Welcome to Istanbul! Your trip is approaching and you are asking yourself the question: how to reach the city center of Istanbul from IST or SAW airport without getting ripped off, or losing 3 hours?
Istanbul has two international airports very far from each other. Mistaking the shuttle or choosing your transfer poorly can turn your arrival into an ordeal.
I have tested all options: buses, taxis, metros, and private shuttles. Here is my complete guide to help you choose the best solution according to your budget and your arrival airport (IST or SAW).
⚡ Which transport to choose?
Are you in a hurry? Here is an immediate comparison to help you decide. Both airports are located at about the same distance from the historic center (about 45-50 km), so the average durations and prices indicated in the table apply for a transfer from airport IST (New Airport) and SAW (Sabiha Gökçen).
| Means of transport | Price (Approx) | Duration | My opinion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Shuttle ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ~£13 – £43 | 45-60 min | Kevin’s choice. Ideal to avoid stress, fixed price and drop-off in front of the hotel. |
| Bus (Havaist / Havabus) ⭐⭐⭐ | ~£12 | 90-120 min | Very good for tight budgets and solo travelers. |
| Yellow Taxi ⭐⭐ | ~£17 – £34 | Random | Risky. Running meter, frequent scams, language barrier. |
| Metro ⭐⭐ | ~£0.56 | 60-90 min | Economical but exhausting with suitcases (line changes). |
🎒 Toolbox before leaving
1. What is your airport?
Check your plane ticket carefully so as not to confuse:
- IST (Istanbul Airport): The new giant airport, located on the European Side (Turkish Airlines, Air France…).
- SAW (Sabiha Gökçen): The historic airport, located on the Asian Side (Pegasus, AJet…).
2. The indispensable IstanbulKart
If you plan to take the public bus or the metro, you cannot pay in cash. You need the IstanbulKart.
- Where to buy it? At the yellow/blue machines (Biletmatik) on the arrival floors of airports.
- Good to know: One card is enough for the whole group (you can beep 5 times for 5 people).
- Note: Private shuttles and Havaist buses often accept contactless bank cards, so the IstanbulKart is not mandatory for the airport transfer, but it will be for visiting the city.
See our complete file on the IstanbulKart
How to get it, How to use it, How to recharge it
3. Internet and Wi-Fi
Warning, free airport Wi-Fi often requires receiving a code by SMS. If you don’t have a network, it’s blocked.
My advice: Buy an eSIM on Airalo (it’s the cheapest) before leaving or pick up a tourist SIM card at the airport. Having Google Maps is vital if you don’t take a private transfer.
Need internet and Google Maps right off the plane?
👉 Click here to buy your Airalo eSIM now before leaving
Get £3 discount on your first purchase
Kevin’s advice: AIRALO is the cheapest provider I found
✈️ Transfer from New Airport (IST)
Located to the northwest, it is one of the largest airports in the world. Plan good shoes: between leaving the plane and leaving the terminal, there is often 45 minutes of walking and checks!
1. Private Shuttle
This is the option I always prioritize when I come with friends or family.
- Why? The driver waits for you with a sign at the exit. You don’t have to look for the bus, nor change Turkish liras in a hurry, nor negotiate. The price is fixed upon booking.
- Price: Between £13 and £39 for a Mercedes Van (up to 6 people).
At 4 people, it’s barely more expensive than the bus!
2. “Havaist” Bus (economical)
These are the official airport shuttles. Comfortable, with Wi-Fi and luggage holds.
- Where to find them? Go down to level -2 (follow signs “Transportation”).
- Main lines:
- HVIST-12: Direction Beyazit / Aksaray (Near Sultanahmet).
- HVIST-16: Direction Taksim square.
- Payment: Contactless bank card. No cash on board.
- Price: About £12 per person
- Duration: Allow 1h30 minimum depending on traffic.
3. Metro (Line M11 + Connection)
A fast metro line (M11) connects the airport, but it does not go directly to the tourist center.
The problem: It stops at Kağıthane or Gayrettepe. From there, you have to change lines with your suitcases to reach Taksim or Sultanahmet. I advise against it for a first visit with bulky luggage.
See our complete file on rail transport in Istanbul
(Metro, Tram and Marmaray)
📅 Need a private guide?
✈️ Transfer from Sabiha Gökçen (SAW)
Located on the Asian Side, it is far from the historic center (about 50km). The journey involves crossing the Bosphorus, which can be long at peak hours.
1. Private Transfer
Given the distance and possible traffic jams on the bridge, having a fixed package is reassuring. A taxi meter can quickly explode if you stay stuck 1h in traffic on the bridge.
- Price: Between £13 and £39 (it is further than IST).
- Advantage: Drops you directly at your hotel located on the European or Asian coast.
2. “Havabus” Bus (white buses)
They are parked right at the exit of the arrivals terminal.
- Destinations:
- Direction Taksim: Departure every 30 min.
- Direction Kadiköy: The lively neighborhood on the Asian side.
- Warning: There is NO direct bus to Sultanahmet. You will have to go to Taksim, then take a taxi or the metro/funicular.
- Payment: In cash (Turkish Liras) directly to the driver or at the counter in front of the bus.
- Price: Between £4 and £7 per person
3. Metro (Line M4)
The metro finally arrives at Sabiha Gökçen! It’s the pink line M4.
- The advantage: No traffic jams. Ridiculous price (less than £0.55).
