The new Istanbul Airport

Its official name is simply "Istanbul Airport" (IATA code: IST), although it is more commonly referred to as the "New Istanbul Airport" or the "Third Airport."

It's worth noting that Istanbul has two other airports: the historic Atatürk Airport (IATA code: ISL), which has been operating as a cargo and private jet airport since April 6, 2019, and the Sabiha Gökçen Airport (IATA code: SAW), which remains in regular operation.

The Largest Airport in the World

The new Istanbul Airport was constructed in a record time of 5 years and is the largest airport in the world, with an annual capacity of 150 million passengers (expandable to 200 million in the future). Istanbul aims to become the world's most important hub, not only for flights between Europe and Asia but also towards Africa and South America.

In the early months of 2019, we witnessed what was called "the largest move ever," with over 2,000 vehicles involved in transporting all the equipment from the old Atatürk Airport to the new airport in record time.

How to Get from the New Airport to the Center of Istanbul (Sultanahmet or Taksim)

The airport is located to the north of Istanbul, near the Black Sea on the European side of the city. It's quite far from the city center (about 50 kilometers), but it is well connected, including the recently opened M11 metro line.

However, the metro is not the most convenient method to reach the city center as you need to make at least two transfers to get to Taksim Square (change at Kağıthane for the M7 and change again at Şişli for the M2), which makes the journey quite cumbersome. Getting to Sultanahmet or Sirkeci by metro is even more challenging.

In addition to the metro, the municipality has provided for the use of 150 bus lines that operate 24/7, divided into 20 lines with 64 different stops. The company responsible for the shuttle service is called Havaist, and you can find schedules and a list of all routes on this link.

Unfortunately, the shuttle line specifically useful for tourists heading to the historic city center (HVIST-20 Sultanahmet) was discontinued after a few months and has not been reinstated. For now, the recommended line for those heading to the city center area is HVIST-12 with a terminus at Beyazit Meydan (unfortunately, this stop was removed in August 2023), and now the terminus is Aksaray. From there, you can take tram T1 to Sultanahmet in 10 minutes. The approximate travel time is 60 minutes, and the ticket cost is 67 Turkish Lira.

For tourists heading to Beyoğlu, it is recommended to take the HVIST-16 line directly to Taksim Square, with departures approximately every 30 minutes and a fare of 67 Turkish Lira. The approximate travel time is 60 minutes.

Other lines that might be useful for tourists include: HVIST-5 to the Otogar (bus station), HVIST-14 to Kadıköy, HVIST-13 to Sabiha Gökçen Airport.

Travel times are approximate, considering distances, traffic, and various stops; times may vary.

Based on what we've reviewed, signage within the airport is very clear, and staff is ready to provide directions to shuttle locations. Buses depart from the lower level compared to baggage claim, so follow the signs and descend one level.

How to Pay for the Shuttles

Shuttles departing from the airport cannot be paid in cash, neither in euros nor in Turkish Lira, although this option exists for shuttles traveling from the city to the airport. Initially, it was decided to adopt payment via the Istanbul Kart, but this option was later removed. Payment methods for those arriving at the airport are essentially three:

You can pay directly with a credit card before boarding the bus.
You can purchase a ticket at the kiosks located in front of the bus departures.
You can use the Havaist online application available on Google Play or the App Store to preload the necessary credit, allowing you to show the QR Code before boarding the bus for payment.

Important: Once you arrive in the city and disembark from the buses, if you intend to take a taxi to your hotel from the shuttle stop, we recommend being cautious, as taxis at shuttle stops are known for overcharging.

Private Transfers from the Airport to the Hotel

If you'd like the convenience of pre-booking a private transfer to your hotel, we can provide this service. It's a recommended solution if you don't want to use public transportation, especially if you are in a large group (6 people or more). Prices start from 60 euros, and we can also arrange large buses for up to 50 passengers. If you're interested, you can contact us via email.