From the airport into the city

Both of Istanbul's airports sit well outside the city. Whatever you choose, plan for a journey of about an hour, and longer in traffic.

Istanbul Airport (IST) — European side

Metro M11. The line runs from the airport to Gayrettepe, where you change to the M2 for Taksim and Şişli. It is the cheapest option by a wide margin, costs a normal metro fare (approximate: a few Turkish lira, plus the İstanbulkart itself), and takes roughly 30–40 minutes to Gayrettepe, then one change for Taksim or the old city. Trains run from early morning until around midnight. Buy and load an İstanbulkart at the machines in the arrivals hall before you go down.

Havaist buses. Comfortable coaches with luggage holds, running to Taksim, Beşiktaş, Sultanahmet, Kadıköy and other points. Approximate fare: in the range of a few euros equivalent per person. Journey time 60–90 minutes depending on traffic and the route. Buses leave from the marked bays outside arrivals; you pay at the counter or the machine, not the driver.

Taxi. Roughly 45–75 minutes to the European centre. Approximate metered cost to Taksim or Sultanahmet: expect a fare in the range of 25–45 euros equivalent, more at night or in heavy traffic. To the Asian side it can be considerably more.

Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) — Asian side

Metro M4. The line reaches the airport and runs towards Kadıköy, where you can pick up a ferry or the Marmaray. Cheapest option; allow around 60–75 minutes to Kadıköy plus your onward leg.

Havabus coaches. Run to Kadıköy and Taksim. Approximate fare: a few euros equivalent. Allow 60 minutes to Kadıköy and 90 or more to Taksim.

Taxi. To the European side this is a long ride — often 60–90 minutes and an approximate fare in the range of 40–70 euros equivalent, sometimes higher at night, plus bridge tolls added to the meter.

All fares above are approximate and change with fuel prices and exchange rates. Check the current price at the counter before you commit.

What to expect at the taxi rank

• Join the official rank outside arrivals. Ignore anyone who approaches you inside the terminal offering a car — the official rank has a marshal and a queue.
• The meter must be running from the start. The word on the display is "taksimetre". If it is not on, ask for it; if the driver refuses, take the next car.
• Bridge and motorway tolls are legitimately added to the fare. A quoted flat price instead of the meter is not.
• Pay attention to notes when you hand over cash, and ask for the printed receipt ("fiş").

Practical notes

• Free Wi-Fi is available in both terminals; a local SIM or eSIM makes the rest of the trip easier and the shops are in arrivals.
• ATMs in arrivals work fine, but their conversion offers are poor. Withdraw a small amount to start, and choose to be charged in Turkish lira, not your home currency.
• Give yourself extra time going back to the airport in the evening peak. Two hours from the centre to IST is a safe assumption on a weekday.

The simple option

If you are landing late, travelling with children or luggage, or simply do not want to negotiate anything after a flight, book a private transfer in the app before you land. The driver meets you with your name, the price is fixed in advance, and if the flight is delayed the pickup follows the flight. If anything goes wrong on the way, you can reach your rep from the app.