Transfer Options from Istanbul International Airport to Istanbul City Center (Sultanahmet)
The new Istanbul International Airport is connected to Istanbul city center via taxi, bus, and subway. Alternatively, lavish private transfers and independent airport car rentals are also available at IST Airport. Briefly, an Istanbul airport taxi will comfortably transfer you to your accommodation in the city center in about 50 minutes, costing you 1700₺ (36.20€/42.10$), while the ride with an airport bus will take approximately 90 minutes with a fare of 275₺ (5.86€ / 6.80$). However, in all cases, the journey duration is, unfortunately, subject to the traffic levels. On the other hand, Istanbul airport Metro Line M11 combines speed and low prices, yet doesn’t run directly from the airport to Sultanahmet.
| Options | Price (€) | Price ($) | Price (₺) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 36.20 | 42.10 | 1700 | 50 min |
| Bus | 5.86 | 6.80 | 275 | 90 min |
| Subway | 1.88 | 2.20 | 88.83 | 66 min |
Istanbul Airport to Istanbul City Center by Taxi
Taking a taxi from Istanbul Airport guarantees a comfortable transfer, but not a quick one due to the heavy traffic on Istanbul streets. Nevertheless, with an Istanbul airport taxi, you will reach your exact destination in Sultanahmet’s historic area stress-free with an average fee of 1700₺ (36.20€/42.10$) depending on the travel duration, as taxis are metered and don’t offer fixed prices. The approximately 50-km/31-mile ride lasts about 50 minutes, at least when the roads aren’t congested. You will find the official taxi ranks just outside every airport level.
You should never take individual unofficial vehicles, and you should pay attention to the “traditional” taxi drivers’ scams and overcharges.
Yellow taxis are the ordinary and cheapest ones, while you can also hire a more comfortable blue taxi (15% more expensive) or a black, luxurious taxi vehicle (100% more expensive).
Please note that the taxi rates are the same regardless of the time of day. Therefore, night journeys aren’t more expensive, while tipping the driver is optional. On the other hand, toll fees are added to the final price.
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
*Transfers operated by Welcome Pickups
Istanbul Airport to Istanbul City Center by Bus
Two bus companies handle the transportation from and to Istanbul International Airport, Havaist buses and IETT public buses. However, only Havaist shuttles offer a direct connection to the famous Sultanahmet, as IETT buses serve mostly less popular parts of the city. Therefore, you can always take one of the more affordable IETT buses, keeping in mind that you’ll have to use other bus and metro lines further to reach your final destination. On the other hand, the luxurious Havaist Bus HVİST-11 will drop you off at Sultanahmet in about 90 minutes (depending on the traffic congestion).
Havaist buses run around the clock every 45-60 minutes. The bus station is located at the -2 airport level. A one-way ticket from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet costs 275₺ (5.86€ / 6.80$). Passengers can use an Istanbulkart to pay for their bus fares. Istanbulkart is a rechargeable smart card that can be used for rides on buses, metrobuses, subway, tram, and ferries. It costs 130₺ (2.77€/3.22$) and can be bought from the airport’s automatic vendors, located on the -2 transportation level of IST Airport. Alternatively, you can buy single tickets. Cash and card payments are equally accepted. Tickets are also available online.
Istanbul Airport to Istanbul City Center by Metro
The Istanbul airport Metro Line M11 now links Istanbul Airport to Istanbul, providing a fast and affordable option to the airport’s ground transportation system. Thus, if you opt for a subway ride from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul city center, you’ll have to head to the IST airport subway station, lying right outside Exit 11, on the front side of the car park. After hopping on Metro Line M11, you’ll disembark at Gayrettepe Station and transfer to Line M2 (toward Yenikapi) to Vezneciler Station. From that point, you’ll have to walk around 4 minutes to reach the Laleli–İstanbul Üniversitesi stop on Tram T1. Take the tram toward Kabataş and get off at Sultanahmet, which is three stops away. Overall, the journey on the Istanbul airport metro to Sultanahmet will last around 66 minutes. However, please keep in mind that the Istanbul subway operates only from 06:00 am to midnight.
The purchase of a rechargeable Istanbulkart is the most popular option to pay for your metro tickets. Istanbulkarts are available through the automatic machines of the Istanbul airport metro station, via cash (Turkish liras) or bank cards. After buying your card, you can load it with money and buy your metro ticket to Sultanahmet. The price of the Istanbulkart is 130₺ (2.77€/3.22$), while the stop-based fare for your ride on the M11 is 34.83₺ (0.74€/0.86$). Istanbulkarts aren’t personal but can be used by multiple passengers. Thus, you can buy only one card even if you are traveling with a company. Children up to 6 years of age travel for free. In any case, you’ll have to pay for your onward ride on Line M2 Tram T1 as well. A full fare ticket for each journey costs 27₺ (0.57€/0.66$). Therefore, the total fare of your journey will be 88.83₺ (1.88€/2.20$).
Our Tip: Apart from the Istanbulkart, you can also buy an Istanbul City Card, which offers unlimited rides on Istanbul’s public transit system for a specific period of time (1, 3, 5, 7, or even 15 days). Moreover, single tickets (without the purchase of an Istanbulkart) are also an option, though they are more expensive.
Car Rental from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul City Center
Another alternative for your transfer from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul city center is renting a car. An Istanbul airport car rental will give you freedom and independence, but you will have to deal with the traffic jams and navigate through the hectic streets of Istanbul. However, if you wish to hire a car anyway, it is always a good idea to book your preferred vehicle in advance to guarantee the best deal. Exiting the airport complex, you will have to follow highway O-7, and you will reach your destination in Sultanahmet in approximately 50 minutes. Please keep in mind that during peak hours, traversing the 50-km/31-mile distance is typically more time-consuming, while parking in Istanbul city center is hard to find. Thus, airport car rentals are generally recommended if you plan to travel beyond the city limits.
Private Airport Transfers from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul City Center
Private transfers are an excellent option for people who want to travel from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul city center in comfort and style. Combining convenience and privacy, a private Istanbul airport transfer service will pick you up from your location and drop you off at your destination, which saves time and effort. Moreover, you will travel in style without worrying about being surrounded by strangers on public transportation or waiting hours for a bus or train to arrive.
FAQs
How far is the new Istanbul Airport from the city center?
The distance between the new Istanbul Airport and the historic center of the city (Sultanahmet) is approximately 50km/31 miles. Therefore, a car journey should last around 50 minutes if the traffic conditions are normal.
How do I get from Istanbul Airport to the city center?
You can catch an airport taxi from Istanbul Airport or book a private airport transfer for your journey from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet. Alternatively, car rentals are also available at the terminal’s Arrivals level. On the other hand, the HVİST-11 Bus travels to Sultanahmet as well. Lastly, you can opt for the cheap metro, which isn’t affected by the notorious city’s traffic jams. That being said, your journey won’t be direct, but you’ll need to change lines.
How much is a taxi from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet?
Istanbul airport taxis are metered. Therefore, there isn’t a set price for the transfer from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet. However, you can expect to be charged approximately 1700₺ (36.20€/42.10$) if the traffic levels aren’t too high. The taxi fee is the same no matter the time of day.