One of the downsides when Istanbul moved its main airport to Istanbul New Airport in 2018 was the public transportation from the airport to the city center. Situated in Arnavutkoy, the airport area is still developing and it's practically out of nowhere.
Unlike the former main hub Attaturk Airport, which is located in Bakirkoy with easy access by public transport in Istanbul – it can take 1-2 hours to get from Istanbul New Airport to the city center, even if you use a private airport transfer.
The good news is that it's been 6 years since the new airport in Istanbul started operating, and it's now easier to find an airport transfer from the new airport to Istanbul city center.
No matter which part of Istanbul you're planning to go to, you can now take advantage of a few transport options from the airport to the city. From the public bus, metro, coach shuttle with Havaist, to private airport transfer, here's the ultimate guide to getting from Istanbul New Airport to city center areas like Taksim, Sultanahmet, etc!
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Please note that this post is about the airport transfer options from Istanbul New Airport on the European side to the other areas of Istanbul.
For airport transfers from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport on the Asian side, I'd recommend checking the time schedule for Havabus here or book a private transfer here.
5 Best Ways to Get to the City Center from Istanbul New Airport
Until January 2023, the transport option from the city center to Istanbul New Airport is only limited to buses and airport taxis. Luckily, we can now take the Istanbul New Airport train to the city center via Kagithane.
So, here are the best ways to get to the city center from Istanbul airport!
The Necessary Turkiye Itinerary
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The cheapest way to get from Istanbul airport to the city center is by IETT public bus. IETT stands for Istanbul Elektrik Tramvay ve Tunel, the city's public urban transport company responsible for connecting public transport in Istanbul – including municipal buses, trams, and funiculars.
IETT public bus in Istanbul, Turkiye. | Source: Unsplash.
How to Get from Istanbul New Airport to the City Center by Public Bus
Currently, six bus lines operate daily from Istanbul New Airport to various areas in the city. The average cost from Istanbul airport to the city center by IETT public bus is around 20 TL (around $0.63 USD), depending on which part of Istanbul you're going to.
IETT Public Bus Lines from Istanbul Airport to the City
Bus Line Number
Last Stop in Istanbul
Remarks
H1
Mahmutbey Metro
It's suitable if you plan to stay around Bagcilar in the European side of Istanbul. The area is close to Esenler otogar, which is the largest bus station in Istanbul. While it can be a great area to stay if you plan to continue your journey by bus in Turkiye, I wouldn't recommend this area for tourists though, since the area is known as the “Bronx” side of Istanbul.
H2
Mecidiyekoy Metrobus
It is suitable if you plan to stay in the central Istanbul area on the European side, as Mecidiyekoy is located in the center with a lot of connections to other Istanbul areas. From Mecidiyekoy, it's relatively easy to get to some of the best areas to stay in Istanbul, like Taksim in Beyoglu, Sisli or even Sultanahmet.
H3
Halkali train station
It's suitable if you plan to continue your journey by train to some other cities in Turkiye. Halkali train station was the starting point when I took the TCDD sleeper train from Istanbul to Ankara; there's also a Marmaray train station in Halkali where you can continue the journey to nearby towns like Kocaeli
H6
Mescid-i Selam in Sultangazi area
It's suitable if you plan to stay a bit further away from the typical tourist areas, but still accessible by public transport without a long travel journey. Sultangazi area is around 15-20 kilometers from the likes of Beyoglu or Sultanahmet, and you can easily travel there by metro
H8
Haciosman Metro
It is suitable if your accommodation is located in the Sariyer district. The district is known as another coastal area in Istanbul, home to another must-visit place in Istanbul called Belgrade Forest, which is arguably the best greenspace in the city.
H9
Cevizlibag
It's suitable if you'll stay around Zeytinburnu area. While it's not a usual choice for first-time travelers in Istanbul, the area is pretty decent if you want to experience more local vibes on the European side of Istanbul. Even better if you stay somewhere close to Marmaray or metro station, which makes it easier to get around to other areas in Istanbul. This bus line can be an alternative option if you stay in Sultanahmet too, since you can change to tramway T1 to get to Eminonu or Kabatas, which will take you to Sultanahmet.
