Istanbul is served by two international airports located far outside the city center. Istanbul Airport (IST) is on the European side, while Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) lies in Asia. Several transfer options are available, from public transport to private services. The most popular ways to reach the city are the metro, the most economical option, and direct airport buses, offering a comfortable, nonstop ride to central locations.

Istanbulkart – Your Key to Public Transport in Istanbul

If you choose the metro, you’ll need the Istanbulkart, a reloadable travel card used across Istanbul’s public transport network. At the airport, the card is purchased exclusively from yellow ticket machines located at the metro station.

• The Istanbulkart costs a one-time fee of 165 TL, 3.20 €, 4.15 $*.

After purchase, the card must be topped up before use. Top-ups are made at the same machines by placing the card on the reader and adding credit either with cash in Turkish lira or, at many machines, by contactless bank card.

As a practical starting point, it is recommended to load 100 TL, 1.95 €, 2.55 $* or, more comfortably, 200 TL, 3.90 €, 5.10 $, as a single ride to the city center costs 35 TL, 0.70 €, 0.90 $, and additional transfers are charged separately.

The following overview shows the applicable fares when changing lines within the public transport system.

• Standard fare, single ride: 35 TL, 0.70 €, 0.90 $*
• First transfer: 26.06 TL, 0.55 €, 0.70 $*
• Second transfer: 20.02 TL, 0.40 €, 0.55 $*
• Third, fourth and fifth transfer: 13.02 TL, 0.30 €, 0.35 $*

*All prices based on January 2026 rates

How to Catch the Metro at Istanbul Airport (IST)

The metro station at Istanbul Airport is located outside the terminal building and requires a short walk through the airport complex. Due to the size of the airport, allow a few extra minutes to reach the platforms. From here, Metro Line M11 connects the airport with the city, running toward the inner districts.

This line does not reach central areas directly, so a transfer is required. Two interchange stations are currently the most relevant. Kağıthane allows a change to Metro Line M7, providing access to several inner-city neighborhoods. One stop further, Gayrettepe is the most commonly used interchange, as it connects to Metro Line M2, which runs toward Taksim, Beyoğlu, and continues toward areas serving the historic peninsula, where many visitors stay.

Please note that M11 does not operate at night, so late arrivals need to use alternative transport options, which we describe below.

How to Catch the Metro at Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)

The metro station at Sabiha Gökçen Airport is directly connected to the terminal area and clearly signposted. From here, Metro Line M4 provides a direct connection across the Asian side of Istanbul.

This line does not cross to the European side, so a transfer is required for travelers heading toward central districts in Europe. The most practical interchange is Ayrılık Çeşmesi stop, where you can change to the B1 line (Marmaray), running beneath the Bosporus and connecting Asia and Europe.

On the European side, Marmaray stops at Sirkeci, offering easy transfers to Tram Line T1 and Metro Line M3. Another major interchange is Yenikapı, where Marmaray connects to Metro Lines M1 and M2, providing direct access to areas such as the historic peninsula and central districts including Taksim.

Good to know: On Fridays and Saturdays, the M4 also operates during the night, making it a reliable option for late arrivals at Sabiha Gökçen Airport on these days.

For detailed information on public transport in Istanbul, please read How to Navigate the Public Transport System of Istanbul.

Maps for Download

Rail Systems Map 
Metro Network Map

Important payment note

These buses are one of the easiest and most comfortable ways to reach key districts on the European side. The main line to Taksim runs essentially around the clock, with departures between every 35 and 45 minutes depending on the time of day. The average travel time is about 1.5 hours, traffic permitting. On the way to Taksim, the route passes 4. Levent, Zincirlikuyu, a major Metrobüs interchange for continuing toward the Asian side, and Beşiktaş.

• A one-way ticket costs 355 TL, €10.70, $11.60*.

*All prices based on January 2026 rates

Good to know: Other Havaist routes also serve areas such as Aksaray or Bakırköy.

Havaist timetables 

Havabus – Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to Taksim or Kadıköy 

Havabus provides a direct bus connection to the major transport hub Taksim on the European side, with a direct connection to Metro Line M2, which provides fast access to central districts and the historic core. This service operates from 06:30 in the morning until 00:30 at night, with departures every 30 minutes. The average travel time is around 90 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

A one-way ticket costs 367 TL, €11.10, $12.00*

*All prices based on January 2026 rates

For visitors staying on the Asian side of Istanbul, another Havabus line serves Kadıköy via Yeni Sahra. The service runs from 05:45 in the morning until 01:30 at night, with departures every 45 minutes. The average travel time is one hour, depending on traffic conditions.

