Istanbul is served by two airports — Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side, and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) on the Asian side, about 45 km from the historic peninsula. Which one you land at depends entirely on your airline, so it's worth checking your ticket before you plan the trip to your hotel, since the two are on opposite sides of the city and not a quick transfer between them.
From Istanbul Airport, the HAVAIST bus network runs to several city districts including Taksim and Sultanahmet, and the M11 metro line connects to the wider metro system, though both usually mean a change of line and a walk with your luggage at the end. From Sabiha Gökçen, the HAVABÜS shuttle and the M4 metro line serve the Asian side and connect onward to the historic peninsula via ferry or metro crossing — a longer journey than most visitors expect on their first trip.
Taxis are available at both airports around the clock and are the most flexible option if you're travelling late at night, though the fare depends on traffic and time of day, and after a long flight it isn't always easy to judge whether the price quoted is reasonable.
For travellers who prefer to have this arranged before they land, a private transfer is usually the simplest choice — the price is fixed in advance, your flight is tracked so a late landing doesn't cause a missed pickup, and a driver is waiting at arrivals to take you straight to your hotel door rather than working through a shared shuttle route or a taxi queue. This is particularly useful for families travelling with children, guests arriving late at night, or anyone landing at Sabiha Gökçen who wants to avoid the longer crossing into the old city.
If you'd like to pre-book this for your stay, Istanbul Airport transfers as well as Sabiha Gökçen pickups can be arranged through City Transfer Turkey, covering hotels across Sultanahmet, Taksim, and the wider city.
Whichever option you choose, we recommend deciding your route from the airport before you land — a little planning makes arriving in Istanbul, especially after a long journey, a much smoother start to your stay.
