Ataturk Commemoration Day - Istanbul closures

Are you talking about the subway from the airport? Or the tram? Somehow I doubt these will be compromised, even during a major holiday like this. Lots of people use public transit, including ferries, to get around Istanbul. If anything, you may get caught in a traffic jam with a taxi wherever the events are scheduled (check if there is stuff going on in the Old City and Taksim area on a local website for Istanbul)

We want to take public transportation from the airport to the Sultanahmet area of Istanbul. I know some cities in the US operate on a reduced schedule on holidays and Sundays so I was just trying to figure out what my best options would be to get from the airport to Istanbul.

Hi there, interesting question as we too will be in this situation. We have arranged a pick up though our hotel. Joining RS on Sept 2.
Keith

@Mary - I took the metro from the airport while I was there (the fact that my luggage didn't arrive with me was the deciding factor, since it really freed me up and I had nothing to carry). It was very inexpensive but I had to get small change first to buy tokens. I think I had to switch to the tram once and that part was quite crowded with locals (so standing room only for at least 20 min). Had no problems, but you may want to consider alternate options if you have very bulky luggage.

Hi, We're doing a RS tour as well midMay. We each have small carryons and backpacks with camera gear. I normally take public transport into a city. I hear the taxis in Istanbul are dicey at times (being polite here) for tourists. Hence my interest in public transport. It seems the easiest, cheapest and fastest option.

While public transit from the airport into the city is cheap, it can get crowded. See if your hotel has a pickup service (many do). It's often free if you stay more than 3 or so nights, and if it's not free, it may be worth it for ease on arrival. For one part of my Istanbul stay, I got a free airport pickup, and paid €20 for the return trip - money well spent. For the other part, the guesthouse called a cab; I don't remember the fare, but he used the meter and it wasn't high.

Mary, If you're a go-with-the-flow kind of person and don't have a lot of stuff with you, I'd recommend the metro/tram. The taxis are probably fine (sure they'll rip you off like any other taxi), but if you want to have real commuting experience like local folks, here's how you can do it (i.e. see link below....red M1 line w/ airport on one end, transfer at Zeytinburnu for the T1 tram and then go all the way to the Sultanahmet stop in the direction of Kabatas). http://www.istanbul-ulasim.com.tr/en