How To Get From Istanbul Airport To City Center – All Possible Ways

Last updated on March 23rd, 2023 at 06:54 pm

We will write how to get from Istanbul airport to city center. The distance from The New Istanbul Airport (IST) to city center is 45 kilometers.

The travel time from Istanbul airport to downtown is around 45 minutes by taxi and if you go by bus 60 minutes. Click here to book online Istanbul activities and day trips

The best way from Istanbul airport to city center is by bus around 60-90 minutes for €3-4 depending on your final destination.

The cheapest way from Istanbul airport to city center is by IETT bus for €1-2 and if you go by taxi will be around €25.

You can also rent a car in Istanbul airport or get a private transfer.

SIM CARD AT ISTANBUL AIRPORT

I wouldn’t recommend you to buy a sim card at Istanbul airport. If you wish comfort you can buy eSim online and if you aren’t in a hurry just go around phone shops in the city and compare prices to buy the cheapest sim card in Istanbul. Read here Turkey sim card for tourist and best Turkey eSim. 

You can buy the cheapest eSim in Turkey with Airalo Turkey eSim prepaid for $4.50 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%).

BUY AIRALO ESIM TURKEY (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%)

If you need more data you can go for $18 USD Airalo Turkey eSim with 10 GB data and unlimited data for $60 USD with eSim Turkey Holafly for only $2 USD per day valid for 30 days.

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Read here how to get from Bodrum airport to Bodrum city center, Izmir airport to city center, Antalya airport to city center, the best places to visit in Turkey and Turkey travel guide

WHERE TO STAY IN ISTANBUL

You can sleep in a room for €15, while you can stay in a budget hotel for as low as €40. There are so many to choose from depending on what type and how luxurious you want your stay to be starting from €100. 

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN TURKEY BEFORE YOUR TRIP WITH BOOKING

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review

You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included

ISTANBUL AIRPORT TO DOWNTOWN

AIRPORT BUS ISTANBUL HAVAIST AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER (BEST WAY)

The best way from Istanbul airport to city center is by Havaist Airport Shuttle. The Airport Bus Istanbul airport to city center is running every 30 minutes starting from 4 am until 1 am almost 24 hours available. The bus fare is €3 one way ticket for adults and children up to 5 years old will be free of charge.

You will have space for your luggage and free Wifi. You have to pay with the Istanbul Kart on the bus and you will find in the ticket vending at the airport. The most popular ones are Havist Number 12 and 14 going to Taksim and Sultanahmet.

The travel time from Istanbul airport to Istanbul city center by Havaist airport Bus is around 90 minutes to reach to Taksim Square (Havaist Number 14) and Sultanahmet (Havaist Number 12) depending on your final destination at city center. You can get the Airport Bus Istanbul outside the airport the Havaist airport bus is white and blue.

Havist Number 14

The Airport Bus Istanbul Route with Havist 14: ( New Istanbul Airport – Besiktas – Taksim). It will take around 1 hour and 30 minutes for 40 kilometers and the bus fare is €3.

Havist Number 12

Havist Number 12 (New Istanbul Airport – Aksaray – Beyazit Square). The travel time is around 1 hour and 30 minutes. It will stop at Beyazit Square and Aksaray. The bus fare is €3.

Havist Number 5

Havist Number 5 (New Istanbul Airport – Esenler Intercity Bus Terminal). The travel time is around 1 hour and it will stop at Esenler Otogar, Otogar Yolu and Hasdal. The bus fare is €2-3 depending on your final destination.

Havist Number 6

Havist Number 6 (New Istanbul Airport – Basaksehir – Halkali). The travel time is around 1 hour and it will stop at Halkali Train Station, Konut Birlik, Arenapark and Demirciler Sitesi. The bus fare is €2.

Havist Number 7

Havist Number 7 (New Istanbul Airport – Catalca – Beylikduzu). The travel time is around 1 hour and 45 minutes. It will stop at Beylikduzu Marmarapark Shopping Mall, Buyukcekmece and Catalca State Hospital. The bus fare is €3.

Havist Number 8

Havist Number 8 (New Istanbul Airport – Bahcesehir – Avcilar). The travel time is around 1 hour and 45 minutes. It will stop at Avcilar Mosque, Bahcesehir and Ispartakule Bloklari. The bus fare is €3.

Havist Number 9

Havist Number 9 (New Istanbul Airport Tepeustu – Kadikoy). The travel time is around 1 hour and 45 minutes. It will stop at Kadikoy, Yenisahra and Kavacik Bridge. The bus fare is €3.

