New Istanbul Airport Transportation: Guide for Tourists (2025)

To get to or from New Istanbul Airport, you have several transport options, ranging from budget-friendly public buses and metro lines to more expensive taxis and private shuttles. This guide covers the most practical ways to reach popular areas like Taksim, Sultanahmet, and Kadıköy, providing an overview of costs, travel times, and the best routes.

Where You Will Likely Go From New Istanbul Airport?

• Taksim: Modern city life, shopping, dining, and nightlife. A hub for hotels and transport connections.
• Sultanahmet: Historical landmarks like Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace.
• Kadıköy, Üsküdar (Asian Side): Cultural areas known for vibrant cafes, street markets, and scenic waterfronts.
• Beyoğlu, Galata: Artsy neighborhoods, nightlife, and the famous Galata Tower.
• Beşiktaş, Ortaköy: Seaside promenades, trendy cafes, and views of the Bosphorus.
• Bakırköy: A bustling residential and commercial district near the Marmara Sea, with easy access to malls, parks, and ferry lines.
• Levent, Maslak: Business districts with modern offices, luxury hotels, and upscale shopping malls.
• Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW): Istanbul’s secondary airport on the Asian side.

New Istanbul Airport Overview

New Istanbul Airport is located 35 kilometers from the city center on the European side. It is the largest airport in Turkey and opened in 2019. The airport operates 24/7 and includes all major amenities: duty-free shops, restaurants, cafes, and lounges. Now let’s break down the best transportation options to and from IST.

New Istanbul Airport Transport Options

To get to and from the airport, travelers have several transportation options, depending on budget and convenience:

• IETT Municipal Public Bus: Budget-friendly, connects to multiple local districts across Istanbul.
• HAVAIST Airport Shuttle: Comfortable and direct shuttles to major hubs like Taksim, Besiktas, Kadikoy and Fatih.
• M11 Istanbul Airport Metro Line: Fast and affordable, connecting the airport to Istanbul’s metro network.
• Taxi: Convenient but pricier, with a direct ride to any destination in the city. Be aware of scams.
• Private Shuttle: Premium door-to-door service, ideal for larger groups or travelers looking for comfort and convenience.

Istanbul Airport Shuttle Bus by IETT Municipal Public Buses

The IETT public buses are a simple and affordable way to get to and from New Istanbul Airport. There are 5 routes (H-1, H-2, H-3, H-6, H-8), connecting different parts of Istanbul to the airport.

The buses stop at major locations like Yenikapı, Bakırköy, and Beşiktaş. The fare is 54 TL, and the ride takes about 60-120 minutes to the destination, depending on traffic.

Routes of Airport IETT Municipal Public Buses

• H-1 Mahmutbey Metro – New Istanbul Airport
  Route: Mahmutbey Metro – İkitelli Köprü – New Istanbul Airport
• H-2 Mecidiyeköy – New Istanbul Airport
  Route: Mecidiyeköy Metrobüs – Nurtepe – Hasdal – New Istanbul Airport
• H-3 Halkalı – New Istanbul Airport
  Route: Halkalı Train Station – MASKO – New Istanbul Airport
• H-6 Yunus Emre Mahallesi/Arnavutköy – New Istanbul Airport
  Route: Arnavutköy – Terkos Yolu – New Istanbul Airport
• H-8 Hacıosman/Sarıyer – New Istanbul Airport
  Route: Hacıosman – Zekeriyaköy – Kilyos – New Istanbul Airport

See the actual information and routes here: Timetables, Stops

Istanbul Airport HAVAIST

HAVAIST is the most convenient shuttle service for traveling between New Istanbul Airport and key areas in the city. It’s reliable, comfortable, and designed for travelers.

The buses run frequently, with clean, spacious interiors, free Wi-Fi, and luggage storage. They serve main districts like Taksim, Sultanahmet, and Kadıköy — areas most tourists want to reach. The ride is smooth, and prices are reasonable: 205 – 300 TL, depending on your route.

