Istanbul Airport (IST) is about 40 kilometres northwest of the city centre. There are four ways into the city: the M11 metro, the Havaist bus, a taxi and a private transfer.
How to get from Istanbul Airport to the city centre
| Option | Cost | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| M11 metro | About 30-45 TRY with transfer | 45-70 minutes | Light luggage, tight budget |
| Havaist bus | About 130-330 TRY, by route | 60-90+ minutes | Big bags, late arrivals |
| Taxi | About 700-1,500+ TRY | 45-90 minutes | Door to door, heavy luggage |
| Private transfer | Fixed, often 25-45 euros per car | 45-90 minutes | Families, groups, very late arrivals |
How to take the metro from Istanbul Airport
The M11 runs from under the airport towards the city and is the cheapest option. It avoids road traffic, with a change to the M2 at Gayrettepe for the central journey described below. Allow 45 to 70 minutes for the whole trip, depending on your destination.
- Buy an Istanbulkart at the airport.
- Take the M11 to Gayrettepe, about 35 minutes.
- Change to the M2 for Taksim or the historic peninsula.
The journey costs about 30-45 TRY including the transfer. Keep the Istanbulkart bought at the airport for the rest of your stay. The same card covers the metro, tram, bus and ferry journeys described in the linked city guides.
The M11 runs from early morning until around midnight. For a later landing, use a Havaist bus, a taxi or a pre-booked transfer.
How to take the Havaist bus from Istanbul Airport
Havaist coaches run direct to Taksim, Sultanahmet and other central stops without a change. Air conditioning and luggage holds make them an option for travellers with larger bags. Choose the route for your destination and check its departure times before leaving the terminal.
- Cost: about 130-330 TRY, depending on the route
- Time: 60 to 90+ minutes, longer at rush hour
- Hours: frequent departures, with key routes running through the night
How much is a taxi from Istanbul Airport?
A metered taxi to the centre costs about 700-1,500+ TRY. Allow 45 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic. Use the official airport rank or the BiTaksi app, and check that the meter is running.
- Use the meter, or book through the BiTaksi app so the route and price are tracked.
- Use the official taxi rank. Ignore touts inside the terminal.
- Expect higher fares in traffic, since the meter keeps running.
Should I book a private transfer from Istanbul Airport?
A pre-booked transfer has a driver waiting at arrivals with your name, at a fixed price, often 25-45 euros per car. The journey takes 45 to 90 minutes, and splitting the price between several people can bring it close to a taxi fare. Book online before you fly.
How to get from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to the city
Sabiha Gökçen is Istanbul's second airport, on the Asian side. Havabus coaches, rail connections and taxis provide routes into the city, as outlined below. Choose according to where you are staying and allow time for a crossing if your accommodation is on the European side.
- Havabus coaches run to Taksim and Kadıköy.
- Metro plus Marmaray rail crosses under the Bosphorus to the European side.
- Taxis and private transfers work the same way as at IST.
Allow more time than from IST.
Which Istanbul Airport transfer should I choose?
- Travelling light on a budget: the M11 metro
- Big bags, or one ride with no changes: the Havaist bus
- Two or more heavy bags, or landing after midnight: a taxi or a pre-booked transfer
Buy an Istanbulkart at the airport whichever you choose. For the rest of the network, see Istanbul metro hours, and for where to base yourself, see where to stay in Istanbul.