Getting from Istanbul Airport to the city
Istanbul Airport (IST) is on the Black Sea side of the European shore, roughly 40–50 km from Sultanahmet and Taksim. Depending on traffic, the drive takes 45–75 minutes. The main options are:
- Havaist airport buses to Taksim, Sultanahmet and other districts
- Metro M11 to Gayrettepe and Kağıthane, with changes for the centre
- Taxi from the official rank outside arrivals, metered
- Private transfer with meet & greet at a fixed price
Istanbul Airport transfer prices
Listed companies advertise fixed prices from Istanbul Airport to Taksim from about €45 with Istanbul Transfer Service, €49 to Taksim or Sultanahmet with Cab Istanbul, and €55 in a Mercedes Vito VIP with Merry Tourism and Kings World Transfer. Kadıköy on the Asian side costs more, at about €65–85.
Istanbul Airport to Galataport
Cruise passengers usually need 45–60 minutes from Istanbul Airport to Galataport in Karaköy. Book a transfer that tracks your flight and allow extra time on weekday evenings.
Groups and long stays
For groups, Istanbul Shuttle has 13-seat minibuses and Merry Tourism runs Sprinter VIP vans for up to 16. Most companies also offer hourly chauffeurs for sightseeing or business meetings.