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Getting from Istanbul Airport to the City Centre of Istanbul

Istanbul is a fascinating travel destination; with over 2,500 years of history, culture, and traditions, beautiful landmarks, vibrant nightlife, and breathtaking views, this city is a fast-paced cultural melting pot you can’t miss.

So when travelling to Istanbul New Airport, if you want to make your way to Istanbul’s city centre, you have two different transportation options: you can either take a taxi or private transfer, the bus or the metro. As the airport is located in the northern area of Arnavutköy, it should take around 50 minutes to reach the city centre by taxi. Taking the metro is a slightly quicker way to travel, as it takes just 40 minutes to reach the city centre. Finally, the public bus will take at least 1 hour and 10 minutes to get from the new Istanbul Airport to the city, making it the slowest transfer option.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Istanbul at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups €40 45min 24/7 Book
Book
Taxi €20 50min 24/7
Metro €1.70 40min 06:00–00:00
Bus €8 70min 24/7

How to get from Istanbul New Airport to the City by Taxi

Taxis are by far the most comfortable and safe option to get from Istanbul New Airport (IST). It takes around 50 minutes to reach the city centre, traffic dependant. Moreover, taxis are easily recognisable as they are either black “E” type, blue “D” type or orange “C” type taxis. The average cost for a taxi from Istanbul New airport to the city centre is €20 (TL 400).

Taxi fare from Istanbul New Airport to city

A journey to Taksim (the central city of Istanbul) from Istanbul New Airport (IST) costs around €20 (TL 400), depending on your exact location. Going further, Istanbul taxis are metered, which means that you may have to pay a higher price if you are travelling during traffic hours.

However, if you wish to travel at a fixed rate with no hidden fees, then it is highly recommended to pre-book a private transfer online.

Taxi prices
Day time
(05:00–24:00)
Night time
(00:00–05:00)
Duration
FROM IGA TO CITY CENTRE
€30
€35
45 min
FROM IGA TO HOTELS IN CITY CENTRE
€30
€35
45 min
FROM IGA TO SULTANAHMET
€35
€40
60 min
FROM IGA TO GALATA TOWER
€25
€28
40 min
FROM IGA TO SAW
€50
€54
60 min
Cost

€20 (TL 400)

Trip Duration

50 Min.

*Rates may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Istanbul airport.

Where do I get a taxi from?

Taxis are available from the main stations located in the Plaza Section’s Domestic and International Arrivals areas, as well as the Departures floor and the Other Arrivals floor.

Convenience

Taxis are generally the best way to get from the airport to the city centre as they are a comfortable, safe and efficient option. However, Istanbul is notorious for traffic during peak hours, which could be very inconvenient as taxi fares are calculated using a taximeter.

Editor’s Note

Taking a taxi from Istanbul New Airport to the city is affordable, but you can save even more on your transfer by splitting the cost between up to 4 passengers.

Useful Tips

It is best to carry cash on you when taking a taxi in Istanbul; this way you are are sure to pay the exact taxi fare.
Make sure that your taximeter is turned on when you begin your journey.
Do not accept rides other than official taxi drivers at Istanbul airport.

How to get from IST Airport to Istanbul City Centre by Metro

The new metro line from Istanbul New Airport to the city has created a fast alternative to the slow bus transfer option available. However, the journey from Istanbul airport to Taksim isn’t direct. You will first need to take the M11 metro to Gayrettepe Station, then change to the M2 line to reach Taksim Metro Station. The total journey time is 40 minutes and the cost will be a very affordable €0.85 (TL 17) per person.

How much is a metro ticket from IST Airport to Istanbul City Centre?

The cost of a metro ticket on the M11 will cost €0.50 (TL 9.90), and on the M2 will be €0.35 (TL 7.09), which brings a total journey cost from Istanbul New airport to the city to €0.85 (TL 17).

However, keep in mind, you must also purchase an Istanbulkart card to be able to ride the metro, which costs a one-off price of €3 (TL 60). 

