We will tell you about all the ways to get from the new Istanbul airport to the city center. Which buses run to popular areas. How long does it take to get there and how to pay. Taxi prices.
Which airports are in Istanbul
Istanbul International Airport(İstanbul Havalimanı) was opened in 2018 and became the third air hub in the city. Today it is the largest airport in the country. It is located in the Arnavutkoy district, in the European part of Istanbul. Before historic center about 40 km.
Today, İstanbul Havalimanı accepts all flights that were previously served by the well-known Ataturk Airport. Now old airport deals with flights of private companies and cargo transportation. In the Asian part of Istanbul, there are another air gate- the airport Sabiha Gokcen... It is used by low-cost airlines.
Istanbul airports on the map
Metro
Two metro lines to İstanbul Havalimanı have been under construction for several years and are scheduled to be completed in late 2020 - early 2021. Today, the only way to get from the new Istanbul airport to the city center is by taxi or buses. Find out how to get to different areas.
Buses: where to find, types, prices
Where to sit... Buses from the new Istanbul airport to the city center depart from the first floor of the airport terminal. Hangs near the bus stop electronic scoreboard with a timetable, where the flight numbers and the final stops of the buses are written.
Havaist buses... More than a dozen routes from the new Istanbul airport to the city are provided by the popular Turkish company Havaist. Ticket prices and current schedule look at the site. For example, a ticket to Taksim and Sultanahmet costs 18 liras.
These are comfortable, air-conditioned express buses with spacious luggage compartments. They run around the clock, there are few stops. If your hotel is off the route, you will have to change to other modes of transport.
IETT buses... It is convenient to get from the new Istanbul airport to the city center by buses of the city company IETT. Buses with the letter "H" run from 7:00 to 21:00 at intervals of 50 minutes. The fare from the airport is double. In July 2019, it was equal to TRY 5.2.
IETT Bus Routes from İstanbul Havalimanı and Travel Times:
- H-1 - Mahmutbey metro, 1 hour;
- H-2 - işli metro, 1 hour;
- H-3- Marmaray Halkalı, 1 hour 15 minutes;
- H-6- Metro Mescid-I Selam, 35 minutes;
- N-7- Metro Haciosman, 35 minutes;
How to get from the new Istanbul airport to the city center
Travelers love to rent accommodation in Fatiha, a historic district of European Istanbul. It is here, in the quarters of Sultanahmet, Laleli, Aksaray, Kumkapi, Gulhane and Eminonu, that the main monuments of Istanbul, famous palaces and mosques are concentrated.
There is a route to the center IST-1... Buses IST-1Y arrive at the Yenikapi pier, and IST-1S - to the streets of Sultanahmet. During peak hours, these buses run every half an hour.
If the hotel is located in the east of Fatih, it is more convenient to get to it by bus IST-1S. It takes 1 hour and 40 minutes to get to the final stop, the fare costs 18 TRY. For tourists staying in the western part of the historic center, it is better to take the IST-1Y route. The journey will take 1 hour 50 minutes and cost 18 TRY.
How to get from the new Istanbul airport to Taksim
There are four routes to the areas beyond the Golden Horn. It is convenient to use them to get to Taksim Square, to the Besiktas, Beyoglu and Sisli districts.
Bus H2 takes passengers to Sisli in 40 minutes. Nbprbt fares are 5.2 TRY, which is three times cheaper than Havaist buses.
A bus passes through the Beyoglu district IST-1S, which follows to Sultanahmet. It takes 50 minutes to stop PİYALEPAŞA. If you have rented a hotel closer to the seaside, get off at Eminenu and change to the T1 tram that runs along the coast.
Bus IST-5 runs from İstanbul Havalimanı to Besiktas Pier. The journey takes 1 hour 10 minutes and costs 18 TRY. On the way, the bus stops near several metro stations.
Bus IST-19 starts from the airport and in 50 minutes brings passengers to the final stop, which is located 0.5 km from Taksim Square. Nearby are the metro station of the same name and the funicular, which is convenient to go down to Kabatas. Price - 18 liras.
Other routes
How to get to Ataturk airport... Take the bus H-4... The journey to the old airport takes 1 hour and costs TRY 5.2.
The road from the new Istanbul airport to Sabiha Gokcen airport... The distance between the two Istanbul air hubs, depending on the route, is 80-90 km. Bus IST-8 overcomes it in 1.5 hours. The interval between flights is 1 hour. Travel to any stop along the route will cost TRY 30. The final stop at Sabiha Gokcen Airport is at the entrances to the departure area.
