on the traffic density.
IST-15 – Airport – Bahcesehir – Avcilar Metrobus
Route: Airport – Ispartakule Evleri – Bahçeşehir – Istanbul University Avcılar Campus
IST-15 shuttle buses operate between the airport and Bahçeşehir and Avcılar Metrobus between 05.00 and 04.00 every day of the week. The travel time takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes depending on the traffic density.
IST-17 – Airport – Halkali – Bahcesehir
Route: Airport – Bşakşehir Metrokent – Demirciler Sitesi – Atatürk Mahallesi – Güneşpark Evleri – Halkalı Park – Halkalı Train Station
IST-17 shuttle buses operate between the airport and Halkali and Bahçeşehir between 05.00 and 04.20 every day of the week. The travel time takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes depending on the traffic density.
IST-19 – Airport – Taksim
Route: Airport – Nurtepe Viaduct – Taksim
IST-19 shuttle buses operate between the airport and Taksim between 05.10 and 04.30 every day of the week. The travel time takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes depending on the traffic density.
IST-20 – Airport – Sultanahmet
Route: Airport – Nurtepe Viaduct – Piyalepaşa – Eminönü – Sultanahmet Square
IST-20 shuttle buses operate between the airport and Sultanahmet between 05.00 and 04.15 every day of the week. The travel time takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes depending on the traffic density .
In HAVAİST buses, the ticket fee can only be paid with Istanbul Card or credit card. Cash payment is not accepted. Student or pensioner discounts are not valid on HAVAİST buses. Children between the ages of 0-6 can travel free of charge. HAVAİST buses provide transportation service between the airport and the city center 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. HAVAİST buses depart from the airport every 30 minutes during the day and every hour after midnight.
HAVAİST bus tickets are sold at the bus stop on the 2nd floor of the airport. If you are an Istanbul Card holder, there are also units where you can top up your balance.
For detailed information about the current departure times and routes of the buses from Istanbul New Airport to different points in the city, you can visit HAVAİST’s official website.
Istanbul Airport – City Center Taxi Transportation
Taxis are the fastest and easiest way to get from Istanbul New Airport to any point in the city. However, you should keep in mind that this mode of transportation will be expensive. Taxis waiting in line at the exit of the domestic and international arrivals floor of the airport provide transportation service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The average taxi fare from the airport to the city center is between 400 – 450 TL. Since taxi fares are not fixed, this figure may increase depending on the distance you will travel and traffic density. For this reason, before getting into the taxi, you can tell the driver the route you will take and ask him/her for an average price.
Approximate Taxi fares from the airport to some parts of Istanbul are as follows;
Airport - Avcılar: 450 TL
Airport - Basaksehir: 450 TL
Airport - Beşiktaş: 400 TL
Airport - Beyoglu: 400 TL
Airport - Sisli 400 TL
Airport - Kadıköy: 550 TL
Airport - Üsküdar: 550 TL
There are 3 different types of taxi services at Istanbul New Airport. Yellow taxis are the economical ones. Turquoise taxis are about 15% more expensive than yellow taxis. Black taxis are VIP vehicles. These taxis are 2 times more expensive than yellow taxis. There is no day and night difference in taxi fares.
Istanbul Airport – City Center Transportation by Private Transfer
You can travel comfortably and at a more affordable price compared to taxis with the private transfer, which you can use from the airport to every point in Istanbul. You can be met by the driver at the arrivals hall of the airport, get directly into your private air-conditioned vehicle and quickly reach your destination.
You can go to hotel areas such as Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Taksim, Laleli and Besiktas at an affordable price and comfortably with 24-hour airport transfer service. No matter what time you land at the airport, there are some local companies where you can purchase an all-day transfer service. You can make an online reservation among them and make the payment to the driver after reaching your destination.
You can visit LetTransfer Istanbul Airport pick up service website to book a transfer.
Istanbul Airport – City Center Shuttle Service Transportation
Shuttle service vehicles that provide transportation service at Istanbul New Airport are a very useful type of transportation, especially for those traveling with more than one person. Shuttle vehicles, which provide transportation from the airport directly to the hotel or to the door at different points of the city, are a little more economical than private transfer services.
