Terminal of Airport
IST

Getting from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul

Istanbul, Türkiye

Istanbul Airport (IST) opened in 2019 and is about 40 km northwest of the city centre. The Havaist bus network and the Havataş airport shuttle are the most popular options; the airport rail link was still under construction as of 2025.

Havaist Airport Bus

Havaist runs coaches from the airport to multiple city points: Taksim Square, Kadıköy (Asian side), Mecidiyeköy, Yenikapı and others. Buses are comfortable, air-conditioned and run 24 hours on key routes. Find stops outside the Arrivals hall.

Journey time

60–90 min to Taksim (traffic-dependent)

Cost

from ₺100

Tip: Pay with Istanbul Kart (transport card) for a small discount. Service continues through the night but frequency drops.

Taxi

Official yellow taxis depart from the taxi rank at Arrivals. The fare is metered (tariife). Traffic on the O-3 and E-80 highways can significantly increase journey time and cost, especially during rush hours.

Journey time

45–90 min

Cost

₺600–₺1,200 to Taksim / Sultanahmet

Rideshare (BiTaksi / Uber)

Both BiTaksi and Uber operate at IST from the designated ride-hailing zone at the Arrivals exit.

Journey time

45–90 min

Cost

₺500–₺1,000 to city centre

Rental Car

Major rental companies have desks in the Arrivals hall. Renting a car gives flexibility but expect heavy motorway traffic during rush hour.

Journey time

45–90 min to city centre

Cost

varies

Prices and times are estimates and subject to change. Always check official operator websites for the latest information.