Other routes... Buses IST-3 drive to the Esenler bus station. The journey takes 1 hour 15 minutes and costs 16 TRY. Buses IST-2 it takes 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the Tüyap urban area. The fare is TRY 21. By bus IST-7 in 1 hour 30 minutes and 25 TRY you can get to the Kadikoy pier.
How to pay for travel
In Istanbul buses, they generally accept payments only by bank transfer - using bank card or Istanbulkart cards. However, we paid in cash several times on the Havaist buses. Just in case, buy Istanbulkart - they are sold at the airport and throughout the city. The card can be used by several people at once. Attach it to the validator near the driver, and the required amount will be debited from the card. Children under 6 years old travel for free.
Advice... The transport card is beneficial and convenient. Calculate the approximate number of city trips. Put the required amount of money on IstanbulKart in advance in the terminal and travel without any problems!
Departure area diagram at the new airport (Photo © planmytravels.eu) 
Arrivals area diagram at the new airport (Photo © planmytravels.eu) Taxi from Istanbul airport to city center
If you value comfort or carry bulky luggage, you cannot do without a taxi. Taxi prices from the new Istanbul airport to the center start at 30 €. To get to the parking lot, go down to the first floor of the building. The fare is paid by the counter. If you are lucky and there will be no traffic jams, you will get to Sultanahmet in 45-50 minutes. The fare is about TRY 150. Fares at night are half the price.
Introductory image source: © www.facebook.com/igairport.
Ataturk airport: how to get to the city by metro, taxi and bus. How to get from the airport to Taksim and Sultanahmet. Step-by-step instruction for those traveling to Istanbul.
Let's start with the fact that there are two airports in Istanbul. One is in Europe (Ataturk) and the other in Asia (Sabiha Gokcen airport). The first is considered the main one. The second is an additional one (as a rule, low-cost airlines fly here). I already wrote about how to get to the center from Sabiha Gokcen airport in my previous article (if you want, read it). Today I will very briefly tell you how to get to the city from Ataturk Airport. In fact, this is not difficult to do.
Let's define the concepts
Istanbul is a big city. Therefore, with a certain degree of convention, several different regions can be considered the "center" here at once. Most of the attractions are concentrated in Istanbul on the historical Fatih Peninsula (in the Sultanahmet region). There is Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern and many other important sights of the city. However, the word "center" is also often understood, for example, the Beyoglu district (with pedestrian street Istiklal, Taksim Square and Galata Tower). It's easier to get here from the airport.
Therefore, if you are in Istanbul for the first time, be sure to read the article, the link to which is given below. It will help you better navigate the city, as well as understand in which part of Istanbul it is better to rent a house. I will repeat - Istanbul is a very big city. Therefore, it is very important here.
Three different travel options
This can be done in several different ways at once: by metro, by a Havabus bus or, for example, by taxi. With the last option, I think there is no need to explain anything here. Taxi from the airport will cost around $ 25-30. You can catch him near the exit from international terminal.
They immediately stop and busesHavabus.
They run from 4 am to 1 am. You can get with their help at a stop near Taksim Square. The fare is 12 liras. The schedule and all detailed information can be found on the website havabus.com.
However, this option only becomes relevant if your flight arrives late at night. In all other cases the cheapest and most convenient way to get to the city by metro.
It is open in Istanbul from 6 am to midnight. One of the stations (Havalimani) is located right at the airport. The only thing that needs to be noted here is that you will have to walk to it for a long time. There are passages, escalators, and whole “streets” of shops. The comrades themselves drive around the airport in such miniature cars.
In order not to get lost, you can simply navigate by the arrows.
They will show you the way in the darkness, like Danko with a flaming heart.
How to get by metro to the area of Istiklal street and Taksim square
Step # 1. Take the red metro line to Yenikapi station.
Step # 2. We switch to the green line and go further - to the Taksim or Sishane station (this is the beginning of Istiklal street, not far from the Galata tower).
The metro map is shown below.
All - you are there. The only thing to note here is that each transfer is paid separately. I will write about the purchase of the Istanbul Card and the exchange of money below.
How to get by metro to Sultanahmet area
Everything is a little more complicated here. So ... Follow the signs to get to the metro entrance, change money, pay for travel, and go to the city.
Step # 1. We get to the Zeytinburnu station and go to the surface.
Step # 2. We sit on the T1 tram and go to the desired stop (Laleli, Sultanahmet, Gulhane). Look at the map which is closer to your hotel.
