How to get to Istanbul from the new airport

The new Istanbul airport is located 40 kilometers from the center (airport on the map). In 2019, it completely replaced the old Ataturk Airport, from where all flights and even the IATA – IST code were transferred. If your ticket states that you are arriving/departing from Istanbul airport (IST), then this is the airport in question.

See also:

• How to get to Istanbul
• How to get to Istanbul from Sabiha Gokcen airport
• How to get from one Istanbul airport to another
• How to get to Bursa from Istanbul New Airport

Getting from the new Istanbul airport to the city center and tourist areas now is still possible on Metro, taxi or buses. Details about all methods below.

If you prefer not independent rest, but organized travel, you can pick up ready-made tours online:

Metro

• Working hours: from 6:00 to 00:00
• Frequency: every 5-10 minutes
• Cost: from 7.67 liras (0.17 USD) up to 15 liras (0.33 USD) depending on the payment method
• Website: www.metro.istanbul/

Now it is the fastest and most convenient way to get to the city center. Travel is paid for with one-time tickets (purchased at the entrance to terminals or ticket offices), or with the help of a single transport card Istanbul card (more profitable). The cost does not depend on the length of the route, but the transfer to another line is paid again. The M11 branch line has been laid from the airport, but it does not go directly to tourist areas, you will need to transfer to the M7 line and then to M2. In the near future there will be a direct transfer to the M2 line, on which you can safely reach almost all tourist areas.

Taxi

• Working hours: around the clock
• Travel time: 1 hour
• Cost: 150 lire (3.27 USD)

A taxi ride to Sultanahmet tourist area or Beyoglu will cost about 150 liras (3.27 USD, see Turkish currency and exchange rate). You can order a car at the counter in the arrival and departure halls, but cheaper through the BiTaksi application. You can also use Uber, but it is a little more expensive. For ordering, you can use airport Wi-Fi.

Another way that has already become traditional is to order a tourist transfer in advance. This is an analogue of a taxi with more comfortable cars and service. You can order a transfer from home using the Kiwitaxi form or on the website intui.travel and then the driver will meet you at the airport on arrival with a sign:

Bus

• Working hours: around the clock, every 15-30 minutes
• Travel time: 1.5-2 hours
• Cost: 18 lire (0.39 USD)

If you are traveling alone or together, it is much cheaper to get to the center of Istanbul by bus. Three bus carriers operate at the airport: HAVAIST, IETT and Seyahat, but in order to get to the center, you only need the first two.

Buses run around the clock every 15-30 minutes, depending on the time of day, so you can easily get day and night both to and from the airport. Travel time-80-100 minutes depending on traffic jams. Travel depending on the route costs 16-25 lire, but the most popular tourist areas – 18 lire. Children under 6 years old are free, the rest pay as adults.

Stops are located on the lower floor of the terminal at Exits 9 and 10, 12 and 13, they are easy to find by signs. There are no ticket offices, payment is made with a single Istanbul Kart Transport Card or a contactless bank card at the entrance to the bus in the cabin. Istanbul Kart transport cards are sold and replenished here in the terminals. The card costs 7 lira, payment in the terminal only in cash. The machines do not issue change, the balance is credited to the card account.

From the city, buses leave from the stops also without any ticket offices, but the stops themselves are well marked and there are always buses waiting. Just do not confuse and do not get on the HavaBus buses that go to the airport of Sabiha Gokcen (Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen).

• HAVAIST buses

  Site https://hava.ist/en. There are many routes designated iST-1 ... iST-20. They arrive/depart the city to different places, including the tourist areas of Sultanahmet and Beyoglu. The site has a convenient route planner and schedule. And most importantly-there is map with marked stops that makes it easy to determine the route you need. Here are the most useful routes:

  • iST-20-go to the heart of Sultanahmet district.
  • iST-19-to Taksim squares in the Beyoglu district.
  • iST-8-to Sabiha Gokcen airport, cost 30 lira.

• IETT buses

  Site https://www.iett.istanbul/. Routes are designated H1-H8. These buses do not go to tourist areas, but cover the rest of the city and metro stations well. Route information and maps are well presented on the site.