Getting Around Istanbul: Airports, Istanbulkart, Ferries and Taxis

The fastest way around Istanbul is usually rail plus ferry, paid with a single Istanbulkart card. From Istanbul Airport (IST) take the M11 metro or a Havaist bus into town; from Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) on the Asian side allow more time. Use taxis for short hops at night or with luggage, and use the ferries whenever you cross the Bosphorus.

Which airport are you flying into?

Istanbul has two international airports, and the difference matters more than most visitors expect.

• Istanbul Airport (IST) is on the European side, roughly 40 km north of the historic centre. Most long-haul and Turkish Airlines flights land here.
• Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is on the Asian side, around 45–50 km from Sultanahmet. Low-cost carriers such as Pegasus use it heavily.

If your hotel is in Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Karaköy or Beyoğlu, both airports work, but SAW adds a Bosphorus crossing and therefore more exposure to traffic. Check which airport your ticket names before you book a transfer.

From Istanbul Airport (IST) to the city

Metro

The M11 line runs from the airport to Gayrettepe, where you change to the M2 for Taksim and Şişhane. For the old city, many travellers change again or take a short taxi from the end of the line. It is cheap and traffic-proof, but it involves stairs and changes, so it is best if you are travelling light.

Havaist buses

Havaist airport buses run to central points including Taksim, Sultanahmet area and Kadıköy. They take luggage in the hold and are a good middle ground on price. Journey times depend heavily on traffic: allow 60–90 minutes, more at rush hour.

Taxi or private transfer

A taxi to Sultanahmet typically takes 45–75 minutes. Use the official taxi rank, insist on the meter, and note that bridge and motorway tolls are added. A pre-booked transfer costs a little more but removes any discussion about the route or the fare, which many first-time visitors find worth it after a long flight.

From Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) to the city

From SAW, Havaist buses run to Kadıköy and Taksim. The M4 metro connects the airport with Kadıköy on the Asian side, from where a ferry takes you to Eminönü or Karaköy in about 20 minutes. That combination is often the most pleasant way into the old city: no traffic, and your first view of Istanbul is from the water.

The Istanbulkart: one card for everything

The Istanbulkart is a rechargeable contactless card valid on the metro, tram, Marmaray, buses, funiculars and most public ferries. Buy it from the yellow and blue machines at stations, then top it up with cash or, at many machines, a bank card.

• One card can pay for several people travelling together: tap once per person.
• Transfers within a short window are discounted, so rail-plus-ferry trips cost less than you might think.
• Keep some credit on it. Machines are occasionally out of order, and queues build at busy stations.

Fares have risen repeatedly in recent years, so check the current price at the machine rather than relying on figures you read online. As of 2026, single tokens and single-use cards still exist but cost noticeably more per ride than the Istanbulkart.

Trams, metro and Marmaray

For most visitors three lines do almost all the work:

• T1 tram: runs along the old city through Sultanahmet, Eminönü and over the Galata Bridge to Karaköy and Kabataş. It is the line you will use most, and it is crowded in the late afternoon.
• M2 metro: north–south from Yenikapı over the Golden Horn to Şişhane (for Galata), Taksim and the business districts.
• Marmaray: a rail line under the Bosphorus linking Sirkeci with Üsküdar on the Asian side in a few minutes.

Two short funiculars are useful too: F1 from Kabataş up to Taksim, and the historic Tünel from Karaköy up to the top of İstiklal Avenue.

Ferries: the best part of Istanbul transport

Ferries are not just transport here, they are one of the best things to do in the city. Public lines run from Eminönü, Karaköy, Kabataş and Beşiktaş to Kadıköy and Üsküdar on the Asian side, and you pay with the Istanbulkart. A crossing takes around 15–25 minutes and costs a fraction of a tour.

For a longer look at the Bosphorus shoreline, with its palaces, fortresses and wooden waterside mansions, a dedicated cruise makes more sense than commuter ferries, because it follows the coast and someone explains what you are seeing. Our Bosphorus sightseeing cruise with a local guide takes about two hours and is an easy add-on to a city day.

Taxis: how to avoid the usual problems

Istanbul taxis are plentiful and not expensive by European standards, but they have a poor reputation among visitors, mainly for refusing short fares or taking long routes.

• Use a ride-hailing or taxi app such as BiTaksi, which records the route and shows the driver.
• Make sure the meter is running from the start. If the driver will not use it, take another cab.
• Have small notes ready; drivers often claim to have no change.
• Avoid crossing the Bosphorus by taxi at rush hour (roughly 07:30–10:00 and 17:00–20:00). A ferry or Marmaray will be faster.

Walking

The historic peninsula is compact. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and Topkapı Palace are all within a few minutes of each other on foot, and the Grand Bazaar is a 15-minute walk away. Istanbul is hilly, though, and pavements can be uneven, so comfortable shoes matter more than in most European capitals.

A realistic plan for crossing between continents

Many visitors want to stand in Europe and Asia on the same day. The simplest way is: tram to Eminönü, ferry to Kadıköy or Üsküdar, a walk and a meal on the Asian side, then Marmaray back to Sirkeci. If you would rather not organise the connections yourself, our Europe and Asia day tour with a Bosphorus cruise covers both sides with a guide and handles the logistics.

Getting around with luggage, children or limited mobility

Stations on newer lines have lifts, but the old city has steps, cobbles and crowded trams. If you are travelling with large suitcases, a pushchair or someone who cannot manage stairs, plan door-to-door transfers on arrival and departure days and use trams and ferries for sightseeing in between.

FAQ

Can I use a contactless bank card instead of an Istanbulkart?

Contactless bank card payment has been introduced on parts of the network, but coverage is not complete and foreign cards may be charged differently. As of 2026 the Istanbulkart remains the most reliable option for visitors.

How long does it take from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet?

Plan on 45–90 minutes by taxi or bus depending on traffic, and a little over an hour by metro with changes.

Are Istanbul ferries safe and easy for tourists?

Yes. They are run as public transport, the main piers have signs in English, and you simply tap your Istanbulkart at the turnstile before boarding.

Is it better to stay on the European or the Asian side?

For a first visit, the European side (Sultanahmet, Karaköy, Galata) puts you closest to the main sights. Kadıköy on the Asian side is a good, more local base if you are happy to commute by ferry.