That's all. You can pay for travel in the metro and tram using the so-called Istanbul Card. I will write separately about what it is.
How to change money and buy an Istanbul Card right at the airport
First, what is it and why is it needed. Istanbul Card is a single pass for all (more precisely, almost all) types of transport in Istanbul. With this card, you can pay for travel on the metro, tram, bus, and even on the funicular or ship). You can buy it in two ways:
- At the kiosk.
- In special devices at the stations.
It costs 6 lire (sometimes a little more). You will need to put another 5-10 lire on the card itself. Of course, in order to carry out this operation, you first need to change money. This can be done again in two ways.
- At the banks at the airport.
- In stores that you meet along the way.
Moreover, in the second case, the course may be even more profitable. All you need is to go to the checkout and ask if they will change your money here.
The money was changed. Now you can go buy an Istanbul Card and put money on it. I repeat: you can buy the card itself at the kiosk, but in order to put money on it, in any case, you will need such a yellow machine.
They stand right outside the subway entrance. We put the card on the screen, choose the Russian language, put money into the device and send it to the account. Everything. Now you can pick it in any vehicle.
One trip aroundIstanbulThe card costs 2.15 liras... But with each transfer within 120 minutes, you will receive discounts. The first transfer will cost you 1.45 lira, the second 1.15 lira, all subsequent ones - 0.85. In practice, it works like this: went to the metro - paid 2.15 liras; moved to another station - paid 1.45 more. We switched to a tram - paid 1.15 more.
You can also buyIstanbulOne card for two or even for the whole company. But in this case, all trips will be paid at the full rate (2.15).
How to organize a trip to Istanbul and save money
Personally, we traveled to Turkey from Vilnius on a UIA flight for 120 euros (price for a roundtrip flight). Such a flight from Minsk cost almost twice as much. You can read about all the nuances of searching for tickets. If you are very lucky to buy tickets at The largest city Turkey can even cost 40 euros (round trip). The main thing is to know where to look for such offers.
With regard to rental housing, in this regard, I advise you to use two sites: RoomGuru and AIRBNB. The first one looks a little clumsy, but it compares prices on different sites and quickly shows where a particular number is the cheapest. The second one offers apartments and rooms "from the owners" instead of hotels. Quite often they can be rented even cheaper than hotels. Especially considering the numerous bonuses AIRBNB has. You can get the first of them, for example, by registering here at this link.
Medical insurance for travel to Turkey the thing is optional. But! It is cheap, you can even arrange it online, and therefore I personally do not see much point in saving money here. Personally, I always buy travel insurance. Reliable insurance companies are collected here. And the site itself is made in such a way that you can immediately compare the offers of different companies. Remember: insurance is not insurance. Therefore, for example, I really like that on this site you can immediately see which insurance has more included options and suits you better in terms of price / quality ratio.
Excursions in Istanbul are a popular thing. The city is big, so there are a lot of guides here. Personally, I usually walk around the city without a guide, but if you simply cannot live without them, I advise you to look for them on sites like and. Quite often, here you can find something really cool and original (from unusual quests to excursions with a professional photo session). In my opinion, this is still better than the classic look to the left, look to the right.
The many travelers visiting Istanbul who arrive at independent rest to Turkey or follow through this country in transit with a long transfer, the question is of concern: how to get from Ataturk airport to the center of Istanbul or as after visiting the main attractions of the ancient capital of the country on time get to Ataturk airport to fly home or to a country, on the way to which there was a long transfer in Istanbul. The article describes the most convenient and available ways allowing you to make such trips.
Istanbul Ataturk International Airport (that is how it is correctly called) in Istanbul is located in the European part of the city, about 20 km from the Sultanahmet district - the historical center of the "city of contrasts" or about 30 km from the Taksim district, which is known as the center of all modern nightlife Istanbul. Ataturk Airport is the largest hub air traffic in a country that even the capital's airport in Ankara cannot compete with in terms of passenger traffic.
To understand the scale of the airport, it is enough to mention that it serves passengers of about 100 airlines in the world. From Istanbul's second airport, Sabiha Gokcen (which is located in the Asian side of the city and is commonly used by low-cost airlines for international and domestic flights) main airport removed by about 70 km. You can read more about this in the article. "Sabiha Gokcen Airport - how to get from various places in Istanbul"(article is being prepared).