To book a shuttle service at the airport, you can visit the Istanbul Welcome Cart stand on the arrivals floor and make your reservation and be taken to the shuttle by the attendant.
Airport Car Rental Agencies
Whether you’re visiting Istanbul for business or sightseeing, renting a car is an easy way to get around and quickly get to all the places you want to see. Istanbul New Airport is home to leading international and Turkish suppliers where travelers can rent a car. You can make your transportation in Istanbul more enjoyable with a wide range of car types and prices that you can choose from according to your budget and taste.
How to get from Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gökçen Airport?
HAVAİST IST-8 bus line provides transportation service between Istanbul New Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport. The buses between the two airports depart every hour between 04.45 and 01.45 every day of the week and the transportation time takes 1 hour and 40 minutes depending on the traffic density. The ticket fee is 30 TL per person one way.
IST-8 – Airport – Pendik
Route: Airport – Sabiha Gökçen Airport – Tavşantepe Metro – Pendik YHT – Pendik IDO
If you have flexible schedules and enough time, you can take HAVAIST buses from Istanbul New Airport to Taksim or Kadıköy and then take HAVABUS buses from these two routes directly to Sabiha Gökçen Airport. HAVABUS buses departing every half hour take 1.5 hours from Taksim and 1 hour from Kadıköy to Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
Kadıköy – Sabiha Gökçen Airport
Kadıköy – Yenisahra – TEM Connection Road – Airport
HAVABUS shuttle buses running between Kadıköy and Sabiha Gökçen Airport depart every half hour between 04.15 and 00.45 every day of the week. The travel time takes approximately 1 hour depending on the traffic density and the ticket fee is 14 TL per person one way.
Taksim – Airport
Taksim – Dolapdere – Zincirlikuyu Metrobus – 1st Levent – July 15 Martyrs Bridge – Kavacik – Taksim
HAVABUS shuttle buses running between Taksim and Sabiha Gökçen Airport depart every half hour between 03.30 and 01.00 every day of the week. The travel time takes approximately 1.5 hours depending on the traffic density and the ticket fee is 18 TL per person one way.
Istanbul Card and credit cards are not valid on HAVABUS buses. You can pay your ticket fee in cash to the attendant on the bus. Children up to 6 years old can travel free of charge.
You can visit the official website of HAVABUS for detailed information about the shuttle bus departure times and routes from Taksim and Kadıköy to Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
How to get to Istanbul New Airport from Esenler Bus Terminal?
There is HAVAİST IST-3 bus line that you can take directly from Esenler bus station to Istanbul New Airport. IST-3 bus line, which provides mutual transportation service between the two routes, departs every half hour every day of the week according to domestic and international flight schedules. The travel time takes approximately 1 hour depending on the traffic density and the one-way ticket fee is 16 TL per person.
IST-3 – Esenler Bus Station – Airport
Route: Esenler Bus Station – Bus Station Road – Airport
HAVAİST buses do not accept cash. Tickets can only be purchased with Istanbul Card or credit card by scanning the QR code on the mobile app. HAVAİST mobile app is a good option if you do not have an Istanbul Card. After downloading the app on your phone, you can pay with your credit card and show the QR code to the attendant.
For IOS
For Android
How to get to Istanbul Airport from Harem Bus Terminal?
There is no public transportation bus that you can take directly from Istanbul Harem Intercity Bus Terminal to Istanbul New Airport. However, you can go to Kadıköy, which is a short distance away, and take the HAVAİST bus from there.
Buses and minibuses frequently pass from Harem bus station to Üsküdar. You can get on any of these vehicles and arrive in Üsküdar. From here, 12A buses go to Kadıköy.
Click here for 12A bus line route and current departure times.
HAVAİST IST-7 shuttle buses depart from Kadıköy and go to Istanbul New Airport.
IST-7 – Kadıköy – Airport
Route Kadıköy – Acıbadem Bridge – Uzunçayır Metrobus – Göztepe Bridge – Yenisahra – Kavacık Bridge – Airport
IST-7 shuttle buses running between the airport and Kadıköy provide transportation service between 05.00 and 04.00 every day of the week. The travel time takes approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes depending on the traffic density and the ticket fee is 25 TL per person one way.
For detailed information about IST-7 bus departure times and routes from Kadıköy to Istanbul New Airport, you can visit HAVAİST’s official website.