Istanbul Airport Transfers

Currently, Istanbul has two different airports: Istanbul International Airport in the European part of the city (35km from the center) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport in the Asian part (50km from the center). I will tell you how to get from them to your hotel in Istanbul.

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

If it is the first time you travel to Istanbul and you do not know the city well, this private transfer service is the most comfortable option and is available from about 34 €, a price much lower than what this same service can cost in other cities.

How this service works

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

Once you meet your driver, he will take you directly to your hotel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle; it will take you approximately 55 minutes. All vehicles have enough space for luggage, are adapted for people in wheelchairs and strollers.

How to book

You will have to book online this private transfer service 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 book 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 upon arrival and ask them any questions about the city.

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

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

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 transportation from the International Airport

If you decide to get to your hotel by public transport, you also have options. Be aware that timetables are not always reliable and that, due to the language and culture of the country, it may be 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 reach more central areas such as Taksim or Sultanahmet. The H2 bus runs every 20 minutes, takes 35 minutes to reach the center and at the exchange rate the price is about 50 euro cents.

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

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

Public transportation from Sabija Gökçen Airport

Sabija Gökçen airport is only connected to the center of Istanbul by bus. Please note that this airport is located 50km from the center of Istanbul and therefore the journeys will be longer. If you arrive early in the morning at this airport, you may have to wait longer until the next bus leaves.

Buses drop you off at Taksim Square in 90 minutes for a price of 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 with Turkish currency. In addition to the buses of this company, lines E10 and E11 also depart from the airport and connect to the Kadıköy ferry station.

Cab

Both airports have, on the other hand, cab ranks. In Istanbul, depending on the quality of the vehicle, cabs will be class C (the cheapest, yellow), class D (blue and mid-range) and class E (black and with a premium service.

A ride to your hotel in Istanbul can cost you about 30 euros from either airport, but it is an option to consider if you have not booked a transfer in advance.

Ana's Traveller Tip

If when you arrive at the airport a private person offers to take you to your hotel, it is better to refuse. These services are not official and are not always safe.

Visa

It is possible that, depending on your country of origin, to travel to Istanbul you may have to apply for a visa valid for 90 days. It costs about 20 euros and you will be asked upon arrival at the airport in Istanbul, so it is advisable that you are well informed of what kind of visa you need before your trip to have the documentation ready.

Currency exchange

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

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

Security

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

Dress code in the city

In churches and mosques in Istanbul women must enter with their heads covered, so it is advisable to always keep a scarf in your bag. It is 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 will be able to get by in English. Above all, you will find it easy with the vendors, as they are used to tourism and many also know Spanish and French.

A key rule: bargaining 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 keep in mind that with some patience you can get much cheaper products.

If you are planning to organize a trip to Istanbul soon, I am sure you will also be interested in this article about Istanbul and what to do in Istanbul. Best Tours and Day Trips from Istanbul.

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