While it's the cheapest option to get from the European side of Istanbul airport to the city, taking a public IETT bus to Istanbul city center is not for the faint of heart. In fact, I wouldn't recommend it if you arrive in Istanbul from a long-haul flight because the journey itself would be tremendously exhausting.
For context, some bus lines mentioned above have over 40 stops in total between the airport and the last stop.
The same journey from the airport to the city that could take only around an hour by a coach shuttle, it may take around 2-3 hours by the public bus, which is probably not your ideal option if you prioritize comfort for your airport transfer in Istanbul.
I've learned it the hard way when I tried to take a public bus to Taksim from Skylon Hotel near Istanbul New Airport. Mind you, I didn't even have to carry my bags and all that, and it was already pretty exhausting.
My advice is that you may want to take a better transport option from Istanbul New Airport, unless (1) you're traveling on a super tight budget or (2) you're traveling super light.
Pros & Cons of Traveling with IETT Public Bus from the Airport to Istanbul City Center
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It's the cheapest option to get to the city center from Istanbul New Airport.
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It's a public bus, so you can expect the bus to get super packed along the way. This may not be an ideal option if you carry a lot of luggage with you. Mind you, while technically it's not forbidden to carry a lot of luggage with you on the bus, the other passengers may not be happy about it.
The journey from the airport to Istanbul city center can take hours; spare at least 3-4 hours since the chance of you getting stuck in the traffic in Istanbul is never zero.
Metro
The newest addition for the transport option between Istanbul New Airport and the city center is metro, which started operating in January 2023. It's a cheaper option compared to a taxi and a shuttle service, but it's certainly faster than the public bus.
If you're looking for information on how to get to Istanbul New Airport from the city center by train, this is how!
Istanbul New Airport metro station in Istanbul, Turkiye.
How to Get from Istanbul New Airport to the City Center by Metro Train
The metro from Istanbul New Airport to the city center stops at Kagithane train station. Note that it can be convenient if you plan to stay around Kagithane area in Istanbul – but if you stay around more popular tourist areas like Beyoglu, Besiktas, or Sultanahmet, you'll still have a long journey to get to your accommodation from there.
I got a chance to try out the metro from the city center to Istanbul New Airport when I picked up my boyfriend from the airport. Obviously, I went to the airport empty-handed, which made the metro the best option for me to get there.
But again, I wouldn't recommend taking the metro if you carry a big luggage. When I took the metro from Taksim to Istanbul New Airport, I had to transfer to another train in Mecidiyekoy station to get to Kagithane – and the escalator was broken. I honestly can't imagine what would have happened if I was there with a large suitcase trying to catch my flight.
This was really confusing for me because I had a hard time finding the other station on Google Maps. I ended up having to ask a stranger to find it, but once you find the other metro station in Kagithane, you can continue your journey to your final destination in Istanbul.
From Istanbul airport to Kagithane, you can expect to pay around 18 TL (around $0.57 USD). But once you reach Kagithane, you will need to exit and head to another metro station across the last stop from the airport.
A single journey with a metro in Istanbul will cost you around 18 TL, so you can expect to spend around 32 TL (around $1 USD) – assuming you only have to transfer once in Kagithane.
Just like the IETT public bus, you can only use Istanbulkart for the payment method. So make sure to purchase this Istanbulkart to smoothen your plan and journey!
Pros & Cons of Traveling with Metro from the Airport to Istanbul City Center
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It's affordable, and definitely faster and more convenient than the IETT public bus.
It's a good transfer option from the airport to Istanbul city center (or vice versa), even if you bring a big luggage… As long as all the facilities, like elevators or escalators, work properly.
Just like the other transport options in Istanbul, the metro from the city center to Istanbul New Airport is also disability-friendly.
I spent around 2 hours from Taksim to Istanbul New Airport by metro when I picked up my boyfriend. Keep in mind that it also took longer because the escalator at Mecidiyekoy station was broken at the time, so I imagine it could have been faster if everything had worked properly.
