Travel to Istanbul
Travel by Air
There are two airports that operate internationally in Istanbul, which are Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport.
Istanbul Airport
The airport, situated near the coast of Black Sea in the European side of Istanbul, is located at Catalca – Gokturk – Arnavutkoy intersection and between Tayakadin and Akpinar villages. With a flawless service concept in mind, Istanbul Airport hosts its passengers in domestic and international flight centers.
Personal vehicle
There are different route alternatives for passengers arriving Istanbul Airport by land using their personal vehicles.
European Side:
- Avcilar – Istanbul Airport – 53 km
- Gayrettepe – Istanbul Airport – 38 km
- Taksim – Istanbul Airport – 40 km
- Levent – Istanbul Airport – 38 km
- Maslak – Istanbul Airport – 33 km
Anatolian Side:
- Kavacik – Istanbul Airport – 42 km
- Uskudar – Istanbul Airport – 47 km
- Kadikoy – Istanbul Airport – 51 km
- Pendik – Istanbul Airport – 72 km
Public Transportation
Current Route Information for Havaist and IETT (As of 07 July 2020, you can travel to Istanbul Airport by taxi or public transportation lines described below.)
HAVAIST
- HAVAIST Avcilar-Bahcesehir,
- HAVAIST Bakirkoy,
- HAVAIST Beylikduzu – Catalca,
- HAVAIST Halkali – Basaksehir,
- HAVAIST Kadikoy-Tepeustu,
- HAVAIST Otogar,
- HAVAIST Pendik – Sabiha Gokcen Havalimani,
- HAVAIST Taksim,
- HAVAIST Yenikapi
IETT
- IETT H-1 Mahmutbey Metro,
- IETT H-2 Mecidiyekoy,
- IETT H-3 Halkali,
- IETT H-6 Yunus Emre Mah. Arnavutkoy,
- IETT H-7 Alibeykoy Cep Otogari,
- IETT H-8 Haciosman/Sariyer
- IETT H-9 Cevizlibag – Otogar
You can get the latest timetable and line information from hava.ist and iett.istanbul websites.
ISTANBUL SEYAHAT
ISTANBUL SEYAHAT Corlu-Tekirdag
ISTANBUL SEYAHAT Luleburgaz – Babaeski – Edirne
You can visit istanbulseyahat.com.tr for information on Istanbul Seyahat timetables.
Taxi
24/7 Taxi service is available in Istanbul Airport. Within this scope, the vehicles operate in 3 different segments, which are the black colored “E” segment, blue “D” segment, and orange “C” segment. Passengers who would like to use the provided taxi service may use the vehicles found in main taxi stands at Plaza Section Domestic and International Passenger Exit Gates, and on the departure floor (Second floor).
Contact:
Call Center: +90 444 1 IGA / 444 1 442
WhatsApp Contact Line: +90 444 1 442
Address: Tayakadin Mah. Terminal Cad. No:1 Arnavutkoy / Istanbul
For more information: https://www.istairport.com/
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport is located in Kurtkoy, Pendik, and is 40 km away from Kadikoy, 12 km away from Pendik, and 50 km away from Taksim. Access to the airport is easily made via TEM highway. Other than personal vehicles, access to airport is possible by municipal buses, taxis, Havas and Havatas buses, sea buses, and by train.
Personal Vehicle
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport is located in Kurtkoy, Pendik at the Anatolian side, and is 40 km away from Kadikoy, 12 km away from Pendik, and 50 km away from Taksim. The access to the airport is also quite easy in terms of traffic, thanks to the 1.5 km linking road to TEM highway.
Municipality Buses
E3 – 4. Levent – Sabiha Gokcen Havalimani
E9 – Bostanci – Sabiha Gokcen Havalimani
E10 – Kadikoy – Kurtkoy – Sabiha Gokcen Havalimani
E11 – Kadikoy – Sabiha Gokcen Havalimani
16S – Sabiha Gokcen Havalimani – Metrobus Uzuncayir
MR60 – Pendik YHT – Sabiha Gokcen Havalimani
130H – Deniz Harp Okulu – Sabiha Gokcen Havalimani
132H – Pendik YHT – Sabiha Gokcen Havalimani
131C – Sultanbeyli/Necip Fazil Metro – Sabiha Gokcen Havalimani
122H – 4. Levent – Yenisehir – Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Havalimani
Havabus
You can travel to Sabiha Gokcen Airport via HAVABUS buses operating between Kadikoy – Airport and Airport – Taksim.
Departure point of the white colored buses is Sabiha Gokcen Airport, where the terminal building is located across arrival floor exit area. The buses go along the bus stops found across Taksim Divan hotel in Taksim, the front of Point Hotel in Abdulhakhamit Avenue, and IETT stops found in Kadikoy Port.
Contact
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Uluslararasi Havalimani Yatirim Yapim ve Isletme A.S.
Sabiha Gokcen Havalimani Terminal Binasi Pendik 34906 Istanbul – Turkiye
Airport Phone Operator: +90 216 588 88 88
ISG General Management Phone Operator: +90 216 588 80 00
ISG General Management Fax: +90 216 588 80 10
ISG General Management Office working hours are between 08.00 – 17.30.
For more information: https://www.sabihagokcen.aero/anasayfa
Arrival by Railway
Connecting various cultures, cities, and passengers together, TCDD Tasimacilik offers a safer and more comfortable way of travel. Thanks to these trains that offer many alternatives for people that prefer an exclusive and different traveling experience, you will be able to travel safely while getting the pleasure of a pleasant ride.
Turkish State Railways conduct train services to countries inside and outside the European continent. Among these train services, Istanbul – Sofia Express, which operates every day between Istanbul (Halkali) – Sofia – Istanbul (Halkali) is available within the services conducted from Istanbul to Balkan countries. Passengers departing from Istanbul to Sofia can choose this very cost-efficient and comfortable express line. Connection to Bucharest is also made available with additional wagons for the Istanbul – Sofia Express.
Those considering traveling abroad by international trains must purchase their tickets prior to dates that they have planned for their vacation. It is recommended that you should purchase your tickets at least 15 days in advance in order to prevent any problems in the plan from occurring. People who would like to use their discount cards (Flexipass, etc.) should also purchase or reserve their tickets in advance in case that all available seats are taken. Otherwise, your plan may encounter issues or you may have to take your vacation at a later date.
For more information: http://www.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr/
Arrival by Bus
Buses are one of the most preferred options while traveling to Istanbul. The abundance and affordability of bus services to Istanbul can be shown as the reasons for such popularity. The number of foreign visitors coming to Istanbul by bus are as much as the number of people within the country who travel to Istanbul by bus.
Several bus companies found in Istanbul offer travel options for international arrivals to the city. It is possible to arrive Istanbul from many countries such as Georgia, Greece, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, Albania, Iraq, and Armenia.
Arrival by Personal Vehicle
Istanbul is very suitable for visitors that would like to use their own vehicles in the city with its roads, parking areas, and avenues. However, the high traffic density observed in the city may represent difficulties for people coming to the city with their personal vehicles. Please keep in mind that you must not forget to bring the required documents if you are coming to Istanbul using your personal vehicle.
There are many parking lots in Istanbul that are safe and cost-efficient. When you are in Istanbul, you can search for the nearest parking lot from the list at https://ispark.istanbul/otoparklarimiz/and leave your vehicle without any concern.
There will be countless options available for you in Istanbul if you would like to rent a vehicle. There are many vehicle rental companies operating within Istanbul. You may rent a vehicle either on a daily basis or for a long duration and start to travel with comfort.