Best Ways to Get from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to City

John Austin
2 min readMar 8, 2020

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There are two airports in Istanbul; Ataturk International Airport and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport. You are more likely to be landed at Ataturk International Airport since it is the busiest.

It is 23 kilometers from the airport to Taksim Square in central Istanbul and there are several modes of transport to get to it. Here, we’ll talk about the most convenient ones.

Private Airport Transfer: If you’re traveling with your family and hand full of luggage, then renting a minivan from any of the Airport Transfer Services will be the most comfortable and reliable mode of transport for you.

These cars are offered by various private agencies that you can find online, as well. Generally, the service costs around 28–30$ and may take 50–80 minutes depending on the traffic.

Istanbul Airport Taxis: Taxis are the fastest and most convenient way to leave any airport and Ataturk Airport is no different.

You can find them outside the airport, waiting in queues. Taxis are in service 24/7 and usually charge 25–30$. The travel time is 40–50 minutes in good traffic conditions.

Havatas Airport Bus: Havatas is an air-conditioned executive bus operated by a private company that can take you to and from Ataturk Airport.

This is way cheaper than taxis, though it takes almost the same time. However, Havatas departs from the airport every 30 minutes and doesn’t go to Sultan Ahmet.

City Metro: If you’re traveling alone or with light luggage, taking the metro from the airport to the city should be the most convenient one.

The railway station is just a few minutes away from the airport. The travel time is almost the same as a taxi or bus but way cheaper.

So, these are the best ways to get from Istanbul Airport to the entire city. You should count on the fact that who you are traveling with while making the decision to choose the right transport for you.

City metro comes with affordable and convenient options if you are going to your destinations solo. And taxi services are private which might be suitable for you and your family.

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