Cost

€0.85 (TL 17)

Trip Duration

40 Min.

*There's a waiting time of 10 minutes for the metro.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The metro runs from 06:00 to 24:00.

Where do I get the metro from?

You can find the metro outside of Exit 11 at Istanbul New airport. You will find the entrance just across the car park.

Convenience

Taking the metro is a much more efficient way to travel compared to the public bus. However, as you will need to make a change in the Gayrettepe Metro Station and then find alternate transport from the metro station in the city centre to your hotel, it’s still a slow and cumbersome way to travel. 

Editor’s Note

Be sure to purchase an Istanbulkart card at the airport before trying to board the metro. You won't be able to enter the station without scanning this card.

Useful Tips

Children under the age of 6 travel for free on the metro.
You must board the M2 metro train within 2 hours of using the M11 train to secure the lower fare.
There's no luggage storage on the metro, be sure to travel with small luggage items.

How to get from Istanbul New Airport to the City Centre by Bus

There are 19 different routes and over 150 buses that run daily from Istanbul New airport to multiple destinations. Three different companies run the bus routes – Seyahat (intercity transportation), Havaist and IETT.

The best way to travel from Istanbul New Airport to the city centre (Taksim Square) is via the H2 Line to Şişli-Mecidiyeköyis Station. From there, you will find the metro line M2 to Taksim Square. Another great option is taking the Havaist Line from Sultanahmet the IST 1S into the city centre.

How much is a bus ticket from Istanbul New Airport to the city?

The cost of a bus ticket from Istanbul New Airport to the city varies depending on the bus line you choose to travel with. For example, the H2 bus line costs around €4 (TL 67). To ride the bus, you will need to purchase and top up an Istanbulkarts card, which you can find at the bright yellow kiosks in the airport.

Please note that you may have to pay a further €0.40 (TL 8) if you take the metro from the station to Taksim Square Station.

Cost

€4 (TL 67)

Trip Duration

1 Hr 10 Min.

During the day (from 06:00 - 23:00) buses depart every 15 to 20 minutes and every 30 - 60 minutes at night. The service operates 24/7.

Covenience
Safety
Value for Money

The H-2 bus line runs every 11 minutes between 06:00 and 00:00.

Where do I get the bus from?

The bus stops are located just outside the arrivals hall. Be sure to check the signposts carefully to find the correct bus.

Convenience

The bus service is a cost-savvy travel option and the vehicles are comfortable. However, the bus journey can be long as the bus has many stops along the way, and traffic can be very high during peak travel times. You will also need to find another transportation option from the Şişli-Mecidiyeköyis station in order to reach Taksim, adding more time and cost to your journey.

Editor’s Note

Buses are scheduled according to flight arrival times, so you may miss your bus if your flight is delayed.

Useful Tips

You can purchase a Istanbulkarts travel card for great discounts on your transportation. Make sure that you top up your card when you purchase it!
Buses are very comfortable; they have air-conditioning, luggage storage and free WiFi for passengers.
Unfortunately, you can no longer use cash on public transportation from the airport. Make sure that you have purchased an Istanbulkart from one of the airport's kiosks or machines before boarding the bus.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Istanbul. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

Read more

Prices

DAYTIME
€40
NIGHTTIME
€40
Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

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Frequently asked questions

How far is Istanbul New Airport from the city centre?

Istanbul Airport is located around 38km from the city centre of Istanbul. The journey in an Istanbul Airport taxi takes around 50 minutes, the bus takes closer to 1 hour and 10 minutes, and the metro will take just 40 minutes.

How many transportation options are available from IST to the city?

There are three different transfer options from the new Istanbul airport to the city centre; taxi, bus and metro. Taking an Istanbul Airport to city taxi will take around 50 minutes to reach the centre, the bus will take 1 hour and 10 minutes and the metro will be a quick 40-minute journey.

How much is taxi from Istanbul New Airport to city?

A taxi ride from Istanbul New Airport to the city centre should cost around €40 (TL 400) and take 50 minutes. Please note that this price may be subject to airport fees, or evening/holiday/weekend pricing.

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