How to Get from the Istanbul Airports to the City

Short Answer

Istanbul has two airports and they sit at opposite ends of the city. Which one you land at decides how long the transfer takes and how much it costs.

• Istanbul Airport (IST) is northwest on the European side, a long way from the centre.
• Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) is east on the Asian side, further still from the historic peninsula.
• Both have a metro line into the city, and since the metro ignores traffic, it is the predictable option.
• Decide which side of the city you are sleeping on before you book, because the right airport follows from that.

From Istanbul Airport

**The metro** is the dependable choice. Line M11 runs from the terminal to Gayrettepe, where you change to M2 for Sisli, Taksim and Sishane. For the historic peninsula, M2 connects onward to Vezneciler and Yenikapi. Changing lines with luggage is a nuisance, but the journey time does not move, because nothing on the route sits in traffic.

**Havaist buses** run from the airport straight to several points across the city. No changes is the advantage; being stuck in traffic is the disadvantage. In morning and evening peaks the journey stretches badly.

**Taxis** are the most expensive and the least predictable. Fast when the roads are clear, slower than the metro when they are not. Insist on the meter or order through an app, and ignore drivers offering a flat price.

The airport is genuinely far out, so no option here is quick. If you land near midnight, check the metro's operating hours before you count on it.

From Sabiha Gokcen

**The metro** works here too. Line M4 runs from the airport down to Kadikoy. To cross to the European side, take the ferry from Kadikoy or pick up Marmaray at Ayrilik Cesmesi. Marmaray runs under the Bosphorus, so it skips the bridge traffic entirely.

**Havabus** runs direct to Kadikoy and Taksim. Practical if you are staying on the Asian side; if you are crossing over, you are back to bridge traffic.

**A taxi** to the European side is a long and costly ride. If you are landing at Sabiha Gokcen and sleeping in Sultanahmet, budget for that from the start.

Which airport to book

If you are staying in Beyoglu, Sisli, Besiktas or on the historic peninsula, Istanbul Airport makes more sense. If you are staying around Kadikoy, Moda or Uskudar, Sabiha Gokcen is clearly better.

Do not book on ticket price alone. A cheap flight into the wrong airport gives the saving straight back in taxi fares and hours. On a short Istanbul trip a two-hour transfer eats a serious part of a day.

Cards and paying

Public transport runs on the Istanbulkart. You buy one from machines at the airport and it works on metro, buses, ferries and Marmaray. More than one person can travel on the same card, so a group may only need one. Load credit at the terminal rather than hunting for a machine later.

Once you are in the city

Driving inside Istanbul is close to pointless, and do you need a car in Turkey explains where that changes. Walking district by district is the efficient way to see the place, and how many days in Istanbul breaks that into days.

If you want to see the routes before you arrive, the 4K walking films show the streets uncut, which is a more honest guide to gradient, surface and crowds than photographs.

Planning FAQ

**Metro or taxi?** The metro, because traffic is unpredictable. A taxi makes sense with a lot of luggage or late at night.

**Is there a transfer between the two airports?** The direct connection is weak and slow. If you have a connecting ticket, choose an onward flight from the same airport.

**Can I leave bags at the airport?** Left luggage exists, but terms and opening hours change, so confirm on the airport's official page before relying on it.

**What about late-night arrivals?** Metro and bus hours narrow overnight. If you land late, plan the transfer in advance and tell your accommodation your arrival time.

**Where do I buy an Istanbulkart?** From the machines in the terminal. Buy it and load credit before you walk to the metro entrance.