Planning your travel from Istanbul Airport is essential to avoid unexpected delays.
Have you ever found yourself stressing to search for the options to travel from Istanbul Airport to your destination?
Istanbul is a popular destination, and if you don't plan your transportation from the airport, you may end up with costly and uncomfortable trip options.
Booking an airport transfer service is a popular choice when arriving in Istanbul, especially for families and friends traveling together.
Overview of Istanbul's Airports
Istanbul Airport (IST) Overview
Istanbul Airport is one of the busiest airports in Europe. It started serving commercial flights on 6 April 2019. Only three years later, in 2023, it served more than 76 million passengers and became the second busiest airport in Europe.
The airport is located on the European side of the city, in the Arnavutkoy district. It is 45 km from the Blue Mosque, a popular destination in the city center.
The airport has one terminal for both international and domestic flights. The terminal is 1,440,000 m2 (15,500,000 sq ft); it is the second-largest airport terminal in the world.
You will feel like you are in a mega shopping mall. The terminal has over 180 stores and many activity options, including TV-watching areas, a library, youth lounges, sleep pods, and nap zones. Click Here to view all available stores in Istanbul Airport.
Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) Overview
Sabiha Gokcen Airport is located on the Asian side of Istanbul, in the Pendik district. It has served domestic and international flights since 2001.
The airport is 45km from the Blue Mosque, a popular destination in the city center. It has one terminal for all domestic and international flights and served over 37 million passengers in 2023.
When compared to Istanbul Airport, this airport is smaller, but they are both at a similar distance to the city center. They both serve domestic and international flights, but Sabiha Gokcen Airport is the base of Pegasus Airlines, whereas Istanbul Airport is the base of Turkish Airlines. So passengers traveling with Turkish Airlines should be arriving at Istanbul Airport.
Types of Istanbul Airport Transfers
Private Transfers
Passengers arriving in Istanbul can schedule private transfers prior to their arrival to ensure a comfortable journey to their destinations, such as hotels or the city center.
Are you traveling with Family? Consider the private transfer option for your comfort.
Private transfers are usually available with minivan models of Mercedes Vito or Volkswagen Transporter with a capacity of up to 8 passengers.
It is a preferred way to travel from airports in Istanbul. For passengers with multiple luggages this option is very popular to have a comfortable journey when compared with public transportation or taxis.
It is also very affordable if you are traveling with family or friends since the service has a price per vehicle, not per passenger.
The average price of Airport transfers from Istanbul to the city center is around €35.
Here are the prices of private transfers for some popular lanes;
| Type | From | To | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Transfer | Istanbul Airport | Taksim Square | €36 |
| Private Transfer | Istanbul Airport | Blue Mosque | €36 |
| Private Transfer | Istanbul Airport | Sultanahmet | €36 |
| Private Transfer | Istanbul Airport | Fatih | €36 |
| Private Transfer | Istanbul Airport | Kadikoy | €40 |
| Private Transfer | Istanbul Airport | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | €50 |
| Private Transfer | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | Taksim Square | €40 |
| Private Transfer | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | Blue Mosque | €40 |
| Private Transfer | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | Sultanahmet | €40 |
| Private Transfer | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | Fatih | €40 |
| Private Transfer | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | Kadikoy | €32 |
| Private Transfer | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | Istanbul Airport | €50 |
You can quote the price of your journey and make an online booking at our Main Page.
Taxis
Both airports in Istanbul have taxis departing in front of the terminals for passengers to travel to the city.
This can be an option for passengers who do not have scheduled private transfers and prefer private transportation rather than public transportation.
Depending on the destination, taxis are usually the most expensive option as their prices are slightly over the private transfer option.
Also, the quality of the vehicles and the drivers is one of the reasons passengers pick the private transfers over the taxi option, as it is very common to encounter a journey on taxis with bad quality vehicles and drivers.
Average prices of the taxis can vary on the lanes, but to the city center, it usually costs between €35 to €50 however they do not have booking options so you'd have to get on one of the taxis available in front of the terminal.
Here are the prices of airport taxis for some popular lanes;
| Type | From | To | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | Istanbul Airport | Taksim Square | €35 |
| Taxi | Istanbul Airport | Blue Mosque | €40 |
| Taxi | Istanbul Airport | Sultanahmet | €40 |
| Taxi | Istanbul Airport | Fatih | €37 |
| Taxi | Istanbul Airport | Kadikoy | €45 |
| Taxi | Istanbul Airport | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | €55 |
| Taxi | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | Taksim Square | €37 |
| Taxi | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | Blue Mosque | €36 |
| Taxi | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | Sultanahmet | €36 |
| Taxi | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | Fatih | €36 |
| Taxi | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | Kadikoy | €25 |
| Taxi | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | Istanbul Airport | €55 |
Public Transportation
Public transportation can be a bit challenging for tourists as it is difficult to find English speakers in the city when you get lost. But google maps does a good work showing the available metro and bus options to your destination.
It is the cheapest option to travel to the city center. Istanbul Airport has a metro line called M11, directly going to the city center Gayrettepe, which then you can switch to the M2 metro line to go to the main districts in Istanbul, including Taksim, Sisli, and Mecidiyekoy. You also don't need to purchase any tickets if you have a contactless card which you can use to pay for the metro.
Another common option in Istanbul Airport is the shuttle bus called Havaist. And, passengers traveling from Sabiha Gokcen Airport also has an Airport Shuttle option called Havabus.
Both shuttles operate between the Airports and the main districts in the city, and they cost between €4 to €5. You can directly purchase the tickets with a credit card or cash at the available shuttle bus stops at the airports.
