Istanbul Airport (IST) to the City: All Routes, Times and Prices
Short answer: the cheapest way from Istanbul Airport (IST) into the city is the M11 metro: about 30 minutes to Gayrettepe, then the M2 to Taksim, roughly 60–75 minutes in total for about €1.70 (₺94) with a visitor's Istanbulkart. The Havaist bus costs ≈€8.50 (₺470) per person to Taksim, Sultanahmet or Aksaray, takes about 90–110 minutes and carries your luggage in the hold. A taxi to Taksim takes about 45–60 minutes outside rush hour and costs roughly €39–49 (₺2,150–2,700) on the meter plus tolls; a private transfer costs from €44 per vehicle for up to 6 passengers.
Istanbul Airport (IST) is in Arnavutköy on the European side, near the Black Sea coast and about 40 km from Taksim Square. It is Turkish Airlines' hub and is used by most foreign airlines. This page compares every way into the city – metro, Havaist bus, taxi and private transfer – with 2026 times and prices, and links to a detailed guide for each.
Where are you going? Routes, times and prices
| Destination | Best public transport | Time | Taxi (approx.) | Private transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taksim | M11 + M2 metro, ≈€1.70 (₺94); Havaist bus, ≈€8.50 (₺470) | Car 45–60 min; metro 60–75 min; Havaist ~90 min | ≈€39–49 (₺2,150–2,700) | from €44 |
| Sultanahmet / Old City | Havaist bus to Çatladıkapı, ≈€8.50 (₺470); or M11, M2 and T1 tram, ≈€1.70–2.50 (₺94–140) | Car 45–75 min; Havaist ~110 min; metro + tram 75–90 min | ≈€40–52 (₺2,250–2,900) | from €48 |
| Beşiktaş & Şişli | M11 to Gayrettepe, then M2, ≈€0.85–1.70 (₺48–94) | Car 40–60 min; metro 40–55 min | ≈€33–47 (₺1,850–2,600) | from €44 |
| Galataport (cruise port) | M11, M2, F1 funicular and T1 tram, ≈€1.70–3.50 (₺94–186) | Car 45–60 min; public transport 75–90 min | ≈€40–50 (₺2,200–2,800) | from €44 |
| Kadıköy | Havaist bus HVL-6, ≈€9.50 (₺515), every 75 min around the clock | Havaist ~2 h; by car ~52 km across the Bosphorus | ≈€46–58 (₺2,550–3,200) + bridge toll | from €56 |
| Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) | Direct Havaist bus HVL-11, ≈€9.50 (₺515), about hourly | Car 75 min–2 h; Havaist ~2 h | ≈€72–90 (₺4,000–5,000) + tolls | from €78 |
Approximate 2026 fares; they change often. Metro with a visitor's Istanbulkart (full fare on each line), not counting the ≈€3 (₺165) card. Taxi = yellow-taxi meter estimate in normal traffic, tolls extra (Kadıköy and Sabiha Gökçen are across the Bosphorus). Private transfer: starting price per vehicle (Mercedes Vito, up to 6 passengers); the price for your date and pickup time is shown before you pay. Details in each guide.
Guides for every option
Istanbul Airport Taxi Prices
Official 2026 tariff, fares to every district, the ranks, Uber and BiTaksi.
Havaist airport bus
Five lines, fares, platforms on floor -2 and how to pay.
M11 Metro from Istanbul Airport
Distance fares, first and last trains, changes for Taksim and Sultanahmet.
Getting to Istanbul Airport
Bus, metro, taxi or transfer to IST, and when to leave.
Istanbul Airport vs Sabiha Gökçen
Which of the two airports suits your hotel, on time and price.
Atatürk Airport in 2026
No passenger flights since 2019: which airport your ticket means.
Arriving at Istanbul Airport: good to know
- Big terminal: passport control and baggage claim can take a few minutes or much longer at peak times.
- Metro: the M11 station is beneath the terminal. Buy an Istanbulkart at its machines; the card costs ≈€3 (₺165) with no credit. The M11 gate takes ≈€0.85 (₺47.89), and a visitor's card gets nothing back at the exit; only cards personalised with a Turkish ID or residence-permit number get part of it refunded.
