Istanbul Airport and Transport Guide

Istanbul is one of the best-connected cities in the world, and its transport is excellent — the two airports, the metro, the tram, the ferries, and the buses all work together to carry the city’s millions. For the visitor, the transport is the key to the city: the journey from the airport, the Istanbulkart for the city, and the ferries for the water. This guide covers the airports, the transfers, and the transport options, with the practical numbers you need to move through Istanbul without drama.

The Two Airports

Istanbul is served by two airports, and knowing which one you are using is the first step:

Istanbul Airport (IST) is the huge new hub on the European side, about 40 kilometers from the center. It handles most of the international flights and the Turkish Airlines traffic, and it is one of the largest airports in the world.

Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is on the Asian side, about 40 kilometers from the center. It handles the budget airlines and much of the domestic traffic, and it is connected to the European side by the bridges and the tunnels.

Which airport? Your airline decides. The two airports are far apart, and the connections between them take time.

From the Airports Into the City

From Istanbul Airport (IST):

• The metro. The M11 metro line connects IST to the city’s network — the journey into the center takes about an hour, and it is the cheapest and often the fastest way.
• The Havaist shuttles. The airport shuttles run to the main districts at reasonable prices.
• The buses and the taxis. The municipal buses connect the airport, and the taxis are the door-to-door option, with the traffic making them the expensive choice.

From Sabiha Gökçen (SAW):

• The metro and the Marmaray. The M4 metro line connects SAW to the Asian side’s network, and the Marmaray (the underwater rail tunnel) carries the journey under the Bosphorus to the European side.
• The Havaist shuttles. The shuttles run to the main districts, including across the bridges.
• The buses and the taxis. The public buses connect the airport, and the taxis are the door-to-door option.

The practical tip: the metro and the Marmaray are the smart choices from both airports — cheap, fast, and reliable.

Getting Between the Two Airports

The two airports are far apart, about 90 kilometers:

• The public transport. The metro lines, the Marmaray, and the buses connect the two, with the journey taking about two hours.
• The taxis. The taxis across the city take a similar time, depending on the traffic.
• The planning. If you are changing between the airports, allow at least four hours between the flights.

Getting Around the City

The city’s transport is the key to it:

• The Istanbulkart. The transit card for the trams, the metro, the ferries, and the buses — the first purchase, and the cheapest way to move.
• The tram. The T1 line runs through the old city and the historic sights — the visitor’s line.
• The metro. The metro network covers the modern heart and the far districts.
• The ferries. The ferries cross the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn — the beautiful way to move, and the way to see the city from the water.
• The Marmaray. The underwater rail tunnel beneath the Bosphorus — the modern marvel that connects the continents.
• The taxis. The taxis are the door-to-door option, but the traffic makes the public transport faster for most journeys.

The Practical Numbers

• IST to the center: about 40 km, 1 hour by metro.
• SAW to the center: about 40 km, 1–1.5 hours by metro and Marmaray.
• IST to SAW: about 90 km apart, 2 hours by public transport.
• The tram through the old city: the T1 line, the visitor’s line.
• The ferries: the crossings of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, from the city’s piers.

Transport Planning That Saves Time and Money

• Take the metro. The metro from both airports is the smart choice — cheap, fast, and reliable.
• Buy an Istanbulkart early. The transit card is the key to the city’s transport, and the first purchase of the trip.
• Use the ferries. The ferries are the beautiful way to move — and the way to see the city from the water.
• Mind the traffic. The city’s traffic is heavy — the public transport is usually faster than the taxis.
• Allow the time for the connections. The city is huge, and the journeys take time — plan the transfers and the sightseeing with the transport in mind.

The Journey Into the City

The journey from the airports into the city deserves its own note, because it is the introduction to Istanbul. The metro from IST crosses the European side, passing through the city’s sprawl before emerging into the historic center; the metro and the Marmaray from SAW carry the traveler under the Bosphorus itself, one of the great engineering feats of the modern city. The first view of the city from the transport — the minarets, the water, and the sprawl — is the beginning of the experience, and the journey is part of it. Arrive informed, take the metro, and let the transport introduce you to the great city — the journey into Istanbul is the first of its sights.

The Seasonality of the Transport

The transport of the city changes with the season, and planning accordingly saves trouble. In the summer, the city is at its fullest — the airports and the transport are busy, the ferries are crowded, and the planning ahead matters. In the spring and the autumn, the city is at its most comfortable, and the transport is easier. And in the winter, the weather can affect the ferries and the flights — the flexibility matters. Whenever you come, the transport is the constant: the metro, the Istanbulkart, and the ferries are the way through the city, in every season. The planning of the transport is the planning of the trip.

The City’s Transport as the Experience

The final thing to understand is that the transport is part of the experience. The ferries across the Bosphorus are among the great sights of the city; the tram through the old city is the visitor’s line, passing the monuments; and the Marmaray under the strait is the modern marvel. The traveler who uses the city’s transport, rather than avoiding it, sees the city from its own element — the water, the streets, and the daily life of the metropolis. The transport of Istanbul is not the obstacle but the introduction, and the journey through the city is part of its wonder. Take the metro, ride the ferries, and let the transport show you the city.

The Ferries in Detail

The ferries deserve their own note, because they are the city’s signature transport. The ferries cross the Bosphorus between the continents, the Golden Horn between the shores, and the Sea of Marmara to the islands — and they are the beautiful way to move, with the views of the palaces, the forts, and the skyline from the water. The ferries run from the city’s piers throughout the day, the Istanbulkart carries the fares, and the crossings are among the great experiences of the city. For the visitor, the ferry is both the transport and the sight — the way to the Asian side and the islands, and the way to see the city from its own element.

The Takeaway

The transport of Istanbul is the key to the great city: the metro from the airports, the Istanbulkart for the city, and the ferries for the water. Take the metro, buy the card, ride the trams and the ferries, and let the transport carry you through the metropolis. The transport is not the obstacle but the introduction — and the journeys through the city, on the tram and the ferry, are among its pleasures, and the way the great city is best seen.

All Over Information

The All Over Information editorial team researches and writes practical English-language guides to Turkey. Facts are checked against official and local sources before publication, prices are published as dated ranges rather than quotes, and guides are revised when things change. We accept no sponsored posts, paid placements or paid links.

More guides like this

Istanbul

Istanbul in Summer: A Complete Travel Guide

Summer in Istanbul is the great city at its fullest — the crowds, the heat, the long evenings, and the life of…

7 min read

Istanbul

Top 10 Things to Do in Istanbul

Istanbul is a city of endless things to see, but the essential list is surprisingly clear — a core of experiences that…

7 min read

Istanbul

Istanbul on a Budget: Money-Saving Travel Tips

Istanbul is one of the great cities of the world — and, for the budget traveler, one of the best-value great cities.

7 min read

Istanbul

The Best Day Trips from Istanbul

Istanbul is a city you could never leave — the monuments, the water, and the life could fill a lifetime.

7 min read

Istanbul

Best Time of Year to Visit Istanbul

Istanbul is a city of seasons, and the season you choose changes the character of the visit.

7 min read

Istanbul

48 Hours in Istanbul: The Perfect Itinerary

Two days in Istanbul is not enough to see the city — no amount of time is — but it is enough…

7 min read