If you are planning to go to Istanbul, you have probably heard that it is a very large city. Because it is such a famous city with its population and greatness, it is impossible not to hear about its being a metropolis in Turkey. As you might guess, there are millions of people from all ages who happen to pass through Istanbul with some financial, educational, historical, cultural, medical or transportation reasons.
Since you are reading this blog, I assume you are one of those people who happen to pass through Istanbul with some certain reason. Hence you will use the airports and want to learn about transportation ways, durations, costs and schedules to the airports in Istanbul.
Then, do not worry anymore because this article will provide you with a broad analysis of all required, specific and clear information about the
- transportation ways
- duration
- costs
- schedules
to the airports in Istanbul from the city center and vice versa and also between two airports. The only thing you need to worry about is preparing your luggage.
To make things clear for you, I will discuss the transportation ways, duration, costs schedules to the airports as separately.
Istanbul Airport
Istanbul Airport is the main international airport that provides civil aviation services to the passengers in Istanbul. It supplies both domestic and international flights as well as Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. It is owned by General Directorate of State Airports and is a hub for Atlas Global, Onur Air and, Turkish Airlines.
The commercial flights were transferred from Istanbul Atatürk Airport after the closure of Istanbul Atatürk Airport. Istanbul Airport opened on 29th October 2018. Once it is fully complete, Istanbul Airport will accommodate 200 million passengers per year. The airport, including one terminal in service for domestic and international flights and four runways currently in operation, was a host to 22,143,050 passengers in Jan-July, 2019.
The airport is located in Arnavutköy, Istanbul. It is stated in the European part of the bi-continental Istanbul.
The distance from the airport to Sultanahmet, known as Istanbul’s old city, is 50 kilometers/ 31.1 miles. Due to the long distance, a journey by car from the airport to the city center will take 50 to 60 minutes.
HAVAIST, IETT and Istanbul Seyahat are the alternatives for the private cars and taxis for the passengers who are looking to access Istanbul Airport via public transportation.
By HAVAIST Shuttle
HAVAIST, providing services on 12 different lines, 44 stations in Istanbul. Therefore, by using HAVAIST Shuttles passengers can reach to airport from Yenikapı, Bus Terminal, Bakırköy, Beşiktaş Pier, Kadıköy, Pendik, Avcılar-Bahçeşehir-Ispartakule, Halkalı-Başakşehir, Taksim, Sultan Ahmet.
Below is some info about the schedules and routes of the HAVAIST Shuttle Services. You can always visit the Istanbul Airport website for further information.
From the city center to Istanbul Airport:
- Yenikapı- Istanbul Airport HavaIST Shuttle
The earliest departure time from Yenikapı Marmaray: 04.50
The latest departure time from Yenikapı:04.00
The departure point is Yenikapı Marmaray and it will cost you $3.28 for a journey to the airport. This journey will take approximately 110 minutes.
- Aksaray-Istanbul Airport HavaIST Shuttle
The earliest departure time from Aksaray:04.50
The latest departure time from Aksaray: 04.00
The departure point is Aksaray and it will cost you $3.09 for a journey to the airport. This journey will take approximately 110 minutes.
- Kavacık Bridge Istanbul Airport HavaIST Shuttle
The earliest departure time from Kavacık:05.00
The latest departure time from Kavacık: 04.00
The departure point is Kavacık and it will cost you $4.29 for a journey to the airport. This journey will take approximately 110 minutes.
- Avcılar Mosque- Istanbul Airport HavaIST Shuttle
The earliest departure time from Avcılar Mosque: :05.00
The latest departure time from Avcılar Mosque: :04.00
The departure point is Avcılar Mosque and it will cost you $2.74 for a journey to the airport. This journey will take approximately 100 minutes.
- Zincirlikuyu Metrobus- Istanbul Airport HavaIST Shuttle
The earliest departure time from Zincirlikuyu Metrobus:05.00
The latest departure time from Zincirlikuyu Metrobus: 03.30
The departure point is Zincirlikuyu Metrobus Station and it will cost you $3.09 for a journey to the airport. This journey will take approximately 90 minutes.
- Pendik High Speed Train Station- Istanbul Airport HavaIST Shuttle
The earliest departure time from Pendik High Speed Train Station:04.45
The latest departure time Pendik High Speed Train Station:02.45
The departure point is Pendik High Speed Train Station and it will cost you $5.14 for a journey to the airport. This journey will take approximately 100 minutes.