How to book a taxi from Istanbul Airport online
For those who are used to planning all their movements in advance, who would like to choose a certain class of car for a trip from the airport, or who are simply not sure of their knowledge of a foreign language (in this case, Turkish), there is the possibility of ordering a taxi from Ataturk or Sabiha Gokcen airport in advance - with the help of an excellent online service, where the search and booking of a comfortable car order is made quickly, and communication with the support service is also in Russian. The advantage of this option is that you do not need to independently negotiate with taxi drivers at one of the airport stands and explain the route to a certain street or hotel directly in Istanbul.
Ordering taxi transfer from Istanbul airports or other Turkish airports in advance, you can be sure that the driver will meet you already in the arrivals area. He will have a special noticeable sign with your name in his hands, so you won't be able to get lost. The advantage of ordering an online transfer from the airport is the ability to choose not only a car of any class (from budget to executive and VIP minibuses), but also the availability of additional amenities. For example, you need a child seat in your car, a bike rack or other sports equipment. To search for a taxi transfer at the airports of Istanbul and other airports in Turkey, use the special form above.
How to get from Ataturk airport to the city center and back by metro
The fact that a branch of the city metro is connected to Istanbul Airport is great news for everyone arriving here, because all over the world this type of urban transport is considered one of the most affordable, fastest and not depending on the presence of traffic jams, which have long become a problem for the majority. large cities, including Istanbul, where this problem is observed regularly.
Arriving at Ataturk Airport on an international flight, you arrive at Terminal 2 (Terminal 1 serves only domestic flights and is connected to the international terminal by an underground passage). Before setting off on the road, we recommend exchanging some currency for Turkish lira, which will be needed to pay for the metro and other types of public transport. You can change at exchange offices for about $ 10-20 (the rate at the airport, as is customary, is not the most profitable), or withdraw an equivalent amount at a local ATM.
Finding a metro at Ataturk Airport is not difficult: it is necessary in the arrivals hall after passing passport control keeping to the right, walk almost to the end, where there are visually understandable signs "Hafif metro" (Light metro). Next, you should go down the escalator, after which there will be an entrance to the metro on your right hand. At the entrance, you must purchase a token to pay for travel. Tokens are purchased from machines called "Jetonmatik".
The fare is 4 Turkish Lira (2015). Cheaper trips of 2.15 liras - when using local Akbil or IstanbulCard passes. If you plan to move around the city a lot, these types of passes will allow you to travel on all types of city transport, except for taxis and Havatash buses. Those. are used to pay for subways, trams, city buses, sea buses and funiculars. Electronic travel cards must be applied to the readers at the entrance to the transport, while the money for travel will be debited from the account.
Below is the official Istanbul metro map (taken from the metro website), with which you can roughly imagine the location of Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, as well as plan your movements around the city. A small tip: you need to watch the red line M1a, the terminal station at which, called Atatürk Havalimani (on the left on the map), is the station at Ataturk Airport. By the way, in translation from Turkish "havalimani" is translated as: airport. This Istanbul metro line is often referred to as “ light metro"Due to the fact that part of the branch does not run underground, but above the surface, and allows you to look at the city" from above "during the trip.
The main disadvantage of the Istanbul metro, which does not allow using this type of transport in order to get to Istanbul airport at any time of the day, is the limited opening hours. The metro operates only from 06:00 in the morning and ends after midnight. Those. if you arrived at Ataturk Airport at night and want to get to the city center, you will have to use other types of city public transport or Istanbul airport taxi.
The interval of movement of metro trains is 6-10 minutes, depending on the time of day. Getting to Ataturk Airport from Istanbul is also not difficult: you need to get to the terminal station of the M1a metro line called Havalimanı. Then, after passing the weekend turnstiles, follow the signs “ International Airport»To the terminal building. At the same time, you do not need to go outside from the metro: the path will lead directly to the airport.
As you can see, the above metro map also shows other public transport in Istanbul, as well as all transfer stations are marked, which allows you to get from the airport to the place you need, especially when it comes to the European part of the city, the most popular and interesting for foreigners, and also do Return trip to the airport. The optimal routes connecting Ataturk Airport with the main sights of the city and popular tourist sites are detailed below.
From Ataturk Airport to Istanbul Attractions
Using only the M1 line of the Istanbul light metro, you can get from the Airport to central regions cities. The duration of the trip from the airport to the station Aksaray (Aksaray), where the bus station of the same name is located, is approximately 30-35 minutes. However, not all popular areas can be quickly reached only by metro; it is often more convenient to use the Istanbul high-speed tram (line T1 on the map).