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If this is your first time traveling to Istanbul New Airport from the city center (or the other way around), it can be pretty confusing once you reach Kagithane station. It's better to ask the staff as soon as you arrive in Kagithane, so you can transfer to the next train smoothly.
Havaist Bus
Havaist is by far my favorite airport transfer from Istanbul New Airport to the city center. It's convenient, affordable, and definitely faster than the IETT bus since they operate point-to-point from the area of your choice in Istanbul to the airport.
Havaist is a shuttle bus company that provides services from various Istanbul areas to the new airport on the European side of the town. For services to Sabiha Gokcen International Airport on the Asian side, there's another shuttle service called Havabus that goes to other areas in the city.
No matter which part of Istanbul you're going to – be it Taksim in Beyoglu or Sultanahmet in Fatih area, chances are you will find a Havaist route that caters to your destination. Even if they don't, you can still rely on the public bus or taxi from your last stop to the accommodation.
Here's everything you need to know about taking a Havaist bus from the new airport into town!
Havaist departure point at Istanbul New Airport in Arnavutkoy, Istanbul.
How to Get from Istanbul New Airport to the City Center by Havaist Bus
Havaist operates every hour (sometimes every 30 minutes even!) from various areas in Istanbul to the new airport. For all information related to Havais bus, including the time schedule, you can check their official website here.
Booking your ticket online for Havaist bus from Istanbul New Airport to the city center is not required, but you can do it on the app.
I personally prefer to purchase a go-show ticket because if it's the journey from Istanbul New Airport to the city after my flight arrival, it might take a while for me to get through the immigration. It's not easy to choose the exact time for the bus departure from the airport if I buy the ticket in advance.
Plus, even if I miss the bus, I can always choose another route that's closer to my destination… And even if I have to wait for the next bus, 30 minutes to an hour won't be a big deal for me.
Go to the -2 level at the airport, as this is the departure point of all buses from Istanbul New Airport.
Apart from Havaist and Havabus, there are also a few other bus companies that provide intercity services to other cities in Turkiye. To name a few, there are bus services that go directly from Istanbul New Airport to nearby cities like Edirne, Bursa, and Iznik.
From Istanbul New Airport departure point, you can check the information board to see from which platform your bus will depart. Each platform number is designated for a certain destination, so make sure to go according to your travel plan.
If you plan to take a Havaist bus from the city to Istanbul New Airport, Havaist usually has a designated departure point in each area in Istanbul. I only got a chance to take the Havaist bus from two different areas in Istanbul: Taksim and Besiktas.
The Havaist departure point in Taksim is located near Point Hotel in Istanbul, so it's pretty easy to find it on Google Maps.
But it wasn't the case when I departed from Besiktas, as I didn't know exactly where the departure point for Havaist in Besiktas. And I had a stroke of bad luck as I got some crazy taxi driver in Istanbul who basically dropped me off out of nowhere.
While it was pretty annoying to have to walk around 500 meters from where he dropped me off, I could finally find the departure point in Besiktas as it wasn't too far from the intersection close to the waterfront.
Whether you take Havaist bus from or to Istanbul New Airport, all shuttle services with Havaist accept both cash and card for payment.
I paid 74 TL (around $3 USD) on my last trip to Istanbul last year, but due to the rapid change of the local economy in Turkiye, it's best to check their website directly to get the updated price of the Havaist bus ticket.
From either departure point, they tend to operate on a first-come-first-served basis, so there won't be any assigned seats even if you book the ticket in advance.
Pros & Cons of Traveling with Havaist Bus from the Airport to Istanbul City Center
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It's affordable, convenient, and definitely the best option compared to other public transport like the IETT bus or metro.
It departs every 30 minutes to an hour, so you don't have to wait too long even if you miss the last bus.
You can pay for the ticket on-site, either by cash or card.
Their last point is scattered throughout various areas of Istanbul, so you can easily find a bus to both the European and Asian sides of the city.
