How To Get From Istanbul Havalimani Airport to the City Centre

Istanbul is one of the busiest and largest cities in the world, attracting millions of visitors every year. When visiting the city, the first thing you need to find out is how to get from Istanbul Havalimani Airport to the city centre. 

The airport is about 50km from the city centre. There are several transport options that will help you get to the centre of Istanbul. Here is a guide to help you find your way from the airport to the city centre.

How to pay for public transport in Istanbul

Single tickets for public transport are sold from vending machines at stations and stops. They cost 25 TRY. You can also buy e-tickets for multiple journeys. For example, three trips for 70 TRY or ten trips for 200 TRY. They are recorded on a disposable card. When the trips are over, you cannot refill it.

There is also an Istanbul card – a card to pay for public transport, except HAVAIST buses. You buy a card once, then top up your e-wallet and pay for your journey. You can buy an Istanbul Card from vending machines at stations or piers. It costs 70 TRY, this amount will not be added to your account. In order to travel, you need to top up your card at the machines. You can buy and top up an Istanbul Card in cash or with a bank card.

1. Taxi

Taking a taxi is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to get from Istanbul Havalimany Airport to the city centre. Taxis are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week near the arrival terminals and the journey to the city centre usually takes between 40 and 60 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

The approximate cost of the journey can be found on the airport’s website. Taxi hailing apps are available in Turkey, but travellers often encounter situations where the driver refuses to take the order. If you negotiate with the driver at the airport, the price may be too high. Many travellers report conflict situations with drivers.

2. HAVAIST Airport Bus

HAVAIST connects Istanbul’s Havalimani Airport with various areas of the city, including popular destinations such as Taksim, Besiktas and Sultanahmet. To board HAVAIST buses, go to the special HAVAIST bus stops located outside the arrivals terminal.

Tickets can be purchased in advance on the hava.ist website. At the airport, tickets are sold at kiosks for cash liras, and cards are accepted at the bus entrance. Buses run around the clock: every half hour during the day and every 40 minutes or one hour at night.

The journey from the airport to the bus stops in the city centre takes about an hour and a half. If there are traffic jams, it can take two or two and a half hours. To get to the Sultanahmet district, take the HVIST-12 bus. It goes to Aksaray metro station. The HVIST-16 bus goes to Taksim Square and back. The bus stop is called Taksim. The ticket costs 204 TRY. 

Please note that buses can be crowded, especially during rush hours, and the journey may take longer due to the many stops.

3. Public Bus

Istanbul’s public transport network is extensive and buses connect the airport with various areas of the city. This is the cheapest option, but may not be convenient if you have a lot of luggage or are in a hurry. The cost of a public bus ticket is around 36 TRY.

Depending on traffic conditions and the route, the journey can take up to 90 minutes.

You can find public buses at the bus station next to the terminal. Be sure to check the schedule and the correct route for your destination.

4. Metro 

The metro line connecting Istanbul Havalimany Airport to the city centre is currently a few minutes walk away. Finding the entrance to the metro is not so easy. Leave the airport through exit 13 and follow the signs. Then take the escalators down to the trains.

The metro is open from 06:00 to 00:00, but stations may close earlier or later. Take the purple line to Gayrettepe station. There you change to the green line. It runs all over the city centre and you can get off at any convenient station. 

The fare is approximately TRY 37 per person. The estimated travel time to the city centre is about 35-45 minutes.

5. Car Hire

To find a rental car, you can use the website with representatives of Turkish car rental companies. You can rent a car without a bank card and pay in cash. You will usually be asked for a deposit. 

Car rental services are available at the airport and several international and local car rental companies operate in the terminal.

Using the services of local car hire companies can be risky. For example, a representative of a car rental company may not meet a customer on arrival in Turkey and it will take a long time to get through to him. And when he arrives at the airport, he will say that there are no cars: everything is broken. You will have to find a new car on the spot. It is better to contact international car hire companies.

Remember that driving in Istanbul can be difficult due to heavy traffic, narrow streets and difficult parking. Also, renting a car can be expensive, considering the cost of fuel and parking.

Tourists’ recommendation: renting a car in Istanbul with GetRentaCar.com.

Many tourists visiting Istanbul have shared positive experiences with GetRentaCar.com, highlighting it as one of the most reliable and hassle-free car rental services in the city.

6. Private Transfer

Probably the most convenient and reliable way to get from the airport to the city centre or to your hotel is to book a transfer in advance. This can be done through GetTransfer.com.

GetTransfer.com is the number one marketplace for booking global mobility services, where you can book transfers, long distance travel, taxi rides, hourly chauffeured car rentals and delivery services in any country in the world. The platform’s listings, reviews, accurate car descriptions and photos ensure that customers receive the highest quality service at the best price. In addition, GetTransfer.com has completely eliminated the language barrier by providing support in over 20 languages, making the booking process easier than ever before.

Conclusion

You can travel to and from Istanbul Havalimany Airport by various means of transport, depending on your preferences and budget. However, you need to take into account the peculiarities of buying tickets, traffic jams, the mentality of the local population, etc. If you want to get to your destination as quickly and comfortably as possible with a reliable driver, it’s better to think about booking a transfer in advance, especially if you have heavy luggage.