Istanbul airports (IST and SAW): getting to the city centre

IST or SAW: what changes on arrival

First check your airport code on your ticket: the two are more than 80 kilometres apart by road, and a mistake costs two hours of travel. Istanbul Airport (IST) is on the European side, the same side as Sultanahmet, Beyoğlu and Taksim. Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is on the Asian side: it is closer to Kadıköy and Üsküdar, but further from the old city.

The right choice therefore depends mostly on your district. For Sultanahmet and Sirkeci, see our guide to Sultanahmet; for accommodation on the Asian side, the one on Kadıköy and Moda. If you have not booked yet, our guide on where to stay in Istanbul compares the districts.

At both airports, buy an Istanbulkart, the network's top-up card, from the machines in the metro station: you then use it on the metro, tram, bus, Marmaray and ferries. A standard journey costs TL 46.20 with the card. Electronic tickets valid for a set number of journeys cost more (TL 65 for one journey). The whole system is explained in our guide to getting around Istanbul.

From Istanbul Airport (IST) by M11 metro

The M11 line leaves from the basement of the terminal: follow the "Metro" signs. It links the airport with Kağıthane and Gayrettepe to the south-east and, since 20 June 2026, with Halkalı to the south. Allow about thirty minutes to Gayrettepe. Operated by TCDD Taşımacılık, the line runs from about 06:00 to 00:40.

The fare depends on the number of stations travelled. At the entrance, the gate charges the highest possible fare from your station, TL 47.89 from the airport, the 7-to-8-station fare, with the difference refunded at the exit if you get off earlier; you never pay more to go as far as Gayrettepe or Halkalı. This fare scale, published by the municipality, has been in force since 20 July 2026.

Connections to the centre

• For Taksim and Beyoğlu: change at Gayrettepe to the M2 line, towards Yenikapı. Taksim is three stops away, and Şişhane, near the Galata Tower, four.
• For Sultanahmet: at Gayrettepe, stay on the M2 to Vezneciler, then take the T1 tram at Beyazıt-Kapalıçarşı to Sultanahmet. Another option since June 2026: the M11 to Halkalı, then the Marmaray to Sirkeci, a ten-minute walk from Hagia Sophia.
• For Kağıthane: connection with the M7 line towards Mecidiyeköy.

The metro is the most predictable option during the day, as it avoids traffic jams. With large suitcases, however, the stairs and connecting corridors at Gayrettepe can be tiring.

From Istanbul Airport by Havaist coach

Havaist, the airport coach company, departs from level -2 of the arrivals area, where each line has its numbered bay. Coaches run day and night, with departures between 01:00 and 04:30 on the Taksim line, which makes them the option for late arrivals. You pay by bank card, Istanbulkart or a ticket bought online or in the app; no booking is possible, and the ticket is valid for 3 days on the chosen line. Two pieces of hold luggage are included, TL 120 per extra piece. Tell the staff your stop when you hand over your bags.

The main lines for visitors, from the airport:

• Taksim (HVİST-16): TL 470, about 1 hr 30, with stops at 4. Levent, Zincirlikuyu and Beşiktaş depending on the departure. Roughly one departure every 40 to 45 minutes.
• Sultanahmet (HVİST-11): TL 470, about 1 hr 50, terminating at Çatladıkapı, just below Sultanahmet, after stops at Şişhane and Eminönü pier.
• Aksaray (HVİST-12): TL 470, about 1 hr 30, via Ulubatlı.
• Kadıköy (HVİST-14): TL 515, about 2 hours, via Acıbadem.
• Sabiha Gökçen (HVİST-13): TL 515, about 2 hours, for a transfer between the two airports.

Journey times are the averages announced by Havaist; at rush hour, in the late afternoon, they get much longer.

From Istanbul Airport by İETT bus

İETT municipal buses on the H lines also serve the airport, for example the H-2 to Mecidiyeköy. They are paid with the Istanbulkart, at the price of two standard journeys. They are cheaper than Havaist, but have no dedicated luggage hold and mainly serve outlying districts: for a tourist stay, the metro or Havaist are more practical.

From Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) to the centre

M4 metro to Kadıköy

The metro station is directly connected to the terminal. The M4 line reaches Kadıköy in about fifty minutes, at the standard Istanbulkart fare (TL 46.20). On the way, three connections are useful:

• Ünalan: Metrobus, which crosses the 15 July Martyrs Bridge to Zincirlikuyu, on the European side.
• Ayrılık Çeşmesi: Marmaray, which runs under the Bosphorus to Sirkeci, the closest station to Sultanahmet.
• Kadıköy: ferries to Eminönü, Karaköy and Beşiktaş, and the T3 tram to Moda.

The M4 then Marmaray to Sirkeci is the cheapest way to reach the old city from SAW. From Kadıköy, the ferry to Eminönü or Karaköy crosses the Bosphorus in about twenty minutes.

Havabus coaches

Havabus links Sabiha Gökçen with Taksim and Kadıköy:

• Taksim: TL 485, about 1 hr 30, one departure every 30 minutes from 06:30 to 00:30 from the airport, with extra departures between 01:00 and 04:00 for delayed flights. Arrival in Taksim at the metro exit by Gezi Park.
• Kadıköy: TL 300, about one hour, roughly one departure every 45 minutes from 05:45 to 01:30. Stop in Kadıköy near the İETT bus bays.

İETT buses and Havaist

Several İETT lines leave from SAW, including the E10 to Kadıköy via Kurtköy, the SG-1 to Kadıköy and the SG-2 to Taksim, payable with the Istanbulkart. Havaist also runs the link with Istanbul Airport (TL 515); its stop is next to the Simit Sarayı café, opposite the arrivals exit.

Taxis: metered, no flat fare

There is no fixed price between the airports and the centre: official taxis run on the meter, at the rate set by the Istanbul municipality. Since 20 July 2026, a standard yellow taxi charges TL 71.94 to start, TL 47.92 per kilometre, and at least TL 230 per ride. Larger or fully electric vehicles charge TL 82.73 to start and TL 55.10 per kilometre; luxury taxis TL 122.30 and TL 81.46.

As a rough guide, the 48 kilometres of road between Istanbul Airport and Taksim come to about TL 2,400 on a yellow taxi's meter, before the time spent in traffic jams, which is also charged. Tolls for the bridges, the Eurasia Tunnel and motorways are generally added to the fare.

Only take taxis from the official rank outside arrivals, check that the meter is running when you set off and turn down any "fixed price" offer made in the hall. Carry small lira notes: not all taxis accept bank cards. Our guide to scams and safety in Istanbul details the taxi pitfalls, and the one on money and tipping helps you prepare cash and cards.

Summary: prices and journey times

Prices observed in October 2026; coach and taxi fares are revised several times a year, so check them on the spot before setting off.

Our tips for arrival

• Daytime arrival at IST, staying in Taksim or Galata: the M11 metro then the M2, the fastest and cheapest option.
• Night arrival at IST: the Havaist coach, which runs at all hours, then a short taxi ride from the stop if needed.
• Arrival at SAW, staying in Sultanahmet: the M4 metro to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, then the Marmaray to Sirkeci.
• Three or four people with luggage: the taxi costs a little more than four Havaist tickets (TL 1,880 to Taksim) and drops you at the door, but it is exposed to traffic jams.
• On departure: allow plenty of time, especially for IST, where security checks start at the terminal entrance.

Further reading

For your first day, follow our itinerary what to do in Istanbul in one day. To get around the city afterwards, read our guide to getting around Istanbul. And if you are staying on the European side, our guide to Galata and Karaköy helps you discover the district as soon as you arrive.