They have a designated compartment for luggage, so you won't have to carry your bag everywhere like you do when taking an IETT bus or metro.
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The legroom isn't too large, so I can imagine it won't be as comfortable for tall people.
There is no assigned seat on the bus, so you may end up sitting next to a total stranger when the bus is full.
Istanbul Airport Taxi
Taxi drivers in Istanbul are known as notorious, and I have to agree with this stereotype since I have had a few experiences that proved it right. However, I also met some really great taxi drivers in Istanbul, mostly when I took a taxi from the airport.
So, regardless of the stereotype, I think taking a taxi from Istanbul New Airport is still one of the best ways to get to the city center. Most of them will use the taximeter properly, so you don't have to be afraid of getting scammed – which is something to be expected when you hail a cab in the city area of Istanbul!
Yellow taxi in Istanbul, Turkiye | Credit: Cynthia of Sharing the Wander
How to Get from Istanbul New Airport to the City Center by Taxi
Upon arrival at Istanbul New Airport, you'll see some stalls offering taxi services to the city. They will pinpoint where you can wait for the taxi of your choice, as there are three taxi types in Istanbul as follows:
Yellow taxis (sari taksi) are the most common type in Istanbul. The starting fee is 25 TL (around $0.8 USD), and the fare increases by about 18 TL (around $0.6 USD) per kilometer.
Blue/turquoise taxis (mavi/turkuaz taksi) are the higher-end taxi type, typically because the cars will be more luxurious than the yellow ones. You can expect to pay the starting fee of 29 TL (around $0.9 USD), with the fare will be around 20 TL (around $0.65 USD) per kilometer.
Black taxis (siyah taksi) are usually large, luxurious vehicles like Mercedes E180. This type of taxi is suitable if you travel in a group or have a lot of bags. The fare usually starts at 41 TL (around $1.3 USD), with the taximeter about 32 TL (around $1 USD) per kilometer.
Another reason for taking a taxi from Istanbul airport to the city center is that you can book the taxi online via apps like Uber or Bitaksi.
However, it's important to note that the price shown on these apps is only an estimate, so the final price may end up higher than what you see on either Uber or Bitaksi. Also, you'll most likely get only a yellow taxi if you book via these apps.
If you connect your card to your Uber account, then you can pay for the taxi ride online directly via the app.
But I noticed that even though there's an option to pay online on Bitaksi, you will still have to pay the trip by the end of the ride. The good news is that almost all taxis in Turkiye accept card payment in addition to cash!
Pros & Cons of Traveling with Taxi from the Airport to Istanbul City Center
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You can choose the type of taxi based on your needs and budget.
It's definitely the most convenient option compared to the public transport.
Obviously, you can head to your accommodation directly without having to transfer and take another public transport to get to your destination.
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Since it's not a fixed rate, anything could happen since the taximeter will be ticking until you get to your final stop. Be sure to use Google Maps to minimize getting scammed by a taxi driver in Istanbul.
Istanbul traffic can be super terrible, so it might add extra cost to your taxi ride.
Private Airport Transfer
If you want it easy and have a slightly higher budget, then booking a private transfer from Istanbul New Airport is probably the best choice. Most airport transfer services include a meet-and-greet upon arrival, so you can just show up and meet the driver who picks you up without any hassle.
If you book tours via sites like Viator or GetYourGuide, you can also find a lot of airport transfer options with an average rate of $40 USD.
Istanbul New Airport in Arnavutkoy, Turkiye.
How to Get from Istanbul New Airport to the City Center by Private Transfer
Most hotels in Istanbul also offer private transfer service, so you don't necessarily need to book it online via platforms like GetTransfer or Kiwitaxi. When I stayed at Mia Pera Hotel Istanbul in Beyoglu, they offered me a private transfer for around 40 euros (around $44 USD).
Honestly, I never use a private transfer from Istanbul airport to the city center because I usually travel with my boyfriend if not solo, so the Havaist bus seems like a great option for us.
However, I can see how booking an airport transfer in advance can be a great option… Especially if you're traveling with a group.