- Bus Terminal- Istanbul Airport HavaIST Shuttle
The earliest departure time from Bus Terminal: 05.00
The latest departure time from Bus Terminal. 03.30
The departure point is the Bus Terminal and it will cost you $2,91 for a journey to the airport. It is approximately 58 km and will take 60 minutes to reach the airport.
- Bakırköy- Istanbul Airport HavaIST Shuttle
The earliest departure time from Bakırköy: 05.00
The latest departure time from Bakırköy. 04.15
The departure point is the Bakırköy pier. It will cost you $3.28 for a journey to the airport by HAVAIST. It is approximately 44 km and will take approximately 80 minutes to reach the airport.
- Beşiktaş- Istanbul Airport HavaIST Shuttle
The earliest departure time from Beşiktaş: 05.00
The latest departure time from Beşiktaş: 03.30
The departure point is the Beşiktaş pier. It will cost you $3.28 for a journey to the airport by HavaIST. It is approximately 43 km and will take approximately 90 minutes to reach the airport.
- Kadıköy- Istanbul Airport HavaIST Shuttle
The earliest departure time from Kadıköy: 05.00
The latest departure time from Kadıköy: 04.00
The departure point is Kadıköy. It will cost you $4,55 for a journey to the airport by HavaIST. It is approximately 64 km and will take approximately 110 minutes to reach the airport.
- Pendik- Istanbul Airport HavaIST Shuttle
The earliest departure time from Pendik: 04.45
The latest departure time from Pendik: 02.45
The departure point is the Pendik Pier. It will cost you $5,46 for a journey to the airport by HavaIST. It is approximately 97 km and will take approximately 100 minutes to reach the airport.
- Avcılar/Bahçeşehir/Ispartakule- Istanbul Airport HavaIST Shuttle
The earliest departure time from Avcılar/Bahçeşehir/Ispartakule: 05.00
The latest departure time from Avcılar/Bahçeşehir/Ispartakule: 04.00
The departure point is Bahçeşehir. It will cost you $2,91 for a journey to the airport by HAVAIST. It is approximately 42 km and will take approximately 100 minutes to reach the airport.
- Halkalı- Istanbul Airport HavaIST Shuttle
The earliest departure time from Halkalı Station: 05.00
The latest departure time from Halkalı Station: 04.20
The departure point is Halkalı Station. It will cost you $2,91 for a journey to the airport by HavaIST. It is approximately 40 km and will take approximately 100 minutes to reach the airport.
- Taksim- Istanbul Airport HavaIST Shuttle
The earliest departure time from Taksim: 05.10
The latest departure time from Taksim: 04.30
The departure point is Taksim. It will cost you $3,28 for a journey to the airport by HavaIST. It is approximately 40 km and will take approximately 80 minutes to reach the airport.
- Sultan Ahmet- Istanbul Airport HavaIST Shuttle
The earliest departure time from Sultan Ahmet: 05.00
The latest departure time from Sultan Ahmet: 04.15
The departure point is Sultan Ahmet. It will cost you $3,28 for a journey to the airport by HAVAIST. It takes approximately 100 minutes to reach the airport.
From Istanbul Airport to the city center:
You can take the same shuttles following the opposite routes with the same fee from the airport to reach the city center.
By IETT busses
You can reach to the Istanbul Airport via IETT buses which use the bus lines H1, H2, H3, H4, H6, H7, H8. Each journey takes approximately 1 hour. However, you should keep in mind that this duration varies according to the traffic density.
Below is some info about the schedules and routes of the IETT busses.
From the city center to Istanbul Airport:
- H-1 Mahmutbey Metro – İstanbul Airport:
The earliest departure time: 03.00
The latest departure time: 01.00
It takes approximately 54 minutes to reach the airport.
- H2 MECIDIYEKOY – İstanbul Airport:
The earliest departure time: 02.30
The latest departure time: 01.30
It takes approximately 95 minutes to reach the airport.
- H-3 Halkalı – İstanbul Airport:
The earliest departure time: 06.10
The latest departure time: 19.10
It takes approximately 103 minutes to reach the airport.
- H-4 Atatürk Havalimanı – İstanbul Airport:06.00-19.30
The earliest departure time: 06.00
The latest departure time: 19.30
It takes approximately 102 minutes to reach the airport.
- H-6 Mescid-i Selam/Arnavutköy – İstanbul Airport:
The earliest departure time: 02.30
The latest departure time: 01.30
It takes approximately 77 minutes to reach the airport.
- H-7 Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı- İstanbul Airport:
The earliest departure time: 03.40
The latest departure time: 01.40
It takes approximately 60 minutes to reach the airport.
