Istanbul Airport Transfers

Istanbul currently has two different airports: Istanbul International Airport on the European side of the city (35km from the city centre) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the Asian side (50km from the city centre). Here's how to get from them to your hotel in Istanbul.

Both airports are connected to the city centre by public transport, but I recommend a private door-to-door transfer from either airport to your hotel.

If this is your first time in Istanbul and you don't know the city well, this private transfer service is the most convenient option and is available from around 34 €, which is much cheaper than the same service in other cities.

How this service works

At both Sabiha Gökçen International Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport, a professional driver will be waiting for you and those travelling with you at the arrivals terminal. This will save you from wandering around the airport looking for transport and you will always be able to communicate with your driver via email or telephone.

Once you meet your driver, he will take you directly to your hotel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle, with no waiting time, in approximately 55 minutes. All vehicles have sufficient space for luggage, are wheelchair and pushchair friendly and are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

How to book

You will need to book this private transfer service online by providing your flight details, so that the driver knows where you are arriving and can wait for you in case your flight is delayed, and the address of your hotel, so that he can take you there directly once you meet him at the airport. Once you have booked your place you will receive a confirmation email with details and contact information for any unforeseen circumstances.

If your travel plans change, you can cancel the service up to 24 hours before your arrival in Istanbul. The drivers speak German, English, French and Spanish so it will be easy for you to understand them on arrival and ask them any questions you may have about the city.

If you want to use this service in the opposite direction, i.e. to go from your hotel in the centre of Istanbul to either of the two airports on your return journey, you can also do so by booking in advance. In this case, the driver will pick you up from your hotel approximately three hours in advance to ensure that you arrive at the airport in plenty of time to check in without rushing.

To do this, you will need to provide your hotel details and flight time, so that the company can arrange to pick you up well in advance and you can arrive at the airport in comfort without having to worry about the time.

Ana's Traveller Tip

WIFI connection is not always available at Istanbul airports; it is better to book your transfer in advance rather than improvise on arrival.

Public transport from the International Airport

If you choose to get to your hotel by public transport, you also have options. Be aware that timetables are not always reliable and, due to the language and culture of the country, you may find it more difficult to find your way around than in other countries.

The Airport Express Bus H2 will drop you off at Şişli-Mecidiyeköy station from where you can take the M2 metro line to more central areas such as Taksim or Sultanahmet. The H2 bus runs every 20 minutes, takes 35 minutes to get to the centre and costs about 50 euro cents at the exchange rate.

Buses cost about 3 euros, run every 30-40 minutes and take about an hour and a half to get to the centre. In total there are more than 20 bus lines, so it is advisable to check beforehand which one is the most convenient for you depending on the address of your hotel. Remember that you will have to pay in Turkish lira for both buses.

The metro: the line that connects to the airport is the M11. This line will drop you off at Gayrettepe station from where you can take the M2 line to the centre of Istanbul.

Public transport from Sabija Gökçen Airport

Sabija Gökçen Airport is only connected to the centre of Istanbul by bus. Please note that this airport is located 50km from the centre of Istanbul and therefore the journey time will be longer. If you arrive at this airport in the early hours of the morning, you may have to wait longer for the next bus.

Buses will drop you off at Taksim Square in 90 minutes for two and a half euros and leave every half hour from the arrivals terminal. You can buy your ticket directly from the driver, but remember to pay in Turkish currency. In addition to the E10 and E11 buses, buses also run from the airport and connect to the Kadıköy ferry station.

Taxi

Taxi ranks are available at both airports. In Istanbul, depending on the quality of the vehicle, taxis will be class C (the cheapest, yellow taxis), class D (blue and mid-range) and class E (black and premium service).

A ride to your hotel in Istanbul can cost around 30 euros from either airport, but is an option to consider if you haven't booked a transfer in advance.

Ana's Traveller Tip

If when you arrive at the airport a private individual offers you a lift to your hotel, it's best to turn them down. These services are not official and are not always safe.

Visa

Depending on your country of origin, you may need to apply for a visa valid for 90 days to travel to Istanbul. It costs about 20 euros and you will be asked for it on arrival at Istanbul airport, so it's best to find out what type of visa you need before your trip so that you have your documents ready.

Currency exchange

The official currency in Turkey is the Turkish lira, which is worth about 10 euro cents. Although you can pay by credit card in many places (check with your bank before you leave to see what commission they will charge), it is always advisable to carry cash. You can change money at the airport, but it will always be more expensive than in the city centre.

My recommendation is that you carry some cash to get by at the airport and in your first few hours in the city, and then make the change at one of the offices in the city centre.

Security

Although there are armed conflicts in southern Turkey due to the border with Iraq and Syria, Istanbul is generally a safe city. However, beware of theft as you would in any other European capital, and it's always advisable to travel with medical insurance in case of an accident.

Dress code in the city

In Istanbul's churches and mosques, women must enter with their heads covered, so it's a good idea to keep a headscarf in your handbag. It's also common to be asked to take your shoes off, so an extra pair of socks is a good idea.

Language

The official language is Turkish, but in most cases you'll be able to get by in English. Above all, you'll find it easy to get along with the vendors, as they're used to tourism and many also know Spanish and French.

A key rule: haggling when shopping

Bargaining is an art in many of the stalls in Istanbul, especially in the Grand Bazaar. Never accept the first price you are offered and bear in mind that with a little patience you can get much cheaper goods.

If you are planning a trip to Istanbul soon, I'm sure you will also be interested in this article on Day Trips from Istanbul.

And if one of your dreams is to take a cruise on the Bosphorus and see the spectacular mosques and views of the city of Istanbul, don't forget to check out this post on Day Trips to Bosphorus Strait from Istanbul.