Airport Shuttle Istanbul

Hi Rhonda,

We used public transportation to get from the airport to the Old Town and it worked well for us. Here's what Rick says about Airport Shuttle:

"Airport shuttle buses are usually white, and are marked with "Havas" signs. As you exit the arrivals level, go past the taxi stand to the "Havas" stop. Shuttles leave on the half-hour from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 in the morning...if you're heading to the Old Town, get off at Aksaray, then take a taxi or tram to the core of the Old Town." The cost is about 8.50 YTL.

If you don't have a copy of Rick Steves' Istanbul book, I'd recommend it! It's a great resource.

You'll have a great time in Istanbul!

Hello!

Taxi cab will cost you 25 euro. But you can also use the metro and get off at Zeytinburnu and transfer there to the tram to Sultanahmet.

Good luck!

What Peter said is probably going to be your cheapest option though the trains/trams do get crowded. I find it a great intro to Istanbul. Obviously, you need to be comfortable with crowds and public transport.

A quick search on the web will pull up the transport lines (trams/trains) in Istanbul - figure out where you want to go or where your hotel is located and then determine your stop. Fairly straightforward.

One other thing to check - I believe the train and tram combination will require two tokens (i.e. a transfer is not free) - but others will be able to confirm or correct this.

Arnold is correct--it does take 2 tokens. You'll want to look from the Airport to the Sultanahmet stop. It will require a combination of tram and metro. Here's a site that gives you directions if you decide to take public transportation:

I-metro

Have you checked with your hotel to see if they offer a free or low cost pickup option at the airport? A lot of hotels do, as long as you are staying with them for a few days.

Be careful of shuttles--they are unregulated and some charge unreasonble fees. Also, you may sit in a sweltering shuttle for a while waiting for the driver to corral a full van load of passengers. Not fun.

Public transit is actually not hard, though it does require several steps. First, at the sirport you will see signs to Hafif Metro. Follow them--the Metro station is under the airport itslef. Buy two tokens (jetons) at the airport station. Use one to board the Metro--the airport is the last stop so the car will not be full there. Take it to Zeytinburu. Get out and change to the tramway--this will take your second jeton. You are looking for a tram signposted to Eminonu. Get off at the Sultanahmet stop--it's quite a few stops--perhaps twelve or so? I haven't counted. The stops are announced by an audible announcement. This will put you on the edge of Sultanahmet, on Divan Yolu Road. From there it should be an easy stroll to your hotel. You should be able to see the minarets of the Blue Mosque, which can help orient you. Your hotel should be able to give you accurate walking directions from the Sultanahmet tramstop.