How to get to Ataturk airport - T1 light rail
In general, the following districts of ancient Istanbul are of greatest interest to travelers: Laleli, Aksaray, Gulhane, Sultanahmet. In these areas, you can find the largest offer of inexpensive accommodation: hotels, guesthouses and guesthouses. In addition, the main attractions of Istanbul are located nearby: the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Cistern (Sultanahmet stop), Topkapi Palace and Gulhane Park (Gülhane stop), Galata bridge over the Golden Horn, walking along the Bosphorus (Eminönü stop).
The easiest way to get to all the above stops with attractions is using the metro + tram. To do this, you need to travel six stations on the Istanbul metro (from Havalimani station to Zeytinburnu station, and then change to the T1 light rail line and go to the desired station. The option takes less time than taking the metro to Aksarai station and transferring to the same line T1 tram If you have found and booked a hotel in the Laleli area, you can take the metro to Aksaray station and walk a little (about 10 minutes) to Laleli.
Cheap hotels in the historical part of Istanbul are convenient to search and book by minimum price in various booking systems using the map below. Since in addition to budget hotels, there are quite expensive ones, it is better to immediately remove their markers from the map by sliding the price range slider to the left until the price per night is acceptable for you.
Havataş buses are a good alternative to the metro from the airport, especially when it comes to getting to Istanbul or Ataturk Airport late at night or early in the morning. Unfortunately, these buses also do not work around the clock, but, unlike the metro and light rail, buses run until 01:00 am and start at 04:00 am. Finding white Hawatash buses at the airport is not difficult: their parking is located right at the exit from the airport.
The interval for buses is once every half hour. In general, buses go from Ataturk Airport to the Taksim area, but stop at Aksaray along the way. For such a move, you need to pay 10 Turkish lira, a ticket can be purchased from the bus driver. Further from Aksaray, you can either walk towards Laleli and further, or take a taxi (if you need to get to the sights at night or early in the morning, while public transport is closed).
How to get to Taksim from Ataturk airport
Istanbul's Taksim district is also quite popular with tourists, including for accommodation, although there are fewer budget hotels there than in the historical part of the city. On the other hand, almost all bars, nightclubs and discos - the main nightlife in Istanbul - are located in Taksim, so for those who like this kind of entertainment, looking for accommodation there is quite justified.
Below are the main ways to get from Ataturk Airport to Taksim.
- With the opening of the new M2 metro line in 2014 (marked in green on the map), the route has become much easier, because now it is enough to get from the airport to the terminal station of the M1a red line called Yanikapi (next after the Aksarai station, which was recently terminated) and change on the green line, which will take trains directly to Taksim station.
- As mentioned above, Hawatash buses run between the airport and the Taksim area almost around the clock (except from 1 am to 4 am). The fare is 10 Turkish liras, and the travel time is from 45 minutes (and more if there are traffic jams on the roads of Istanbul, which are likely to occur during peak hours of working days).
- Another way, which has somewhat lost its attractiveness: get from the airport by light metro to Zeytinburnu station, and then change to the T1 high-speed tram line and go to the terminal station Kabataş, and then take the F1 funicular in Istanbul. In this case, you will have to pay for all three types of transport separately, so the option is more likely for those who have enough time and who are not embarrassed by several transfers and a slightly higher price.
How to get to Ataturk airport - F1 funicular to Taksim
- Municipal bus No. 96T. It allows you to get from Ataturk Airport to Taksim, passing through Yenikapı (Yenikapi) and Aksarai (Aksaray) and some other areas of the city. The fare is 4 lira for a single ticket or 2.15 for a travel pass. The interval of departures from the airport and in the opposite direction is approximately 50 minutes.
Their disadvantages of this method, which allows inexpensive get to Ataturk airport from Istanbul, is even less operating time than the metro and light rail: only from 07:00 am to 21:00 pm. And of course - city traffic jams, which slow down the movement of such a bus. Estimated travel time from the airport to Taksim is about an hour, excluding traffic jams.
How to get from Ataturk airport to Istanbul bus stations
In the section about metro and buses from Ataturk Airport, we have already mentioned the Aksarai Otogar bus station, which can be reached without additional changes via the metro line, by Katabash buses or city bus No. 96T. However, there are other bus stations (otogars) in Istanbul, which can also be used during independent travel in Turkey.
Bayrampaşa Otogar Bus Station, also known as Esenler Otogar Bus Station, is located next to the Istanbul Ataturk Airport metro line. In this case, you should get off at the Otogar metro station (10th station from the airport). Some confusion among travelers often arises due to the fact that the Istanbul metro has Esenler and Bayrampaşa stations, but here you just need to remember: you need to get off to the bus station at Otogar station.
