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About Istanbul
With a population of 14 million, Istanbul is the most populous and developed city of Turkey. Straddling two continents, the city is densely populated on both on the Asian and European shores. Two bridges connect the two sides and the construction of a 3rd bridge has started recently. There also is a rail system called Marmaray that connects the two sides with an undersea tube tunnel under the sea, in addition to many ferries and boats that run between the two sides of the city.
One of the oldest cities of the world, Istanbul served as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires in chronological order. Consequently, historical monuments abound in the city. Sights to see include the Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Camii (Blue Mosque), Topkapı Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, Archeological Museum, Sultanahmet Square, Taksim Square, Istiklal Street in Beyoğlu, Galata Tower, Aqueducts, Basilica Cistern, Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Fener, and hundreds of mosques, churches, and synagogues.
Communities with different beliefs live side by side in Istanbul. All three of the Abrahamic religions have their own houses of prayer. The most popular neighborhoods in Istanbul are along the Bosphorus (both banks of the strait). You can witness the beauties of the strait that flows through the city by taking a boat tour. Istanbul is predominated by the Black Sea and Mediterranean climates. Its weather is temperate.
Two airports, one on the European side, the other on the Anatolian, handle the air traffic of the city. The Istanbul International Airport on the European side is connected to the city by subway. The Sabiha Gökçen International Airport on the Anatolian side is accessible by buses or taxis. Inner-city public transport consists of subways, light rail systems, trams, metrobuses (long-distance municipal buses), buses and minibuses. Taxis are cheap but traffic can be unbearable, especially during rush hour
Transportation to Istanbul City Center from Airport
Sabiha Gökçen Intl. Airport
You can get to the city center from the Sabiha Gökçen Airport using the TEM highway and following the exit and street signs. The airport is also accessible by city buses and Havataş shuttles. If you want to leave your car at the airport there is an outdoor parking lot and a multi-story parking lot. There are also some private parking facilities located around the airport.
Taxi
The fastest and most convenient way to get to the city center from Sabiha Gökçen Airport is by taxi. However, when taking a taxi the most important factor to consider is the traffic. If you’re in a hurry and don’t want to lose time we suggest taking a taxi to a certain point and then transferring to the metro or metrobus. This way you can avoid traffic, even during rush hour.
Havabus
The Havabus shuttle buses provide transportation between Sabiha Gökçen Airport and central locations in the city like Taksim on the European side and Kadikoy and Yenisahra on the Anatolian side. The shuttle buses provide quick and comfortable transportation to and from the airport every 30 minutes.
Marmaray
The Marmaray is a faster alternative for those living on the European side in particular. You can take a taxi or bus to the Kartal metro stop, then get on the metro and continue in the Kadıköy direction. Get off at Ayrılık Çeşmesi and transfer to the Marmaray where you can cross to the European side of the city at the Yenikapı station. From Yenikapı, which is a major station for the metro, buses, and ferries, you can reach many central locations on the European side of the city. Sea buses and ferries to various places in the Marmara Region like Bandırma, Yalova, Avşa, Bursa and Çınarcık depart from the Yenikapı İDO pier. Moreover, you can travel with your vehicle on the ferries.
Bus
You can get to the city center from Sabiha Gökçen Airport by bus.
Lines that operate between the airport and central locations in the city are as follows: E3 - 4.Levent - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, 122H - 4.Levent - Yenişehir - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, E9 - Bostancı - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, E10 - Kadıköy - Kurtköy - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, E11 - Kadıköy - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, E18 - Altunizade - Ümraniye - Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, 16S - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport - Metrobus Uzuncayır, KM20 - Pendik YHT - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, KM22 - Cevizli - Kartal Metro - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, 132H Pendik YHT - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, and 122H - 4.Levent - Yenişehir - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.
By getting off at the Kadiköy or Bostanci piers you can take a boat to Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands, like Buyukada, Heybeliada, Burgazada and Kinaliada.
Metro
From the airport you can take a bus or taxi to the Kartal metro station and get on the Kadikoy-Kaynarca line in the Kadikoy direction.
Rental Cars
You can get to the city center by renting a car from various rental agencies at the airport. You can also return your rental vehicle to rental agencies located in the city. If you are traveling between multiple places make sure to specify your vehicle pick up and drop off location when making your reservation.
Istanbul Airport
You can get to the city center from Atatürk Airport, located on the European side of Istanbul, by taxi, airport shuttles, metro, bus, private transportation services or your personal car. The most important factor to consider when picking your means of transportation to reach the city center is the traffic. Using alternative means of transportation, like a combination of taxi, metro or metrobus, during rush hour will save time.
Taxi
The fastest and most convenient way to get to the city center from Atatürk Airport is by taxi. However, when taking a taxi the most important factor to consider is the traffic. If you’re in a hurry and don’t want to lose time we suggest taking a taxi to a certain point and then transferring to the metro or metrobus. This way you can avoid traffic, even during rush hour. Some taxis accept credit card payments. If you want to pay using your credit card make sure to indicate this before hand to the driver and get in a vehicle that accepts credit card payments.
Havabus
The Havabus shuttle buses provide transportation between Atatürk Airport and central locations in the city. The Havatas shuttles provide service to and from Taksim and Yenikapi IDO Pier every 30 minutes.
Bus
You can use public buses to get to the city center from Atatürk Airport. Using the istanbulkart (smart card for fare payment), this is the most economical alternative. From the airport you can use the TH-1 bus to get to Taksim and the YH-1 bus to get to Yenikapi. From Taksim and Yenikapi you can transfer to the metro to reach other central districts.
Metro
One of the fastest alternatives to get to the city center is by metro. Using the metro station that is located in the airport you can easily reach various parts of the city like Yenikapı, Aksaray, Fatih, Topkapı, and Esenler. If you’re planning on continuing your journey to a different city by bus, the metro goes to the Esenler Bus Station.
Rental Cars
You can get to the city center by renting a car from rental agencies such as AVIS, Budget, or Europcar both at the airport or various locations in the city like Beşiktaş, Taksim, Kadıköy, Bostancı and Bakırköy. You can also return your rental vehicle to the offices of the aforementioned companies located in the city. If you are traveling between multiple places make sure to specify your vehicle pick up and drop off location when making your reservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Istanbul flights are organized to Sabiha Gökçen Intl. Airport, Istanbul Airport.
London-Istanbul 3 hour, Manchester-Istanbul 3 hour 20 minutes, Edinburgh-Istanbul 3 hour 30 minutes, Birmingham-Istanbul 3 hour 10 minutes, Glasgow-Istanbul 3 hour 30 minutes, Bristol-Istanbul 3 hour 10 minutes, Liverpool-Istanbul 3 hour 20 minutes, Newcastle-Istanbul 3 hour 20 minutes.
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