YOTEL Istanbul Airport, City Entrance
Istanbul - Tayakadın Mahallesi, Terminal Caddesi No 1 Arnavutköy
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The Istanbul Airport (IATA code: IST, Turkish: İstanbul Yeni Havalimanı) is Turkey’s primary airport and has served as the city’s main hub since October 2018, when it replaced Atatürk Airport, which now handles cargo operations only. Istanbul Airport is not only Turkey’s most important gateway but is also located on the European side of the city, along the Black Sea coast. Istanbul also has a second airport, Sabiha Gökçen, situated on the Asian side and serving as a hub for Pegasus Airlines (Turkish Airlines’ low-cost carrier), SunExpress and AnadoluJet.
The new Turkish airport, Yeni Havalimanı, is not only the country’s primary gateway but also one of the world’s largest: it spans 77,000 square metres, boasts 42 kilometres of baggage conveyor belts and features 112 gates. Istanbul Airport serves as the main hub for Turkish Airlines, connecting Turkey to numerous destinations across Asia, Europe and the Americas. The airport is also recognised as a major global aviation hub, with flights to over 350 destinations worldwide.
To reach your hotel or central Istanbul after landing, book a transfer online, which is the most convenient option.
The Istanbul Airport is located between Tayakadın and Akpınar, approximately 40 km from the Sultanahmet district, home to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. There are several ways to travel from the airport to the city centre, including bus services, taxis, private transfers and, since January 2023, a new metro line.
In Istanbul, the Havaist and IETT bus companies connect the airport with the city centre, and their extensive network means you can reach any part of the city. The Havaist company operates modern, new buses, but tickets can only be purchased using the Istanbulkart, a rechargeable transport card used for public transport in the city. You can buy one directly at the airport for 165 Turkish lire and load it with your chosen amount to use on metro and tram lines.
Havaist operates 20 routes, and at least five of these connect Istanbul Airport primarily with the districts of Taksim, Beşiktaş, Bahçeşehir and Kozyatağı. These run daily, 24 hours a day, and offer a total of 64 different stops. Fares range from 170 to 300 Turkish lire (approximately £5-6) depending on your destination. Buses are equipped with Wi-Fi, air conditioning, televisions and USB charging ports.
The IETT company (Istanbul Electricity Tramway and Tunnel) manages public transport in the Turkish metropolis and operates three routes connecting the airport with the city centre: lines H2, H3 and H4. The first two routes run from 6:00 in the morning until midnight with departures every 15-20 minutes, whilst line H4 operates from 6:00 in the morning to 10:00 in the evening with hourly departures. An IETT ticket costs 54 Turkish lire (approximately £1.15), making it the most economical option. Do bear in mind that Istanbul traffic is often heavy, so allow up to 90 minutes or more to travel from the airport to Sultanahmet.
Since January 2023, a new metro line has significantly reduced journey times between Istanbul Airport and the city centre. The M11 line (Gayrettepe – Istanbul Airport – Arnavutköy) became operational on 22 January 2023 and connects the airport to the city directly, quickly and safely. The line extends for 51.5 km and is entirely underground, with 10 stations along the route. Trains run from 6:00 until midnight with services every 15-20 minutes.
The journey from the airport to Gayrettepe takes approximately 30 minutes, where you can change onto the M2 line to reach major tourist destinations such as Taksim, Sultanahmet (via connections at Vezneciler or Yenikapı) and other central districts. The total journey time to Sultanahmet is approximately 60-75 minutes including changes. With the Istanbulkart, fares range from 27 to 35 Turkish lire (approximately £0.60-0.75) depending on distance, whilst a single ticket costs 40 Turkish lire.
The 10 stops on the Istanbul Airport metro line are:
A more convenient way to travel from Istanbul Airport is by taxi. Taxi services are available at Istanbul Airport 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Do note, however, that traffic in Istanbul is often severe, so the cost (always ask the driver to use the meter) can be steep, as can journey times.
There are three types of taxi: black E-class taxis (luxury), blue D-class taxis (comfort) and orange C-class taxis (economy). A journey from the airport to Sultanahmet district costs between 900 and 1,800 Turkish lire (approximately £35-45) depending on traffic and the taxi type chosen. Bear in mind that the journey is roughly an hour, though it may take considerably longer during peak hours.
An alternative to TAXIs is to book in advance a private transfer to or from Istanbul International Airport airport. A driver will pick you up at the airport arrivals (thus avoiding taxi queues), at your hotel or wherever you prefer, to take you to the desired address.
It is the best solution if you do not want to waste time, do not want to use public transport, have a lot of luggage or are travelling in a group. To book a private transfer to or from Istanbul International Airport airport visit this site.
Car hire is a practical option for travellers seeking greater independence during their stay in Istanbul or wishing to explore other parts of Turkey. Istanbul Airport hosts all major international car rental companies (Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Budget) and local operators (Garenta, Central, Nissa), all located at arrivals level in the ground transport zone.
The journey time to the city centre ranges from 60 to 90 minutes, following primarily the O-7 motorway that connects the airport to central areas. It’s important to note that Istanbul traffic is notoriously congested, particularly during rush hours and especially when crossing the bridges that link the European and Asian sides of the city.
To rent a car in Istanbul we always recommend comparing the rates of all companies with DiscoverCars because in our opinion it offers the best prices, allows cancellation up to 48 hours before rental and offers a very cheap comprehensive insurance policy.
Below you can see real-time departure and arrival times at Istanbul International Airport.
By entering the dates of your stay in the following form, you can check the rates and availability in real time of the facilities near theIstanbul International Airport.
Below is a list of recommended hotels near Istanbul International Airport.
Below are the cheapest prices for car hire at at the istanbul International Airport, to book click here.
According to reviews by other travellers, the following are the best car rental companies at the istanbul International Airport. To compare rates click here.
City Card allow you to save on public transport and / or on the entrances to the main tourist attractions.
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