Another Istanbul bus station, Harem Otogar, is located in the Asian part of the city and it is somewhat more difficult to get to it from Ataturk Airport. The first thing to do is get to the Eminönü light rail stop. To do this, take the M1a metro line to the Zeytinburnu or Aksarai station and, changing to the T1 light rail line, drive another 18 or 6 stops, respectively. Then it remains to go down to the water, find the pier Harem (Harem) and cross the Bosphorus, where the desired bus station will be at the stop of the same name (Harem).
To get from all three bus stations in Istanbul to Ataturk Airport, you need to make similar trips in the opposite direction.
How to get to Ataturk airport - Istanbul taxi
How to get to / from Ataturk airport by taxi Istanbul
Istanbul taxi is far from a budget option for trips to the airport and in general around the city. On average, a trip from the historic center to Ataturk Airport will cost no less than $ 20, but rather closer to $ 30 at the exchange rate in Turkish lira. Taxi fares are formed as follows: amount for landing + fee for each kilometer of the journey. The boarding fee is usually 3 Turkish Lira, while the cost per distance is calculated as 2 Lira per km.
When using a taxi to get to Ataturk Airport at night, when other modes of transport are not available, it should be borne in mind that Istanbul taxis apply increasing factors for travel at night. Those. nightly rates are about 1.5 times higher than daytime ones. Also, when using a taxi, be sure to check if the taxi driver has turned on the meter. Otherwise, after the end of the trip, you may be presented with an amount that is much higher than normal, taking into account the distance traveled.
If you urgently need to get from Ataturk Airport to the city by taxi, you can agree with the taxi driver about a trip without a meter. True, in this case, it is advisable to clarify the fare several times in Turkish lira, and to have small bills in stock. Many Istanbul taxi drivers, like their craft colleagues from other countries and cities, often “do not have” change from large bills, so passengers are forced to overpay.
Finally, due to the presence of large traffic jams in Istanbul, it is important to remember that during the daytime, it is not a taxi at all, but a metro and a high-speed tram that allows you to quickly get to or from Ataturk Airport to the city. The taxi rank at Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located next to the Terminal exit. It is easy to recognize a taxi by its yellow color and checkered patterns, or by the Taksi sign on the roof.
We hope, after reading this article, you have no questions left as to whether how to get to Ataturk airport from Istanbul or how to quickly get from the airport to attractions in cases when there is some time between flights (from 5-6 hours) and you would like to spend it more interesting than sitting in the waiting room of Ataturk Airport.
We would like to draw your attention to an article on how to get from and to Istanbul Airport by metro, bus, taxi and other types of transport, their cost and features. We hope that when you arrive in Istanbul, you will use our advice and choose the most convenient way moving.
The distance from Ataturk Airport to the center of Istanbul is 24 km.
Note that the city is divided into European and Asian parts - it is important to know which one you are staying in, as well as the correct spelling of the destination. We advise you to write the name of your hotel on paper in advance, if you are on your way there - then the taxi driver will be able to understand you correctly.
The cheapest way to travel is by metro. In addition, it is the fastest - there are no traffic jams, travel time can be calculated accurately, trains run frequently. The downside is that there are almost always a lot of people, there may be difficulties with the transportation of luggage - in general, comfort on high level will not be provided.
The most unusual and, probably, impressive way is by ferry. See the city from big water- it's great. And also inexpensive.
The most comfortable and not burdensome (also the most expensive) way is by taxi. No worries, everything is clear - no expectations or complexities. And if you are traveling with a company and can share the costs, then the fees for amenities will not seem like a lot.
Taxi to and from Istanbul Airport
So, in more detail about taxi from and to Istanbul airport. Local taxi is a peculiar treat. There are frequent cases of deception, even in licensed taxis. They relate to the lack of change (which is why you should immediately exchange the euros or dollars you have for Turkish lira), and "winding" the counter, and driving through traffic jams. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you look at the meter when boarding the car, track the route using the map included on your phone, demand change and pay in national currency.
But the best thing is to order a taxi not on the spot, but in advance. A trusted Kiwitaxi operator with many years of experience of impeccable work will not disappoint you. User-friendly interface, minimum time spent on booking - and a Russian-speaking driver will meet you at the harbor and take you to your destination without any problems.
The cost of the trip from Ataturk Airport to the center of Istanbul, to Taksim Square (or vice versa) - from 32 euros... Travel time will take 40-50 minutes.
