Istanbul now has three airports:
—Atatürk International Airport (IST), its first and still main airport, particularly for long-haul (intercontinental) flights
—Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, for many domestic, shorter-haul international, and lower-fare flights
—Istanbul Airport (ISL), the new mega-airport inaugurated on 29 October 2018, currently with limited flight service.
Atatürk Airport (IST)
You can travel between Istanbul‘s Atatürk Airport and the city center (22 km/14 miles) by economical private transfer, Metro and tram, airport bus, city bus, taxi, or shuttle van.
By Private Transfer Service
The airport private transfer service operated by Efendi Travel is an exceptional value: not much more than a taxi, but providing far more comfort, convenience and security. It’s good for any traveler, but if you’re traveling with three or more people, and/or have lots of luggage, this is the way you should go, for sure. More…
By Metro & Tram to the City Center
You can board a Metro train right beneath the airport and ride to Zeytinburnu, where you can transfer to the Kabataş tram for the ride to Sultanahmet Square, Sirkeci Station, the Eminönü ferry docks (map), the Galata Bridge, Karaköy and its ferry docks, and the Kabataş ferry docks and Füniküler to Taksim Square. It’s inexpensive, but slower, and not so easy if you have lots of luggage. More…
By Metro to the Otogar (Bus Terminal)
Board a Metro train right in the airport at the Havalimanı (Airport) terminus and ride it to the Otogar station. You’ll be right at the center of Istanbul’s huge Büyük Otogar (international intercity bus terminal). More…
To Yenikapı Ferry Terminal
HavaBüs airport buses shuttle between Atatürk Airport and the Yenikapı Feribot Terminalı (for ferries across the Sea of Marmara to Yalova, Bursa and Bandırma). There are other ways to travel this route as well. More…
To Taksim Square
HavaBüs operates airport buses that connect Atatürk Airport with Taksim Square, but you can also go by private transfer; taxi;Metro, tram and funicular; or city bus. More…
By Taxi & Marmaray
Marmaray cross-Bosphorus trains currently terminate on the European side at Kazlıçeşme (map), 7.4 km west of Sultanahmet, 13 km east of Atatürk Airport. A taxi ride between the airport and Kazlıçeşme Marmaray station costs less than a taxi ride between the airport and the city center. It also can save time if traffic in the city center is heavy: the Marmaray goes faster than stalled traffic.
By Taxi
A taxi from the airport to Sultanahmet costs about TL50 to TL60, to Taksim Square, about TL60 to TL70. The trip takes between 35 and 75 minutes, depending on traffic. But first, read about Istanbul taxis. More…
By Shared Shuttle Van
Airport shuttle vans can take you to and from the airport, but you must be cautious. More…
Airport Hotels
A half-dozen hotels are within a few km of the airport, and one is right within the International terminal itself, but they may not offer advantages over city-center hotels. More…
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
Istanbul‘s other airport is Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, about 55 km (34 miles) east of Atatürk International Airport (IST). Here’s how to travel from Atatürk Airport to Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
The New Istanbul Airport (ISL)
Istanbul’s new mega-airport, named simply Istanbul Airport, won’t be in full service until the end of 2018 (and construction won’t be completed for several years thereafter), but since its inauguration on 29 October 2018, it is in use for a limited number of flights. See the airport’s own page for transport information.
—by Tom Brosnahan
| Istanbul Metro-Marmaray Maps |  |
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