Shuttles and Buses from and to Istanbul Airport
Buses used to be the only public transportation option from the new Istanbul Airport. As of early 2023, Metro Line M11 also connects the new airport to the city of Istanbul Nevertheless, IST shuttle buses remain a cheap and convenient alternative. Regardless, there is a surprisingly wide variety of available bus routes. Havaist and IETT buses carry frequent itineraries to every corner of Istanbul, while Istanbul Seyahat buses handle intercity transfers.
Havaist Shuttle Buses
Havaist airport buses provide high-quality and comfortable transfer services from Istanbul Airport to 50 major city hubs. Always on time, each Havaist shuttle can handle up to 46 passengers while all vehicles are equipped with TV screens, Wi-Fi, and USB charging points.
You can pay your bus fare onboard via a bank card or use the Havaist App. Book your ticket online, get your QR code, and use it to any Havaist line simply by scanning it before entering the bus. Pre-booking your tickets also offers you further bonuses and discounts. Alternatively, you can use an Istanbulkart (also valid for metrobus, metro, tram, nostalgic tram, ferry, some Bosporus cruises, etc), costing 130₺ (3.46€/3.83$). Each card can be used by multiple passengers and it can easily be recharged every time you need it.
For more info, you can always visit the official Havaist website.
Our Tip: Havaist Buses offer accessible services as well. Nevertheless, travelers who want to benefit from those services must inform the company’s counters located on the transportation floor one hour before the ride to their destination.
Havaist Bus Lines from Istanbul Airport
Havaist bus lines operate 24/7 at Istanbul International Airport. Ten different bus routes link the new airport to almost every part of the city. Explicitly, the available Havaist bus lines are:
| Havaist Bus Lines | Duration | Routes Frequency | Destination | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HViST-1 | 90 min | Every 25'-30' | Aksaray | 204₺ (5.42€ / 5.99$) |
| HViST-2 | 90 min | Every 30' | Beylikdüzü | 198₺ (5.26€ / 5.82$) |
| HViST-3 | 75 min | Every 45'-90' | Otogar (Esenler) | 158₺ (4.20€ / 4.64$) |
| HViST-4 | 80 min | Every 35'-40' | Bakırköy | 181₺ (4.81€ / 5.32$) |
| HViST-5A | 50 min | 4 times per day (07:30 am - 11:30 pm) | Arnavutköy | 90₺ (2.39€ / 2.64$) |
| HViST-6 | 90 min | Every 60'-70' | Halkalı - Başakşehir | 150₺ (3.99€ / 4.41$) |
| HViST-7 | 120 min | Every 2 hours | Silivri | 250₺ (6.65€ / 7.35$) |
| HViST-9 | 90 minutes | Every 30'-40' | Taksim | 204₺ (5.42€ / 5.99$) |
| HViST-13 | 120 minutes | Every 90' | Sabiha Gökçen Airport | 258₺ (6.86€ / 7.59$) |
| HViST-14 | 120 minutes | Every 45' | Kadıköy | 223₺ (5.93€ / 6.56$) |
Note that the trip duration is subject to heavy Istanbul traffic so the traveling time may be more during rush hours.
IETT Shuttle Buses
IETT public buses travel to less touristic parts of the city. Therefore, they are mainly addressed to locals while tourists tend to avoid them. In any case, if you search for the exact location of your destination on the map, you might find a bus to take you directly to your desired stop as 5 IETT lines handle the airport’s connection to Istanbul. What’s more, you should download “Mobiett” app on your phone, you will find it very helpful.
IETT bus tickets may cost less than Havaist, but the trip can take much more time as these buses make many stops along the way. A trip from Istanbul Airport to the city center costs 40₺ (1.06€ / 1.17$).
You must buy an Istanbulkart in order to pay for your IETT bus transfer. You will find automatic vending machines near the bus station. Buy your card, top it up and you are ready to go!
Our Tip: IETT Buses are accessible, providing efficient services to passengers with disabilities.
IETT Shuttle Bus Lines from Istanbul Airport
| IETT Bus Lines | Duration | Routes Frequency | Destination | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IETT H-1 | 96 min | Every 70' | Mahmutbey Metro Station | 2 tickets: 40₺ (1.06€ / 1.17$) |
| IETT H-2 | 102 min | 3 night routes (01:10 am-05:30am) | Mecidiyeköy | 2 tickets: 40₺ (1.06€ / 1.17$) |
| IETT H-3 | 108 min | Every 60'-90' | Halkalı Marmaray Station | 2 tickets: 40₺ (1.06€ / 1.17$) |
| IETT H-6 | 84 min | Every 35'-50' | Yunus Emre Mahallesi | 2 tickets: 40₺ (1.06€ / 1.17$) |
| IETT H-8 | 116 min | 4 times a day (08:00 am-08:35 pm) | Hacıosman Metro Station / Sarıyer | 2 tickets: 40₺ (1.06€ / 1.17$) |
Istanbul’s traffic levels are typically high. As a result, the duration of the bus rides might be longer.
Intercity Buses from Istanbul Airport
One bus company handles intercity transfers to and from Istanbul Airport, serving various destinations (Çorlu, Çorlumerous, Bursa, Tekirdağ, Sakarya, İzmit, Kırklareli, Babaeski, etc.). Hence, the coaches of Istanbul Seyahat offer pleasant rides, departing from platform 18 of the airport’s transportation level (Level -2). For more info, you can visit the company’s website.
Where is the Bus Station at Istanbul International Airport
The bus station is located on the -2 floor of the Istanbul airport terminal. The station is easily accessible by elevators and escalators both from the Departures and from the Arrivals level. Plenty of helpful signage all over the airport will guide you to the designated bus area.
FAQs
How can I get from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul city center by bus?
For your transfer from Istanbul International Airport to the city center by bus, you can choose between the Havaist buses and the IETT public buses. Havaist buses travel to the most popular destinations in the city and have a more spacious luggage storage space while their in-between stops are few, which reduces the total travel time. On the other hand, IETT buses are cheaper.
How much does the bus ticket from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul city center cost?
Havaist shuttle buses cost from 90₺ (2.39€ / 2.64$) to 258₺ (6.86€ / 7.59$), depending on the destination, while a one-way ticket for IETT buses from Istanbul Airport to the city center is priced at 20₺ (0.84€ / 0.80$). However, rides from IST Airport are charged at the price of two single tickets, totaling 40₺ (1.06€ / 1.17$).