Havist Number 10

Havist Number 10 (Pendik – Sabiha Gokcen Airport – New Istanbul Airport). The travel time is around 1 hour and 45 minutes. It will stop at Pendik High Speed Train Station, Tavsantepe Metro and Sabiha Gokcen Airport. The bus fare is €4.

Havist Number 13

Havist Number 13 (New Istanbul Airport – Yenibosna – Bakirkoy). The travel time is around 1 hour and 30 minutes. It will stop at Bakirkoy and Ataköy. The bus fare is €3.

Public IETT Bus Istanbul Airport To City Center (Cheapest Way)

The cheapest way is by IETT Bus from New Airport Istanbul to city center. The buses are yellow color and the bus fare is cheaper than the airport bus Instanbul with Havaist. The IETT Bus will make more stops than Havaist. The bus fare €1-2 depending on the final destination.

Make sure you buy your Istanbul Kart since you can only pay with this one or similar transportation cards in Istanbul. These are the most popular routes and destinations just in case you are going to your Airbnb or hotel around those areas.

H-1 Istanbul Airport – Mahmutbey Metro

H-2 Istanbul Airport – Mecidiyekoy

H-3 Istanbul Airport – Halkali

H-4 Istanbul Airport – Atatürk Airport

H-6 Istanbul Airport – Masjid-i Selam/Arnavutkoy

H-7 Istanbul Airport – Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı

H-8 Istanbul Airport – Haciosman/Sarıyer

H-9 Istanbul Airport – Cevizlibağ

Istanbul Kart

If you plan to use public transportation in Istanbul make sure you get an Istanbul Kart at the airport. You can load at the airport to get cheaper prices and you have to use in most of the public transportation in Istanbul.

The Istanbul Kart fare is €1 and you can use in the bus, metrobus, trams, ferry and also in the Istanbul airport bus Havaist.

Click here to book online Istanbul activities and day trips

BY TAXI ISTANBUL AIRPORT TO ISTANBUL CITY CENTER

If you go from Istanbul airport to city center by taxi the most comfortable, available 24/7 and fastest way. The travel time by taxi is around 50 minutes and the taxi fare from Istanbul airport to Istanbul city center is €25. The prices and travel time aren’t fixed and it will depend on traffic and your final destination.

CAR RENTAL AT ISTANBUL AIRPORT

There are many options for renting a car in Istanbul’s airport. It’s the most convenient option if you have a place to park your car in Istanbul. It will take you 50 minutes to get to Istanbul from the airport in a private car. There are a few agencies like Hertz, Avis, Centauro available in the airport for €25-30 per day.

Car rental options can be great if you are traveling with a few people or a lot of luggage and planning to visit places around Istanbul. Make sure you have a parking place in your hotel or Airbnb since sometimes can be so challenging in Istanbul.

Click here to get the best deals renting a car in Istanbul!

PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION FROM ISTANBUL AIRPORT TO DOWNTOWN

Hotel transfers are also very easy and convenient but can be a little bit pricey. The transfers are usually available 24 hours and are only ideal if you have the budget and want comfort after your flight to Istanbul. Prices are around €30 and you will be able to fit up to 4 people. It could be €7 per person.

Click here to book online your private transfer

ACCOMMODATION BUDGET TRAVEL IN ISTANBUL

A lot of budget option is available for accommodation in Istanbul. Where you can sleep in a dorm room or a room for €15, while you can stay in a budget hotel for as low as €40. There are so many to choose from depending on what type and how luxurious you want your stay to be starting from €100. 

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN TURKEY BEFORE YOUR TRIP WITH BOOKING.

FOOD BUDGET TRAVEL IN TURKEY

There are much food that you should try in Turkey, you can spend €4-7 per meal. You should probably try kebabs this has become one of our favorite food to eat in Turkey. It comes with salad, sauce and French Fries.

You can find this anywhere in the country, the price of this piece of pastry is €2. There are fine restaurants where you can a three-course meal for €10 and the food is amazing in Turkey.

BEST TIME TO VISIT IN TURKEY

The weather in Turkey varies from time to time so better be prepared for the sudden change of weather during your stay.  The best time to visit Turkey are the months of April-June (Spring) and September-October (Autumn) is when the Shoulder season takes place. In this time it offers you to enjoy and embrace the fun that Turkey has to offer. In these times you’ll see that prices for tours and hotels go down.

Click here to know more about the weather in Turkey.

CASH AND ATMS IN TURKEY

The currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira. The exact currency of Euro to Turkish Lira is A €1 = 18 TRY. You can use debit cards everywhere in Turkey. ATMs are available and accessible in all parts of the country.

Click here to know the exchange rate between the Euro and your currency!

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Happy Travels!