Istanbul Travel Guide

Istanbul Airports

Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)

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Transfer Terminals: 

Walking through the metro access tunnel only takes 10 minutes. Shuttle buses and taxis are also available.

Transfer City: 

The Istanbul Metro system provides quick and easy access to the city, including the intercity bus terminal. Tickets cost around TRY 1.30. Use metro station Zeytinburnu and transfer to a tram to reach the Eminonu ferry or Sea Bus docks. The airport Havas Bus leaves from the Departures terminal gate and connects to Taksim Square or Kozyatagi. Shuttle buses depart from 4am to 1am, and take 40 minutes into the city. Taxis are also available and cost roughly $20 into downtown. Taxi rates are

Car Rental: 

Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Alamo, National and Sixt.

Airport Taxis: 

The Istanbul Ataturk Airport is 15 miles (23km) west of Istanbul and takes around thirty minutes to reach Taksim Square. Fees depend largely on the destination in Istanbul but should be around US$20. Rates are as much as fifty percent higher at night. Passengers should only take metered taxis and insist drivers turn the meter on. To reserve a taxi in advance contact .

Airport Facilities: 

Banks, ATMs and bureaux de change are available. A pharmacy, children's playroom, hairdresser, florist, newsstand and medical services are available. Facilities for the disabled are good, but those with special needs should make prior arrangements with their airline. Other facilities include tourist information and hotel reservations, bars, restaurants (very overpriced), duty-free shopping, a conference centre, post office and 24-hour left luggage.

Car Parking: 

There is a multilevel car park opposite the terminal with fees ranging from YTL 8.25 for the first hour to YTL 26 per day. Long-term parking is in an open parking lot and costs YTL 20 per day or YTL 137 per month.

Departure Tax: 

Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)

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Transfer Terminals: 

Terminals are within one building.

Transfer City: 

Buses connect the airport to various parts of Istanbul. Tickets are TL 1.65 and the journey into Istanbul takes between 30 and 45 minutes. Shuttles to the historical centre of Istanbul run every half hour between 5am and midnight. Tickets are TL 18 for the 40 minute trip.

Car Rental: 

Rental companies operating at the airport include National Alamo, Sixt, Payless, Central, Hertz, Europcar, Nord Travel, Budget, Avis and Bostanci.

Airport Taxis: 

Taxis can be found outside the arrivals section of the airport. Fares into Istanbul cost approximately TL 90, passengers have to pay highway and brigde tolls as well.

Airport Facilities: 

The airport has ATMs, shops, restaurants, a first aid centre, pharmacies, a prayer room, hair salon, shoeshine stand and meeting facilities. Currency exchange facilities and a post office are also available ad there is a left luggage desk.

Car Parking: 

Parking rates start at TL 8 for the first hour, TL 10 for 1-3 hours, TL 16 for 3-6 hours and TL 35 for the day. Long-term reduced rates are also available.

Departure Tax: