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Airport transfer in Istanbul

Hi all, I will be in Istanbul next week

can anyone suggest a reliable company for a transfer from Ataturk Airport to Old City? I have read that is better to book a private transfer instead of take a taxi there...

thanks in advance

Marta

Posted by
1499 posts

Are you staying in a hotel? If so, check with the hotel as they may have a company they use and can arrange for you.

Posted by
2613 posts

I used Efendi Travel Service twice in October and they were great. Price was extremely reasonable, cars were on time and drivers were safe. You can reach them at transfer@ataturkairporttransfer.com. Their website is http://www.efenditravel.com. We also did a day tour with them and thought it was great. And as to the airport pickup - their driver was there at the appointed time with my name on a sign.

Posted by
16893 posts

It should not be a problem to take a yellow taxi from the official taxi stand at the airport. Taxis may or may not be cheaper than private transfers, since the price can vary with traffic. Transfer services have a set price, which you know in advance when you book.

Posted by
449 posts

Hi Marta:

I visited Istanbul in September of this year, and had to deal with getting from the airport to the old town section of the city. The first two yellow cabs at the taxi stand wanted 55 Euros. This was much more than what the RS guidebook says is the standard fare. Consequently, I went back into the airport, having to go through a security checkpoint at the entrance to the building, and took up the offer from Enterprise car rental which charged me 120 Turkish lira, or about $60, for a ride in a large passenger van - I was the only passenger. Enterprise had a laminated sheet with all of the prices to the different parts of the city so there was not the sudden change in price/haggling that might occur when dealing with a taxi driver.

When I returned to the airport a week later my hotel arranged for an airport shuttle which cost only 20 TL, and driver was surprised when I tipped him 5 TL. This was the most luxurious and comfortable airport shuttle that I have ridden anywhere in the world.

Let me add that when I exited the airport upon my arrival the line of limo drivers trying to catch up with their arriving clients was enormous; it seemed like hundreds of drivers. Finding your driver seemed like an impossible chore.

Posted by
4 posts

Are you staying in a hotel? If so, check with the hotel as they may have a company they use and can arrange for you. If they do not have, you can apply for the service to them http://kiwitaxi.com, my sister often use their services