Here are the shuttle bus prices of popular lanes from Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport;
| Shuttle | From | To | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Havaist | Istanbul Airport | Taksim Square | €5 |
| Havaist | Istanbul Airport | Besiktas | €5 |
| Havaist | Istanbul Airport | Zincirlikuyu | €5 |
| Havaist | Istanbul Airport | Esenler | €4 |
| Havaist | Istanbul Airport | Halkali | €4 |
| Havaist | Istanbul Airport | Kadikoy | €5 |
| Havaist | Istanbul Airport | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | €5 |
| Havabus | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | Taksim Square | €5 |
| Havabus | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | Besiktas | €5 |
| Havabus | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | Zincirlikuyu | €5 |
| Havabus | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | Kadikoy | €4 |
| Havaist | Sabiha Gokcen Airport | Istanbul Airport | €5 |
Check out Havaist or Havabus websites for details of schedules and routes.
Both public transportation options can be suitable for passengers traveling to the main districts who are not in a hurry and not traveling with friends/family.
I personally tried both shuttle options multiple times, and they are my preference when I travel alone, but I suggest checking their timetables as their operating hours may vary at night or on weekends.
Rental Cars
Renting a car is also another option to travel to your destination from the Airports in Istanbul.
But be aware that Istanbul's traffic is known to be very busy, and you can get stuck in the traffic for hours if you drive during the traffic hours (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM).
I personally would not recommend this option unless you would need the car during your whole visit as most people find it challenging to drive in Istanbul, especially during traffic hours.
I also suggest making sure to book your cars ahead of your travel to avoid paying excessive rental amounts at the terminal.
How to Choose the Right Airport Transfer Option
Consider Your Travel Needs
The number of passengers traveling together and the number of luggage are the main considerations when deciding the right option to travel from Istanbul Airport.
If you are traveling with multiple passengers and luggage, getting the private transfer option is the best one since the available minivans in the private transfer option have a passenger capacity of 8 with up to 6 luggage capacity.
It is also the most comfortable option since the fleet usually has an available VIP transfer option, which has especially interior-designed minivans for passengers looking to travel with luxury.
You can view the photos of our vehicle's interior via the Our Fleet page.
Consider Your Budget
Budget is also another factor to consider when choosing the right airport transfer option in Istanbul. Depending on the number of passengers, private vehicles can be very affordable since the prices are paid per vehicle, not per passenger.
For example, a group of 4 passengers traveling from Istanbul Airport to the city center would usually pay around €10 per person while traveling with a luxurious private minivan.
Consider Your Time
You should also consider the estimated time to arrive at your destination from Istanbul Airport when choosing the right choice of travel.
Public transportation options can take more time than the other options since they would have stops between the airport and your destination, and you would even need to switch metro lines to arrive at your main destination.
Both taxi and private transfer options should take a similar time to arrive at your destination depending on the traffic situation, but the private transfer option can be shorter since you are not being charged per distance, and some taxi drivers may pick the longer routes to your destination to charge slightly more.
Consider Your Special Requirements
You should also consider any special requirements when choosing the right transfer option from airports in Istanbul.
The child seat is a common request for families with babies. Or, you may be traveling with your dogs, which is another common special requirement. Also having extra luggage is another requirement you should consider when picking the right transfer type from Istanbul airport.
We provide all special requirements to our customers, feel free to contact us if you have any questions related to the special requirements you may have for your journey.
Booking Your Istanbul Airport Transfer
How to Book
Booking your airport transfer for Istanbul is very easy via our online booking feature.
You can visit our main page to quote the price of your journey and book online!
If you have any special requirements, you can provide the details while making your booking. Also, you can mention your flight number during the booking process; our team will track your flight to update the pickup time when there is a delay in your flight.
How to Pay
You can pay for your booking during your journey via cash or credit card.
When making your online booking, you have the option to select the payment type, and you will be able to make the payment for the journey at the end of the trip to our drivers either via cash or credit card.
Best Time to Book
We suggest booking your journey at least 24 hours ahead of your travel, but you can also make last-minute bookings via our online booking feature.
Feel free to contact us for any questions related to last minute bookings.
Cancellation and Flexibility
You can cancel your booking 24hr before your pick-up time, any cancellations made less than 24hr of the pick-up time are subject to cancellation fees.
Feel free to visit our FAQs page for the list of frequently asked questions.
What to Expect on the Day of Your Transfer
Arrival Procedures
When you book your Airport Transfer, our team will contact you via your mobile number or email address provided during the booking process to share the meeting details.
We have a welcome team at the airport. You will be greeted by our welcome team, and they will take you to the assigned driver for your booking.
All details related to the welcoming team will be shared with you before your travel.
During the Transfer
You will enjoy the specially designed luxurious interior of our minivans during your travel, including adjustable seats, TV, free wi-fi, and free soft drinks if you pick the option to travel with our luxury minivans.
For any special requirements during your trip, such as adding a stop before your final destination, please feel free to mention them when you are contacted by our team during your booking day.
Tips for a Smooth Experience
If you have any special requirements for your journey, please mention them when you are contacted during your booking date for us to make sure of the arrangements to meet your requirements.
I also suggest you mention your flight number during the booking process so our teams can track your flight and update the assigned drivers if there are any delays for your flight.
Conclusion
Don't wait until the last minute to arrange your transfer from Istanbul Airport!
Whether you are traveling with family and friends or alone and looking for the best option to travel from Istanbul Airport, getting the private airport transfer option is the most popular and most comfortable option.
Check out our Main Page to book your Istanbul Airport Transfer now!