- H-8 Hacıosman/Sarıyer – İstanbul Airport:
The earliest departure time: 06.00
The latest departure time: 23.15
It takes approximately 82 minutes to reach the airport.
From Istanbul Airport to the city center:
You can take the same IETT buses following the opposite routes with the same fee from the airport to reach the city center.
By Istanbul Seyehat
You can reach to the Istanbul airport by using intercity trips from Çorlu-Tekirdağ which are provided by Istanbul Seyahat.
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport is one of the two airports which provides civil aviation services to the passengers in Istanbul. It supplies both domestic and international flights. It is owned by HEAŞ (Airport Management & Aeronautical Industries Inc) and is a hub for AnadoluJet, Pegasus Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport is named after Sabiha Gökçen who is the adoptive daughter of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the first female fighter pilot in the world. The airport, including a four-story hotel with 128 rooms, adjacent to the terminal and with separate entrances at air and ground sides, 112 check-in, 24 online check-in counters and a VIP building & apron viewing CIP halls with business lounges, was a host to 34,133,617 passengers in 2018.
The airport is located 32 km southeast of Istanbul city at Pendik. It is stated in the Asian part of the bi-continental Istanbul.
I can hear you saying “Okay theoretically everything is good but how can I reach to the airport?” The practical information you need is down below about the transportation ways, durations, costs, and schedules to the Sabiha Gökçen International airport from Istanbul city center and vice versa.
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport located at Pendik / Kurtköy, is 40 km away from Kadıköy, 12 km away from Pendik, and 50 km away from Taksim.
There is also a direct link to the TEM highway.
As well as a private car, various alternatives are available to the travelers such as taxis, rent-a-car, private car, public bus, private bus (Havabus).
By Public Bus
Transportation to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
is very easy by public bus because there are a lot of bus stops you can use to take the bus.
You can take the bus
- E3 from 4.Levent
- E9 from Bostancı
- E10-from Kadıköy
- 130H from Deniz Harp Okulu (Naval Military College)
- 132H from Pendik YHT
to reach Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport and also to reach the city center from the airport with a slice difference in the departure times. The duration of a one-way journey generally differs from one departure place to another.
From the city center to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport:
Here is some general information about the schedules, duration, and routes of the public busses from the city center to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. You can find further and much more detailed information about each departure time and stops that busses follow on the Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.
- E3 from 4.Levent
The earliest departure time from 4. Levent Metro: 04.00
The latest departure time from 4. Levent Metro: 23.10.
One way journey time takes about 112 minutes. During this one way journey, E3 passes along a lot of stops such as Tepe Üstü in Ümraniye, KemalPaşa in Ataşehir and finally Sabiha Gökçen International Airport in Pendik.
- E9 from Bostancı
The earliest departure time from Bostancı Pier: 05.30.
The latest departure time from Bostancı Pier: 23.00.
One way journey takes about 76 minutes and E9 public bus passes along a lot of stops during this journey. Çınar in Maltepe, Kumcular in Kartal and Kaynarca in Pendik are some of the stops that E9 public bus from follows to reach the airport.
- E10-from Kadıköy
The earliest departure time from Kadıköy: 05.50
The latest departure time from Kadıköy: 04.40.
The one-way journey takes 87 minutes to reach the airport. E10 public bus follows some stops such as Yenisahra in Kadıköy, Esenyol in Maltepe and Üçevler in Pendik.
- 130H from Deniz Harp Okulu (Naval Military College)
The earliest departure time from Naval Military College: 07.25
The latest departure time from Naval Military College: 20.50
The one-way journey takes around 89 minutes from Naval Military College to the airport. The bus follows some stops such as Kalekapı in Tuzla, Gülistan in Tuzla and Teknopark in Pendik.
- 132H from Pendik High-Speed Train Station
The earliest departure time from Pendik High-Speed Train Station: 06.10
The latest departure time from Pendik High-Speed Train Station: 20.40
One way journey takes about 35 minutes. The bus follows some stops such as Üçevler in Pendik, Kanarya in Pendik and finally arrives at the airport.
From Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to the city center:
You can take the same busses from the airport to reach the city center. Also, the duration is generally the same. However, there is a difference in the schedules. Below you can find the necessary info about the public buses which go from the airport to the city center.
- E3 from the airport to 4. Levent Metro
The earliest departure time from the airport: 06.00
The latest departure time from the airport: 01.10.
- E9 from airport to Bostancı
The earliest departure time from the airport: 07.00
The latest departure time from the airport: 00.10
- E10-from the airport to Kadıköy
The earliest departure time from the airport: 05.50
The latest departure time from the airport: 04.40.
