Airport transport
How to Get from Istanbul Airport to the City
Istanbul Airport is on the metro: line M11 (15 stations), first train 06:00, last 00:40, ₺46.20 with an İstanbulkart. From the airport station you reach Taksim, Sultanahmet, Kadıköy and the other districts in the times below, changing at Gayrettepe. Havaist shuttle buses and İETT lines are the alternatives.
Metro M11
The İstanbul Havalimanı station is under the terminal; Gayrettepe (change to M2), Kağıthane (change to M7) and Halkalı (change to Marmaray) are the interchanges. Frequency every 15 min (may vary with traffic). Gayrettepe 31 min · Kağıthane 24 min · Halkalı 27 min.
To the city — by destination
Fastest public transport option; open a row for step-by-step directions. Times follow planned timetables and include walking.
| Destination | Route | Time | Transfers | Fare (full) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levent | M11 + M2 | 39 min | 1 | ₺80.60 |
| Şişli – Mecidiyeköy | M11 + M2 | 39 min | 1 | ₺80.60 |
| Bakırköy | M11 + Marmaray | 42 min | 1 | ≈ ₺83.60 |
| Taksim | M11 → M2 (Gayrettepe aktarma) | 44 min | 1 | ₺80.60 |
| Kabataş | M11 → M2 → F1 (Gayrettepe + Taksim aktarma) | 51 min | 2 | ₺107.02 |
| Yenikapı | M11 + Marmaray | 51 min | 1 | ≈ ₺83.60 |
| Karaköy – Galata Tower | M11 → M2 → F2 (Gayrettepe + Şişhane aktarma) | 54 min | 2 | ₺107.02 |
| Üsküdar | M11 + Marmaray | 55 min | 1 | ≈ ₺93.94 |
| Kadıköy | M11 + Metrobüs + M4 | 57 min | 2 | ≈ ₺125.43 |
| Grand Bazaar | M11 → M2 → T1 (Gayrettepe + Vezneciler - İstanbul Ü. aktarma) | 58 min | 2 | ₺107.02 |
| Eminönü | M11 → M2 → T5 (Gayrettepe + Haliç aktarma) | 59 min | 2 | ₺107.02 |
| Esenler Bus Terminal (Otogar) | M11 → M3 → M1B (Kayaşehir + Kirazlı Bağcılar aktarma) | 59 min | 2 | ₺107.02 |
| Sultanahmet | M11 + Marmaray + T1 | 60 min | 2 | ≈ ₺110.02 |
| Beşiktaş | M11 + Marmaray + Şehir Hatları | 74 min | 2 | ≈ ₺93.94* |
| Sabiha Gökçen Airport | M11 + Metrobüs + M4 | 99 min | 2 | ≈ ₺125.43 |
≈ approximate where the route transfers onto Marmaray/Metrobüs · * ferry fare depends on the line
Havaist and buses
Havaist runs direct buses from the airport to hubs such as Taksim, Kadıköy and Beşiktaş, including after the metro closes for night flights. Fares and times are its own, separate from the İstanbulkart tariff — see www.hava.ist for the current schedule.
İETT's airport bus lines (H-series) use the standard İETT fare. Bus timetables
Where to get an İstanbulkart
From the Biletmatik machines in the metro station and the kiosks in the terminal: an anonymous card costs ₺165, then you load credit. If you don't want a card, the machines also sell limited-use tickets (one ride ₺65.00). There is no cash payment on the metro.
Frequently asked
How long is the metro from Istanbul Airport to Taksim?
M11 → M2 (Gayrettepe aktarma): about 44 minutes, 1 transfer. Fare ₺80.60 (İstanbulkart). Step by step
How do I get from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet?
M11 + Marmaray + T1: about 60 minutes. Step by step
How do I get from Istanbul Airport to Kadıköy?
M11 + Metrobüs + M4: about 57 minutes. Step by step
What are the airport metro hours?
Line M11: first train 06:00, last 00:40; every 15 min (may vary with traffic). After that, Havaist shuttle buses.
How much is the airport metro?
Standard metro fare: ₺46.20 full, ₺22.55 student, flat for any distance; discounted transfers within 120 minutes (first transfer ₺34.40). Fares
Is there a taxi or shuttle alternative?
Havaist shuttle buses (own fare) and taxis run around the clock; the metro is the cheapest and, in traffic, usually the fastest.
Hours from TCDD Taşımacılık, Gayrettepe – Halkalı line service information; Ministry of Transport planned timetable; fares per the official tariff in force since 20 July 2026; durations from the MetroFlow planner on planned timetables (last computed 18 September 2026). Check Havaist and İETT for their current schedules.