- Havaist: buses leave from floor -2, platforms Taksim 16, Sultanahmet 11, Aksaray 12, Sabiha Gökçen 13, Kadıköy 14. No cash: pay by contactless bank card, Istanbulkart or the Havaist app.
- Taxis: official ranks outside arrivals exits 9 and 13, 24/7. Use the queue, insist on the meter and carry some cash; Uber books a licensed taxi from the same ranks.
- Pre-booked transfer: your driver tracks your flight and meets you just outside the arrivals exit; once you land, the driver contacts you on WhatsApp with the exact meeting point and a short video showing the way.
- At night: the M11 runs from about 06:10 to just after midnight; Havaist's Taksim line has night departures and its Kadıköy line runs around the clock.
Which option suits you?
Solo or travelling light: the M11 metro is the cheapest option, immune to traffic and best for Şişli, Levent and Beşiktaş near Gayrettepe. For Taksim or the old city, the Havaist bus at ≈€8.50 (₺470) per person spares you the long change at Gayrettepe.
Families, groups, heavy luggage: escalators, crowded trains and uphill walks from the bus stop in Beyoğlu or the old city add up. A private transfer is priced per vehicle: four people pay ≈€34 (₺1,880) between them for the bus to Taksim, while a Mercedes Vito for up to 6 passengers costs from €44 to your door. Child seats on request.
Late arrivals and cruise passengers: after midnight there's no metro, and the Havaist line to Sultanahmet runs only from 05:00 to 23:45. Taxis wait around the clock, and a pre-booked driver tracks your flight, so a delay doesn't cost you your ride. Heading to Galataport? Leave a wide margin before check-in.
Related guides: Istanbul Airport Arrival Guide · Istanbulkart for visitors · Arriving in Istanbul at night · Istanbul Airport to Kadıköy
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Istanbul Airport to the city centre?
There are four options. The M11 metro to Gayrettepe and the M2 get you to Taksim in roughly 60–75 minutes for about €1.70 (₺94) with a visitor's Istanbulkart. The Havaist bus costs ≈€8.50 (₺470) per person to Taksim, Sultanahmet or Aksaray. A taxi to Taksim takes about 45–60 minutes outside rush hour and costs roughly €39–49 (₺2,150–2,700) plus tolls, and a private transfer costs from €44 per vehicle.
How far is Istanbul Airport from the city centre?
About 40 km from Taksim and 45–50 km from Sultanahmet by road. By car that is about 45–60 minutes to Taksim and 45–75 minutes to Sultanahmet outside rush hour, and considerably longer on weekday mornings and evenings.
What is the cheapest way from Istanbul Airport to the city?
The M11 metro. With a visitor's Istanbulkart the M11 costs ≈€0.85 (₺47.89), and the whole trip to Taksim with the M2 about €1.70 (₺94); the card itself costs ≈€3 (₺165). Trains run every 15 minutes from about 06:10 until just after midnight.
How do I get into Istanbul if I land after midnight?
The M11 has no overnight service, but Havaist's Taksim line has night departures and its Kadıköy line runs every 75 minutes around the clock. Taxis wait at the ranks outside exits 9 and 13 around the clock, and a pre-booked driver tracks your flight, so a delay doesn't leave you without a ride.
How much is a taxi from Istanbul Airport?
In a yellow taxi on the meter, roughly €39–49 (₺2,150–2,700) to Taksim, ≈€40–52 (₺2,250–2,900) to Sultanahmet and ≈€46–58 (₺2,550–3,200) to Kadıköy in normal traffic, with tolls extra. A private transfer to Taksim costs from €44 per vehicle for up to 6 passengers.
Rather go straight to your hotel?
Your driver tracks your flight, meets you just outside the arrivals exit and drives you door to door, priced per vehicle for up to 6 passengers: from €44 to Taksim, from €48 to Sultanahmet. The price for your date and pickup time is shown before you pay.
See transfer prices Book an Istanbul Airport transfer