Read more about taxi in Istanbul in our article.
By public transport from and to Istanbul Ataturk Airport
It is not difficult to get to and from Istanbul Airport by public transport - metro trains, buses, and even ferries run here. Let's talk about everything in more detail.
Metro
The M1 metro line runs from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (Havalimani metro station) to the Aksaray bus station (metro station of the same name) through the center of the European part of the city. Total time on the way to the bus station will be about 35 minutes... The cost of a token on the metro is 3 Turkish Lira (it's about RUB 50). Subway trains run, on average, every 6-10 minutes from 6 am to 12 am.
At the Aksaray metro station, you can change from the metro to the blue tram line T1 and get to the most famous attractions - Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet, etc.
By bus
Municipal buses 96T carry passengers from and to the airport from 7 am to 9 pm... At the same time, they ply to different districts of Istanbul: to the Aksaray bus station, Taksim square, Yenikapi and Bakirkoy districts. The interval of movement is decent - 50 minutes which is not very convenient. And the travel time, say, from the harbor to Taksim Square will be 1 hour.
In addition, Havataş express buses run from the “air gate” to the center of Istanbul, namely to Taksim Square. Travel time is 40 minutes... Express trains run from 4 am to 1 am every 30 minutes.
An express bus ticket can be purchased directly from the driver. It costs (for one adult one way) 10 Turkish lira (about 164 r).
On a ferryboat
If you want to go from the European part of the city to the Asian one, then you should take the ferry. "Water buses" run from the Bakirköy region of the European part to the Bostancı and Kadıköy regions of the Asian part of Istanbul.
On weekdays, ferries run approximately from 8 am to 9 pm, and on weekends - from 9 in the morning and somewhere until 22:20... Travel time will be 20 minutes... The vessel traffic interval is unstable - from 25 minutes to 1.5 hours, so you have to be patient and wait.
You can buy a ferry ticket at the ticket office, which is located right on the pier. Its one-way cost is 7.5 liras (somewhere 120 RUB).
Shuttles to and from Ataturk Airport
Another option to get to and from Istanbul Airport is to use shuttle buses running on different routes. We advise you to go to the site - there is a large selection and low prices. So, trains to the European part of Istanbul from the airport will cost a passenger in the amount of from 680 rub.(one person and one piece of luggage).
By car to Istanbul Ataturk Airport
At Ataturk Airport, as in all major "air gates", you can easily rent a car. If you are used to driving a lot and are going to explore an unfamiliar city in this way, then renting a car is the right decision. And driving it from the airport and handing it over here is a great option. When you leave the arrivals area, you will see the offices of large international and small local companies offering similar services. But keep in mind that you will have to spend time on registration and it is possible that the car of the class you need and in a certain configuration will not be available for booking.
And upon arrival in Istanbul, the car will be waiting for you. In this case, the formalities for the paperwork will take a few minutes.
How to get from and to Istanbul airport at night
At night, you can only get to and from Istanbul Airport by taxi or a rented car, since there are no ferries, metro or buses running at this time of day.
But, you must admit, it is very convenient to use a taxi at night, especially if you have luggage and you are traveling with children. This is a guarantee of the comfort and safety of your trip.
Hotels near Istanbul airport
We suggest you explore the list of hotels that are located in the immediate vicinity of Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Staying in them, you don't have to worry about how to get to Istanbul airport day or night.
We told you about how to get from and to Istanbul Airport in different ways day and night - by taxi and public transport, as well as the cost and features of each of them. Easy roads and memorable trips from TripSmile!
It is impossible to remain indifferent to Istanbul! Every year thousands of our compatriots choose it because of a million accolades about the city, a huge variety of entertainment and leisure activities, and, of course, because of the cheapness of the trip. So it won't be superfluous to find out how to get to the city from the airport? After all, this is where any journey begins.
There are now two international airports in Istanbul - Ataturk and Sabiha Gokcen. Flights from Russia and the CIS countries are accepted only by the Ataturk airport, which will be discussed in this article.
In this article, you will learn how to get from Ataturk Airport to Istanbul, what types of transport are best to use, how much the ticket costs, and how long it takes to travel. How to get from the airport to the center of Istanbul
How to get from the airport to Istanbul
Ataturk International Airport is located within the city of Istanbul, which certainly makes it easier to get to the airport or, conversely, to the city. The airport has two terminals: international and domestic, which serves only flights to other Turkish cities. The terminals are linked by an underground passage.Metro
Cost: 2.15 - 4 lira (50-100 rubles)Travel time: 40 minutes
Opening hours: 6: 00-00: 30
Perhaps the most popular way among tourists to leave Ataturk Airport and get to the city center is by metro. Since the airport is located within the city limits, the red line of the M1A metro line was easily connected to it. The Havalimanı station is translated as “airport”, and it is located in the south-west of Istanbul.