- 130H from the airport to Deniz Harp Okulu (Naval Military College)
The earliest departure time from the airport: 06.05
The latest departure time from the airport: 19.30
- 132H from the airport to Pendik High-Speed Train Station
The earliest departure time from the airport: 06.50
The latest departure time from the airport: 21.35
By HAVABUS Shuttle
By HAVABUS Shuttle passengers can reach the airport from Kadiköy and Taksim. Also, they can reach the city center, Kadıköy, and Taksim, by using HAVABUS Shuttle services from the airport. It is very easy to find these shuttles because they are distinguishable. The shuttles are big white buses that are parked in front of the terminal building arrivals level exit. Generally, it takes 90 minutes to reach the airport from the city center and vice versa. However, this can change according to traffic density.
Here is some info about the schedules and routes of the HAVABUS Shuttle Services:
From the city center to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport:
The HAVABUS Shuttle services depart from the city center to the airport once in every 30 minutes.
- Kadıköy HAVABUS Shuttle
The earliest departure time from Kadıköy: 04.15
The latest departure time from Kadıköy: 00.45
The departure point is the pier in Kadıköy and it will cost you $1,80 for a journey to the airport. During this journey, the HAVABUS Shuttle passes through Kadıköy, Yeni Sahra, TEM, Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
- Taksim HAVABUS Shuttle
The earliest departure time from Taksim: 03.30
The latest departure time from Taksim: 01.00
Taksim’s departure point is the in front of the Point Hotel which is across the Taksim Divan hotel. This one-way journey will cost you $2,70 to the airport. During this journey, the HAVABUS Shuttle passes through Taksim, Beşiktaş Bosphorus Bridge, TEM, Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.
From Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to the city center:
You can take the same shuttles with the same fee from the airport to reach the city center with a slice difference in the schedules. Below you can find the necessary info about the HAVABUS Shuttle services which go from the airport to the city center. Shuttle services depart from the airport to the city center every 30 minutes.
- Sabiha Gökçen International Airport – Kadıköy HAVABUS Shuttle
The earliest departure time from the airport: 04.00
The latest departure time from the airport: 01.00
During this journey, the HAVABUS Shuttle passes along Sabiha Gökçen Airport – TEM – Yeni Sahra – Kadıköy.
- Sabiha Gökçen International Airport – Taksim HAVABUS Shuttle,
The earliest departure time from the airport: 04.00
The latest departure time from the airport: 01.00
During this journey, the HAVABUS Shuttle passes along Sabiha Gökçen Airport-Kavacık-FSM Bridge 1.Levent-Zincirlikuyu Metrobus- Dolapdere-Taksim.
By Car
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport is, 12 km away from Pendik, 40 km away from Kadıköy, and 50 km away from Taksim. There are several roads that you can use to reach the airport by car but the easiest one is the TEM highway because traffic density is not at its peak. The duration of these one-way journeys may vary from 30 minutes to 60+ minutes because of the traffic density.
- TEM (E80)
On the way to Ankara from Istanbul; after the Kartal exit, you should follow the sign for Kurtköy/Harmandere/Sabiha Gökçen. After going for 2 km, you will reach the airport.
On the way to İstanbul from Ankara, after the Şekerpınar exit, you should follow the sign for Kurtköy/Sabiha Gökçen. After going for 4 km, you will reach the airport.
- E 5 (D 100)
On the way to Ankara from Istanbul, after the Kaynarca Shipyard exit, you should follow the sign for Sabiha Gökçen. After going for 7 km, you will reach the airport.
On the way to Ankara from Istanbul, you should pass the Tuzla Bridge and follow the sign for Sabiha Gökçen. After going for 7 km, you will reach the airport.
- The seaside road
You can reach the airport by passing by Kaynarca shipyard and then following the airport signs, via the seaside road, which starts from Bağdat Street.
In addition to the private cars, you can also use rent a car and taxi serving 24/7 for your journeys. There is a lot of rental car offices and taxi ranks located at the terminal building arrivals level.
In summary, there are several ways for you to reach the airports from the city center in Istanbul. You can use a private car, taxi, airport shuttle buses or IETT buses to reach the airports. One of the biggest advantages of buses is that there are a lot of departure points in the city center that you can easily take a bus. The prices of the buses vary between $2 and $6.
In addition to this, it takes around 100 minutes from each departure point in the city center to the airports. However, you should keep in mind that this duration varies according to the traffic density. We hope you a safe and pleasant journey in Istanbul.
