Istanbul Airport Metro: Fast and Economic Way to Get to the City

As a seasoned traveler and someone who has visited Istanbul on several occasions, I can confidently say that the Istanbul Airport Metro is the best way to get to the city from the airport. It’s fast, convenient, and economical, making it the perfect transportation option for those traveling on a budget. In this guide, I will share my personal experience with the Istanbul Airport Metro, provide useful tips on how to use it, and guide you on how to get to popular destinations using the metro.

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Does the Metro Go to Istanbul Airport?

The Istanbul airport metro station is located near the airport terminal, making it easy for passengers to access it. The new Istanbul Airport Metro line is the M11 line, which opened in January 2023. It has several stations that connect to different parts of Istanbul, with a travel time of approximately 45 minutes.

Kagithane – Istanbul Airport Metro Line M11 Stops

Kagithane
Universite-Hasdal
Kemerburgaz
Gokturk
Ihsaniye
Istanbul Airport
Cargo terminal

The Istanbul Airport Metro is a convenient and cost-effective way to travel to and from the airport. It is faster than taking a taxi or a shuttle bus, and it is also much cheaper. The metro is also an excellent way to avoid the infamous Istanbul traffic, which can be quite heavy during peak hours.

Istanbul Airport Metro Map

The Istanbul Airport Metro Map is a detailed map that shows the different stations and lines of the Istanbul Metro system. Planning your journey using the Istanbul airport metro map is easy and straightforward. We recommend taking note of your destination station, line, and transfer stations.

Fare and Ticketing Information

The fares for the Istanbul Airport Metro are based on distance traveled, and they range from 9.90 TL to 12.77 TL.

If you are a tourist, we recommend buying the Istanbul Travel City Card, which includes unlimited use of public transportation, including the metro, buses, trams, and ferries. It also includes discounts on popular attractions, such as museums and tours. The Istanbul Tourist Pass is available for purchase online or at various locations in Istanbul, including the airport. It is a convenient and cost-effective way to explore the city and visit popular attractions. However, if you are only planning on using the metro, the Istanbulkart is still the best option. You can buy Istanbulkart at the airport or at any metro station. The cost of an Istanbulkart is 50 TL.

How Can I Get to the Metro from Istanbul Airport?

The Istanbul Airport Metro station is conveniently located near the airport terminal, just beyond the multi-story car parks in the development known as Airport City. Although it is approximately 300m away, it is still quite accessible as it is directly linked to the terminal via footbridges and moving walkways. This makes it easy for passengers to access the metro station and enjoy the fast and economical transportation it provides.

Istanbul Metro Hours

The new M11 line at Istanbul Airport Metro is available 7 days a week, from 6am to midnight, and with a service frequency of approximately every 10 minutes. In the future, the line might also operate around the clock on Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays like other lines on the network, with a service frequency of around every 20 minutes between midnight and 6am.

Great news! By May 2023, the Gayrettepe station terminus will be up and running, offering transfers to Metrobus services at Zincirlikuyu via a 600m moving walkway, as well as to Metro line M2. Even better, the remaining seven stations on line M11 will enter service later in 2023, providing transfer opportunities to Metro lines M3, M9, and M1b at various stops along the route. The line will eventually terminate at Halkalı station in the Küçükçekmece district.

All stations on the M11 metro line

Istanbul Airport
Ihsaniye
Gokturk
Kemerburgaz
Hasdal
Kagithane (Transfer to M7 Line)
~~Gayrettepe (Transfer to M2 Line) (May 2023)~~

Getting to Popular Destinations via Istanbul Airport Metro

The Istanbul Airport Metro connects through transfers to several popular destinations in Istanbul, including Besiktas, Taksim, Sultanahmet, Bakirkoy, Atasehir, Kadikoy, and Eminonu.

How to get from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Taksim by Metro (2023):

Here’s how to get from Istanbul Airport to Taksim by Metro:

First, hop on the M11 line from Istanbul Airport (IST).
Then, transfer to the M7 Metro line, which will take you to Mecidiyekoy Station.
Finally, transfer to the M2 Taksim Metro line at the Mecidiyeköy Station.
Take the metro towards Taksim/Yenikapı and get off at Taksim Station.

Getting to Besiktas by Istanbul Airport Metro

Here’s how you can get to Besiktas:

Firstly, take the M11 Kagithane – Istanbul Airport Metro.
Get off at Kagithane station (about 24 minutes).
Then, take the M7 Yildiz – Mahmutbey Metro Line.
Get off at Mecidiyekoy station (2 stops or 5 minutes from Kagithane).
Finally, take the Public Bus directly to Besiktas.