- The disadvantage: It is veeery long (24 stops to Kadiköy) and often crowded. To go to Europe (Sultanahmet), you will have to get off at Ayrılık Çeşmesi and take the Marmaray train under the sea. Count 1h45 total journey. Reserved for light adventurers!
⚠️ Taxi: The 3 Golden Rules
I often receive messages from travelers disappointed by taxis. If you absolutely have to take one (yellow or turquoise), respect these rules to avoid traps.
- Demand the meter (“Taksimetre”): If the driver refuses or offers a fixed price (“Traffic is bad, £43 fixed price”), get out immediately. It is illegal.
- The night rate does not exist: In Istanbul, the price is the same 24/7. Do not believe the driver if he says “Night Rate”.
- Watch out for tolls: If you take a taxi, you must pay tolls for bridges or the tunnel. But check the amount. Do not give £17 for a toll worth £1.73.
Kevin’s Advice: Go through the Uber app if you want a Yellow Taxi.
The price is fixed in advance and you avoid scams.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does Uber work in Istanbul?
Yes, but differently. In Turkey, the Uber application does not order private drivers, but calls official taxis (yellow or turquoise). The main advantage is that the trip is recorded and the price estimated in advance, which considerably reduces the risks of meter scams.
What is the price of a taxi from Istanbul airport (IST) to the city center?
The price varies according to traffic (mandatory meter), but count on average between £34 to £48 to reach Sultanahmet or Taksim. Note, you must add to this price the highway toll fees or tunnel fees (Avrasya Tüneli) if the driver takes them.
What is the cheapest way to go to the center?
The most economical way is the shuttle bus (Havaist for IST or Havabus for SAW). The ticket costs between £4 and £13 per person. The metro is even cheaper (about £0.55) but requires several tiring connections with luggage.
Can I pay for the taxi or bus in Livre Sterling?
No. Public buses and the metro require an IstanbulKart. Taxis and Havabus shuttles sometimes accept £ but at a disastrous exchange rate. I advise you to withdraw Turkish Liras (TL) as soon as you arrive or pay for your private transfer online in advance.
How to get from IST airport to Sabiha Gökçen airport (SAW)?
There is a direct shuttle from the Havaist company (Line HVIST-13) which connects the two airports. The journey costs about £12 and lasts between 1h30 and 2h00 depending on traffic. Allow plenty of time if you have a connection!
Where to buy the IstanbulKart at the airport?
You will find yellow and blue automatic machines (biletmatik) at the bus stops or at the entrance of the metro in both airports. These machines accept banknotes (Liras) and sometimes contactless bank cards.
How much time in advance should I leave for the return?
Istanbul is one of the most congested cities in Europe. The safety rule is to leave your hotel 4 hours before takeoff. This leaves you 1h30 to 2h of travel and 2h for security checks (which are double at the entrance of the airport).
🎫 Book the Istanbul TouristPass
💡 Kevin’s Tip: If you plan to visit several monuments, the Istanbul Tourist Pass® is clearly the deal not to miss. With over 100 attractions included and skip-the-line tickets, you save time on every visit… and especially money. Concretely, from the third entry, the pass has already paid for itself: after that, it’s just a bonus for your holiday budget!
📢 Kevin’s Transparency Note: This article contains affiliate links to partners I personally use (GetYourGuide, Airalo, Uber). For you, the price remains unchanged, but by using these links, you directly support my work and allow me to continue offering these free Istanbul guides. Your visits fund my next simit with a good çay! Shukran! And go follow my Instagram page @kevinloveistanbul ❤️ Peace❤️
Need another tip?
Organizing arrival is often the most stressful part of the trip. If you have any doubt about the location of your hotel or the best means of transport, leave me a comment below with the name of your hotel and your airport, I will answer you!
Have a good trip to Istanbul! 🇹🇷
Hi! your blog is really beautiful and it has given us lots of ideas for a family trip to Istanbul. We are Italian, from Rome, and we will be traveling with our children for 3 days in Istanbul. I would need some help regarding transportation from the airport to the city center. We will take the M11 to Gayrettepe and then we need to take the M2 and get off at Vezneciler. But I didn’t understand whether the M11 and M2 lines are connected to each other, or if we have to go outside and look for the M2 metro station. We have two children and we will arrive at 8 pm, do you think it’s dangerous? Thank you very much and congratulations again on your blog, it’s truly fascinating and useful!
Ciao Laura, grazie per i complimenti sul blog! Per il cambio a Gayrettepe non preoccupatevi: le linee M11 e M2 sono collegate sotterraneamente, quindi non dovete uscire in strada, ma preparatevi a percorrere un lungo tunnel interno (circa 10-15 minuti a piedi con tapis roulant) per raggiungere la banchina della M2. Riguardo alla sicurezza, arrivare alle 20:00 non è un problema perché Istanbul è una città vivace e le stazioni sono sorvegliate e sicure, basta tenere i bambini vicini come fareste a Roma. Il vostro percorso è corretto: prendete la M11 dall’aeroporto fino al capolinea Gayrettepe, seguite le indicazioni interne per la M2 (direzione Yenikapı) e scendete a Vezneciler. Godetevi i vostri tre giorni a Istanbul! Per aiutarvi a organizzare al meglio il vostro soggiorno di 3 giorni a Istanbul, ecco il miglior itinerario per visitare istanbul in 3 giorni che abbiamo preparato. Un caro saluto.