IST to Istanbul City Center
Türkiye
Istanbul Airport to city. Istanbul Airport to city center. Istanbul Airport to Istanbul.IST to city. IST to city center. IST to Istanbul. How to get from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul city center. How to get from IST airport to downtown Istanbul.Istanbul airport to city. Istanbul airport transfer guide. Best transport from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Taksim / Sultanahmet (Historic City Center).Istanbul Airport to Istanbul by train. Istanbul Airport to Istanbul by bus.Istanbul Airport to Istanbul by metro. Istanbul Airport to Istanbul by taxi.Istanbul Airport to Istanbul by uber. Istanbul Airport to Istanbul by grab.Istanbul Airport to Istanbul by bolt. Istanbul Airport to Istanbul by tram.IST to Istanbul by train. IST to Istanbul by bus.IST to Istanbul by taxi. IST to Istanbul by uber.IST to city by train. IST to city by bus. IST to city by taxi.
Destination
Taksim / Sultanahmet (Historic City Center)
Istanbul city center
Fastest route
M11 Istanbul Airport – Gayrettepe Metro Line
metro · every 8-20min
Updated
Nov 2025
Verified info
Quick verdict
M11 Istanbul Airport – Gayrettepe Metro Line
Rapid metro from Istanbul Airport to Gayrettepe, where you can transfer to M2 metro for central areas such as Şişli, Taksim and Yenikapı. Trains typically run from around 06:00 to 00:40 with intervals of about 8–10 minutes at peak and up to ~20 minutes off‑peak.
Transport matrix
M11 Istanbul Airport – Gayrettepe Metro Line
8-20mRapid metro from Istanbul Airport to Gayrettepe, where you can transfer to M2 metro for central areas such as Şişli, Taksim and Yenikapı. Trains typically run from around 06:00 to 00:40 with intervals of about 8–10 minutes at peak and up to ~20 minutes off‑peak.
M2 Yenikapı – Hacıosman Metro (via Gayrettepe or Mecidiyeköy)
5-10mFrom Gayrettepe or Mecidiyeköy, take M2 toward Yenikapı for key central stops including Taksim and Vezneciler (for Sultanahmet via tram T1). High-frequency urban metro integrated with the M11 airport line.
Havaist HVIST-16 Istanbul Airport – Taksim
20-40mAirport coach linking Istanbul Airport directly to Taksim Square, also serving key stops such as Beşiktaş/Levent on some routings. Runs most of the day and evening with dynamic frequency adjusted to flight schedules; journey typically 60–90 minutes depending on traffic.
Havaist HVIST-12 Istanbul Airport – Beyazıt Square (Old City)
30-60mDirect airport shuttle to Beyazıt Square near the Grand Bazaar and a short tram ride or walk from Sultanahmet. Operates throughout the day with intervals roughly every 30–60 minutes, travel time about 70–110 minutes in traffic.
Havaist HVIST-11 Istanbul Airport – Sultanahmet
30-60mDedicated Havaist route running directly from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet Square by the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Aimed at tourists to the Old City, with luggage space and dynamic 24/7 service frequency aligned with flight arrivals.
M11 Istanbul Airport – Gayrettepe Metro Line
Rapid metro from Istanbul Airport to Gayrettepe, where you can transfer to M2 metro for central areas such as Şişli, Taksim and Yenikapı. Trains typically run from around 06:00 to 00:40 with intervals of about 8–10 minutes at peak and up to ~20 minutes off‑peak.
M2 Yenikapı – Hacıosman Metro (via Gayrettepe or Mecidiyeköy)
From Gayrettepe or Mecidiyeköy, take M2 toward Yenikapı for key central stops including Taksim and Vezneciler (for Sultanahmet via tram T1). High-frequency urban metro integrated with the M11 airport line.
Havaist HVIST-16 Istanbul Airport – Taksim
Airport coach linking Istanbul Airport directly to Taksim Square, also serving key stops such as Beşiktaş/Levent on some routings. Runs most of the day and evening with dynamic frequency adjusted to flight schedules; journey typically 60–90 minutes depending on traffic.
Havaist HVIST-12 Istanbul Airport – Beyazıt Square (Old City)
Direct airport shuttle to Beyazıt Square near the Grand Bazaar and a short tram ride or walk from Sultanahmet. Operates throughout the day with intervals roughly every 30–60 minutes, travel time about 70–110 minutes in traffic.
Havaist HVIST-11 Istanbul Airport – Sultanahmet
Dedicated Havaist route running directly from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet Square by the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Aimed at tourists to the Old City, with luggage space and dynamic 24/7 service frequency aligned with flight arrivals.
Strikes · Night arrivals · Big luggage
coach
Airport coach linking Istanbul Airport directly to Taksim Square, also serving key stops such as Beşiktaş/Levent on some routings. Runs most of the day and evening with dynamic frequency adjusted to flight schedules; journey typically 60–90 minutes depending on traffic.
20-40m
coach
Direct airport shuttle to Beyazıt Square near the Grand Bazaar and a short tram ride or walk from Sultanahmet. Operates throughout the day with intervals roughly every 30–60 minutes, travel time about 70–110 minutes in traffic.
30-60m
coach
Dedicated Havaist route running directly from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet Square by the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Aimed at tourists to the Old City, with luggage space and dynamic 24/7 service frequency aligned with flight arrivals.
30-60m
Skip the airport SIM queue. We're partnering with eSIM providers to get you online before you even leave the gate.
Explore more
Arrivals decoded
Fast, easy ways to reach the primary city center after landing.
Late arrivals
After-midnight contingencies for delayed flights and red-eyes.
Budget focus
Ways to shave costs without blowing your schedule.
Signal plan
Prep your phone plus Wi-Fi tactics until the affiliate CTA goes live.
Beyond downtown
For travelers continuing beyond the main city core.