Getting to Sultanahmet by Istanbul Airport Metro

If you’re planning to visit Sultanahmet, here’s how you can get there:

Take the M11 Kagithane – Istanbul Airport Metro.
Get off at Kagithane station (about 24 minutes).
Then, take the M7 Yildiz – Mahmutbey Metro Line.
Get off at Mecidiyekoy station (2 stops or 5 minutes from Kagithane).
Take the M2 Yenikapi – Haciosman Metro Line.
Get off at Taksim station (2 stops or 5 minutes from Mecidiyekoy).
Take the F1 Taksim – Kabatas Funciular line to Kabatas.
Finally, take the T1 Kabatas – Bagcilar Tram line and get off at Sultanahmet stop (7 stops or 20 minutes from Kabatas).

It takes about 2 hours to get to Sultanahmet from Istanbul Airport by using the M11 metro line and with some transfers.

We recommend checking out our article on other transportation options for getting to and from Sultanahmet to Istanbul Airport, including buses and private transfers. While we highly recommend the Istanbul Airport Metro for its convenience and affordability, we understand that it may not be the best option for everyone. The article will provide you with useful information on other transportation options to help you make an informed decision based on your specific needs.

How to get from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Eminonu / Sirkeci by Metro (2023):

Here is how to get from Istanbul Airport to Eminonu / Sirkeci by Metro:

Airport to Eminonu / Sirkeci by Metro:

Firstly, you will go to Kagithane Station from Istanbul Airport (IST).
After that, you will transfer to the M7 Metro line and get to Mecidiyekoy Station.
Then, you will transfer to the M2 Taksim Metro line at Mecidiyeköy Station.
Take the metro towards Taksim/Yenikapı and get off at Halic Station.
Finally, after getting off the metro, you can reach Eminonu by walking a short distance.

Getting to Bakirkoy by Istanbul Airport Metro

Here’s how you can get to Bakirkoy:

Take the M11 Kagithane – Istanbul Airport Metro.
Get off at Kagithane station (about 24 minutes).
Then, take the M7 Yildiz – Mahmutbey Metro Line.
Get off at Mecidiyekoy station (2 stops or 5 minutes from Kagithane).
Take the Metrobus (Municipality Fast Bus).
Get off at Bakirkoy station.

Getting to Kadikoy by Istanbul Airport Metro

If you want to go to Kadikoy, here’s how you can get there:

Take the M11 Kagithane – Istanbul Airport Metro.
Get off at Kagithane station (about 24 minutes).
Then, take the M7 Yildiz – Mahmutbey Metro Line.
Get off at Mecidiyekoy station (2 stops or 5 minutes from Kagithane).
Take the Metrobus (Municipality Fast Bus).
Get off at Unalan station on the Asian side.
Take the M4 Kadikoy – Sabiha Gokcen Airport Line.
Get off at Kadikoy station.

Another option is to get to Sogutlucesme by taking the Metrobus from Mecidiyekoy and from there you can walk to Kadikoy.

Getting to Atasehir by Istanbul Airport Metro

To get to Atasehir, here’s what you can do:

Take the M11 Kagithane – Istanbul Airport Metro.
Get off at Kagithane station (about 24 minutes).
Then, take the M7 Yildiz – Mahmutbey Metro Line.
Get off at Mecidiyekoy station (2 stops or 5 minutes from Kagithane).
Take the Metrobus (Municipality Fast Bus).
Get off at Sogutlucesme station.
Finally, take the Public Bus or taxi.

Istanbul Airport Transport Options

Aside from the Istanbul Airport Metro, there are other transportation options available at Istanbul airport. The Havaist Istanbul airport shuttle is a convenient and economical option. Taxis and private transfer services are also available!

If you’re interested in other transportation options for getting to and from Istanbul Airport, you may want to check out our article on taxis at Istanbul Airport. While we recommend the Istanbul Airport Metro for its convenience and affordability, we understand that it may not be the best option for everyone.

Sabiha Gokcen Metro is open too!

Aside from the Istanbul Airport Metro, there is also a metro available for passengers arriving at the Sabiha Gokcen airport. The Sabiha Gokcen airport metro offers a convenient and affordable way for passengers to travel to and from the airport.

Conclusion

The Istanbul Airport Metro is a fast, convenient, and economical way to get to the city from the airport. It connects to several popular destinations in Istanbul and is easy to use. We recommend getting a Tourist Travel Card to make your journey more comfortable and affordable. We hope that this guide has provided you with all the information you need to use the Istanbul Airport Metro and explore Istanbul. Come and experience the Istanbul Airport Metro and the beautiful city of Istanbul.