Which Bus to Take?
Havaist is a transfer bus that connects Istanbul Airport and various points in the city center. While Havaist is used for Istanbul Airport, Havabus is used for Sabiha Gökçen Airport. First of all, you should check which airport your flight ticket is from to determine which bus to choose.
Where to Take the Bus?
Services take place from many different stops. The most central and popular ones are Kadıköy, Esenler Bus Terminal, Taksim, Beşiktaş, and 4. Levent.
If you are going to reach the city from Istanbul Airport, you should follow the Havaist signs. After baggage claim, you will first be greeted by information boards. On this detailed screen, all the information you need is presented up to date, and English translations are also available.
You can also reach Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) from Istanbul Airport (IST) with Havaist. If your connecting flight will take place from another airport, you need to take into account that you will be passing from the European side of Istanbul to the Asian side and there can be more traffic on the bridge.
When to Take the Bus?
Havaist buses depart from certain points at certain times. Therefore, you first need to learn the current schedules from the website. Afterward, it is necessary to take into consideration the traffic factor of Istanbul. Especially during the morning commute (8-10 a.m.) and evening rush hours (5.30-7.30 p.m.), traffic is very heavy, and the journey takes longer. Factors such as sudden accidents or rain may also extend the bus journey. Therefore, you should always plan to get to the airport early. For example, if your flight is at 6 p.m., you can take the bus at 2 p.m. Travel time will vary depending on your boarding location. The average is between 1-2 hours.
How to Pay?
You can pay your ticket in cash in Turkish lira when you get on the bus. If you are going to get on from central stops such as Taksim and Kadıköy, you can also pay by credit card at the box office beforehand. Even though there is an Istanbulkart card reader inside the buses, the safest option is to pay in cash to avoid the risk of it malfunctioning or not having an adequate balance on your card.
Travel Tips
Especially during busy times such as the holiday season, the bus can fill up quickly. You should always arrive early to avoid the risk of missing your flight.
You can hand place your suitcase in the luggage area under the bus before boarding the bus. Do not lose the ticket they give you in return so that you can retrieve your luggage when you land. You can take your personal belongings with you and put them in the compartment above your seat.
Ticket prices change frequently due to inflation. You can check current prices on the Havaist website before your visit.
-by Melike Kocaer
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