Finding a metro station is not difficult at all. It is located right in the building of the international terminal, and there are many signs with the sign "Metro / Subway" leading to it.
Trains run from 6 am to 1:30 am. The interval between departures is 5-10 minutes, depending on the time of day. The station at the airport is the final one, so even if you have heavy luggage, finding a seat in the carriage will not be a problem.
You can buy a ticket (token or Istanbul card) at the ticket office at the station or in a special machine. Vending machines only accept small bills or iron change, but changing big money at the airport is not a problem - even at a metro station, you can ask employees about it. A metro ticket costs 4 lira (about 100 rubles). But if you came to Istanbul on vacation (meaning that you are not going to Istanbul for a few hours during a transfer between flights), then it makes sense to buy an Istanbul Card, on which you put money debited when going through the turnstiles. The card gives a discount on travel, including on the metro - one ticket will cost only 2.15 lira, which is equal to 50 rubles. You can learn more about Istanbul Card, its capabilities, and the place where you can buy it, at the tourist information center in the airport arrival hall or all at the same metro station.
The train travels to the center in about 40-50 minutes. To get to the very heart of tourist Istanbul - the Sultanahmet district, you need to follow to the station of the same name Sultanahmet. To do this, you need to get to the Zeytinburnu station and change there to the high-speed tram. The change looks like a regular subway transfer, the only difference is that you have to buy a new token.
To get to Taksim, another popular district of Istanbul, you need to go to the Zeytinburnu station, where you change to the Kabatas tram, and then go up to Taksim by the funicular. It seems that it is long and difficult, but you will have time to look at the city and its sights, since even the metro travels part of its way above the ground.
Bus
Price: from 2.15 lirasTravel time: from 50 minutes
Opening hours: 4: 00-01: 00
You can also get to the center of Istanbul from Ataturk Airport by bus. The stop is located right at the exit from the arrivals area of the international terminal. City bus No. 96T goes to such districts of the city as Bakirköy, Yenikapı, Aksaray bus station, Taksim square and so on. In it, you can pay with Istanbulcard, which we talked about in the previous section of the article. You don't have to buy a card by paying directly to the driver. A bus ticket costs from 2 to 4 liras (50-100 rubles), depending on how you pay. You can find out more about the bus route at the tourist information desk in the arrivals area.
Bus number 96T runs from 7 am to 9 pm. Its problem is that although the road to the center is designed for 40-50 minutes, in reality it can turn out much more, since there are quite strong traffic jams in Istanbul. Consider this when calculating the time, and if you are in a hurry, it is better to use the metro.
In addition to bus No. 96T, an express bus from the Havataş carrier runs to the city from Ataturk Airport. They make fewer stops along the way and have longer hours than municipal buses - from 4 am to 1 am. An express ticket is bought from the driver and costs 11 liras. The final stop of the express bus is Taksim Square - the center of the city's nightlife, where you can find a cafe, bar or shop for every taste.
Taxi
Cost: 25-40 liras (from 600 rubles)Travel time: from 40 minutes
Opening hours: around the clock
Taxi in Istanbul will cost you, of course, more expensive than public transport. average price for a trip to the city center - about 20-30 dollars. Moreover, the cost depends on the time of day. A trip at night will cost you 50 percent more than the same route during the day. If you are in a hurry, we also do not recommend a taxi - as traffic jams can “eat up” more than an hour of your time.
In addition, taxi drivers in Istanbul often try to cheat. So it's best to make sure that the driver turns on the meter after you've driven out of the airport. And, if possible, pay in small bills so that there is no need to wait for change, since there are cases when the taxi driver left without giving the change to the passenger.
You can pay in a taxi in cash and only lira. Dollars are accepted, but again, they can cheat with a transfer to the lira exchange rate.
Rent a car at Istanbul airport
In the arrivals hall international airport You can rent a car at Ataturk. To travel around Istanbul, believe me, you don't need a car. But to ride all over Turkey, and maybe even visit neighboring countries, renting a car is a great option.There are dozens of rental offices at the airport, among which there are world-famous Hertz, Europcar, Avis, and local firms. Unlike European airports, some companies in Ataturk work around the clock, which greatly simplifies the task for those who arrive at night.