Routes of HAVAIST and Its Stops

Here’s a quick guide to the most useful HAVAIST and HAVABUS routes for tourists:

• HVL-1 Aksaray Metro: Convenient for reaching Sultanahmet and the city’s historic sites. From Aksaray, you can easily transfer to the T1 Tram for Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace.
• HVL-4 Bakırköy: Ideal for those staying near Bakırköy or connecting to ferries at the IDO Pier.
• HVL-9 Taksim: Direct shuttle to Taksim Square, perfect for exploring Beyoğlu and Istiklal Street.
• HVIST-5A Arnavutköy: Serves Arnavutköy and surrounding areas, useful if you’re staying closer to the airport.
• HVIST-13 Sabiha Gökçen Airport: Direct connection between New Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the Asian side for easy transfers.
• HVIST-14 Kadıköy: Links the airport to Kadıköy on the Asian Side, popular for its lively cafes, markets, and waterfront promenade.

Check routes >>

Istanbul Airport Metro M11 (U Line)

The Istanbul Metro M11 (U Line ) is now the fastest and most cost-effective way to get from Istanbul Airport to the city. It runs from Istanbul Airport to Gayrettepe, taking around 30 minutes.

Key Details:

• Duration: 30 minutes from Istanbul Airport to Gayrettepe.
• Price: 53.23 TL if you do to Gayrettepe.
• Operating Hours: From 6:00 AM to midnight with departures every 20 minutes.

At Gayrettepe, passengers can switch to the M2 Metro Line to reach popular areas like Taksim, Şişli, and Yenikapı, providing seamless access to both the European and Asian sides of the city.

Istanbul Airport Taxi

Taking a taxi from New Istanbul Airport (IST) to the city center is convenient but expensive. There are three types of taxis available:

1. Black “E” Type: Premium service, the most expensive.
2. Blue “D” Type: Medium fare option, higher than standard taxis.
3. Orange “C” Type: Regular taxis, the most affordable of the three, but still costly.

For a trip of around 45 km (the typical distance to central districts like Taksim or Sultanahmet), you can expect to pay between 1500 TL and 2500 TL, depending on traffic and the taxi type. This makes taxis one of the priciest ways to reach the city, especially compared to other transport options. Additionally, the lack of transparency in some pricing practices can make it feel scammy. Read more>>

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Istanbul Airport Car Rental

At New Istanbul Airport, you can rent a car from companies like Avis, Europcar, and Hertz. Prices vary based on the provider and the car type. Renting a car offers flexibility, especially for those wanting to explore Istanbul independently. To get accurate prices, simply input your travel dates on the car rental websites.

How to Get to Popular Istanbul Destinations from New Istanbul Airport

Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet

• Option 1: Take the HAVAIST HVL-1 shuttle to Aksaray, then transfer to the T1 Tram for Sultanahmet (4 stops). The shuttle takes about 1 hour, and the tram ride adds 10 minutes. Cost for HAVAIST is 275 TL.
• Option 2: Take the U Line Metro (M11) to Gayrettepe, transfer to the M2 Metro to Vezneciler, and then walk 15 minutes to Sultanahmet.
• Taxi: Expect to pay around 1200 TL for a direct ride.

Check our guide >>

Istanbul Airport to Taksim

• Option 1: Take the HAVAIST HVL-9 shuttle directly to Taksim. This takes about 1 hour and costs 275 TL.
• Option 2: Use the U Line Metro (M11) to Gayrettepe, then transfer to the M2 Metro to Taksim.
• Taxi: Around 1200 TL for a 40-50 minute ride.

Check our guide >>

Istanbul Airport to Kadıköy

• Option 1: Take HAVAIST HVIST-14 directly to Kadıköy, which takes about 1 hour 30 minutes and costs 300 TL.
• Option 2: Take H-2 bus to Mecidiyeköy, then transfer to Metrobus 34 for Kadıköy.

Check our guide >>

Istanbul Airport to Beşiktaş

• Option 1: Use HAVAIST HVL-9 to reach Beşiktaş Square in about 1 hour, costing around 275 TL.
• Option 2: Take the U Line Metro to Gayrettepe and transfer to a local bus heading to Beşiktaş.
• Taxi: Around 1200 TL.

Check our guide >>

Istanbul Airport to Bebek

• Option 1: Take the M11 Line Metro to Gayrettepe, then transfer to Bus 62 to Bebek.
• Taxi: Expect to pay around 1000 TL.

Istanbul Airport to Şişli

• Option 1: Take the HAVAIST HVL-9 to Zincirlikuyu, then transfer to a metro or bus for Şişli.
• Option 2: Take the M11 Line Metro to Gayrettepe, then transfer to the M2 Metro or bus for Şişli.

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