You can pick the type of vehicle according to your needs and budget, and more importantly they offer a fixed rate from Istanbul New Airport to the city center. It means that you won't have to worry about the taximeter ticking on during horrible traffic or a driver trying to scam you to get to the city center.
Even better, you can also pay everything online in advance so you don't have to worry about carrying a lot of cash on your first day in Istanbul. Tipping is optional in Turkiye, but appreciated so you can also choose to tip the driver for around 10% of what you paid for the transfer.
Pros & Cons of Traveling with Private Transfer from the Airport to Istanbul City Center
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It's the most convenient option to travel from Istanbul New Airport to the city center.
You can choose the type of vehicle based on your needs and budget. There are a lot of options you can find on platforms like Kiwitaxi, GetTransfer, or even GetYourGuide and Viator.
Some private transfer services also include a meet-and-greet upon arrival, so the driver will wait for you at the arrival gate.
You can pay everything at a fixed rate, so you don't have to worry about the driver trying to scam you. Plus, you can pay for everything in advance, even though a tip for the driver is optional.
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On average, the price of an airport private transfer is usually higher than that of a regular yellow taxi in Istanbul. However, it can be a great option if you're looking for a bigger vehicle.
FAQs About Getting From Istanbul Airport to the City Center
Is there a metro from Istanbul Airport to the city center?
Yes, the metro from Istanbul Airport departs every 8 minutes to Kagithane metro station in the city center. It operates daily from 6 AM to midnight, and you can take a metro from Istanbul New Airport to the city center using Istanbulkart for payment.
Kagithane metro station in Istanbul, Turkiye.
How much is a taxi from Istanbul Airport to the city center?
You can expect to pay around 1000 TL (around $31 USD) if you take a yellow taxi from Istanbul New Airport to Taksim or a few other areas in Istanbul. However, it may vary depending on the traffic conditions – as well as the honesty of the driver, so be very careful when taking a cab in Istanbul!
One of the best ways to check the estimated price of your trip from Istanbul airport to the city is by installing apps like Uber or Bitaksi, as they will give you an estimate of the total cost for the trip from the airport to your destination in Istanbul.
If you have Uber or Bitaksi, you can also book a taxi directly there.
Are there buses from Istanbul Airport to the city center?
Yes, you can choose to take either the IETT public bus or the shuttle bus with Havaist.
If you take the IETT public bus, you will need to have Istanbulkart for the payment. However, keep in mind that the journey to the city center from Istanbul New Airport can be pretty exhausting with some bus lines have over 40 stops in between. That being said, the IETT public bus in Istanbul is still the cheapest option to get from Istanbul airport to the city.
As for Havaist, you need to go to their departure point on the -2 level at Istanbul New Airport and head to the designated platform with your travel destination in the city.
The Havaist shuttle bus typically departs every 30 minutes or an hour, and it operates on a first-come-first-served basis. You can pay the bus ticket with cash, but they also accept card payments through the bus attendants.
Conclusion
While the area of Istanbul New Airport is still developing with the distance that's not so close to the city center, fortunately the infrastructure to get from the airport to Istanbul city center is well-equipped.
With so many options, from public buses, metro, shuttle coaches like Havaist, and even private transfers, you can easily choose the best way to get from Istanbul New Airport to the city center based on your budget and needs.
For me, since I mostly travel solo to Turkiye and arrive in Istanbul, I find Havaist the best transfer option from the airport to the city. However, if you're traveling in a group with a lot of carry-ons, I'd definitely recommend booking a private transfer in advance through platforms like GetTransfer.
So, are you ready to start your journey in Istanbul? Don't forget to get this necessary Turkiye guide to plan your first trip to the country!
Marya The BeauTraveler
I am the founder and main editor at The BeauTraveler. I spent 4 years working in the aviation industry but ironically got to travel more right after quitting the industry in 2015. Born and raised in Indonesia, I started working remotely in 2017, and while I stay at home most of the time, I also regularly spend 2-3 months living a semi-digital nomad life elsewhere every year.
