Transfer Options from Istanbul Airport to Taksim
Istanbul International Airport is efficiently connected to the central area of Taksim. Thus, reaching your accommodation in Taksim, the commercial center of Istanbul, after landing at the new Istanbul Airport is possible via regular Istanbul airport taxis and pre-booked private transfers, airport car rentals, or buses as well as with the new Istanbul airport metro line. How much money do you want to spend? Is comfort a significant factor for you? Make up your mind about your exact requirements and choose the most convenient transfer way to Taksim.
Options Price (€) Price ($) Price (₺) Duration
Taxi 17 16.90 310 40 min
Bus 3.67 3.60 67 90 min
Subway 0.83 0.90 16.99 36 min
Istanbul Airport to Taksim by Taxi
Istanbul airport taxis will comfortably drive you to your destination in the Taksim area. Queuing up 24/7 at the official taxi ranks, located outside the exit doors of every airport level, Istanbul cabs are ready to transfer you to Taksim in approximately 80 minutes with an average fare of 310₺ (17€/16.90$). However, as taxis in Istanbul are metered, the final cost depends on the road traffic, which is usually high.
In Istanbul, you will find the usual yellow taxis, which are the most affordable, whereas if you prefer a more comfortable transfer, you can choose between the blue vehicles (15% more expensive) and the luxurious black ones (twice the normal fee).
Finally, note that there are no special fees for night rides and that it is always advisable to take your taxi from the official taxi stand and not trust random individual vehicles, as well as be aware of taxi scams. The best way to secure the top deals and avoid overcharges is to pre-book your Istanbul airport taxi transfer in advance.
We selected one of the best, most trustworthy and convenient 5-star airport taxi companies for your transfer from Istanbul Airport based on user reviews across various platforms such as Google, Tripadvisor and Trustpilot. Welcome Pickups offers a great experience and safety to its travelers.
- Local English-speaking drivers
- Flat, pre-paid fee
- Flight monitoring for delays
- 24/7 Customer support + free cancellation
Istanbul Airport to Taksim by Bus
If you prefer using the airport bus for your transfer, you will be glad to know that the elegant and available around-the-clock Havaist bus iSt-16 leaves Istanbul Airport and heads directly to Taksim Area. The bus iST-16 departs from the airport every 20 minutes (every 30 minutes during the low hours) and traverses the 40km distance to Taksim in about 90 minutes, depending on the traffic levels. The bus ticket costs 67₺ (3.67€/3.60$).
Another alternative would be the cheaper IETT bus H-2. However, it doesn’t offer a direct connection to Taksim. Hence, you will have to switch between means of transport, making your transfer longer, more expensive, and tiring.
Istanbul airport’s bus station is located on the -2 floor. Bear in mind that you can pay in cash for your bus ticket only at the airport’s designated cash payment points. Alternatively, you can either buy an Istanbulkart (you will easily purchase one at the bus station), which can be used for all means of public transportation, or pay via credit card using the Havaist App. Lastly, you can pre-book your tickets, get a QR Code on your phone and simply scan it before hopping on the bus.
Istanbul Airport to Taksim by Metro
With the new Metro Line M11, IST passengers can reach Gayrettepe Station and then transfer to Line M2 to Taksim Metro Station. Hence, traveling from Istanbul Airport to Taksim via subway is one of the most popular transfer options, offering speed, comfort, and low cost. The Istanbul airport metro station lies right outside Exit 11, in front of the car park, while trains operate from 06:00 am to midnight on a frequent basis. Overall, the ride to Taksim lasts around 36 minutes, plus around 10 minutes of waiting time.
Subway tickets must be loaded into Istanbulkarts. Istanbulkarts are non-personal, rechargeable cards valid for almost all of Istanbul’s transportation modes. Hence, if you travel with a company, you can buy only one card and share the price. An Istanbulkart costs 60₺ (2.94€/3.10$) and can be bought from the station’s automatic machines using only cash. The metro ticket for Line M11 is 9.90₺ (0.48€/0.50$). Still, you’ll have to pay for your M2 ride as well. As long as you change to Line M2 within 2 hours, the fare for your onward journey will be 7.09₺ (0.35€/0.40$), making the total fare for your transfer from Istanbul Airport to Taksim 16.99₺ (0.83€/0.90$). Children under the age of 6 don’t have to pay for their tickets.
Our Tip: Although the new Istanbul Airport Metro Line M11 began its operation on January 2023, it isn’t expected to reach Gayrettepe Station before the middle of the year. Thus, for the moment, passengers wishing to travel from Istanbul Airport to Taksim via subway have to take M11 to Kâğıthane Station, change to Metro Line M7 at Mecidiyekoy Station, and finally, transfer to Metro Line M2 heading to Taksim. Hence, the subway is currently a rather unappealing option as the journey is tedious and time-consuming.
Car Rental from Istanbul Airport to Taksim
At Istanbul Airport, you will find plenty of airport car rental companies. Thus, if you are interested in renting a car and enjoy totally independent transfers, you can rent a vehicle of your choice. A good suggestion would be to book your preferred car in advance to secure the best prices and have less hassle. Keep in mind, though, that the traffic conditions are tiring, the parking spots in the city center may be limited, and many roads in the popular touristic areas of Istanbul are pedestrian. In any case, after exiting the airport, you will have to take Highway D-020 to reach Taksim.
Private Airport Transfers from Istanbul Airport to Taksim
Private transfers are becoming a trend among travelers who want to take advantage of their time in transit and not worry about the stress of public transportation. Hence, the most convenient way to transfer from Istanbul Airport to Taksim, in Istanbul city center, is to opt for a premium and relaxed private transfer. Various private transfer companies operate at Istanbul Airport, offering top services and competitive prices.
FAQs
How much is a taxi from Istanbul Airport to Taksim?
The transfer from Istanbul International Airport to Taksim costs approximately 310₺ (17€/16.90$) and lasts about 35 minutes. The price (as well as the travel time) further depends on the traffic as Istanbul taxis don’t have set fares. However, factors such as the time of the day don’t affect the final fee.
How far is Taksim Square from Istanbul Airport?
The distance between Istanbul Airport (IST) and Taksim is 40 km. Thus, the ride with a car should take 35 minutes under normal traffic conditions while Havaist buses reach Taksim in about 90 minutes.