A one-way ticket costs 327 TL, €9.90, $10.70*

*All prices based on January 2026 rates

Good to know: If you arrive late at night, the options depend on the day of the week. From Sunday to Thursday night, neither Havabus nor the metro runs, so you must rely on taxis or a pre-booked private transfer. As already mentioned, on Fridays and Saturdays, the metro line M4 also runs during the night.

Havabus timetables 

Taxis at Istanbul Airport (IST)

At Istanbul Airport, taxi pickups are strictly regulated. All departures are handled exclusively through the official airport taxi queue, which is managed on-site. You should only use taxis waiting in the official line, where staff members coordinate boarding and direct you to the next available vehicle. All airport taxis operate with a taximeter, and there is no day or night tariff in Istanbul. Prices are calculated purely based on distance and time.

Taxi categories and official tariffs

Istanbul uses several licensed taxi categories, all of which are available at Istanbul Airport through the official queue.

Yellow Taxi (Standard)

• Opening fare: 54.50 TL, €1.60, $1.70*
• Price per kilometer: 36.30 TL, €1.10, $1.10*

Turquoise Taxi (Comfort vehicles)

• Opening fare: 62.61 TL, €1.90, $2.00*
• Price per kilometer: 41.74 TL, €1.30, $1.30*

Black Taxi (VIP)

• Opening fare: 92.56 TL, €2.80, $2.90*
• Price per kilometer: 61.70 TL, €1.90, $1.90*

8+1-Seater Taxi (Large vehicle)

• Opening fare: 70.78 TL, €2.10, $2.20*
• Price per kilometer: 47.19 TL, €1.40, $1.40*

*All prices based on January 2026 rates

Example fare: Istanbul Airport (IST) → Taksim

The distance to Taksim is approximately 42 kilometers. Based on official tariffs, the estimated fares are as follows:

• A yellow taxi comes to around 1,580 TL, €47.80, $51.80.
• A turquoise taxi is roughly 1,815 TL, €55.00, $59.50.
• A black VIP taxi reaches approximately 2,685 TL, €81.30, $88.00.
• An 8+1-seater taxi costs around 2,055 TL, €62.20, $67.30.

*All prices based on January 2026 rates

Tolls, routes, and extra charges

If you stay on the European side, a taxi ride into the city normally does not involve tolls, as drivers usually avoid toll highways and use free express roads instead. Additional charges may apply only if you explicitly request toll roads or specific routes that include fees. These costs are not included in the taximeter and must be paid separately. This becomes especially relevant for cross-continental trips.

Taxis at Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)

Taxi services at Sabiha Gökçen Airport are more strictly regulated than at Istanbul Airport. All passenger pickups at the terminal are handled exclusively by the official airport taxi cooperative. Only these licensed taxis are permitted to collect passengers directly at the airport. All airport taxis operate with a taximeter, and there is no difference between day and night tariffs.

Example fare: Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) → Taksim

The distance to Taksim is approximately 58 kilometers. Based on official taxi tariffs, the estimated fares are as follows:

• A yellow taxi comes to around 2,160 TL, €65.40, $70.40
• A turquoise taxi is roughly 2,485 TL, €75.30, $81.00*
• A black VIP taxi reaches approximately 3,670 TL, €111.20, $119.60*
• An 8+1-seater taxi costs around 2,810 TL, €85.10, $91.50*

*All prices based on January 2026 rates

On this ride, a crossing of the Bosporus is unavoidable. The taximeter does not include toll fees, so these are added separately to the final fare. If no specific route is requested, drivers usually choose a bridge crossing, as it is significantly cheaper.

• The toll for a Bosporus bridge crossing is 66 TL, €1.90, $2.10*.
• If you explicitly request the Avrasya-Tunnel running beneath the Bosporus the toll increases to 225 TL, €6.05, $6.60*.

*All prices based on January 2026 rates

Good to know: If you remain on the Asian side, a taxi ride into the city normally does not involve tolls, as drivers usually avoid toll highways and use free express roads instead.

Private Transfers

The most comfortable and straightforward option from both Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is a private transfer. The service is typically door-to-door, with a pre-booked driver, meet-and-greet inside the terminal, fixed pickup arrangements, and a vehicle of a higher or premium class, depending on the service selected. Depending on the provider, extras such as bottled water, onboard Wi-Fi, or child seats may also be available.

It is usually the most cost-intensive option, although in some cases it can still be competitive. For travelers arriving late at night, with lots of luggage, or as a group, private transfers are often worth considering. The key recommendation is to compare carefully, taking into account group size, comfort expectations, and arrival time, before deciding between taxis and a private transfer.

Summary

Istanbul offers a wide range of airport transfer options, from public transport and airport buses to taxis and private transfers. The right choice ultimately depends on arrival time, destination, group size, and comfort expectations, allowing every traveler to balance convenience, flexibility, and budget according to their needs.