Istanbul Airport to City Center
Metro, bus, taxi or private transfer from IST and SAW — how long each takes and what it roughly costs.
6 min readUpdated August 2026
Istanbul has two airports on opposite sides of the city, and the right way into town depends on which one you land at, what time it is and how much luggage you have. Here is how the options compare.
From Istanbul Airport (IST)
IST is on the European side, roughly 40 km northwest of the centre. The M11 metro connects it towards the city and links onward to other metro lines; it is the cheapest option and immune to traffic, but involves at least one change and some walking with bags.
Havaist airport buses run to Taksim, Sultanahmet and other hubs at a fixed fare, with luggage space and comfortable seats. Journey time depends entirely on traffic.
- Metro: cheapest, 60–90 minutes with a change.
- Airport bus: mid-price, 60–100 minutes, direct to major districts.
- Taxi or private transfer: fastest door to door, 45–75 minutes.
From Sabiha Gökçen (SAW)
SAW sits on the Asian side. If your hotel is in Sultanahmet or Taksim, you are crossing the whole city, and at rush hour that can take well over 90 minutes.
The M4 metro plus Marmaray combination works well and avoids traffic entirely, but with several changes. For late-night arrivals a private transfer is usually worth it.
Which to choose
Travelling light in daylight? Take the metro. Arriving after midnight, with children, or with more than one suitcase each? Take a pre-booked transfer and skip the decision entirely.
If you take a taxi from the rank, make sure the meter is running before you set off, and prefer paying by card or having small notes ready.
Experiences that fit this guide
Istanbul Airport Transfer
Private door-to-door transfer between Istanbul Airport (IST) and your hotel.
from €38
Book NowSabiha Gökçen Airport Transfer
Private transfer between Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) on the Asian side and your hotel.
from €42
Book Now
