New Istanbul Airport Public Buses: Routes & Fares 2025

Welcome to Istanbul! We know that getting to your hotel from the airport can be a daunting task. Luckily, Istanbul Airport offers a wide range of shuttle buses that make it easy to navigate the city. In this blog post, we will guide you through everything you need to know about the shuttle buses from Istanbul Airport, including routes, schedules, and fares.

What Are the Istanbul Airport Shuttle Buses?

Istanbul Airport offers two types of shuttle buses:

1. Havaist Buses: These are commercial, more comfortable buses primarily aimed at tourists. They run frequently to popular tourist areas, offering a reserved seat and extra luggage space. Tickets are higher in price than regular buses but prioritize comfort and convenience. Read more >>
2. IETT Buses: These are public buses operated by the city, designed mainly for residents. Routes serve various residential districts and some transportation hubs. You can pay with an Istanbulkart, costing two fares (54 TL). While affordable, they’re less direct to tourist zones.

Note: Another cheap option is Airport Metro (U line).

IETT Bus Routes from Istanbul Airport

IETT Airport Buses connect Istanbul Airport to key parts of the city. Here are some of the primary routes:

IETT Bus Lines	Duration	Routes Frequency	Destination
IETT H-1	98 min	Every 80′	Istanbul Airport – Mahmutbey Metro Station
IETT H-2	104 min	Every 25′-30′	Istanbul Airport – Mecidiyeköy
IETT H-3	109 min	Every 90′	Istanbul Airport – Halkalı Marmaray Station
IETT H-6	93 min	Every 30′-50′	Istanbul Airport – Yunus Emre Borough / Arnavutköy
IETT H-8	131 min	Every 3-4 hours	Istanbul Airport – Hacıosman Metro Station / Sarıyer

• H-1 (Mahmutbey Metro): Connects with Mahmutbey Metro and serves the Halkalı and İkitelli areas. Convenient for access to the M3 and M7 metro lines.
• H-2 (Mecidiyeköy): Runs to Mecidiyeköy (M2), an essential transfer hub with metro and Metrobus lines connecting to Taksim and the Old City, making it a useful route for tourists.
• H-3 (Halkalı): Reaches the Halkalı Marmaray Station, more relevant for residents and less so for direct tourist access.
• H-6 (Arnavutköy): This route services the Arnavutköy region with minimal relevance to main tourist sites.
• H-8 (Sarıyer/Hacıosman): Travels to Istanbul’s northern suburbs, including Sarıyer and Hacıosman.

The Istanbul Airport Bus schedule varies depending on the route and the time of day. Check the schedule on the IETT website or at the shuttle bus stop. Just wanted to let you know that the duration of a trip might be longer during rush hour due to heavy traffic in Istanbul.

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Istanbul Airport Bus Shuttle (IETT) Fare

A fare for Istanbul Airport Bus Shuttle is 54 TL with Istanbulkart.

To take the Istanbul Airport Bus Shuttle (IETT), you must first purchase an Istanbulkart or Tourist Travel Card to pay for your transfer. You will find vending machines near the bus zone.

Tourist-Friendly IETT Bus Route: H-2 to Mecidiyeköy

For tourists, H-2 to Mecidiyeköy is a useful option. From Mecidiyeköy, you can switch to the M2 metro line for access to Taksim, the Old City, and key attractions. Mecidiyeköy also has Metrobus connections for easy travel to other popular districts like Kadıköy and Üsküdar.

Finding the Airport Bus Station

The bus station at Istanbul Airport is located on the -2 floor of the terminal, accessible by elevators and escalators from the Departures and Arrivals levels.

Free Havaist Shuttle with Istanbul E-Pass

Experience a hassle-free arrival in Istanbul with the Havaist transfer service from/to Istanbul Airport (IST), included with your Istanbul E-pass. Even better, you can use the shuttle service outside of your pass valid days. Additionally, choose from 2, 3, 5, or 7-day passes, and gain access to over 100 top attractions in the city.

More Transport Options from Istanbul Airport

Istanbul Airport Private Shuttle

For direct and personal service, private shuttles can take you straight from the airport to your destination without any stops. You can book these shuttles online or at the airport upon arrival. While they cost more than public options, they’re highly convenient and comfortable.

Here’s our full guide on how to use the private shuttle

Istanbul Airport Metro (M11 or U Line)

The M11 metro line (U) connects Istanbul Airport with the city. Currently, the line links to Gayateppe station, where you can switch to the M2 line to reach Taksim, Şişli, and Old City. The fare is 53.23 TL.

Here’s our full guide on how to get from Airport to the City by metro

Istanbul Airport Taxi

For a direct and flexible option, Istanbul Airport taxis are available and can be booked in advance or hailed directly at the terminal. Taxis take you straight to your destination with no need for transfers.

Here’s our full guide on how to get from Airport to the City by taxi

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