Istanbul Airport (IST), also known as İstanbul Havalimanı, is the new international airport of Istanbul and is located about 50 km northwest of the main city center. Upon arrival, you can reach downtown Istanbul by Metro, Airport Bus, Minibus (Shared Shuttle), Taxi or Welcome Pickups (Private Transfer).

This guide compares all available airport transfers at Istanbul Airport (IST) according to classic travel factors. This includes travel time, cost per person (pp), a short route description and links to book or buy tickets.

Transfer comparison from IST airport to downtown

Overview of all transfer options from Istanbul Airport to the City Center (Taksim Square)

	Transport	Travel time	Cost
	Metro	45 Min.	0,50 $	Details
	Airport Bus	90‑120 Min.	5 $	Details
	Minibus	45‑90 Min.	26 $	Details
	Taxi	45‑60 Min.	22 $	Details
	Private Transfer	45‑60 Min.	45 $	Details

Notices:
• Metro and Airport Bus can be a first tour of the city, but are recommended only with light luggage.
• There may be waiting times at the taxi rank if there are high volume of passengers. In this case, a pre-booked private transfer (e.g. via Welcome Pickups) is the more faster and comfortable option.
• The optimal transfer depends on the number of travelers, budget and available time.

Metro

Infos here, tickets on-site ↗

Travel time:

45 minutes

Cost:

12 TL pp (around 0,50 $)

Description:

Metro line ‘M11’ from Istanbul Airport (station “İstanbul Havalimanı” in front of the terminal building) to station “Kağıthane”, from here various lines continue to the city center

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Bus

Infos here, tickets on-site ↗

Travel time:

90-120 minutes

Cost:

136 TL pp (around 5 $)

Description:

‘Havaist’ Airport Bus from Istanbul Airport “Havalimani” (bus stop under the Arrival Hall) to “Taksim” Square, directly in the city center, tickets only with cash

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Minibus (AD)

Book a Minibus ride ↗

Travel time:

45-90 minutes

Cost:

720 TL pp (around 26 $)

Description:

Shared Shuttle (Minibus) from Istanbul Airport (pick-up location according to provider) to your accommodation in the city (via several hotels, max. 12 pers.)

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Taxi

Official local Taxis

Travel time:

45-60 minutes

Cost:

600 TL (around 22 $)

Description:

Taxi from Istanbul Airport (Taxis in front of the Arrival Hall) to central Istanbul, Taksim Square or directly to your accommodation in the city center

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Welcome Pickups (AD)

Book a Private Transfer ↗

Travel time:

45-60 minutes

Cost:

1200 TL (around 45 $)

Description:

Comfortable private transfer (via Welcome Pickups) from Istanbul Airport (Nameplate in the Arrival Hall) to central Istanbul, Taksim Square or directly to your accommodation

Things to know about Istanbul:

1. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul attracts between 250.000 and 400.000 visitors daily
2. Istanbul is home to the most mosque in Turkey (over 3.000 mosques)
3. Istanbul is the only pan-continental city in the world situated on two continents, Europe and Asia